Day 1 - Edinburgh or Glasgow
Departure of your flight to Scotland! Fàilte gu Alba! This first sentence in Gaelic makes you rub your head: it has nothing to do with our good old “Welcome to Scotland! ». Get ready, the change of scenery is also in the language of our Scottish friends, and you’ll have the opportunity to hear it as soon as you get off the plane. Once you arrive at the airport, your campervan will be waiting for you. Then your journey starts : Pitlochry (133 km from Glasgow or 114 km from Edinburgh)! In the area of Perthshire, the charming town of Pitlochry offers you the imagination and magic that make Scotland such a special place. Depending on your arrival time, you have the possibility to go to the Killicrankie Visitors Centre, a nest of information on the eponymous battle, but also on the geology, history, fauna and flora of the region. It’s a great place to start off with! For the first two nights, you will staying around the lovely village of Potlochry
Day 2 - Pitlochry
Make the most of this day to discover the small town of Pitlochry. After strolling for a while in the cobbled lanes, don’t hesitate to experience the splendid surrounding mountains. And at the end of the day, why not enjoy a good whisky at a local distillery? We recommend Edradour, founded in 1825 and until recently the smallest in Scotland. No one tells you how charming it is, and how good its whisky is… It is one of the last distilleries to make a home-made single malt!
Day 3 - Pitlochry – Aviemore
Head for the Cairngorms National Park in Aviemore. In the heart of the mythical Highlands, this park is the largest in the United Kingdom. It includes most of the Caledonian pines, native to Scotland, and most of the highest mountains in the country. This haven of nature is the ideal place for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, climbing or even skiing in winter! If the weather is good, don’t hesitate to visit the reindeer centre. Yes, yes, you’ll think you’re in Lapland, and yet this animal was reintroduced to the Cairngorms in 1952. There are now 150 reindeer in the park! For tonight and the next two nights, you will based around Aviemore in the country’s biggest National Park! .
Day 4 - Aviemore – Cairngorms National Park
A new day dedicated to the beautiful nature of the Cairngorms Park. There are many hiking trails in the park, offering you a wide range of walking opportunities. For example, you can take the Cairn Gorm hike, a very popular Munro that offers a good introduction to the mountains of the park. Another option is to head for Kingussia, where an easy road leads you to dizzying mountains, while the quiet and silent path gives you a pleasant sense of solitude. If you don’t feel like a great walker, another shorter hike will take you to the heart of the cliffs of Cairn Gorm. If you have time, head to the Loch Garten Osprey Center, home to Scotland’s iconic osprey.
Day 5 - Aviemore - Torridon
This day will satisfy you: you are going to the favourite playground of any self-respecting hiker! Sandstone mountains, impressive monoliths, and wild nature make Torridon a magnificent place that will surely leave you with great memories. Think about recharging your camera’s batteries, very beautiful pictures are to be expected! Enjoy a sunset in a small corner of paradise: Red Point in the South of Gairloch. Two isolated sandy beaches backed by dunes offering a magnificent view of the islands in good weather…
Day 6 - Torridon
Second day in Torridon, you have the freedom to hike on one of the many trails in the valley or tackle some of the most spectacular ridges such as Beinn Eighe or Beinn Alligin. A choice of scenery that will flatter your camera lens! And when evening comes, it’s with this superb backdrop that you will appreciate the dramatic mountains around you.
Day 7 - Torridon - Portree
Set course for the Isle of Skye! Here comes one of the highlights of your trip: rugged landscapes, small fishing villages and medieval castles give this 50 miles long island a very special atmosphere. Named by the Vikings for its mystical character, you feel as if you were in another world. And it is not Portree, the capital of the island and your next destination, that will prove you wrong. This charming port features colourful houses, a wonderful picture of the Isle of Skye. On the way, you make a small detour to the Eilean Donan Castle, an emblematic 13th century castle known as the setting for the film Highlander. It will give you a good first impression of the atmosphere on the Isle of Skye, with its legends and ghosts… Two night on the Misty Island!
