Scotland is the land of historic castles, breathtaking landscape, and rich culture. Whether you’re drawn to its medieval cities, legendary highlands, or Outlander and Harry Potter filming locations, this itinerary will take you through two of Scotland’s most iconic destinations Edinburgh and Inverness. Over six days, you’ll explore historic sites, venture into the highlands, and experience the Magic of Scotland.
Table of Contents
Getting There
We combined our trip to Scotland with a stop in Spain. We crossed the Atlantic flying on Iberia. After a few days in Madrid, we took a flight to Edinburgh, Scotland on Easy Jet. Easy Jet is a low-cost carrier. We paid $200 each for round trip flights from Madrid to Edinburgh (which includes cost to add-on a carry on).
If you want to know more about how we booked our business class flights on Iberia using points and miles, go check out our blog about our days in Madrid.
Transportation
There are different ways to see Scotland.
- Scotland has public transportation that you could use. To visit places like Inverness there are two trains a day from Edinburgh.
- You could opt for a tour guide and do day trips from Edinburgh.
- The last option is renting a car. Even though we had never driven on the left side of the road, we opted for this option to go at our own pace. This option is not recommended for cardiac patients, especially until you get use to the change. 😀
Scotland Travel Itinerary
Day 1
Our flight arrived late in the evening, so we opted to get to the hotel, find dinner at a restaurant nearby and rest to start fresh exploring on the next day.
We stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott. The nightly rate was $62 with breakfast included. We decided not to use our points for this hotel since it was such a low cost.
Day 2: Explore Old Town
Start your adventure walking through The Vennel Viewpoint, there you will find beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle.
Once you walk down the steps you will find Grassmarket. Take some time to explore the souvenir shops.
Continue walking until you reach the Royal Mile, the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, lined with historic buildings, shops and restaurants.
Visit Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock with panoramic city views.
Explore St Gile’s Cathedral, a Gothic Masterpiece dating back to the 14th century.
Stop by Victoria Street, The inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. You can also grab coffee and a snack at The Elephant House, where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter.
At the end of the Royal Mile, you will find the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. If you decide to pay the admission fee, you can explore the State Apartments, the Throne Room, and the chambers of Marie, Queen of Scots. You can also walk through the magnificent ruins of Hollywood Abbey and the beautifully landscaped gardens.
Day 3: Explore New Town
Start your day with a stroll along Princess Street for high-street brands like Harvey Nichols and House of Fraiser.
The Scott Monument is located on Princess Street, this towering Gothic monument is dedicated to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. Climb its 287 steps for incredible city views. Learn about Scott’s legacy in the small museum inside.
Head to George Street for upscale boutiques, designer stores, and local Scottish brands like Harris Tweed.
If you love art, spend some time at the Scottish National Gallery, home to masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Turner. Entry is free!
Walk over to Circus Lane, one of the most picturesque streets in Edinburgh. This charming, cobbled lane, lined with ivy-covered mews houses and colorful doors, is a hidden gem and a dream for photographers.
If you have time, take a short walk to Dean Village, a beautiful riverside area with quaint historic buildings. The water of Leith walkway is a scenic and relaxing stroll.
Day 4: Inverness
Make your way to Inverness. Whether it is by car or by train, it is about 3.5 hours away from Edinburgh.
Along the way you’ll find Stirling Castle. Consider a visit to one of Scotland’s most important historical sites.
Explore Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age site said to have inspired Outlander’s Craig na Dun.
Visit Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite uprising ended in 1746.
Explore Inverness castle and its viewpoint over the River Ness. The castle is being remodeled, so we were not able to enter.
Continue stretching your legs by walking along the Ness Islands, a peaceful riverside path.
In Inverness, we stayed at the AC Hotel Inverness by Marriott. It costs 26,400 Marriott points per night or £73 if paid in cash. If you decide to use points for this stay, keep in mind that breakfast is not included on award stays. Adding breakfast costs £16-18 per day.
Day 5: Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness
Start the day at Glencoe-a dramatic valley with ties to Outlander. Then make your way to Loch Ness, home to the mythical creature Nessie. Near the Loch Ness viewpoint is Urquhart Castle, a historic ruin overlooking Loch Ness.
Day 6: Return to Edinburgh
We decided to drive back to Edinburgh the night before our return flight just to be closer to the airport. On our way back to Edinburgh we stopped at Swanston Farms to see Highland Cows. It is free to enter!
Final Thoughts
This 6-day Edinburgh and Inverness itinerary offers a mix of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a Harry Potter and Outlander fan, Scotland has something for everyone. If you’re using points and miles, you can significantly reduce your travel costs while still enjoying an unforgettable trip.
Do you want to learn to travel without spending a fortune? We recommend you read this article.