7-Day Scotland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Scotland itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaScotland travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Scotland Itinerary, incl. Glasgow and Edinburgh

  Rolling through 9 major destinations, this 7-day tour includes Glasgow, Isle of Skye, and Edinburgh. Visit Stirling Castle, cruise Loch Lomond, explore Culloden Battlefield, and tour Edinburgh Castle. Includes 6 nights accommodation and 3 traditional Scottish dinners.

  

  View itinerary Compare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Glasgow

    Begin in Scotland's largest city. "Getting to know Glasgow requires more than just a bus tour - take time to explore the 12th-century cathedral and wander the historic university district." Book a hotel near George Square to stay close to the best restaurants and attractions.

    
  • Day 2

    Glasgow & Loch Lomond

    Take a morning boat trip on Loch Lomond just 45 minutes from Glasgow. Visit Stirling Castle in the afternoon around 2pm when crowds thin out. Finish your day at a Highland whisky distillery. A recent visitor shared: "Watching the sunset over Loch Lomond while sipping single malt was a highlight."

    
  • Day 3

    Fort William & Isle of Skye

    This is a longer travel day with 4-5 hours of driving but worth every minute. Stop at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from Harry Potter films. Arrive before 11am to watch the Jacobite Steam Train cross. Take the afternoon ferry to Skye. The narrow roads can be tricky so a guided tour might be your best option.

    
  • Day 4

    Inverness & Highlands

    Get an early start to see Eilean Donan Castle before the crowds. Drive to Inverness along Loch Ness which takes about 2 hours. Spend your afternoon at Culloden Battlefield. One visitor noted: "Wear good walking shoes as the moor can be quite boggy even in summer."

    
  • Day 5

    St Andrews

    Travel east through Cairngorms National Park to reach St Andrews in about 3 hours. Golf fans can play at the famous Old Course. A regular visitor suggests: "Book afternoon tee times as morning fog often delays play."

    
  • Days 6-7

    Edinburgh

    Your final two days belong to Scotland's capital. Start with Edinburgh Castle first thing in the morning. Book 9am tickets online to avoid the crowds. "Stay in the Grassmarket area for the best mix of historic atmosphere and restaurant options" recommends a frequent visitor.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Days in Scotland, incl. Edinburgh and Isle of Skye

  The classic 7-day tour covers 4 major cities: Edinburgh, Inverness, Fort William, and Glasgow. Highlights include Culloden Moor, Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle, Old Man of Storr hike, and whisky tasting at Ben Nevis Distillery. Includes 6 breakfasts and expert guide throughout.

  

  View itinerary Compare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Edinburgh

    Get to Edinburgh's Old Town early around 8:30 AM to avoid the big crowds. Book your Edinburgh Castle tickets ahead on edinburghcastle.scot since you might not get in if you wait until the day of your visit. A recent visitor shared: "The crowds thin out noticeably after 3 PM – perfect time to explore the atmospheric closes (alleyways) off the Royal Mile."

    
  • Day 2

    Edinburgh to Cairngorms National Park

    Leave Edinburgh by 9 AM to avoid traffic on your way north. The 4-hour drive to Cairngorms offers plenty of scenic stops. Make sure you have good shoes when walking in Glenmore Forest since the paths get muddy even in summer. Keep an eye out for red squirrels near the old Caledonian pines. A visitor noted: "The Cairngorms hike was surprisingly challenging – bring layers as the weather changes quickly, even in August."

    
  • Day 3

    Inverness and Loch Ness

    Get to Culloden Moor when it opens at 9 AM before tour groups show up. Bring a waterproof jacket since the battlefield is open to wind and rain. Take an afternoon boat ride on Loch Ness to see Urquhart Castle. Sit on the left side of the boat for the best views. You can easily walk around Inverness city center in the evening and find traditional Scottish food on Church Street.

