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Glencoe To The Isle Of Skye – OUR CROSSINGS
Last updated on the 6th of August, 2025
While we love Scotland’s compact, hilly capital and the craggy castle looming over the city, there is something extraordinary about taking a road trip along epic roads cutting through the rugged wilderness to the untamed islands on Scotland’s West coast.
The west coast of Scotland is quite dramatic and feels raw. It is brimming with incredible experiences and sights, offering plenty of stops, including the ultimate Scottish destination—the enchanting Isle of Skye.
The drive to the Isle of Skye takes you through some of the most amazing scenery in Scotland. You pass mountains, beautiful deer-filled glens, castles, and charming highland villages along the way.
It’s a place where nature has the upper hand, and we are mere guests. You’ll find low plains, high skies, and deep lochs, and the sheer scale of this glaciated landscape fills the senses.
So, if you are currently trying to plan a Scotland road trip itinerary, there’s no need to look any further!
Cause if you love spending time outdoors, then this could be the perfect Scotland road trip for you!
Read More: The Perfect Road-Trip Itinerary for 5 Spell-binding Days in Scotland
Overview of this 7-Day Scotland Itinerary
At the beginning of July last summer, we embarked on an epic road trip, exploring Scotland’s West coast by car.
As we live in Ireland and travel with two small children, we decided to take a ferry from Belfast to Scotland.
We left home early in the morning and drove to Belfast Port for one of the earliest departures. After two hours of sailing, we arrived at Cairnryan port and drove straight to Inverco Campsite, where a cosy mini lodge equipped with a microwave, fridge, and stunning views over the lake was waiting for us.
However, if you do need to fly into Scotland, then the 2 closest airports would be:
*Good to know – As this road trip is planned with a car in mind, you also need to hire a car to get around and pre-book the ferry crossing from Armadale to Mallaig via CalMac ferry company.
Read More: How to Visit Enchanting Stirling Castle & Gardens in Scotland: An Easy Guide
A Quick Glance at The Route
For this itinerary, you’ll start in Glasgow by crossing the Erskine Bridge over the River Clyde and joining the A82.
It won’t be long before you reach the stunning Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and travel to Crianlarich, home to the Green Welly Stop.
The route then weaves through windswept Rannoch Moor before reaching Glencoe, the site of the famous massacre, where you are greeted with amazing mountain views in all directions.
After that, you’ll cross the Skye Bridge and arrive on the Isle of Skye.
*Remember that there are many incredible West Coast routes and you can, depending on your interests, include other destinations such as the Outer Hebrides, Ullapool, the Ardnamurchan peninsula or even the Outer Hebrides.
Read More: Top 11 Things To Do In Edinburgh This Autumn That Are Good For Your Soul
Scotland West Coast Road Trip Main Stops
Here’s how you are going to spend a week road-tripping the West Coast of Scotland and some of the main stops you’ll make along the way:
Stop 1: Glasgow
Stop 2: Glencoe
Stop 3: Fort William
Stop 4: Eilean Donan Castle
Stop 4: Isle of Skye
Stop 5: Mallaig
Stop 6: Glenfinnan
Stop 7: Edinburgh
Read More: A Short Guide to the Best Attractions Along The Royal Mile In Edinburgh, Scotland
How much time do I need to road trip the West Coast of Scotland?
For the best experience, one week in Scotland gives you enough time to see the famous places without feeling too rushed.
But it all depends on the activities that you are planning as, for example, you might need to add an extra day if you plan on climbing Ben Nevis or exploring lesser-known corners of the Isle of Skye.
In general, an itinerary for 7 days in Scotland could comfortably include visits to Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Skye, Glencoe, and Loch Lomond. You might even fit in a day trip to Iona or a ride on the Jacobite Steam train.
If you have more days, then you can extend your stay to discover your chosen regions in more detail, take detours, and explore remote corners.
Read More: Your Essential Guide To Planning The Best Edinburgh Holiday In Scotland
Arrival at Glasgow and Settling In
Located on the banks of the mighty River Clyde, Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is a culturally rich metropolis, serving as a perfect place to begin your 7-day road trip around Scotland.
The city offers plenty to do, from visiting Glasgow Cathedral, exploring the Riverside Museum or catching a glimpse of the impressive displays of street art.
