Itinerary assumptions:

• You will be flying in/out of Edinburgh or travel by train.
• You will be using the public transportation or walk during your stay. Alternately you can rent a bike for the last day in the city.
• You will be staying in a hostel or hotel close to the attractions, such as a hotel near Edinburgh Castle
• Use a map to get around the city.

Day 1

You can start the day with a free walking tour of Edinburgh, which is a good way to get to know the city and get some detailed information on the sights. The tour leaves daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from in front of Starbucks Coffee on High Street. The tour takes about 3 ½ h and visits, among other places: Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Old & New Towns, Grassmarket, Tron Kirk and The Scottish Enlightenment.

It’s best to visit the Castle in the morning, so leave that for tomorrow. Instead, go back to the Royal Mile , where you can find plenty of cafes and restaurants to grab a bite. After lunch, cross the North Bridge and visit the Georgian New Town. The most famous street here is Princess Street , which is home to many stores. You can also climb up Calton Hill for some lovely views of New Town. Head to George Street for dinner and then go back to the hostel or hotel.

Day 2

Start your day early, at Edinburgh Castle (it opens at 9:30 a.m.). Then walk on the Royal Mile all the way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You can visit St. Giles Cathedral on the way, but most importantly, take your time and wander down narrow alleys to get a different view of the area. When you get hungry, stop to grab a bite in one of the cafés.

Or you can skip the cafés and restaurants and check out Grassmarket . The area is surrounded by pubs and cafes , as well as retail shops.

>>read about What to Eat in Scotland

Day 3

Make the last day in the city one filled with spending time in nature. You can hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat, located about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. It offers the best views of the city. Then, make your way towards the Royal Botanic Garden , which can be easily reached by bus or bike.

You’d also want to allow some time to visit Leith, the original port of Edinburgh. You can find plenty of places to grab a meal here, too.

Go back to the Old Town and do some last minute souvenir shopping before leaving Edinburgh.

Practical information:

By the end of September 2012, you can expect to pay from €30.63 per person, per night in a double or twin private room; a bed in a 16 bed dorm starts at €12.76 per night for the same time frame. By the end of November 2012, the twin or double room starts at €28.08 per night, while a bed in a 14 bed dorm starts at €8.30 per night.

Photos via Google Images

Itinerary assumptions:

• You’ll be flying in/out of Edinburgh
• You’ll be staying in a hostel or budget hotel and use the public transportation to get around.
• A rental car is a good option for some trips

Day 1 Edinburgh

After your flight to Edinburgh, take the Airlink Expres to get to the hostel/hotel. Ideally you should look for a place close to the sights but please note that keeping the costs down means you’ll be traveling during the shoulder season.

Get to know the area around the hostel/hotel, grab a bite to eat and figure out the logistics to get to/from the main sites.

>>book a hotel near Edinburgh Castle

Day 2 Edinburgh – Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace

Start the day with breakfast and then head to the Edinburgh Castle. Adult tickets cost £16.00. There are complimentary guided tours available. If you have time, visit the National War Museum, located within the castle.

From the castle, walk on the Royal Mile. You can even pick some souvenirs (or leave that for the last day in the city). Also is in the area is Holyrood Palace, which deserves your attention, too.

Depending on how much time you have and how tired you are, you can explore more sights in the Old Town.

Day 3 Blair Castle

You can either rent a car and drive directly to Blair Castle, or take the train towards Inverness, get off at Perth and then take a bus to the village of Blair Atholl and walk to the castle.

The castle said to have been started in 1269 and has been in the Murray family since 1629. The castle commands a strategic position on the main route through the central Scottish Highlands.

Now travel back to Perth and stay here for the night.

Day 4 Castle Menzies

In the morning take a bus to Crieff and then another one towards Lochearnhead and get off at Aberfeldy. The castle is located near the small village of Weem and you can walk to the location.

It’s certainly easier to rent a car and drive from Perth to Castle Menzies (32.5 miles).

This is a 16th century castle which has been restored. Located in a strategic position, it has been involved in the turbulent history of the country.

