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Is this Highland Roadtrip doable?

I am planning a trip to Scotland for a total of 4 people. It is in the end of September.

We will be staying in Edinburgh the first day/night, the next morning I want to hit the highlands.

Day 1: See the Stirling Castle, go up towards Cairngorms National Park, up to Inverness, drive by loch Ness, stop at Urquhart Castle, and then stop in Glencoe to stay the night.
Day 2: go see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, go back through Glencoe, may look at Ben Nevis?? and go down to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, stay the night in Glasgow. We leave from Glasgow airport that morning.

Is this too much at one time. Of course I want to enjoy my trip and I want to get out and take photos. But I also want to see the Highlands. I don't think we will have time for any hiking. This is my first time to the UK. Thoughts?

Is Glencoe a good place to stay the night? I was having a hard time finding good places closer to Inverness.

Any feedback is appreciated!!!

Posted by
2579 posts

You definitely won't have time for any hiking. Driving alone on Day 1 is going to take around 6.5 hours and that is without any stops...

Day 2 is a more manageable 4.5 hours PLUS stops...

Posted by
199 posts

I agree with Wasley.

Please know that the Highlands of Scotland are so much more than Harry Potter and Outlander. There are so many beautiful lochs and ruins and castles and breathtaking views.

Posted by
4964 posts

We spent 5.5 hours at Stirling Castle alone. I'd priorize your must-sees and eliminate some stops.

It starts getting dark around 7:00 in late September and some of the roads you'll be on are a lot narrower and twisty than you may be used to. A good rule of thumb is to add 30% to the driving time that Google Maps gives you.