7 Days in Scotland Itinerary: Edinburgh and Beyond
Edinburgh Castle in Old Town Edinburgh, Scotland
Get a great overview of what Scotland has to offer with this 7 days in Scotland itinerary!
In just one week, you can explore one of the UK’s greatest cities, incredible medieval abbeys and churches, awe-inspiring castles, and a breathtaking area that rivals the Highlands.
Below, you’ll find a day by day break down of a Scotland 1 week road trip itinerary, perfect for those who’ve never been to this beautiful region.
I’ve also included hotel suggestions based on my own experiences over multiple trips to the UK.
Let’s go explore Scotland!
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Updated 8/2022 | Written 10/2016
7 Day Scotland Itinerary: Day by Day
As you’ll see below, I’ve structured the itinerary to neatly fit into 1 week.
This length is great for those with limited vacation time who still want a robust experience in the UK.
My husband and I have always had full time jobs to balance with our kids’ school schedules and travel destinations. I know your time is equally valuable, so I’ve packed in my favorite places in Scotland here.
In order to maximize your time and sightseeing efforts, you will need a car. If it’s your first time driving in Scotland, don’t worry! The process of driving in Scotland isn’t as hard as you think.
Day 0: Flight from the US to Edinburgh, Scotland
Brace yourselves: day 0 is going to be LONG.
In order to keep everything within a 1 week time period, you’ll need to arrange a red eye flight from the US to Scotland.
Each time we’ve been to the UK, we’ve worked our usually jobs that day, grabbed dinner in the airport, and spent the night on the trans-Atlantic flight.
It’s not the most comfortable way to spend the evening, but it is a great way to maximize your overall Scotland vacation time.
Most major airlines will have direct flights from New York to Edinburgh, but you may have a connecting flight in London.
Day 1: Arriving in Edinburgh
Once your plane touches down in Edinburgh, you’ll want to grab your luggage and head to your transportation of choice.
Getting from Edinburgh airport to the city center
You’ve got a couple of options, but I recommend either of the following:
A) You can take the Edinburgh airport tram.
This inexpensive option runs between the airport and St. Andrews Square. If you’re planning to stay along the direct route, it’s an easy way to get into the city.
Expect to pay around £6 dollars for a one-way adult ticket.
If you’re traveling with your family (2 adults and 1-3 kids), it’s cheaper to get the Family Airport Open Return ticket for only £22.50.
Compare prices and route options on the official Edinburgh Airport tram website.
In Edinburgh, I suggest staying as close to the Royal Mile as possible, so you’d want to disembark on the tram at the Princes Street stop, which is just behind Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile.
2) You can take the bus from the airport.
You’ll see this bright blue bus all over Edinburgh as it carries passengers to and from the airport.
For around £5, you can get a round trip ticket to and from the airport.
It’s not quite as fast as the tram, but it is less expensive. It has plenty of room for luggage and free wifi for the journey.
You’ll also want to disembark at the Princes Street stop here as this is, again, the closest stop to the Royal Mile.
One of the many adorable streets near the Royal Mile
What to Do in Edinburgh on Your First Day
Once you’re in the city center, I recommend heading straight to your hotel.
It’s probably too early to check in, but most hotels will hold your luggage for you at no charge if you’re scheduled to check in later that day.
I recommend the Jurys Inn Edinburgh, which is only a few hundred feet from the train station and less than a block off the Royal Mile.
It's got clean, basic rooms, a restaurant and a bar onsite, and a location that can't be beat.
Plus, they’ve always been great about letting us check our luggage.
Once you’ve gotten your luggage settled, head back into the city for a few hours of sightseeing.
NOTE: You WILL be exhausted on this first day! In order to get over your jet lag, you’ll want to push through for as long as possible and attempt to line up your internal clock with the sleep/wake schedule on the ground.
Since you’ll want an overview of the city and its incredible history, I suggest taking a walking tour first.
The Old Town and Underground walking tour does an excellent job of presenting a concise view of the city’s history while introducing visitors to the general layout of the Old Town and Royal Mile.
>> Get Old Town and Underground walking tour tickets here. <<
After your walking tour, you’re probably hungry. Since you’re still getting used to the city, you’ll want to stay close to the Royal Mile.
