top of page
Search

How to Build the Perfect Scottish Highlands Itinerary

  • Lawrence Maclean
  • 56 minutes ago
  • 4 min read

There is a moment that happens to almost everyone who visits the Scottish Highlands. It might be when the mist lifts off the water at Loch Ness, or when you turn a corner in Glencoe and the mountains seem to tower over you, ancient and silent. It’s the moment you realize that the photos didn't do it justice.


But getting to that moment takes planning. The Highlands are vast, the roads can be winding, and the "must-see" lists are endless.


At Highlander Private Tours, we are a local family business. We were born here, we live here, and we know these glens like the backs of our hands. We’ve put together this guide to help you cut through the noise and build an itinerary that works—blending the famous icons with the hidden secrets that only locals know.


Step 1: Choose Your Experiences


The biggest mistake travelers make is trying to see everything in three days. Instead, pick 2-3 "anchors"—the non-negotiables you’ve dreamed of seeing—and let us build the rest of the day around them.


  • The History: If you are here for the Jacobite history or Outlander connections, your anchors are Culloden Battlefield and the Clava Cairns.

    • The Local Twist: While the crowds flock to the main battlefield, we can take you to the quieter spots, like the Wardlaw Mausoleum (the resting place of the "Old Fox," Lord Lovat) or Beauly Priory.

    • Recommended Tour: The Highland Outlander Tour

  • The Landscape: For dramatic scenery, the Isle of Skye is the jewel in the crown. The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are essential.

    • The Local Twist: Skye is busy. A private tour allows us to time our arrival to beat the tour buses, or take you to the "Fairy Pools" alternative that is just as magical but half as crowded.

    • Recommended Tour: Isle of Skye Day Tour

  • The Whisky: You cannot visit Scotland without tasting the "water of life." Whether it’s Glenmorangie or Dalmore, the tasting is better when you don't have to drive afterward.


Step 2: Establish Your Base


Where you sleep dictates what you can see.

  • Inverness (The Hub): As the "Capital of the Highlands," Inverness is the perfect strategic base. You can head North to Sutherland, West to Skye, or South to the Cairngorms and be back in the city for a nice dinner by the river.

  • Edinburgh (The City Start): Many of our guests fly into Edinburgh. We offer transfers and tours that start in the capital, winding their way north through the Trossachs and Glencoe, turning the transfer itself into a sightseeing adventure.


Step 3: Respect the Roads (and the Weather)


Driving in the Highlands is an experience in itself.


The "Single Track" Reality: Many of the most beautiful spots (like the route to Applecross or parts of the NC500) are on single-track roads. If you aren't used to reversing into passing places or navigating blind summits, it can be stressful.

  • Why Go Private: In our Mercedes vehicles, you sit high up and relax. You watch the scenery, not the white lines. We handle the reversing; you handle the photography.


The 4-Seasons Rule: In Scotland, it is possible to get sunburned and hailed on in the same afternoon.

  • Pack layers. A waterproof shell is essential.

  • Trust your guide. If the weather closes in on the West Coast, we often know a hidden glen on the East Coast that is basking in sunshine. Flexibility is the key to a great itinerary.

Step 4: Add the "Hidden Gems"


This is where a standard itinerary becomes a Highlander itinerary. Anyone can look up a top 10 list on TripAdvisor. But do you know:

  • Plodda Falls: Tucked away near Glen Affric, this waterfall is often more impressive than the famous ones, and usually empty.

  • The "Real" Loch Ness: Most buses stop at the Urquhart Castle car park (which is great!), but the south side of the Loch offers single-track roads, stunning heather-clad hills, and views of the water that feel wild and untouched.

  • Dunrobin Castle: While Eilean Donan gets the fame, Dunrobin on the east coast looks like a French Châteaux fairy tale and hosts a spectacular falconry display.


Step 5: How to Book Your Trip


We recommend planning your Highland trip at least 3-6 months in advance, especially for summer dates.

  1. Browse our Tour Menu: See if one of our curated days fits your needs.

  2. Request a "Build Your Own": If you want to combine a whisky tasting with a visit to your ancestral clan lands, just ask. Custom itineraries are our specialty.

  3. Secure Accommodation Early: The Highlands has a shortage of hotel rooms in peak season. Book your dates with us, and then secure your hotels immediately. (We are happy to offer local recommendations on where to stay!)


Ready to explore?


You don't need to stress over maps and timetables. Let Larry, Billy, and the Highlander team handle the logistics while you make the memories.

Contact Highlander Private Tours today to start planning your Scottish adventure.


Useful Resources for Your Planning

 
 
bottom of page