Scotland is easily one of the most beautiful places in the United Kingdom! It has cities with stunning architecture, lakes with gorgeous views, and fun hikes throughout the highlands. If it is not already on your bucket list, you need to add it!

When we visited Scotland, we spent a week exploring everything it offered. We spent a day walking through the stunning city of Edinburgh and the rest of our time exploring some of the best places in the highlands. It was so fun, and now I can provide you with the ultimate itinerary!

If you want to explore Edinburgh and the Scottish highlands, you are in the right place! Although you can spend weeks exploring everything Scotland offers, you can explore a few areas within four days.

I created this 4-day Scotland itinerary which explores Edinburgh and Glencoe, one of the most beautiful places in the highlands. Get your hiking boots and cameras ready!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Best Time to Visit Scotland

Scotland is known for being rainy and moody, and the highlands have about 265 days of rain, making it crucial to pack a rain jacket and warm layers. Trust me, the weather can be very unpredictable even in the summer.

Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter. Average rainfall during these seasons is about 2-3 inches.

April, May, and June tend to be the driest months, and when we visited in May, it only rained one day. Honestly, I was surprised we only had one day of rain (and super thankful of course!).

So when is the best time to visit? Although Scotland is a year-round destination, the general consensus is that the best time to visit is late spring and early fall to have the best weather!

Getting Around Scotland

Scotland has a few airports you can fly into and a great public transportation system you can utilize. We flew in and out of Edinburgh since we wanted to spend time in the city, and we rented a car once we left the city. Let’s dive into everything you need to know!

Airports

Since the first part of your itinerary is in Edinburgh, I recommend flying into the Edinburgh Airport. Edinburgh has many flights available, so you should be able to find something that works for you!

The city has a bus running all night, making it easy to use it once you arrive at the airport. We arrived super late (around midnight) and easily got to the city using the Airlink 100 bus

You could also fly into Glasgow and take a train to Edinburgh. Glasgow sometimes has more flight options, depending on where you are coming from, but it is easier to fly into Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Transportation

Edinburgh has a great transportation system that we used to get around the city, so you do not need a car. We mainly walked around the city because I truly believe that is the best way to see everything, but you can also ride the trams and buses to get around.

Scottish Highlands Transportation

Once you leave Edinburgh to head to the highlands, I recommend renting a car. It will allow you to have a flexible schedule to explore anything your heart desires in the highlands! We rented a car once we left the city, and it was the best decision.

Also, the trailheads in Glencoe have small parking lots and fill up quickly, and I recommend arriving at the popular trailheads early in the morning to secure a spot. We arrived at a trailhead in Glencoe around 10 AM and had a hard time finding parking. We had to drive down the road to find parking at a different area and walk to the trailhead. I highly recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid this!

Driving on the Left Side

Make sure you are prepared to drive on the left side of the road! The United Kingdom drives on the left side, and the driver is on the right side of the car, which is the opposite of what we are used to. You get used to this quickly, but it is good to know if you plan to rent a car.

Where to Stay in Scotland

Since this itinerary explores two areas in Scotland, I recommend spending your first night in Edinburgh and the rest of your time near Glencoe.

Edinburgh Accommodations

A few of my favorite areas to stay in Edinburgh are Old Town, New Town, Dean Village, Stockbridge, Haymarket, and West End. We stayed in Dean Village and loved the quiet residential neighborhood.

If you want to be in the middle of the city, Old Town and New Town are great places to stay. If you want accommodation in a quiet area, Dean Village, Stockbridge, Haymarket, and West End are for you.

Keep in mind that the closer you stay to the city, the more expensive the accommodations will be. But no matter where you stay, you can easily use Edinburgh’s public transportation!

Glencoe Accommodations

Glencoe has a small downtown with a few accommodations. Since it is close to the best things to do, it is the best place to stay during this portion of your itinerary.

Fort William is one of the largest towns near Glencoe, making it a great place to stay if you do not mind staying further away. It has many accommodations, restaurants, and shops in its cute downtown. Fort William is about a half-hour drive from Glencoe, so you need to allocate time for traffic and the drive if you stay here.

We stayed a bit further away in Oban because we found a cute house rental, but if we were to visit again, we would stay in Glencoe. This coastal town was so cute and had many restaurants and accommodations.

Hotels:

Campgrounds:

What to Pack for Scotland

The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, so it is crucial to pack the right gear and layers for the season you visit.