If you’re interested in eating at a traditional British pub, the Royal Mile Tavern at 127 High Street has fish and chips, burgers, and all sorts of other comfort food (aka “pub grub”).
If you’d rather have some quick, head to the Pret a Manger at 30 North Bridge for pastries, salads, sandwiches, and coffees. It’s my favorite UK fast casual chain!
Once you’ve had a bite to eat, I’d suggest 1 more activity before you head back to the hotel to rest. (I guarantee you’re exhausted by this point!)
Save the major castles for your second full day in Edinburgh, and, instead, use this afternoon to do a whiskey tasting, Harry Potter themed activity, or the hop-on/hop-off bus tour.
Whiskey is as Scottish as tartans and kilts, so you’ll want to try a sample somewhere along your trip!
I recommend the Holyrood Distillery tour as it is an easy 5 minute walk from the Royal Mile, and it does a great job of intertwining history with the process of Scottish whiskey making.
>> Grab tickets to the Holyrood Gin and Whiskey Distillery tour. <<
Harry Potter fans will know the importance of Edinburgh to author J.K. Rowling (she finished the first book here at the Elephant House!).
Soak up the magical atmosphere of this city with a walking tour devoted to all things Harry Potter inspired.
Did you know that Rowling got the name of Tom Riddle from a graveyard in Edinburgh? You’ll see that and more on this fun walking tour.
>> Grab tickets to the Harry Potter Magical Walking Tour here. <<
Of course, if you’re REALLY tired, you might want something easy to fill your afternoon.
In that case, I’d suggest getting a 48-hour pass for the Edinburgh hop-on/hop-off bus tour, and doing a full loop on that.
This tour will build on the historic walking tour you did this morning, and you’ll get to see the New Town section of Edinburgh as well.
>> Get your 2 day Edinburgh hop-on/hop-off bus tickets here. <<
Make notes on what you’d like to revisit on your second full day in Edinburgh, and then return to the Royal Mile on the bus.
Grab dinner at your hotel, unpack, and head to bed early.
Overnight in Edinburgh: Jurys Inn Edinburgh
Day 2: Exploring Edinburgh
Breakfast at the Elephant House
Hopefully, you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to take on your full day in Edinburgh.
Again, since you’re pressed for time, your day should be anchored around what you can see and do on the Royal Mile.
Start out with coffee and tea at the Elephant House, a favorite haunt of J.K. Rowling when she was writing the early Harry Potter novels.
[You probably passed this yesterday if you chose the Harry Potter walking tour!]
Luckily, they have a great breakfast served with a side of literary inspiration.
After breakfast, head up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, your first stop of the day.
This imposing compound can be seen from just about anywhere in the city, thanks to its positioning on top of the remains of an ancient volcano.
>> Book your tickets for a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle here. <<
I’d suggest grabbing lunch at Edinburgh Castle. They do an excellent afternoon tea from 11 AM-3 PM daily with scones, tea sandwiches, and pastries. Book ahead to ensure you’ll have a spot!
Next, wander back down the Royal Mile to do a little souvenir shopping. You’ll find everything from traditional kilts to mugs and magnets at the stores along this stretch.
At the other end of the Royal Mile is our next destination: Holyroodhouse.
Still used as a royal residence, Holyroodhouse serves as the official home of Queen Elizabeth during her visits to Edinburgh.
NOTE: If you’re planning to visit the property in late June-early July, check to see when the Queen will be in residence as there is more limited access for visitors during this week.
If you’re visiting the rest of the year, you’ll be able to buy your ticket and head on in to explore 500 years of Scottish history through the Queen’s art gallery, the state rooms, the sprawling gardens, and the Holyrood Abbey ruins.
Afterwards, utilize your hop-on/hop-off bus tickets (if you purchase them yesterday) to visit the Edinburgh Zoo, the National Museum of Scotland, the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, or any of the other 14 bus stops.
End your day with some music!
St. Giles' Church on the Royal Mile has concerts during the week. On Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, they offer a paid evening concert series, while the St. Giles at 6 concerts on Sundays at 6 PM are free.
I also recommend stopping by the Royal Mile Tavern for a great selection of upbeat live music for a high-spirited night out!
