The Great Scottish Escape: From the Capital to Legendary Islands

Route towards the Perthshire region, approximately one hour thirty from Edinburgh. Visit Blair Atholl castle, near Pitlochry, which played an important role in most of the turbulent events of Écosse's history.

Take time to discover the surroundings, which are home to remarkable forests. You will discover among the oldest trees in Europe, some of which are gigantic, and the world's tallest hedges. This region is rightly called "Big Tree Country".

In Glamis, you can discover the Angus Folk Museum, one of the most interesting folk art museums in the country, housed in a typical nineteenth-century thatched cottage.

Night in Pitlochry.

Explore the Central Highlands, also known as Cairngorms Mountains. You will traverse the grandiose Glenshee valley and its plateau covered in heather of different colours.

Recommended stop at the village of Ballater where shops have displayed the coats of arms on their storefronts. This makes it the only « royal » village in Écosse. The Queen's castle, Balmoral Castle, is located a few kilometres away.

The landscapes of the Cairngorms are superb and the wildlife quite wild. You will certainly come across very beautiful red Scottish cattle. Fog can appear at any moment in this region of Écosse.

Night towards Grantown-on-Spey.

Road to Inverness, the cultural capital of the Highlands.

You will continue towards the west coast by following the A835 in the direction of Ullapool before turning towards Gairloch, on the A832.

You will reach there the very beautiful North Coast 500, the coastal road that winds through the north-west part of Écosse over 500 miles (approximately 800 km). This famous road crosses sumptuous landscapes, between white sand beaches, small coastal villages and numerous castles.

The landscapes as far as Gairloch are breathtaking. You will skirt the Little Loch Broom then the Loch Ewe. At Inverewe, possibility to visit the botanical garden. It was created in 1852 by Osgood Mackenzie and comprises more than 2500 species of exotic plants and flowers.

Overnight stay near Gairloch.

Today, you will drive through a stunning route, mostly on single tracks (narrow and winding roads allowing passage for a single vehicle only). It is an incredible experience to travel such roads.

You will first skirt the southern shore of Loch Maree before reaching the incredible Glen Torridon (photo stop!) then the charming fishing village of Shieldaig.

From there, you will approach the Applecross Peninsula while holding your breath. Opening onto the Atlantic, it offers stunning views of the islands of Rona, Raasay and Skye.

Return to Gairloch via Strathcarron, through the mountains.

Head towards the pearl of the Inner Hebrides: the Isle of Skye. Its name in Gaelic means Isle of the Mist. You will first take the road to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Make a detour along the way to the Eilean Donan Castle to take some photos. It was notably where much of the film Highlander was filmed.

At Kyle of Lochalsh, you will cross the bridge that connects the Isle of Skye to mainland Écosse (the bridge was built in 1995).

You will catch sight of the impressive Cuillin Hills and will then arrive at the charming fishing port of Portree where you will stop for a walk that will allow you to soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful island.

Night on the Isle of Skye.

After your breakfast, head to the Talisker Distillery. You will learn about the manufacturing process of this world-renowned whisky. Talisker draws its water, naturally filtered through peat, from 21 underground springs, sourced from a nearby hill.

Small tasting at the end of the visit.

You can then continue exploring Skye heading towards Dunvegan in the North-West of the island. Visit the castle and its gardens.

Unless you prefer the wild side of Neist Point, where cetaceans sometimes frolic. It is possible to organize a boat trip, on request.

Night stay on the Isle of Skye.

Join this morning the small port of Armadale, at the far south-east of the island.

A three-quarter hour ferry journey then takes you to Mallaig. Final views over the Inner Hebrides.

The journey to Fort William follows the route of the Jacobite train (Harry Potter train) which you may have the opportunity to see pass by. You can position yourself at the foot of the Glenfinnan viaduct to enjoy a breathtaking view. The viaduct was built in 1815 in honour of soldiers who died for the Jacobite cause.

Booking of seats on board the train is possible upon request and subject to availability.

Overnight stay near Fort William.

Escape off the beaten path on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. After crossing Loch Linnhe south of Fort William, you will take a small ferry. This will probably be your first kilometres of driving on single tracks, single-lane roads winding through sumptuous valleys. Nature reigns here. You may spot deer, otters and seals on the coastline (mainly at low tide). From the coast, you will enjoy spectacular viewpoints over the Outer Hebrides.

Return towards Fort William. Possibility to stop at the Neptune Steps, a set of 8 locks built on the Caledonian Canal to facilitate boat traffic between the Atlantic and the North Sea.

Head south to the Argyll region. This very rural area features charming typical villages. The landscapes alternate between mountains and lochs. The coasts offer magnificent views over the Inner Hebrides islands (islands of Jura, Kerrera, Mull…).

Oban is the main town in the region. Its name means "Little bay", and as it suggests, the town is open to the ocean. It is very pleasant to stroll through its streets, day and night. There you can visit the distillery of the same name and savour excellent dishes based on local fish and seafood.

The village of Inveraray, on the west bank of Loch Fyne, will enchant you. It is a former royal village (it was the residence of the Dukes of Argyll).

Overnight near Oban.

You will board this morning for the Isle of Mull departing from Oban. The crossing to Craignure takes 50 minutes. It is possible to see dolphins on the side of the boat.

You will love the island of Mull. It is the second largest island of the Hebrides. It is characterized by landscapes composed of sandy beaches, cliffs and barren moorland. The archipelago is composed of small islets such as Eraid, Iona or Ulva. The most important town is Tobermory, located in the north of the island. The port, with its colorful houses, is conducive to walks and leisurely strolls. The other main towns are Craignure, Fionnphort and Salen. The island is dominated by Ben More, its highest peak.

Overnight stay on the island of Mull.

Return to the small port of Craignure.

The time has come to leave the enchanting island of Mull and take the ferry back to Oban.

Head to the Trossachs National Park and the Loch Lomond region. The village of Luss, on the west bank of Loch Lomond, is quite pretty but rather touristy. Prefer Balmaha, on the other shore, where you can board for Inchcailloch island or take a walk in the forest park.

Stirling is a medieval town with cobbled streets and a famous castle overlooking the valley. The region is a hotspot for battles between Écosse and England and the spirit of William Wallace still lingers there.

Night in the heart of the Trossachs National Park, near Callander.

Departure to the capital of Écosse: Edinburgh. You will return your rental vehicle upon arrival, either in the city or at the airport before settling into your accommodation in the city.

Edinburgh is a magical city, holding historical secrets at every corner and animated with wonderful festivals and celebrations throughout the year. You will be able to explore the city and its various famous monuments. After walking up Royal Mile, you will reach Edinburgh Castle which you can visit. It offers magnificent views over the entire city and beyond.

Why not take advantage of the museums by getting lost in the corridors of the National Museum of Scotland. The galleries encompass themes of nature, discovery and world cultures. There are 8000 new objects on display, treasures associated with Alexander Fleming, John Muir, Charles Darwin and John Logie Baird, as well as a full-scale cast of a Tyrannosaurus.

Of course, stop by one of the many pubs in the city to get a feel for the capital and immerse yourself in this refreshing sweetness of living.

Overnight in Edinburgh.