Day 8 - Isle of Skye – Trotternish
This morning you leave the North of the Isle of Skye, towards the Trotternish peninsula. Prepare to be amazed. Here they are, the superb landscapes of Scotland, those that move the crowds and feed the imagination! A land of foggy cliffs and magical atmosphere, that’s what Trotternish promises you… And you won’t be disappointed with the result. In addition to the splendid panoramas offered by the Scottish coast, you will have the opportunity to see many wild animals such as the sea eagle, dolphins, seals or even minke whales. Then head to the Skye Museum of Island Life to nurture your culture, or to the Kilt Rock View Point for an eye-opening experience!
Day 9 - Isle of Skye – Fort William / Glencoe
Bye bye the Isle of Skye ! This morning we head to the mainland by ferry from Armadale to Mallaig. Then on to Glencoe and Fort William. On the way, the landscapes are already fantastic. The mountains follow one another behind the windows and give all its relief to the panorama. Then you arrive at Glencoe, whose mountains were carved by glaciers and volcanic explosions millions of years ago. These landforms of ice and fire form beautiful landscapes, worthy of the most beautiful postcards. Be sure to visit the Glencoe Visitor Center or the Glencoe Folk Museum to learn more about the terrible massacre that took place here in 1692 against the MacDonald clan. Two nights in Glencoe/Fort William area.
Day 10 - Fort William
The hiker in you will be overjoyed by this new day of ascent. A new path is opening up for you today! Fort William is home to the highest peak in the British Isles. Many amateur hikers go there every year, to experience Ben Nevis. It’s your turn today, go! If you don’t feel up to the challenge of this alpine giant, you can undertake other more reasonable hikes, Fort William offers many trails for all levels. Rather sea than land? Cruises are also available from the town, to admire the cut-out silhouette of the Scottish horizon from the sea.
Day 11 - Fort William - Drymen
This next step takes you to the Trossachs region, where splendid new landscapes await you. This nature reserve has magnificent forests, bordered by Scotland’s iconic lakes and mountains. No wonder it has inspired so many poets, such as Sir Walter Scott. Your destination tonight is Drymen, a town in the heart of the Trossachs. Mingle with the locals and relax in a good old pub, where you can sip whisky while singing Scottish hits in your heart! You will spend two nights in the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park.
Day 12 - Trossachs National Park
Get ready to be amazed, you’re leaving today for a hike that will leave you breathless! Let’s go to Ben Lomond, one of the mountains of the Trossachs National Park, incidentally the highest peak in the region. This one is a beauty to climb that will show you beautiful landscapes. Wooded valleys, vast lochs, green hills… In short, a concentrate of the most beautiful Scottish landscapes. At the bend in the path of this climbing tour, you may have the opportunity to meet a sheep! A very local meeting ! At the top, you will enjoy a stunning view of Lake Lomond, the largest lake in Scotland and United Kingdom.
Day 13 - Drymen - Edinburgh
For the end of this trip, the choice is yours to discover one of Scotland’s emblematic cities. On the menu: Edinburgh or Glasgow. And depending on the formula you choose, your route can take you to Stirling Castle, a splendid 15th century building surrounded by cliffs and steeped in history; or to Glengoyne Distillery, one of the most beautiful traditional distilleries in the country, where you can taste the national beverage, the whisky that the Scots know how to make like no other! When you arrive in the city, don’t hesitate to stroll through the streets, these two cities have a lot to offer. In Edinburgh, don’t miss the National Trust of Scotland Museum, the Royal Botanic Garden, the St Giles Cathedral, and of course the famous Edinburgh Castle. On the Glasgow side, there are many points of interest worth visiting, such as the Gallery of Modern Art, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, the Botanic Gardens and the mythical Lighthouse. Check into your hotel for that last night in Scotland.
Day 14 - Goodbye Scotland !
Depending on the time of your return flight, you can continue your urban strolls in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Then drive to the airport, where you return to your campervan, a faithful companion on your journey, and fly home. Bye-bye Scotland!