Active Scotland Road Trip - 8 Days
Highlights
- Hike to the top of Arthur's Seat to take in fabulous views over Edinburgh
- Look for wildlife, including deer, on a tour of the Cairngorms National Park
- Admire the Isle of Skye's landscape from a sea kayak on a guided experience
- Tour Loch Leven by paddleboard, exploring the uninhabited island of Eilean Munde
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat Hike | Edinburgh |
| Day 2 | Drive to Aviemore, Bruar Falls Canyoning | Aviemore |
| Day 3 | Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour, Drive to Inverness | Inverness |
| Day 4 | Guided Mountain Biking in the Highlands, Drive to Torridon | Torridon |
| Day 5 | Drive to the Isle of Skye, Guided Sea Kayak Experience | Isle of Skye |
| Day 6 | Drive to Glencoe, Paddleboarding on Loch Leven | Glen Coe |
| Day 7 | Drive to Glasgow via Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park | Glasgow |
| Day 8 | Depart Glasgow |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat Hike
Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and drive to your central hotel. Once you've settled in, put on your walking boots and start your active trip off in style with a hike to the top of Arthur's Seat. This ancient volcano is the highest of a group of hills in central Holyrood Park. The summit is 823 feet (251 m) above sea level, and you'll enjoy fabulous views over Edinburgh from the top.
You'll be provided with instructions on the best route to take, which will include climbing to the top of Salisbury Crags for views over the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, and all the way to Leith and the Firth of Forth. At the top of Arthur's Seat, pose next to the trig point and take snaps of the views over Edinburgh. Return to your hotel to freshen up after your walk, then head out to try one of Edinburgh's many restaurants to refuel. There's an excellent choice in the city, from fine dining and traditional Scottish food to pub grub.
Day 2: Drive to Aviemore, Bruar Falls Canyoning
Leave Edinburgh this morning and drive north to Aviemore, a town in the Cairngorms National Park. The drive should take around 2.5 hours. Stop an hour south of Aviemore at Bruar Falls, which is around 15 minutes north of Pitlochry on the A9. The falls flow through the Atholl Estate, and this was one of the first places that opened as a canyoning spot in Scotland, so it's an ideal place for you to try the activity. There are jumps that range from 6.5 feet to 26 feet (2-8 m) here, as well as a waterfall abseil and vertical rock slides.
The scenery is beautiful as you'll be surrounded by pine forests. Once you've enjoyed your adrenaline hit, head to Aviemore to check into your hotel and relax for the evening.
Day 3: Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour, Drive to Inverness
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Take a break from driving this morning as you're picked up in a Land Rover Discovery 4WD for a wildlife safari in the Cairngorms National Park. The national park is home to a quarter of the UK's endangered species, and you may spot red squirrels, golden eagles, deer, osprey, and pine marten. You'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will teach you more about the landscape and wildlife as you drive.
After your safari, get back behind the wheel and drive around 40 minutes northwest to your hotel in Inverness. The city of Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and, depending on your arrival time, you could explore the center, looking around its castle, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Inverness Cathedral, or do a spot of shopping. Alternatively, drive around half an hour south to Loch Ness to look for its famous monster on a cruise.
Day 4: Guided Mountain Biking in the Highlands, Drive to Torridon
Explore the rugged countryside around Inverness today on a mountain bike. You'll be accompanied by a guide who will choose your route based on your ability and any requests you may have. You could cycle south of Loch Ness, enjoying fantastic views over the water, or opt for a route through a spindly, shaded forest. There are challenging routes to test your skills or gentler, flatter rides if the scenery is your priority.
Afterward, drive to Torridon, which is around 60 miles (97 km) west. The journey should take 90 minutes. Once you've arrived, check into your hotel and take a stroll around the scenic village of Torridon, which sits on the shore of Upper Loch Torridon in Wester Ross and in the shadow of the surrounding mountains.
Day 5: Drive to the Isle of Skye, Guided Sea Kayak Experience
Set off early to drive to the Isle of Skye this morning. Your journey should take just under two hours to reach Teangue in the south of the island. From here, you can see Skye's landscape from a different perspective while on a guided kayaking excursion. Whatever your experience, you'll learn new skills on this adventure and can take in views of the interesting coastline and wildlife as you paddle. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch on a remote beach partway through.
Head to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax or explore more of the island at your leisure.
Day 6: Drive to Glencoe, Paddleboarding on Loch Leven
It's time to start heading south again today, so set off first thing to drive to the pretty village of Glencoe within Lochaber Geopark in the Highlands. Glencoe is on the banks of Loch Leven, and you'll be rewarded after your journey of around three hours with a paddleboarding experience on the water. Once your guide has taught you the basics of paddleboarding and you feel confident, you'll set off for a tour of the loch. A highlight will be exploring the uninhabited island of Eilean Munde, which is known as "Graveyard Island," as it's where Highland clans buried their dead.
Check into your hotel to freshen up after your adventure on the water, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Glencoe. You could plan a short hike to see more of the local scenery or cozy up in a friendly pub.
Day 7: Drive to Glasgow via Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
Set off first thing to drive to Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. The journey south should take just less than 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. Plan your route to travel along the west shore of Loch Lomond and stop to explore Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park en route. This was Scotland's first national park and is known as "the Highlands in miniature" due to its memorable scenery. You could stop in the village of Luss around halfway along Loch Lomond's western shore to gaze up at Ben Lomond mountain from its pier. Stretch your legs here and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife.
After checking into your Glasgow hotel, wander around the vibrant city, perhaps taking in some art in the grand Kelvingrove Art Gallery or pottering among the plants in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. You could also head to Clydeside Distillery, Glasgow's first dedicated single malt whisky distillery in over a century, to enjoy an hourlong distillery experience during which you'll taste two whiskies matured in first-fill bourbon casks and first-fill sherry butts. Make the most of the last evening of your tour, sampling the city's food and drink in a restaurant or cozy pub.
Day 8: Depart Glasgow
Today is the final day of your active Scottish tour. Return your rental car at the appointed time and head to the railway station or airport to depart for your next destination. Until next time!
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