Travel back to Perth and then take a train to Glasgow (or drive the 73 miles in your rental car)

Day 5 Glasgow

Glasgow is a heaven both for pedestrians and cyclists, so if you don’t plan to walk too much you can rent a bike for exploring the town. Glasgow Cathedral, Tradeston Pedestrian Bridge and Riverside Museum should be on your list of places to check out.

A free walking tour of Glasgow is a good option to get to know the city better . The tour leaves at 11 a.m. year round from outside the Tourist Information Office in George Square.

Day 6 Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

You should definitely rent a car for this part of the trip. Drive the 152 miles on A82 from Glasgow to Loch Ness passing by Fort William and Fort Augustus. Feel free to stop to take photos and explore the sites.

If you feel like walking , then embark on a hike to get to the Castle or you can safely use the rental car. The site is located between Fort William and Inverness. It’s in ruins but offers an excellent location for creative photos.

Drive to Inverness and spend the night there.

>>read more about Getting from Glasgow to Inverness

Day 7 Inverness

Inverness Castle is a must-see while here and you shouldn’t miss the Old High Church either. Otherwise, you can use this day to do some shopping and taking things easy. If you feel you want something active to do, rent a bike and explore the area.

Day 8 Aberdeen

Early in the morning, take a train to Aberdeen and explore the city. Take your time to soak up the atmosphere and the city’s famous granite architecture. Walk on the beach – even if it’s not sunbathing weather – and explore Old Aberdeen.

Spend the night here and travel to Edinburgh by train early in the morning.

>>read more about Getting from Aberdeen to Edinburgh

Day 9 and 10 Edinburgh

If you felt rushed during your first day in Edinburgh, now it’s time to take things slow. Take a free walking tour (which takes 3 ½ h) , explore the Old Town , walk along the Water of Leith and visit a museum or two.

Photo credits: Edinburgh , Blair Castle , Castle Menzies , Glasgow , Urquart Castle , Inverness , Aberdeen

Haggis

On Burns Night it’s a must but otherwise you won’t exactly catch people eating a lot of this rather bizarre food. You can find it in pubs though and is traditionally served with mashed turnips (neeps) and tatties (that’s mashed potatoes for you and me).

Black Pudding

It’s another rather bizarre food which can be eaten in Scotland and the locals traditionally eat it at Hogmanay. This is a blood sausage , but you won’t find just pork blood in the mixture. There are also meat, fat, onions, chestnuts and oatmeal (to name some of the ingredients). You can find it as part of the full English breakfast.

Fish and Chips

You can find excellent places which serve fish and chips in Scotland and yes, you can order it in a pub, too. The fish used is cod or haddock. Sometimes pickled onion is served alongside the dish, but it’s optional.

Mince and Tatties

For you and me, that’s browned mincemeat with onions and carrots, served with mashed potatoes.

Colcannon

It’s a dish made with boiled cabbage, carrots, potatoes and turnips.

Arbroath smokie (smoked haddock)

It’s salted, smoked fish which is usually eaten for breakfast. Smoked salmon, considered a delicacy, is also prepared the same way and eaten is part of the Scottish foods.

Dundee pie and Forfar bridie

Dundee pie is an excellent choice for a go-to-meal. Or you can get a Forfar bridie which contains mutton and spices.

Scones (bread)

They are the perfect reason to eat some delicious jam and clotted cream, too.

Dundee cake

It is a Scottish fruit cake , which contains currants, sultans and almonds.

Bannocks (Oatcakes)

It’s made of oatmeal and takes the form of a biscuit and is baked on a griddle.

Whisky

Scots tend to add whisky to everything, particularly jam and marmalade. But, most importantly, it’s the most popular beverage in Scotland, which should be at least tasted during your visit.

Photo credits: Haggis , Black Pudding , Fish and chips , Mince and Tatties , smoked haddock , scone , Dundee cake , Bannocks , Whisky

Weather

Remember what I said about July weather? Well, August weather is just the same: very unpredictable. You can be lucky and have absolutely lovely weather for your entire stay…or you might as well be unlucky and watch the rain go down…while you hoped you could spend time outside. While packing a t-shirt is not exactly required – the weather is never hot in Scotland – an umbrella sure is.