This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed:

4 Days in Scotland Itinerary

I created this 4-day Scotland itinerary based on our trip to Scotland and what I would have done if we only had four days. We spent a week exploring Edinburgh and the Scottish highlands, allowing me to give you the best things to fit into a 4-day itinerary.

This itinerary explores the beautiful city of Edinburgh and the highlands near Glencoe. Trust me, you will fall in love with the old architecture and the stunning highland views. Since Glencoe is about a three-hour drive from Edinburgh, it makes it the perfect place to visit after exploring the city.

If you want to visit the Isle of Skye, I recommend adding a few days to . The Isle of Skye is about a five-hour drive from Edinburgh, so I would not recommend visiting if you only have four days in Scotland unless you are only visiting that area.

**Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Day 1: Edinburgh

The first day of your 4-day Scotland itinerary explores one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland. Edinburgh is full of history, stunning architecture, and delicious food, and your day in Edinburgh will be filled with walking through the old and colorful city streets.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Use public transportation to get to the city. Edinburgh has great public transportation, including buses and trams. These are fantastic for getting to and from the city.
Get discount cards to help save money. If you are planning to visit attractions that have entrance fees, you may be able to save money using discount cards, discount codes, or purchasing tickets in advance. There are also many free things to do in Edinburgh!

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is an iconic walk in Edinburgh connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse through its old town, and you will spend the rest of your day in the city exploring it.

The 1-mile road has some of the most beautiful views in Edinburgh, and I will dive into some of the best things to do along the Royal Mile next.

Below is a quick overview of some of the places you should stop at along the Royal Mile:

Edinburgh Castle
Camera Obscura
Scotch Whiskey
St Giles’ Cathedral
The Real Mary King’s Close
The Scottish Parliament
The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is at the start of the Royal Mile and is one of the most iconic attractions in the city. The castle sits atop a hill formed by a volcano, and you will see it as you enter Edinburgh since it is hard to miss!

The architecture and castle grounds are beautiful, making it a great place to visit in the morning before the crowds arrive. Although you can see the castle from various viewpoints throughout the city, I recommend visiting its grounds!

If you want to go into the castle, there is a fee, but you can enjoy the castle views from the castle esplanade outside the gate for free.

Vennel Street

Although Vennel Street is not directly on the Royal Mile, I highly recommend adding it since it is just around the other side of the castle and has my favorite view of Edinburgh Castle.

After you finish exploring the castle grounds, I recommend walking over to the top of the steps on Vennel Street and enjoying the stunning view of the castle.

If you want a little pick-me-up before continuing along the Royal Mile, I recommend going to Mary’s Milk Bar at the bottom of Vennel Street! It is a popular spot because of its homemade gelato and coffee.

Victoria Street

Victoria Street is a small side street off the Royal Mile and is one of the most photographed places in Edinburgh! The street has many small shops and restaurants, but the true beauty is in the colorful buildings.

edinburgh streets in 4 day scotland itinerary

St Giles’ Cathedral

St Giles’ Cathedral was one of my favorite buildings in Edinburgh along the Royal Mile because of its stunning Gothic architecture. Although pretty much every building in Edinburgh is beautiful, the St Giles’ Cathedral stood out.

Whether you want to enjoy it from the street or go inside, you will fall in love with this building.

st giles' cathedral in 4 day scotland itinerary

Cockburn Street

Cockburn Street is another beautiful side street off the Royal Mile similar to Victoria Street. The street is picturesque and worth the side trip to walk along the road or visit its small cafes and shops.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the final stop along the royal mile and is the royal residence of the monarchy in Scotland.

You can enjoy its beautiful architecture from the grounds outside or walk through its interior. Although it is actively a royal residence, it is open to the public year-round.

Days 2: Edinburgh to Glencoe

On the second day of your 4-day Scotland itinerary, you will explore Edinburgh in the morning before starting the drive to the highlands. Although you can spend the entire day exploring Edinburgh, I recommend driving to the highlands at the end of the day, so you have two full days to explore Glencoe. Trust me, you will want the time to hike and drive through the stunning area!

Before you drive to Glencoe, you need to confirm which way you want to drive there. Both of these ways are scenic, but the longer option is the most beautiful route, in my opinion.

If you want to take the most direct route, you will take A84 to A82 into Glencoe. If you want to take the most scenic route, I recommend taking M8 out of the city towards Inveraray Castle before continuing into Glencoe. This route drives near Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and along A83 which has stunning viewpoints to stop at. It adds about an hour to the drive, but it is worth it if you have the time!