Some of the best things to do in the city:
- The Gothic Cathedral | is a fascinating sight and a must-see for your trip to Scotland. It’s where the late Queen Elizabeth II attended services twice to mark her Diamond Jubilee.
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum | is one of the best places to visit if you only have one day as it features more than 8,000 pieces of artwork and artefacts.
- University of Glasgow | Founded in 1451, the university is the second oldest in Scotland and an amazing place to explore to see the famous Cloisters, the Memorial Gates and the Hunterian Art Gallery.
*Top tip—If you are staying in Glasgow just for a night, I recommend booking a hotel in the city centre so that you can easily get around.
Day 1: Glasgow to Glencoe
Total Driving Time: Approximately 2 hours
Time to start your 7-day Scotland road trip!
Pick up your rental car at Glasgow Airport or at one of the pickup locations in the city before making your way northwest and officially entering the Highlands, where sweeping Scottish scenery steals the show.
The plan for today is to make a few stops along the route from Glasgow to Glencoe and take in some of the most impressive and spectacular landscapes in the UK.
- Stop One: Luss | With its serene atmosphere and traditional stone cottages, Luss is one of the prettiest villages in Scotland, located on the shores of Loch Lomond. Here, you can walk around and admire cute little houses, hit the walking trails or cruise on the lake.
- Stop Two: The Drovers Inn | Rumoured to be one of the most hunted hotels in Scotland, it makes for a great stop if you are feeling peckish or just want to soak up its 300 years of history.
- Stop Three: The Falls of Falloch | A picturesque 10-metre waterfall near Crianlarich offers a serene escape. It is said to be the favourite hiding place of the famous Scottish outlaw, Rob Roy.
Read More: A Local’s Guide: Some Of The Best Things To See and Do In Edinburgh’s New Town
Exploring Glencoe
The Scottish Highlands are rich in deep valleys and magnificent mountains, but nowhere does the landscape come together more dramatically than at Glencoe.
It doesn’t take longer than 20 minutes to drive through the rugged terrain, but it is worth staying longer.
Once you reach Glencoe, make sure to venture out to explore the wonderfully dramatic landscape on foot.
Some of the best things to do in Glencoe would be:
- Wild swim in the meeting of the Three Waters
- Stop by the Three Sisters Viewpoint
- Visit the Lost Valley of Glencoe
- Photograph the Buachaille Etive Mòr
Day 2: Glencoe to Eilean Donan Castle via Fort William
Total Driving Time: approximately 2 hours
Time to leave the heart of the mystical Glen Coe Valley and head further up north to Fort William, the gateway to the highest mountain in the British Isles – Ben Nevis.
Fort William makes for a pleasant stopover and a great place to restock on supplies as well as take a ride in a gondola, which takes you halfway up Ben Nevis.
After visiting Fort William, head back to A82 and continue towards Eilean Donan Castle.
Sitting on a small tidal island at the meeting of three lochs, the castle is one of the most popular attractions in the Scottish Highlands and one of the most recognizable Scottish castles.
The castle we see today dates back to the 13th century and served as the seat of power for the Mackenzie and MacRae clans,
- Parking at the castle | There’s a large Pay & Display car park
*Good to know – you can only fly your drone outside of castle opening hours
Read More: What To See and Do In Edinburgh: 12 Amazing Ideas For First-Time Visitors
Day 3: Eilean Donan Castle to the Isle of Skye
Total Driving Time: Approximately 1 hour
Today is exciting as you’ll be crossing the Skye Bridge to reach the Isle of Skye, the largest in the archipelago that makes up the Inner Hebrides.
The bridge leads from the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh over the sea to Skye, arriving in Kyleakin. The journey over the arched construction takes just a few minutes, offering incredible views of the Cuillins and beyond.
Kyleakin is an ideal base for exploring the Cuillin mountains and southern Skye.
However, many visitors prefer to travel further up to Portree, the island’s capital, as it is a great place for exploring the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula and the northern headland, including Dunvegan and the Old Man of Storr.
Once you arrive on the island, you are spoilt for choice. There’s the oldest working distillery on the island, the historic Dunvegan Castle and the magical Fairy Pools.
Read More: A Pocketguide To Help You Witness the Splendid Beauty Of Stirling Town In Scotland
Day: 3 – 5 Exploring the Isle of Skye
With its mysterious mountains, lochs and moors, the Isle of Skye is an ideal place to be astounded by nature.
