Last month, I shared my experience with my first trip abroad. Part of that adventure included a quick visit to Scotland. If you only have a couple of days but want to maximize your sightseeing, here are my top tips for a quick trip to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.
I’ve found myself thinking about this trip and the amazing scenery recently – though that could have something to do with the fact that I started watching Outlander… The setting and the landscapes definitely make me want to plan another trip to the Highlands!
A few years ago, two family members joined me as I went to the U.K. in advance of my year abroad. After visiting London and before heading to Brighton, we made a quick detour to Edinburgh.
Here’s what we got up to, along with some top tips for each destination:
Edinburgh Castle
It was a misty day as we headed toward Edinburgh Castle. We predicted it would be crowded, so we decided to start our day here to make sure we had enough time to see as much as possible. Overall, we visited the castle for around three hours.
There is plenty to see, and we did our best to cover as much ground as possible from the Royal Palace to the military prison to St. Margaret’s Chapel. We walked around at our own leisure, using a map to prioritize our stops. Along with its rich and varied history, Edinburgh Castle also offers some wonderful views of the city below.
TOP TIPS:
- Go early – You likely won’t fully avoid the crowd, but starting your day at the castle will let you pack in as much as possible.
- Pick up an audio guide – To fully immerse yourself in the history, use an audio guide to balance moving at your own pace with getting the most out of your experience.
- Prioritize your stops – If you get easily carried away, time will fly during your visit; there’s so much to see! If you have the time, take a look at a map of the castle before your visit to plan which stops you would like to make.
The Royal Palace 
St. Margaret’s Chapel
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. After starting at the castle, we made our way down the Royal Mile. We stopped for lunch, then continued down the stretch, stopping into shops that caught our interest and taking a break at a cafe to sit down and recharge.
Eventually, we made our way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh. After taking a few photos, we turned around and made the walk back to the apartment, stopping again for dinner and a drink at a pub.
TOP TIP:
- Take it at your own pace – There are plenty of shops, cafes and pubs to enjoy, but there’s also no need to rush – you can easily tackle the stretch in a short time. Find a good lunch spot, rest at a cafe and wander into the many local shops.
Touring the Highlands
One of the main reasons we picked Edinburgh as a stop on our U.K. tour was so we could take a day trip to the Highlands. We didn’t have much time in total, so while a day trip fit perfectly into our schedule, the preview made us want to come again for a longer stay!
We booked a tour of Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands with Rabbie’s, and if you are short on time, booking a guided tour is definitely a great option! The group was no more than 16 people, and our guide was wonderful and made sure to adjust the stops to fit our group’s interests. For example, if our group was interested in staying at one stop a bit longer or moving on to the next – we had that flexibility with an expert who could provide his own insight.
It’s tough to narrow down my favorite pictures to share because around every bend, there was a gorgeous landscape. Below are some highlights from our tour and some shots from stops including Glencoe, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus and more.
Loch Lubnaig
The group met at 7:30 a.m. with fog and a chill still in the air. We made our first stop at Loch Lubnaig – a small freshwater loch that is part of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The fog was beginning to recede, and the view of the loch and surrounding landscape was a beautiful start to our journey.
Glencoe and Fort William
We then continued our drive, making stops along the road from Glencoe to Fort William and eventually making our way to Fort Augustus. The sky, characteristically overcast and misty turned to a clear and bright blue after our first stop. In fact, the entire day was so clear and bright that our tour guide himself was amazed. We were able to see the tops of the munros and the glens were stunning! We spotted Ben Nevis and were able to walk around in many places to get some gorgeous shots.
Fort Augustus and Loch Ness
We stopped at Fort Augustus for a meal and some walking. We had an hour or so to wander and take in the famous Loch Ness. I think it’d be nice to stay closer to this area next time to have a few days immersed in the Scottish Highlands. After trying to spot Nessie, we began the drive back to Edinburgh.
TOP TIPS:
- Have a guide – There are so many stories to be told about the Highlands – from folklore to recorded historical events. A guide will help you to take it all in, especially if you only have a limited amount of time.
- Take notes – As I mentioned, there is so much to learn! Looking back on my photos, I was having trouble naming certain landscapes and remembering some specific details. I wish I had written a few more things down because it would be handy when I plan a more detailed trip in the future.
- Engage and be open – Ask your guide questions and be open-minded. The Highlands is a setting for many stories, so make sure you get the most out of the legends and history by being inquisitive!
I can’t wait to go back to Scotland one day! I’d love to spend more time in nature and perhaps brave a hike across the beautiful landscape. I went without knowing much about the area, and now I’d love to go back with a new perspective and sense of curiosity!
