Scotland: Edinburgh, the Highlands and a walk on the Old Course
Moody skies, empty glens and the home of golf.
Scotland is a country of weather. The light changes by the minute, the mountains appear and disappear in the cloud, and a grey morning can turn into the most beautiful afternoon of the trip.
When to go
May to September for long days. May and June are often drier, with fewer midges than high summer. Pack for rain whatever the forecast says.
How long
Six to eight days. Two or three nights in Edinburgh, a day trip or overnight in St Andrews, then a few nights in the Highlands.
Glencoe and Rannoch Moor
The road north across Rannoch Moor and down into Glencoe is one of the great drives in Britain. Stop often. The pull-ins are there for a reason, and the views change around every bend.
St Andrews
The home of golf, an easy trip from Edinburgh. If you play, book the Old Course ballot well ahead. If you don't, walk the West Sands beach and the cathedral ruins, and on Sundays, when the Old Course closes to golf, walk the course itself.
Edinburgh
The Old Town and the Royal Mile, the castle on its rock, and the climb up Arthur's Seat for the view. In August the city fills for its festivals, so book early or come another month.
Good to know
- Cars drive on the left, and Highland roads can be single-track with passing places.
- Layers beat one heavy coat. Add a rain jacket, always.
- In summer, bring midge repellent for evenings by the lochs.
Photographs from our own trips.