It’s a place of captivation, too, as you’ll see in Fairy Glen, a landscape of babbling brooks and miniature cone-shaped hills and the Fairy Pools, said to be a favoured bathing spot for faeries.
My advice for those visiting Skye is that it is impossible to see the island properly in a few days as there is much more to the island than the few attractions that the majority of tourists plan on visiting.
The solution? If you are short on time, pin down one area of the island and take the time to explore it on a deeper level. We picked Portree, Trotternish Loop Drive and the lesser visited Uig.
Read More: Isle Of Skye Guide: 5 Amazing Stops You Should Visit On The Trotternish Loop
Day 6: Isle of Skye to Mallaig & Glenfinnich
Total Driving Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Today, you are leaving Skye behind and travelling to Armadale to catch a ferry to Mallaig, a pretty coastal town.
The ferry from Armadale to Mallaig is the main route for sailing to and from the Isle of Skye from the mainland and makes a good alternative to the Skye Bridge, especially for those who are staying in or around Fort William.
The ferry departs several times a day, and the sailing only takes 30 minutes. You can bring your car on the ferry, and although the boat is rarely full, I recommend booking in advance.
Once you arrive in Mllaig, travel via 830 to the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct to watch the Jacobite steam train cross the Viaduct.
Keep in mind that the train passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct approximately 30 minutes after departing from Fort William. To see the train, you need to be at the Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint at these times to see the train passing over the viaduct:
- MORNING: The train passes over at approximately 10.45am and arrives at the viewpoint at 10.15am.
- AFTERNOON: The train passes over at approximately 3.10pm and arrives at the viewpoint at 2.40pm.
*Good to know- due to the popularity of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, car parking can be difficult in summer
- Where to stay nearby: Glenfinnan House Hotel: a lovely traditional hotel in Glenfinnan with stunning loch views.
Read More: 8 Amazing Reasons Why You Should Visit Edinburgh At Least Once
Day 6: Glenfinnich to Edinburgh
Total Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
Ending on a high note, today’s plan is to drive from Glenfinnan to Edinburgh, and you are going to be blown away by the culture and history of Edinburgh.
You can either do the whole distance in one go or make a few stops along the way. Some of the places worth checking out along the way are Pitlochry, Aviemore, Dundee, Falkirk, Perth and Linlithgow.
Once you arrive in Edinburgh, you’ll be in awe of its elegant New Town’s Georgian avenues and the enchanting charm of the Old Town.
Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, an art aficionado, or simply seeking to immerse yourself in the city’s enchanting ambience, Edinburgh is a city that can appeal to every type of traveller.
Read More: Some Of The Best Things To See At The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Additional Stops You Could Make Along The Way
- Queens View | On your way from Glenfinnan to Edinburgh, you can stop by the Queens View and Visitors Centre. Located in the heart of Highland Perthshire, offering a sweeping view along Loch Tummel.
- Fort Augustus | a wonderful place to embark on a discovery of the legends and mysteries of Loch Ness. You can explore the folklore of the elusive Loch Ness Monster, also known as “Nessie,” as you stroll along the picturesque Caledonian Canal or cruise the tranquil waters of Loch Ness.
- Kyle of Lochalsh | A small village set on the Lochalsh peninsula, Kyle of Lochalsh is home to a busy harbour and beautiful nature. Besides the wonderful scenery, one of the top things to do is to walk to the Falls of Glomach, a 370ft waterfall which can be reached by an eight-kilometre trek through the enchanting Scottish countryside.
- Village of Plockton | Located on the shores of Loch Carron, Plockton is one of the most charming villages in Scotland, where you’ll find coral beaches, panoramic views and an array of marine life.
- Ben Nevis | Nestled near Fort William, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The hike to its summit can take up to seven hours round trip. If you plan on embarking on a trek, you have to come prepared with the appropriate gear.
Read More: Your Guide To Some of Edinburgh’s Best Neighbourhoods Worth Exploring
Well, that wraps it up!
We hope you enjoyed our 7-Day Scottish Road Trip Itinerary and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to Scotland’s beautiful West Coast.
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Now, over to you!
Have you been on a road trip around Scotland? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Scotland and have travel-related questions!
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