Sample temperatures

Aberdeen avg high 17C ; avg low 10C
Edinburgh avg high 18C; avg low 10C
Glasgow avg high 18C; avg low 11C
Inverness avg high 17C; avg low 11C

>>read more about Weather in Scotland

Flights and accommodation

August is the busiest month in Scotland because of two major events in Edinburgh: Festival Fringe and Military Tattoo. Add to this the fact that August is the month when most Europeans take their summer vacations, and you’ve got a busy , crowded and quite expensive time of the year on your hands. So, make sure to book the flights ahead of time (book one at least 4 to 8 weeks before departure, unless you plan to wait for a special sale). When it comes to accommodation, book the hotel room well ahead of time, especially if you plan to visit Edinburgh. If you think the prices are too high, you can always choose one of the hostels , but please note that these book up months in advance, as well, thanks to the famous festivals in Edinburgh.

Things to do

Two major events in Edinburgh take center stage in August: Festival Fringe (August 3-27, 2012*) and Military Tattoo (August 3-25, 2012)

Edinburgh Festival Fringe is world’s largest arts festival. It is particularly famous for showcasing experimental works, so if you are passionate about theatre, music and arts in general, this is the place to be.

Military Tattoo is a military parade taking place at Edinburgh Castle, as part of the Festival Fringe.

>>also read about the Free Things to do in Edinburgh

But , if the weather is nice, you should also plan to explore the outdoors. The Scottish Highlands should not be missed . The famous Loch Ness and the castles are waiting to be discovered by the visitors.

Or if you want to stay in a city but the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh is too much for you, then Glasgow is a lovely choice. Plus, it’s a paradise for those who plan to do some shopping during the vacation . Hit the outdoor markets and try the local food or head to one of the shopping centers. If you have a sweet tooth, you could visit the Tunnocks chocolate factory.

If you appreciate spirits, then why not indulge in a whisky tasting experience? You can follow the Whisky trail, but be careful not to drive after too much “tasting”.

>>read more about the Things to do in Scotland

Note:*the exact dates change from year to year, but the month remains the same.

Photo credit

Weather

July falls during summer and lovely summer is the most unpredictable season in Scotland. You can have anything from lovely, sunny days to rainy days which can spoil your mood and vacation. But even when it’s sunny, don’t expect to be hot.

Sample temperatures

Aberdeen avg high 17C ; avg low 10C
Edinburgh avg high 18C; avg low 10C
Glasgow avg high 18C; avg low 11C
Inverness avg high 17C; avg low 11C

>>read more about Weather in Scotland

Flights and accommodation

Although the weather is unreliable, July does fall during summer, when most Europeans take their vacations. So, expect to find crowded sights and make sure you look for flights ahead of time (book one at least 4 to 8 weeks before departure, unless you plan to wait for a special sale). When it comes to accommodation, book the hotel room ahead of time. If you think the prices are high, you can always choose one of the hostels (most of them have private rooms, too).

Things to do

When traveling during such an unpredictable season, you have no choice but to always have a back up for the rainy days. And yes, an umbrella.

If the weather is nice, exploring the outdoors is a delight, so make sure to visit the Scottish Highlands . Rent a car and tour the scenic area at your own pace, for example. Nessie and Loch Ness are waiting for you and so are the superb castles located in the area. You can also plan to check out the island of Skye, as well.

Should rainy days mess with your outdoor plans, then head to the cities. Edinburgh with its superb castle and stunning architecture is a lovely place to visit. And you can always try the local “bizarre foods”: haggis anyone?

>>read more about the Free Things to do in Edinburgh

Glasgow is a shopper’s paradise. It has the best shopping outside London and, to everyone’s delight, you don’t need to break the bank to actually afford something. Hit the outdoor markets and try the local food or get some souvenirs for those back home. Or , if caught in a downpour, head to one of the shopping centers. If you have a sweet tooth, visit the Tunnocks chocolate factory, which is located closed to the city.

