East Scotland, The Cairngorms, The Great Glen, Mull & Argyll: 9 Days
A grand nine-day circuit taking in the full diversity of Scotland – the Angus glens and Aberdeenshire coast, the Cairngorms wilderness, Loch Ness and the Great Glen, then west to Mull, Iona and the Argyll coast.
Distance & Duration
Approx. 850–1,050 miles including ferry crossings. Allow 9 days / 8 nights.
Key Highlights
- Angus Glens – Glen Clova, Glen Doll and the Cairn o’ Mount pass
- Dunnottar Castle on the Aberdeenshire coast
- Cairngorms – osprey watching at Loch Garten
- Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
- Glencoe and the Buachaille Etive Mòr
- Isle of Mull – Tobermory and Iona Abbey
- Loch Fyne and Inveraray Castle
Suggested Stops
- Dundee & Angus Glens
- Stonehaven & Dunnottar
- Speyside
- Cairngorms
- Inverness & Loch Ness
- Fort William
- Glencoe
- Oban & Mull ferry
- Tobermory
- Iona
- Inveraray & Loch Fyne
Where to Stay / Camp
Nine nights across a huge geographic spread. The Angus glens and Deeside offer great formal sites; the Cairngorms forest edge is perfect for a night under ancient pines; Mull’s west coast and Iona are magical wild camping territory. Plan your fuel and supplies carefully as you move between the east and west.
Driving Tips
- The Cairn o’ Mount road (B974) over the Mounth is one of Scotland’s great hidden drives
- Timing the Mull ferry from Oban allows a relaxed two-island (Mull + Iona) experience
- Loch Fyne oysters are a must – stop at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar near Cairndow
- The A82 along Loch Lomond can be very slow in summer – use the B837 as an alternative
Best Time to Visit
May to September. The variety of landscapes means almost any condition offers something spectacular. September and October are particularly good for Deeside and the Cairngorms.
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Related Scotland Overland Routes
Outer Hebrides, Sutherland & The Cairngorms: 9 Days
Orkney, Shetland & Wester Ross: 9 Days
East Scotland, The Cairngorms, The Great Glen, Mull & Argyll: 9 Days
Orkney, Shetland & Wester Ross: 9 Days
Scotland’s two great northern island groups combined with the wild Wester Ross coastline – nine days that reach the very top of the British Isles and return through some of the most dramatic Highland scenery on earth.
Distance & Duration
Approx. 800–1,000 miles including ferry crossings. Allow 9 days / 8 nights.
Key Highlights
- Skara Brae – Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village
- Ring of Brodgar and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney
- Shetland – closer to Bergen than Edinburgh, with Norse heritage and puffins
- Hoy and the Old Man of Hoy sea stack
- Torridon and Applecross in Wester Ross
- Duncansby Head and Caithness flagstone coast
Suggested Stops
- Thurso (Scrabster ferry to Orkney)
- Kirkwall, Orkney
- Stromness & Skara Brae
- Lerwick, Shetland (ferry from Kirkwall or Aberdeen)
- Eshaness & Hermaness
- Return to mainland
- Wester Ross – Torridon & Applecross
Where to Stay / Camp
Orkney and Shetland both have good formal camping. Wild camping on Shetland is spectacular but very exposed – weather protection is essential. Wester Ross on the return journey provides a perfect Highland contrast to the island landscapes.
Driving Tips
- Shetland ferries from Aberdeen overnight – a cabin is worthwhile on the 12-hour crossing
- Book all island ferries many months in advance, particularly for vehicles
- Shetland’s puffin colonies at Sumburgh Head and Hermaness are at their best May–July
- Orkney’s main archaeological sites have timed-entry booking in summer
Best Time to Visit
May to August for the northern isles – days are extraordinarily long and puffins are present. Shetland’s Up Helly Aa fire festival takes place in late January for a truly unique winter visit.
Planning this route?
Our fully equipped Land Rover Defenders and Toyota Hilux vehicles are designed for exploring Scotland’s remote landscapes.
Outer Hebrides, Sutherland & The Cairngorms: 9 Days
Orkney, Shetland & Wester Ross: 9 Days
East Scotland, The Cairngorms, The Great Glen, Mull & Argyll: 9 Days
Outer Hebrides, Sutherland & The Cairngorms: 9 Days
Nine days covering the full arc of Scotland’s wild north – Atlantic island life on the Outer Hebrides, the remote coast and mountains of Sutherland, returning through the ancient pine forests of the Cairngorms.
Distance & Duration
Approx. 700–900 miles including ferry crossings. Allow 9 days / 8 nights.
Key Highlights
- Luskentyre and the Harris coast
- Callanish Standing Stones, Lewis
- Cape Wrath – Britain’s most north-westerly mainland point
- Sandwood Bay – Scotland’s most remote beach
- Ben Hope and the Sutherland mountains
- Cairngorms plateau and Rothiemurchus Forest
Suggested Stops
- Stornoway, Lewis
- Harris & Luskentyre
- Ullapool (ferry return)
- Lochinver & Assynt
- Durness & Cape Wrath
- Tongue
- Lairg
- Aviemore & Cairngorms
Where to Stay / Camp
Nine nights of exceptional wild camping potential. Sandwood Bay access is a 4-mile walk from the road – worth every step for one of Scotland’s most remote overnight spots. Sutherland offers boundless wilderness camping with almost no crowds beyond July.
Driving Tips
- Cape Wrath is accessed via a small ferry and minibus – check seasonal timetables
- The walk to Sandwood Bay requires a 4WD-accessible track from Blairmore – ask locally
- Sutherland fuel stations are very sparse – never let the tank fall below half
- Allow a full day in Assynt – the geology, scenery and lochs are extraordinary
Best Time to Visit
June to September. The Hebrides ferry schedule is most frequent in summer. Autumn brings spectacular colour to the Cairngorms. The far north is accessible year-round but winter conditions require serious preparation.
Planning this route?
Our fully equipped Land Rover Defenders and Toyota Hilux vehicles are designed for exploring Scotland’s remote landscapes.
Outer Hebrides, Sutherland & The Cairngorms: 9 Days
Orkney, Shetland & Wester Ross: 9 Days