11 days in Scottish Highlands Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Scottish Highlands vacation planner
Start: Portland
Bus to Boston, Fly to Inverness
1
Inverness
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Thurso
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Durness
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Gairloch
— 1 night
Drive
5
Glencoe
— 2 nights
Drive to Glasgow International Airport, Fly to Portland
End: Portland
Tue, Jun 20 - Fri, Jun 30
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Inverness — 2 nights
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Gateway to the Highlands
Inverness, often described as the Gateway to the Highlands, is a thriving commercial and industrial center.Start off your visit on the 21st (Wed): see the interesting displays at The Highlanders' Museum (Queen's Own Highlanders Collection), make a trip to Clava Cairns, then take an in-depth tour of Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Inverness Cathedral. Here are some ideas for day two: play a few rounds at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, pause for some serene contemplation at Dornoch Cathedral, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Dornoch Beach.
For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Inverness online trip itinerary planner.
Portland, USA to Inverness is an approximately 15-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also fly; or do a combination of bus, flight, and train. You'll lose 5 hours traveling from Portland to Inverness due to the time zone difference. In June, Inverness is a bit cooler than Portland - with highs of 62°F and lows of 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) to allow time to drive to Thurso.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 20 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Thurso — 2 nights
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Thurso is a town and former burgh on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland.On the 23rd (Fri), get great views at Duncansby Head, step into the grandiose world of Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, then sample the fine beverages at Dunnet Bay Distillery, and finally get engrossed in the history at Caithness Horizons Museumand Art Gallery. Here are some ideas for day two: take an in-depth tour of Wick Heritage Museum, step into the grandiose world of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, and then take some stellar pictures from Dunnet Head.
For reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Thurso sightseeing planner.
Traveling by car from Inverness to Thurso takes 2.5 hours. Traveling from Inverness in June, you will find days in Thurso are slightly colder (57°F), and nights are about the same (46°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Durness.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 22 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Durness — 3 nights
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Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Explore hidden gems such as Achmelvich Beach and Balnakeil Beach. Visit Ardvreck Castle and Dun Dornaigil Broch for their historical value. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Durness: Kinlochbervie (Sandwood Bay Beach & Oldshoremore Beach). The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Durness Beach, stroll through Sango Bay, and take in the dramatic natural features at Cape Wrath.
For traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Durness travel planner.
You can drive from Thurso to Durness in 2.5 hours. In June, daytime highs in Durness are 60°F, while nighttime lows are 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to drive to Gairloch.
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For traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Durness travel planner.
You can drive from Thurso to Durness in 2.5 hours. In June, daytime highs in Durness are 60°F, while nighttime lows are 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to drive to Gairloch.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 24 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Gairloch — 1 night
Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. On the 28th (Wed), admire the natural beauty at Inverewe Garden, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Loch Maree.
For ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Gairloch holiday maker app.
Getting from Durness to Gairloch by car takes about 3 hours. In June in Gairloch, expect temperatures between 58°F during the day and 48°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Glencoe.
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For ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Gairloch holiday maker app.
Getting from Durness to Gairloch by car takes about 3 hours. In June in Gairloch, expect temperatures between 58°F during the day and 48°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Glencoe.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jun 27 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Glencoe — 2 nights
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Glencoe or Glencoe Village is the main settlement in Glen Coe in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands. On the 29th (Thu), take in the awesome beauty at The Three Sisters, identify plant and animal life at Glen Etive, then trek along West Highland Way, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Highland Titles Nature Reserve.
For where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Glencoe driving holiday tool.
Traveling by car from Gairloch to Glencoe takes 3.5 hours. In June in Glencoe, expect temperatures between 63°F during the day and 49°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.
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For where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Glencoe driving holiday tool.
Traveling by car from Gairloch to Glencoe takes 3.5 hours. In June in Glencoe, expect temperatures between 63°F during the day and 49°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 28 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Scottish Highlands travel guide
The Scottish Highlands are the reason why Scotland looks like nowhere else in the world. The rugged landscapes of the Highlands are at once formidable and beautiful. Perhaps the best way to experience the awe-inspiring natural wonders of the region is by including a leisurely road trip in your itinerary. A journey through the Highlands is a journey through the history of our planet, as the ancient rocks were formed over a period of hundreds of millions of years. The region contains some of Europe’s most extensive wilderness areas, many of which have been designated as national parks and are essential places to visit for any nature lover. Dotted with small fishing villages, the region is also a foodie's paradise, offering arguably some of the finest fresh seafood and venison delicacies in the world.