Overnight: Jurys Inn Edinburgh
Day 3: Roslin and Melrose
Wake up early, check out of your hotel, and head to pick up your rental car.
The absolutely easiest way to go about this process is to pick up your rental car from one of the rental companies at Edinburgh Waverley train station.
If you’re staying at my recommend hotel, the Jurys Inn Edinburgh, the train station will be less than a 100 yard walk from the hotel’s front doors.
Once you’ve picked up your car, make your way south through Edinburgh traffic towards the small town of Roslin.
Rosslyn Chapel Exterior
Here, you’ll find the enigmatic and mysterious Rosslyn Chapel.
If you’ve read The Da Vinci Code, you’ll recognize the chapel from the climax of that story!
On our first visit, we went early in the morning during the off-season, and ended up getting a completely private tour of the place, which exceeded every expectation I had about visiting.
It turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip!
Rosslyn Chapel is known for its intricate stone carvings, ties to the Knights Templar, and unique integration of Christian and Celtic iconography.
>> Traveling in the off-season is just one of my actionable tips on how to travel to Scotland on a budget! <<
While you in Roslin, you’ll also want to hike around the ruins of nearby Rosslyn Castle.
Simply walk across the car park from Rosslyn Chapel and follow the signs to the castle ruins.
Your next stop, Melrose, is about 50 minutes south of Roslin via the A7.
Inside the tiny, quaint town of Melrose are the ruins of Melrose Abbey.
I'm really, really into ruins (the older, the better), so I tried to pack as many into our Scotland travels as possible.
Even though Melrose was a bit out of the way on this road trip, being able to walk around the ruins and climb high into the remaining building is well worth the detour.
Here, you’ll also learn about the property’s ties to Robert the Bruce, an iconic figure in the Scottish quest for independence.
>> Read about our full experience at Melrose Abbey here. <<
After you explore the unique history of Melrose Abbey, head to Eden Coffee House at 6 Buccleuch Street. It’s just on the other side of the Abbey car park.
It has delicious scones, quiches, pastries, coffees, and teas.
You’ve got one more car ride ahead of you today, so hop back in our rental car and head to Dunblane, where you’ll spend the next few nights.
From Melrose to Dunblane is a fairly short trip (only about an hour and a half), so you’ll be at the hotel in plenty of time to explore it.
The Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel is a massive complex in a refurbished sanatorium where 19th century tuberculosis patients would come to relax and take the supposedly healing waters.
Overnight: Dunblane Hydro Hotel
Day 4: The Trossachs and Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond near Stirling in Scotland
Because you’ve only got a week in Scotland, you don’t have time to make it to the Highlands.
However, I’ve got an excellent substitute for you: the Trossachs!
The beautiful area near Stirling is home to the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond, as well as dozens of cute towns, easy hikes, and more.
You’ll roughly make a triangle between Stirling (your starting point), Tyndrum (the halfway point), and Balloch.
Start out on the A811 out of Stirling, and join up with the A84 towards Tyndrum.
From Stirling to Tyndrum is just under an hour and 20 minutes. Break up the drive with a stop in Callendar at the 2 weaving mills there. Don’t forget to say hello to their resident hairy coo!
You should also pause in tiny Balquhidder to visit the grave of Rob Roy McGregor.
We stopped just a few miles later via a slight detour in Killin to eat at Capercaillie’s, where we tucked into an amazing full Scottish breakfast, complete with haggis and black pudding.
Head back towards Tyndrum: if the weather is okay (for Scotland), consider doing an easy hike like the one at the Lochan of the Lost Sword.
The trail head is just off of the A82 highway and provides some gorgeous views of the surrounding lake and forest.
Island I Vow in the middle of Loch Lomond
Once you’re back on the A82, head south towards the Falls of Falloch. This pretty 30-foot waterfall isn’t huge, but it is a lovely spot to hike around or take photos.
On your southern drive around Loch Lomond, look for Island I Vow in the middle of the lake. You can stop to take photos of the small island, once the seat of the Clan MacFarlane, which still has the crumbling ruins of a castle visible on it.
Don’t miss Ben Lomond, a mountain on the far shore of Loch Lomond. If you’d like to do some additional hiking, there are multiple trails through this area.
At Ballach, make a left hand turn at the roundabout to get onto Stirling Road (A811). Follow this back to Stirling to complete your day trip.
