11 days in Scottish Highlands Itinerary

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

Popular historic sites such as Urquhart Castle and Culloden Battlefield are in your itinerary. For shopping fun, head to Clog and Craft Shop or Caledonian Gifts and Souvenirs. Get out of town with these interesting Inverness side-trips: Iceberg Glass (in Fort Augustus), Cairngorm Reindeer Centre (in Glenmore) and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park (in Kincraig). It doesn't end there: look for gifts at The Carnegie Whisky Cellars and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Nigg Old Church.

To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Inverness day trip tool.

Valletta, Malta to Inverness is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Valletta to Inverness, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Valletta in January, expect Inverness to be slightly colder, temps between 7°C and 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Shieldaig.

Shieldaig is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland.The village was founded in 1800 with a view to training up seamen for war against Napoleon. Start off your visit on the 15th (Tue): take in the awesome beauty at Glen Torridon and then look for gifts at The Lochcarron Weavers Shop. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Wed): step into the grandiose world of Eilean Donan Castle and then enjoy the sand and surf at Red Point Beach.

For where to stay, reviews, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Shieldaig trip itinerary app.

Getting from Inverness to Shieldaig by car takes about 2 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 8°C, and evening lows to 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Ullapool.

Ullapool is a village of around 1,500 inhabitants in Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands. Start off your visit on the 17th (Thu): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Stac Pollaidh Mountain, join in the after-dark buzz at Lael Crafts Gallery and coffee stop, stop by Made in Ullapool, then stop by The Captain's Cabin, and finally explore the galleries of RhueArt.

Find out how to plan Ullapool trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

You can drive from Shieldaig to Ullapool in 2 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Durness.

Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Start off your visit on the 18th (Fri): stroll through Oldshoremore Beach, stroll through Scourie Bay, then delve into the distant past at Dun Dornaigil Broch, and finally view the masterpieces at Lotte Glob. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: kick back and relax at Polin Beach and then explore the historical opulence of Castle Varrich.

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Durness online tour itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Ullapool to Durness takes 2 hours. January in Durness sees daily highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) to allow time to drive to John O'Groats.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sun): enjoy the sea views from Holburn Head Lighthouse, contemplate the long history of Grey Cairns of Camster, then don't miss a visit to Whaligoe Steps, and finally get great views at Duncansby Head.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our John O'Groats online holiday builder.

Traveling by car from Durness to John O'Groats takes 3 hours. In January in John O'Groats, expect temperatures between 7°C during the day and 1°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 21st (Mon) before leaving for home.