And let’s not forget about whisky … The Scotland’s national drink might appeal to many visitors. You can even follow a Whisky trail and taste the various flavors.

>>read more about the Things to do in Scotland

Photo credit

Weather

The Scottish weather is very unpredictable and the forecast (whether you find it online, hear it on the radio or see it on TV) is unreliable. So planning the things to do far in advance is not exactly possible. One day it might be gorgeous but next day you could wake up to a downpour.

Spring is probably the best time to visit Scotland. By May, the weather settles down and you can actually enjoy some nice days to spend outdoors. Don’t expect high temperatures though. Even if the sun is shining, a long sleeve top is required.

Sample temperatures

Aberdeen avg high 12C ; avg low 5C
Edinburgh avg high 13C; avg low 6C
Glasgow avg high 15C; avg low 6C
Inverness avg high 13C; avg low 6C

>>read more about Weather in Scotland

Flights and hotels

Although not part of the high season, May is a very popular month to visit Scotland. So, make sure you look for flights ahead of time and book one at least 4 to 8 weeks before departure. Also, when it comes to accommodation, check out the hotels ahead of time and if the prices are a bit too high, you can always opt for one of the hostels .

Things to do

No trip to Scotland is complete without visiting Edinburgh …and tasting whisky …among plenty other things, of course. Whisky is the national drink and you can take the Whisky trail and taste different flavors of malts. If your taste buds don’t agree with drinks, then plan to visit Edinburgh and try the local “bizarre foods”… there are plenty, trust us! How about trying the mince ‘n’ tatties? It’s basically mince, potatoes and gravy…all mashed up.

Don’t forget your camera as you’ll have plenty of things to photograph and visit. If you have a thing for castles, then you’ll be in seventh heaven here.

>>read more about the Free Things to do in Edinburgh

Or maybe you want do some shopping. That’s when Glasgow gets your attention. It doesn’t matter how much you are willing to pay, the city has shopping options for any budget. And of course, you can always hit the outdoor markets. If you have a sweet tooth, visit the Tunnocks chocolate factory, which is based near Glasgow.

And since this is May and the weather is nice enough to allow for exploring the outdoors, you should plan to visit the Scottish Highlands . Rent a car and tour the scenic area at your own pace. You can pay Nessie a visit (yes, visit Loch Ness ) and check out the superb castles located in the area. And don’t leave Scotland without visiting the island of Skye.

>>read more about the Things to do in Scotland

Photo credit : Cristian Luguzan via Facebook

Inverness , the most northerly city in the British Isles , is the gateway into the Scottish Highlands.

Although both cities are served by airports, the short distance between them – 169 miles – does not requite a flight to get between Glasgow and Inverness. Sure, it’s possible to fly by way of Belfast or Manchester, but the fares and time spent traveling does not make flying a worth while option.

Quick summary

The difference between the bus and train fare is so small that it doesn’t really matter which means of transportation you choose between Glasgow and Inverness. And the travel times are about the same, as well.

Trains from Glasgow to Inverness

First Scot Rail operates daily trains, about every 2 hours, between Glasgow Queen Street and Inverness. The travel time is about 3h 15min and the cheapest standard single fare is £10.90. On the way back, the same fares and trains frequency apply.

>>read more about Train Travel in Scotland

Buses from Glasgow to Inverness

Megabus and CityLink operate buses on a daily basis between Glasgow and Inverness. There are 8 departures per day, with the first bus departing Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station at 8:30 a.m. and the last at 9:55 p.m. The travel time is between 3h 23 and 3h 40 min. The single fares are either £10.00 on Megaus and City Link or £20.00 on CityLink Gold. Tickets from both operators can be purchased from the Megabus’ website. On the way back, the same fares and bus frequency apply.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Scotland

Driving from Glasgow to Inverness

You can also rent a car and drive the 169 miles between Glasgow and Inverness. The drive on A9 takes about 3h 15 min, while on A82, although it’s a slightly shorter distance – 167 miles – it takes about 3 ½ h to drive between the two cities.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

Dundee is located on North East Scotland and is the seventh largest city in the country. Dundee is famous for being the home of jam made from the berries grown in the farms around the city.

