Central Highlands: 4 Days
Explore the Central Highlands of Scotland in four days – the mountains of Cairngorms National Park, the coast at Wester Ross, Loch Ness, Glen Coe and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
Distance & Duration
Approx. 600 – 700 miles. Allow 4 days / 3 nights.
Key Highlights
- Dunkeld – charming medieval town at the gateway to the Highlands
- Cairngorms National Park – Britain’s largest
- Aviemore and Glenmore Forest Park – the place for outdoor pursuits
- Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle – Scotland’s most famous loch
- Glen Affric – one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens
- Big Sand beach at Gairloch
- Plockton – a beautiful Highland village
- Eilean Donan castle – Scotland’s most dramatically located
- Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain
- Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor – otherworldly dramatic landscapes
- Stirling Castle – one one Scotland’s biggest and historically significant
Suggested Overnight Stops
- Glen Affric / Glen Cannich / Strathglass (around ‘B’ on the map)
- Gairloch / Torridon (around ‘C’ on the map)
- Loch Arkaig / Glen Nevis (around ‘D’ on the map)
Where to Stay
Each stop has options for campsites and wild camping. Hotel, hostel and B&B accommodation is a little limited around points ‘B’ and ‘C’, and would be best booked in advance
Links to campsitest near each overnight stop are here, in Cannich, Torridon and Fort William
Other Tips
- Stop in South Queensferry Expect for lunch with views of the iconic UNESCO-designated Forth Rail Bridge
- Alternatively, stop in one of the charming towns of Dunkeld, Pitlochry or Aberfeldy, at the gateway to the highlands.
- Visit Dalwhinnie distillery, Scotland’s highest altitude distillery in a stark setting.
- Add a detour to see the Applecross peninsula
- Stop for a coffee in the charming Lochcarron
- Detour to see the famous Glenfinnan viaduct (as used by Harry Potter)
- Stop to see the Falls of Dochart, the village-centre waterfalls in Killin
- Stop on the way back to Edinburgh to visit the outdoor sculpture The Kelpies and Linlithgow Palace
Best Time to Visit
May to September offers the best balance of daylight, access and weather. Autumn is also excellent for quieter roads and colourful scenery.
Planning this route?
Our fully equipped Land Rover Defenders and Toyota Hilux vehicles are designed for exploring Scotland’s remote landscapes.