Dean Village

Dean Village is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Edinburgh, and if you are staying in or near Dean Village, I recommend exploring it to enjoy the stunning views and architecture. If it is not easily accessible to where you are staying, feel free to skip it! If you can visit, you can explore Bell’s Brae Bridge, Water of Leith Walkway, and Dean Village View Point.

If you want a delicious breakfast to start your day off right, I recommend eating at the Painted Rooster. We had a fantastic breakfast here and could not recommend the restaurant enough.

Arthur’s Seat or Carlton Hill

If you want to enjoy a beautiful view overlooking Edinburgh, you have two choices since the city has two beautiful trails you can enjoy. Arthur’s Hill is a more strenuous hike but has the better views of Edinburgh, in my opinion. Carlton Hill is a smaller hill with an easier trail and great views overlooking the city. You can hike one or both depending on what you are feeling!

Arthur’s Seat is the iconic hike in Edinburgh on an ancient volcano over 800 feet tall. At the top, you can enjoy expansive views of the city and beyond and visit a 2,000-year-old fort.

Carlton Hill and National Monument is a volcanic hill over 300 feet tall with a historic monument. The National Monument may look familiar because it was designed to be a replica of the Parthenon in Greece, but it was never completed, and only half of the structure was built. The 1-mile loop on Carlton Hill is less strenuous than Arthur’s Seat, making it a great alternative if you are not up for the longer hike.

Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens

After your hike, you can walk along Princes Street towards downtown before driving to Glencoe. Princes Street has many beautiful buildings, but the Scott Monument is one of my favorite structures because of its Gothic architecture. You can also walk up to the third floor of the monument to enjoy views of the city.

Princes Street Gardens is next to the Scott Monument and adds a splash of vibrant green to Edinburgh. The 37-acre gardens separate the old town and new town in Edinburgh, making it a great spot to enjoy a quick stroll, eat a snack, or relax.

Drive from Edinburgh to Glencoe

If you take the longer and more scenic route to Glencoe, below are some places you can stop along the drive. Although this drive is a bit longer, it offers stunning viewpoints.

Rest and Be Thankful Commemorative Stone - one of the most viewpoints along the drive overlooking the highlands
Loch Restil - another beautiful viewpoint along the lake; this is easy to miss, so make sure to keep an eye out for the small pull-off area along the road
Inveraray Castle - arguably one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland; for a small fee, you can walk around the gardens and explore the inside of the castle
Kilchurn Castle - beautiful castle ruins; you can enjoy the views from Kilchurn Castle Viewpoint along A819 or hike the 1.1-mile round-trip hike off A85 towards the castle grounds

Day 3: Glencoe

Now that you are in Glencoe, you will spend the rest of your days exploring the stunning highlands! You can switch around the last two days of your itinerary, depending on what you choose to do.

Glencoe has stunning hiking trails, giving you endless opportunities to experience some of the best views of the highlands. Even if you do not hike, you can enjoy the views from scenic drives and viewpoints. Glencoe was one of our favorite areas in Scotland, so I know you will fall in love with the area.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Pack warm layers and a rain jacket. The Scottish highlands have about 265 days of rain and unpredictable weather, making it crucial to pack a rain jacket and warm layers.
Start your day early. Since you only have two days in Glencoe, I recommend starting your days early to give yourself plenty of time to explore everything the area offers. If you plan to hike, starting your day early is crucial.
Arrive at the popular trailheads early. The trailheads near Glencoe have small parking lots and fill up quickly. I recommend arriving at the popular trailheads early in the morning to secure a spot.

Glencoe Scenic Drive

Glencoe Scenic Drive is one of the most breathtaking scenic drives near Glencoe, following A82. Once you reach the A85 intersection, you can turn around to follow the same road to Glencoe or take a right to continue the loop back.

All the below-mentioned attractions are along A82, plus many more viewpoints.

Although the drive along A85 is not as scenic, it still offers beautiful views and a few attractions. We enjoyed our drive along the entire loop and exploring the lesser-visited areas.

Three Sisters Viewpoint

Three Sisters Viewpoint is one of the most beautiful viewpoints near Glencoe, with views of the mountains and surrounding highlands. The best part is you can enjoy the views from the parking lot. It was one of our favorite viewpoints in Glencoe!

Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley)

If you want to hike, Glencoe has many options, so I recommend picking at least one trail to hike ahead of time. We hiked the Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley) because it offers up-close and personal views of the Three Sisters and the Hidden Valley.