Both cities are served by airports, but since they are located so close to one another – 58 miles – there isn’t any need to fly between them.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to get between Edinburgh and Dundee is by bus. Traveling by train can save about an hour in travel time but the fare is 4 times more expansive than the bus fare.

Trains from Edinburgh to Dundee

First Scot Rail operates trains daily, every half hour, between Edinburgh Waverly and Dundee. The travel time is between 1h 8 min and 1h 22 min. The cheapest standard single fare is £22.70. On the way back, the same fares and trains frequency apply.

>>read more about Train Travel in Scotland

Buses from Edinburgh to Dundee

Megabus and City Link operate daily buses, every half hour, between Edinburgh and Dundee. The fare is either £5.00 or £7.00, depending on the time of departure . The travel time is between 1h 40 min and 2h 23 min. You can purchase tickets from either company on the Megabus’ website.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Scotland

Driving from Edinburgh to Dundee

You can also rent a car and drive the 58 miles on M90 and A92. The drive time is about 1h 15 min.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

Inverness is the most northerly city in the British Isles. It is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and one of the fastest growing cities in Europe.

Although both cities are served by airports, the short distance between them – 156 miles – does not require a flight to get around. Sure, you can fly, by way of Manchester or Birmingham, but the fares are high and the time spent traveling quite long.

Quick summary

The cheapest option is to travel on a bus operated by Megabus (£5.00* one way). The train takes about the same but the fare is double than the bus fare.

Trains from Edinburgh to Inverness

First Scot Rail operates daily trains, every hour, between Edinburgh Waverley and Inverness. The travel time is between 3h 10 min and 3h 50 min. Whether you choose a direct or a connecting train, the cheapest standard single fare is £10.90. The same fares apply on the way back and the train frequency is the same.

>>read more about Train Travel in Scotland

Buses from Edinburgh to Inverness

Megabus and City Link operate daily buses, every 1h 35 min, between Edinburgh and Inverness. The first bus departs Edinburgh at 8:25 a.m. and the last one at 9:45 p.m. The travel time is 3h 35 min to 4h 35 min. Single fare is either £5.00 or £10.00 depending on the time of departure. Tickets from both companies can be purchased on Megabus’ website.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Scotland

Driving from Edinburgh to Inverness

You can also rent a car and drive the 156 miles on A9 between Edinburgh and Inverness. The drive time is about 3 h.

View Larger Map

Note:*at the time the article was written

Photo credit

Aberdeen , Scotland’s third largest city, is known for its old buildings and lovely parks. It also boasts a busy harbor and a beach.

Although both cities are served by airports, the short distance – 127 miles – between them doesn’t require a flight. Sure, you can fly but only via London, Birmingham or Manchester, which means high fares and a long time spent traveling.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to travel between the two cities is by buses operated by Megabus (£7.00* one way). Train tickets are slightly more expensive but you don’t save much in terms of time spent traveling.

Trains from Edinburgh to Aberdeen

First Scot Rail operates trains daily, every hour between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The first train departs Edinburgh Waverley at 5:30 a.m. and the last one at 11:09 p.m. The travel time is between 2h 20 min and 2h 45 min. The cheapest standard single fare is £10.90.

>>read more about Train Travel in Scotland

Buses from Edinburgh to Aberdeen

Megabus operates daily buses, every hour, between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The first bus departs Edinburgh at 8:25 a.m. and the last at 7:10 p.m. The travel time is between 3h 10min and 3 ½ h and the single fare is either £7.00 or £12.00, depending on the time of departure.

City Link also operates daily buses between the two cities. The travel time is 3h 10 min and the standard single fare is £27.30. The super single fare is £13.00. On their site they also list the Megabus and Parks of Hamilton departures but at City Link’s fares.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Scotland

Driving between Edinburgh and Aberdeen

You can also rent a car and drive the 127 miles between Edinburgh and Aberdeen on A90. The drive time is about 2h 40 min. A more scenic route is via A93 but takes about 3 hours.

View Larger Map

Note:* at the time the article was written

Photo credit