7 Days in Scotland: The Perfect Itinerary + What to Pack

Planning a trip to Scotland? This guide covers a 7-day Scotland itinerary (with two travel days on either side, making it 9 days total). If you have fewer days, cut a few stops; if you have more, extend your stays!

This trip was prepared for us by Elevate Travel (highly recommend). Travel agents make the trip seamless, fix hiccups, and often score hotel upgrades—totally worth it.

I’ll also share what to wear in Scotland in March, April, or early May at the end of this post, so you’re fully prepared.

✈️ Travel Day – Fly Into Scotland

• We flew overnight into Glasgow (Edinburgh is another option).
• Outfit tip: Wear a comfy travel set for the flight. I wore Abercrombie’s NeoKnit set—soft, stretchy, perfect for long hours.
• My go-to fabrics: Spanx AirEssentials, Lululemon Softstreme, Abercrombie NeoKnit, Walmart ScubaKnit (budget option).

👉 Pro tip: Always layer with a tank—you’ll thank yourself when landing in a warmer airport!

🇬🇧 Day 2 – Glasgow → Loch Lomond → Oban

• Land in Glasgow (we landed at 1pm, got car/luggage, hit the road by 3pm).
• Hike: Loch Lomond National Park → Beinn Dubh (4.5 mi) or Lost Valley (2.5 mi, shorter).
• Scenic drive to Oban, a charming seaside town.
• Stay: Perle Oban Hotel (on the water, super walkable).
• Dinner: The Waterfront Fishouse – one of our best meals of the trip.

🏰 Day 3 – Oban → Castles → Glen Coe → Isle of Skye

• Morning: visit Dunollie Castle & Dunstaffnage Castle.
• Drive through Glen Coe Valley → hike Hidden Valley Trail (epic views + bagpipe player = surreal).
• Stop in Fort William for a pint + pizza.
• Optional: Road to the Isles → Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter train crossing).
  • ⚠️ Book your ferry (Mallaig → Armadale, Isle of Skye) in advance!
• Stay: Toravaig House Hotel on Skye (best B&B we’ve ever experienced).

🏞️ Day 4 – Isle of Skye

• Hike Old Man of Storr – challenging but in our top 5 hikes of all time.
• Lunch/shopping in Portree.
• Skip Fairy Glenn → opt for Fairy Pools or scenic drives.
• Don’t miss the Highland cows (so cute!).
• Extra day? Take the ferry to Isle of Harris → Calanais Standing Stones + white sand beaches.

🏰 Day 5 – Skye → Eilean Donan Castle → Loch Ness → Inverness → Pitlochry

• Drive Skye Bridge → Eilean Donan Castle (most photographed in Scotland).
• Loch Ness boat tour + Nessie souvenirs.
• Explore Urquhart Castle (one of our favs).
• Lunch in Inverness at The Castle Tavern.
• Drive to Pitlochry.
• Stay: Knockendarroch Hotel (not recommended—felt stuffy/pushy staff).

🌲 Day 6 – Pitlochry + Castles + Waterfalls

• Skip long drives, explore locally.
• Visit Blair Castle (intact, historical, beautiful grounds, Highland cows).
• Quick hike: Lower Falls of Bruar (two waterfalls, huge reward for little effort).
• Lunch at Hattie’s (amazing tea + cake).
• Dinner at Cidsin → best Indian food ever + where I discovered gin!

⛳ Day 7 – Pitlochry → St Andrews → Edinburgh

• Stop at St Andrews (golf heaven).
  • Pro tip: golf lovers can queue as single golfers at 6am to snag a tee time.
• We pre-booked Dumbarnie Golf Links – amazing course + first caddie experience.
• Drive to Edinburgh – our favorite city in Scotland.
• Highlights:
  • Victoria Street → looks like Diagon Alley.
  • Edinburgh Castle → very Hogwarts.
  • The Elephant House Café → where J.K. Rowling wrote Sorcerer’s Stone.
  • Johnnie Walker Tour → feels like a Disney ride, even fun for non-whiskey fans.

🌍 Day 8 – Depart for Ireland

(Or fly home if your Scotland trip is ending.)

🧳 What to Pack for Scotland (Spring Travel: March–May)

• Insulated rain jacket → #1 must-have.
• Flannels + layers → temps drop fast near lakes/hikes.
• Comfortable flats or sneakers → leave the heels at home (cobblestone streets!).
• Evenings: long-sleeve maxi dresses or relaxed jeans.

Scotland is often rainy + windy, so think layers, warmth, and comfort.

Final Thoughts

Scotland was everything: castles, epic hikes, cozy pubs, and magical cities. It’s rainier and moodier than Ireland, but the scenery is breathtaking. Ireland, on the other hand, was lively, musical, and pub-filled. Both amazing—but Scotland had our hearts.