20 days in Scotland Itinerary

World Heritage-listed Edinburgh combines ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere.

Get some cultural insight at Edinburgh Castle and National Museum of Scotland. Popular historic sites such as Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Real Mary King's Close are in your itinerary. The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Royal Yacht Britannia, browse the range of quality goods at Jenners, admire nature's extreme beauty at The Marshmallow Lady, and take in the dramatic natural features at Arthur's Seat.

To see other places to visit, maps, photos, and other tourist information, read Edinburgh trip planner.

London to Edinburgh is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also take a train; or drive. In August, Edinburgh is slightly colder than London - with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to drive to Glencoe.

Glencoe or Glencoe Village is the main settlement in Glen Coe in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands. Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): look for all kinds of wild species at Highland Titles Nature Reserve, look for gifts at Highland Soaps, and then don't miss a visit to Lime Tree An Ealdhain Gallery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Thu): kick back and relax at Camusdarach Beach, then look for gifts at Ardshealach Smokehouse & Fine Foods, and then stop by Woodland Pottery & Crafts.

To find photos, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Glencoe visit planner.

You can drive from Edinburgh to Glencoe in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In August, daytime highs in Glencoe are 21°C, while nighttime lows are 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel to Gairloch.

Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): look for gifts at Perfume Studio, stop by Treasure Chest, then identify plant and animal life at Shieldaig Falconry, and finally hike along Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.

For where to stay, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, use the Gairloch trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Glencoe to Gairloch by car takes about 3.5 hours. In August in Gairloch, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 11°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can go by car to Lochinver.

Lochinver is a village on the coast in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. Kick off your visit on the 12th (Sun): look for all kinds of wild species at Little Assynt Estate, look for gifts at Achins Bookshop, learn something new at An Talla Solais, then look for gifts at The Captain's Cabin, and finally stop by Made in Ullapool. On the next day, enjoy the sand and surf at Achmelvich Beach, then enjoy the sand and surf at Scourie Bay, then get a taste of local nightlife at The Jammery Culkein, and finally look for gifts at Highland Stoneware, Baddidarroch.

For more things to do, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Lochinver route planner.

Traveling by car from Gairloch to Lochinver takes 2.5 hours. In August, daytime highs in Lochinver are 19°C, while nighttime lows are 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) so you can go by car to Durness.

Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Get outdoors at Durness Beach and Sandwood Bay Beach. There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Sango Bay, view the masterpieces at Lotte Glob, Head underground at Smoo Cave, and contemplate the waterfront views at Balnakeil Bay.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, use the Durness online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Lochinver to Durness by car takes about 1.5 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Dornoch.

Dornoch is a town and seaside resort, and former Royal burgh in the Highlands of Scotland. On the 17th (Fri), stop by Coast Candle Co., stop by The Dornoch Bookshop, look for gifts at The Carnegie Whisky Cellars, then stop by Simply The Best Fair Trade Shop, then look for gifts at Orcadian Stone Exhibition and gift shop, and finally look for gifts at Pandora's Emporium. Here are some ideas for day two: look for gifts at The Cheese House, look for gifts at The Emporium Bookshop, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Dornoch Beach.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Dornoch holiday planning tool.

Getting from Durness to Dornoch by car takes about 2 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Inverness.

Inverness, often described as the Gateway to the Highlands, is a thriving commercial and industrial center.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. Get in touch with nature at Aigas Field Centre and Caley Cruisers. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Inverness: Embrace Gift Shop (in Strathpeffer), RZSS Highland Wildlife Park (in Kingussie) and Aviemore (The Potting Shed Tearoom Inshriach & Mountain Spirit). There's still lots to do: stop by Leakey's Second-hand Bookshop, browse for treasures at Iain Marr Antiques, look for all kinds of wild species at Loch Garten Nature Reserve, and take in the exciting artwork at Picaresque Books.

For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Inverness route builder app.

You can drive from Dornoch to Inverness in an hour. In August in Inverness, expect temperatures between 21°C during the day and 10°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can travel back home.