Along the way from Ballach to Stirling, consider a stop at the beautiful Balloch Castle.
Overnight: Dunblane Hydro Hotel
Day 5: Stirling and Dunblane
Stained glass windows at Stirling Castle
On your last full day in Dunblane, you’ll stick closer to the hotel to learn about the history of Stirling.
Head to Stirling Castle early, and plan about 2 hours with the audio tour.
Next, head over to the William Wallace Museum on the other side of Stirling. You can see the Memorial from the Castle, which makes for a great photo opp!
Besides Rob Roy (whom we saw on the Trossach trip), my husband is also obsessed with Braveheart and the myth that is William Wallace, so he was really into the William Wallace Museum.
I liked seeing Wallace's gigantic sword, but there wasn't a lot other than that elaborated on the man's life.
I also enjoyed going to the Hall of Heroes and taking some pictures with the busts of my favorite Scottish authors (including Rabbie Burns, for whom I hold a soft spot).
Exterior of the William Wallace Monument
If you go, make sure to note that there are no elevators if you cannot walk up the 246 steps.
It's quite a hike up the entire monument, but you do get to stop at the various levels to help break up the journey.
There’s a great cafe onsite, so pause here for a bit to refuel before heading into your afternoon activities.
Your third stop of the day is at Doune Castle, another must-visit spot!
Doune Castle is where the vast majority of Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed, and the audio tour is even narrated by Terry Jones.
More recently, it's been one of the filming locations for Outlander as the ancestral home of the MacKenzies in Season 1 and Game of Thrones as the Winterfell location.
Again, traveling in the off-season is AWESOME since we had the place to ourselves. There's nothing like rambling 'round a 14th century castle with only the howling wind to accompany you.
Finally, duck into Dunblane Cathedral before calling it a day.
My husband and I inside Dunblane Cathedral
(As an aside, I know this is a lot to accomplish in one day, but it’s quite manageable if you start early.)
We were the sole visitors here as well, and the docent took us around this incredible structure, explaining bits and pieces of the cathedral's history.
Interesting, when the town fell on hard times and couldn't keep up with the work needed, they let the roof cave in towards the back and just used the seats near to the front of the cathedral.
Eventually, they were able to raise enough money to restore the place to its former glory, thankfully.
For dinner, head to the Village Inn on Stirling Street for a hardy meal.
Overnight: Dunblane Hydro Hotel
Day 6: St. Andrews
Say farewell to Stirling, and head off to St. Andrews for your last full day in Scotland.
Known for being the home of a major university and the birthplace of modern golf, St. Andrews has a wonderful combination of academia, sports, and the seaside.
After the 1.5 hour drive from Dunblane to St. Andrews, you’ll be glad to stretch your legs as you explore the city.
In front of the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral
First, take a guided walking tour to explore the ruins and graveyard of St. Andrews Cathedral, crawl in the claustrophobia-inducing tunnels under St. Andrews Cathedral, and walk along the hallowed greens of the Old Course.
>> Get tickets to the St. Andrews walking tour here. <<
Don’t forget to do a Chariots of Fire run along the beach, as this is where much of that film was shot.
Have lunch at North Point Cafe at 24 North Street. It’s a favorite among the St. Andrews students.
Spend the afternoon exploring the winding streets of St. Andrews at your pleasure, or try your hand at a round of golf.
Overnight: St. Andrews
Day 7: Return to Edinburgh
Sadly, your last day in Scotland has arrived.
On the morning of Day 7, you’ll want to pack up one last time, and drive your rental car from St. Andrews to Edinburgh.
This journey will take about an hour and 20 minutes.
If you have a little time before your flight leaves, you can spend a few more hours exploring Edinburgh.
When you’ve completed any last minute sightseeing, head to the airport (either by your rental car, tram, or transfer bus, depending on where you picked up the rental car).
Then, start planning your return trip to Scotland while you’re on the airplane!
I promise, once you’ve visited, you won’t be able to stay away for long.
NOTE: If you have more time in the UK, I suggest adding on a few days in London as well.
Getting from Edinburgh to London is easily done by train, and I loved our experience on the Caledonian sleeper train from Scotland!
What would you add to this week in Scotland itinerary?
