Help with 3 day Highlands Drive from Edinburgh

Posted by davidnyc on 02/23/26 03:34 AM

Hi -

Going to Scotland and the Fringe for a week in August but allocated 3 full days (2 nights) of the trip to head out to the highlands. I did a group Youth tour about 30 years ago that got out there a bit but not since then (although have been back to a few other UK trips).

Initially was looking at doing a Rabbies or Timberbush tour that hits Skye and Highlands for 3 days but I'm really not great on buses or even larger vans so considering doing something on our own (and I always like being on my own timing). I have driven in UK several times but mostly highways and suburban locations - have never done a single track road yet!.

Still debating the two options and also trying to figure out if we do on own - what the itinerary would be. While I'd love to see Skye - I'm also open to just doing other parts of highlands. As for what we'd like to see - we're not hikers (but do like outdoors and OK with moderate walks). Love historical places, castles, pretty scenery, wildlife, charming towns to walk through, etc. And I think my wife's heart would be broken if we don't get to see a bunch of highland cattle!

Thoughts on the two options and if driving - what would be your recommendations for two cities to do for the overnights? We're active but when doing trips always trying to find the right balance between seeing a lot of things and getting to spend enough time at the places we stop.

Posted by jeanm

Chicagoland

02/23/26 05:48 AM

2093 posts

Well, if you're not a comfortable passenger on a minibus, that pretty much rules out the Rabies or Timberbush Tours because it's a lot of bus time.

With only 2 nights you don't really have time for Skye. It would make for long travel days to and from Edinburgh. A frequent forum contributor who lives on Skye and is very familiar with the roads allows 7 hours to drive between Edinburgh and Skye.

Are you open for a train trip? Here's one idea that should check all your boxes.

Love historical places, castles, pretty scenery, wildlife, charming towns to walk through, etc. And I think my wife's heart would be broken if we don't get to see a bunch of highland cattle!

Take the train from Edinburgh to Oban on the west coast. It's about a 4 hour trip with an easy connection in Glasgow. The trip from Glasgow to Oban is on the very scenic West Highland Line taking you along the River Clyde, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, through hills and glens of Argyll with Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe before arriving in Oban, gateway to the Inner Hebrides and the seafood capital of Scotland.

In Oban you'll can walk, bike or taxi to Dunstaffnage Castle, the Oban Distillery, Dunollie Museum Castle and ferry to several islands. A great day trip is the 2 or 3 island tour with West Coast Tours to Mull and Iona and, possibly, Staffa. No guarantee, but we saw some Hairy Coos on Mull on our day trip in 2023.

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

02/23/26 02:49 PM

2943 posts

Oban would work well and jeanm has given some ideas of things to do from there.

Another alternative would be Isle of Arran. Catch the train from Glasgow to either Troon or Ardrossan for the ferry to Arran. (isn31c will probably have latest advice on which would be the best route.

If relying on buses, consider basing yourself in Brodick . There are three main routes: the 324 goes via Lochranza to Blackwaterfoot (North End); the 323 goes via Whiting Bay to Blackwaterfoot (South End) and the 322 heads across the String to Blackwaterfoot. Moire information and download timetables here.

Have a look at the Walk Highlands website for ideas of walks on Arran.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/arran/

Posted by Cynthia

Gig Harbor, Washington, USA

02/23/26 08:15 PM

2010 posts

We have visited Scotland about a dozen times, all road trips. This would be a scenic drive without too many miles each day. Plug it into Google maps and see what you think:
1. Pick up car at Edinburgh airport. Head to KIngshouse Hotel in Glencoe with stops at either Stirling Castle or Doune Castle. Drive part way up Glen Etive either late afternoon or early next morning. About 100 miles total.
2. Head to Pitlochry via Glencoe and Fort William. Possible to drive up to the base of Ben Nevis where there is a cafe. Late afternoon drive up to Loch Tummel. Overnight in Pitlochry. About 125 miles total.
3. Drive to Edinburgh Airport to return car. About 75 miles. If you aren't in a hurry, do the Loch Tummel drive today instead of day two. Tip - refill your gas tank about 20 miles before the airport. We found a dearth of petrol stations close to the Arnold Clark rental car return. .