The 4-mile round trip hike begins at the Three Sisters Viewpoint parking lot and travels to the top of the Hidden Valley Viewpoint, offering breathtaking views overlooking the valley and surrounding mountains. We continued to the bottom of the valley to enjoy some beautiful views from the base of the mountains.

The Meeting of Three Waters

The Meeting of Three Waters is a small viewpoint with beautiful and easy-to-get-to waterfalls. The waterfall consists of three water sources merging to create the waterfall at the base of the mountains which is very scenic.

The parking area is pretty small, but if you can find a spot, you will love the viewpoint!

The Devil's Staircase

The Devil's Staircase is one of the most beautiful sections along the 96-mile West Highland Way backpacking route.

Although you can only hike to the ridge near the Devil’s Staircase, I recommend going to the summit of Stob Mhic Mhartuin. The 3.2-mile round-trip hike has breathtaking views along the entire trail.

Wee White House

Wee White House is one of the most photographed areas near Glencoe because of its picturesque surrounding landscape. The viewpoint of the hut is off A82, so you can easily see it from the road.

We enjoyed walking around and capturing the iconic hut with its stunning mountain backdrop.

Glen Etive

If you want to enjoy another scenic drive or are a James Bond fan, I recommend adding Glen Etive to your itinerary.

The 12-mile single-track road offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and you can enjoy driving it or stopping at its many scenic viewpoints.

If you are a James Bond fan, you can visit the iconic scene from Skyfall when James Bond and M stand with the Aston Martin DB5.

Day 4: Harry Potter Train and Ben Nevis

You have a few options for your final day in Glencoe! If you want to hike the iconic Ben Nevis (the tallest mountain in Scotland), I recommend allocating the entire day to it. The hike is strenuous, and you should start early to give yourself plenty of time to hike the trail. You can even hike Ben Nevis on the third day of your Scotland itinerary and explore the rest of Glencoe on your final day.

If you are not going to hike Ben Nevis, you have a few things you can do! You can visit the iconic Harry Potter train, explore waterfalls, or hike more trails near Glencoe. No matter what you decide to do on your final day in Scotland, you will have so much fun!

Ben Nevis

If you decide to hike Ben Nevis, you should allocate the entire day to hike it. If you do not want to hike it, you can spend the rest of your day exploring everything I mention next!

Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in Scotland, standing over 4,400 feet, and it can be seen from Glencoe and along Glen Nevis Road. Hiking to the top is one of the best things to do in Glencoe, but it will make you work for the views.

The 10-mile round-trip hike gains over 4,400 feet of elevation and typically takes hikers all day to complete. It is a strenuous trail but incredibly rewarding if you hike it on a clear day!

We unfortunately did not get a chance to hike it because of the weather, but I have friends who hiked it and absolutely loved it!

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glenfinnan Viaduct is the iconic Harry Potter train, and you have probably seen photos of the area. If you want to get the iconic steam train shot, I recommend checking out the schedule for The Jacobrite. Usually, the train passes by this area around 10:45 AM and 1:15 PM going westbound, and 2:50 PM and 5:40 PM going eastbound, but these times could change.

When we visited, the train was out of commission, so we did not get to see the iconic steam train, but it was still beautiful.

If you want to go to the iconic view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, you can hike 1.3 miles round trip to the main viewpoints. The westbound viewpoint is to the left, while the eastbound viewpoint is to the right, and the trail has signage to help you find each.

You can also hike a 2.4-mile round-trip loop to a few other viewpoints.

Glen Nevis

On your way back to Glencoe, you can enjoy a scenic drive on Glen Nevis. The 6.5-mile road starts near Fort Williams and offers stunning views of Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains.

Lower Falls to Patty’s Bridge

One of the easiest hikes on Glen Nevis is the 2-mile round trip trail from Lower Falls to Patty’s Bridge. It is a great place to stretch your legs along the drive and enjoy views of the waterfall, river, and mountains. The trail tends to be muddy, so wear waterproof shoes!

Steall Waterfall

Steall Waterfall is the last attraction on Glen Nevis and is the second tallest waterfall in Scotland, standing at 393 feet. The 2.3-mile round-trip trail has a few viewpoints of the waterfall, with the best being at the end of the trail across the river.

If you want to visit Scotland for 4 days, this guide is the perfect place to start creating your itinerary! I created this 4-day Scotland itinerary with everything you need to know about visiting Edinburgh and the highlands in one incredible trip!