    
  • Day 4

    Isle of Skye

    You'll see amazing Highland views on your drive from Inverness to Skye. Stop at Eilean Donan Castle before 10 AM to take photos without crowds. Plan about 2 hours for the Old Man of Storr hike. You'll need proper hiking boots since it's steep and often slippery. One traveler said: "The Isle of Skye's weather is unpredictable – we experienced sunshine, rain and rainbows all within an hour at the Storr."

    
  • Day 5

    Fort William Area

    Plan to see the Jacobite Steam Train cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct around 10:30 AM or 3 PM but check the current schedule. Get to the viewpoint 30 minutes early for a good spot. Take an easy walk through Ben Nevis forest if you don't want to climb the mountain. End your day with whisky tasting at a local distillery.

    
  • Day 6

    Glencoe to Glasgow

    The drive to Glasgow through Glencoe takes about 3 hours but leave time for photos. The valley looks incredible no matter the weather. Once in Glasgow head to the West End for food. A visitor suggested: "Skip the touristy spots and head to Ashton Lane for authentic Scottish pubs and great local atmosphere."

    
  • Day 7

    Glasgow

    Visit free museums like Kelvingrove after it opens at 10 AM or take a morning brewery tour. If you're flying out book an afternoon flight since morning traffic to Glasgow Airport can be heavy.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Day Orkney Islands Itinerary, incl. Kirkwall and Stromness

  A rugged 7-day adventure covers 5 destinations including Kirkwall, Stromness, and Rousay Island. Daily walks range from 9-12.5km, visiting Skara Brae Neolithic village, Ring of Brodgar stone circle, and dramatic coastal viewpoints.

  

  View itinerary Compare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Inverness to Kirkwall

    Take a 3-hour scenic drive along Scotland's northeast coast to Scrabster port followed by a 1.5-hour ferry to Stromness. The Pentland Firth crossing can be choppy so pack warm layers. Head to historic Kirkwall for the evening. "St Magnus Cathedral is incredible, especially with the evening light catching the red sandstone" reports one visitor.

    
  • Day 2

    Westray Island

    Take the morning ferry (1.5 hours) along the Viking "Swan's Path" to Westray Island. The gentle 9km coastal walk to Noup Head offers great seabird watching. If you visit between late April and mid-August you'll likely spot puffins. "Being watched by a couple of puffins about 2m away from us was unforgettable" shares a recent visitor. The clifftop paths get slippery after rain so wear boots with good grip.

    
  • Day 3

    Deerness Peninsula

    Explore the eastern Mainland's coastline on a 10km (3-hour) walk past the Viking-era Brough of Deerness and the Gloup sea cave. Visit the Italian Chapel built by WWII prisoners in the afternoon. The walk isn't difficult but bring water and snacks since facilities are limited.

    
  • Day 4

    West Mainland Coast

    Walk the moderate 12.5km trail from Stromness to Skara Brae passing Yesnaby's dramatic sea stacks. You'll need waterproof boots for boggy sections. The walk ends at Skara Brae, an incredible 5,000-year-old village. One visitor noted "The walk to Skara Brae along breathtaking cliffs on a sunny windy day was unforgettable."

    
  • Day 5

    Neolithic Heart of Orkney

    Visit the UNESCO sites including Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness stone circles which are older than Stonehenge. They're particularly beautiful at sunrise. Spend your afternoon in Stromness and stop by the Arts Pier Centre. It's an easy walking day with about 3km total between sites.

    
  • Day 6

    Rousay Island

    Take a morning ferry to Rousay, nicknamed the "Egypt of the North" for its archaeological sites. The moderate 9km hill walk reaches 275m with great views. Watch for short-eared owls on the RSPB land. Paths get very boggy so wear gaiters if you have them.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Inverness

    Take the 11am ferry from Stromness back to mainland Scotland. The drive to Inverness is about 3 hours. Plan any onward travel after 7pm to account for possible ferry delays.

    

  View itinerary