If you want to explore Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, you are in the right place! Although you could spend weeks exploring everything Scotland has to offer, you can experience many of its highlights in just a few days. This 4-day Scotland itinerary covers the perfect mix of city sightseeing in Edinburgh and scenic highland adventures in Glencoe.

Scotland is easily one of the most beautiful places in the United Kingdom, known for its historic cities, dramatic scenery, and incredible hiking trails. If it is not already on your bucket list, you need to add it!

When we visited Scotland, we spent a week exploring everything we could fit into our itinerary, including a day in Edinburgh and the rest of our time exploring the Highlands. This itinerary is based on that experience and focuses on making the most of four days!

I created this 4-day Scotland itinerary, which explores Edinburgh and Glencoe, one of the most beautiful places in the Highlands.

Get your hiking boots and cameras ready!

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In This Guide:

4 Days in Scotland at a Glance

4-Day Scotland Itinerary

Getting Around Scotland

Scotland FAQs

4 Days in Scotland at a Glance (+ Map)

Below is a quick overview of the best things to do during your 4 days in Scotland. Then we will dive into a more in-depth itinerary of all these beautiful attractions!

Day 1:

The Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle
Vennel Street
Victoria Street
St Giles’ Cathedral
Cockburn Street
The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Day 2:

Dean Village
Arthur’s Seat or Carlton Hill
Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens
Drive to Glencoe

Day 3:

Glencoe Scenic Drive
Three Sisters Viewpoint
The Lost Valley
The Meeting of Three Waters
The Devil's Staircase
Wee White House
Glen Etive

Day 4:

Ben Nevis
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glen Nevis
Lower Falls to Patty’s Bridge
Steall Waterfall

Here is Exactly How I Would Spend 4 Days in Scotland

I created this 4-day Scotland itinerary based on our trip and what I would have done if we only had 4 days. We spent a week exploring Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, and now, I can give you the best things to fit into a 4-day itinerary.

This itinerary explores the beautiful city of Edinburgh and the highlands near Glencoe. Trust me, you will fall in love with the old architecture and the stunning highland views. Since Glencoe is about a three-hour drive from Edinburgh, it makes it the perfect place to visit after exploring the city.

If you want to visit the Isle of Skye, I recommend adding a few days to your trip. The Isle of Skye is about a five-hour drive from Edinburgh, so I would not recommend visiting if you only have four days in Scotland unless you are only visiting that area.

Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. If they do not have trash bins, you should take your trash with you and dispose of it once you find one.

Where You Should Stay in Scotland

Since this itinerary explores two areas in Scotland, I recommend spending your first night in Edinburgh and the rest of your time near Glencoe.

Edinburgh Accommodations

A few of my favorite areas to stay in Edinburgh are Old Town, New Town, Dean Village, Stockbridge, Haymarket, and West End. We stayed in Dean Village and loved the quiet residential neighborhood.

If you want to be in the middle of the city, Old Town and New Town are great places to stay. If you want accommodation in a quiet area, Dean Village, Stockbridge, Haymarket, and the West End are for you.

Keep in mind that the closer you stay to the city, the more expensive the accommodations will be. But no matter where you stay, you can easily use public transportation to get around the city!

Glencoe Accommodations

Glencoe has a small downtown with a few accommodations. Since it is close to the best things to do, it is the best place to stay during this portion of your itinerary.

Fort William is one of the largest towns near Glencoe, making it a great place to stay if you do not mind staying further away. It has many accommodations, restaurants, and shops in its cute downtown. Fort William is about a half-hour drive from Glencoe, so you need to allocate time for traffic and the drive if you stay here.

We stayed a bit further away in Oban because we found a cute house rental, but if we were to visit again, we would stay in Glencoe.

And if you want to camp, you have quite a few campgrounds to choose from! A few of the best ones are Glencoe Camping, Red Squirrel Campsite, Caolasnacon Caravan & Camping Park, and Glencoe Mountain Resort.

Day 1: Edinburgh

Your first day in Scotland explores one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland. Edinburgh is full of history, stunning architecture, and delicious food, and your day in Edinburgh will be filled with walking through the old and colorful city streets.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Use public transportation to get to the city. Edinburgh has great public transportation, including buses and trams. These are fantastic for getting to and from the city.
Get discount cards. If you are planning to visit attractions with entrance fees, you can save money using discount cards or purchasing tickets in advance. There are also many free things to do in Edinburgh.

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is an iconic walk in Edinburgh connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse through its old town, and you will spend the rest of your day in the city exploring it.

The 1-mile road has some of the most beautiful views in Edinburgh, and I will dive into some of the best things to do along the Royal Mile next.

Below is a quick overview of some of the places you should stop at along the Royal Mile:

Edinburgh Castle
Camera Obscura
Scotch Whiskey
St Giles’ Cathedral
The Real Mary King’s Close
The Scottish Parliament
The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is at the start of the Royal Mile and is one of the most iconic attractions in the city. The castle sits atop a hill formed by a volcano, and you will see it as you enter Edinburgh since it is hard to miss!

The architecture and castle grounds are beautiful, making it a great place to visit in the morning before the crowds arrive. Although you can see the castle from various viewpoints throughout the city, I recommend visiting its grounds!

If you want to go inside the castle, there is a fee, but you can enjoy the castle views from the castle esplanade outside the gate for free.

Vennel Street

Although Vennel Street is not directly on the Royal Mile, I highly recommend adding it because it has my favorite view of Edinburgh Castle.

After you finish exploring the castle grounds, I recommend walking over to the top of the steps on Vennel Street and enjoying the stunning view of the castle.

If you want a little pick-me-up before continuing along the Royal Mile, I recommend going to Mary’s Milk Bar at the bottom of Vennel Street! It is a popular spot because of its homemade gelato and coffee.

Victoria Street

Victoria Street is a small side street off the Royal Mile and is one of the most photographed places in Edinburgh! The street has many small shops and restaurants, but the true beauty is in the colorful buildings.

edinburgh streets in 4 day scotland itinerary

St Giles’ Cathedral

St Giles’ Cathedral was one of my favorite buildings in Edinburgh because of its stunning Gothic architecture. Although pretty much every building in Edinburgh is beautiful, St. Giles’ Cathedral stood out.

Whether you want to enjoy it from the street or go inside, you will fall in love with this building.

st giles' cathedral in 4 day scotland itinerary

Cockburn Street

Cockburn Street is another beautiful side street off the Royal Mile, similar to Victoria Street. The street is picturesque and worth the side trip to walk along the road or visit its small cafes and shops.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the final stop along the Royal Mile and is the royal residence of the monarchy in Scotland.

You can enjoy its beautiful architecture from the grounds outside or walk through its interior. Although it is actively a royal residence, it is open to the public year-round.

Days 2: Edinburgh to Glencoe

On your second day, you will explore Edinburgh in the morning before starting the drive to the Highlands. Although you can spend the entire day exploring Edinburgh, I recommend driving to the Highlands at the end of the day, so you have two full days to explore Glencoe. Trust me, you will want the time to hike and drive through the stunning area!

Before you drive to Glencoe, you need to figure out which route you want to take. Both options are scenic, but the longer route is the most beautiful, in my opinion.

If you want to take the most direct route, you will take A84 to A82 into Glencoe.
If you want to take the most scenic route, I recommend taking M8 out of the city towards Inveraray Castle before continuing into Glencoe. This route drives near Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and along the A83, which has stunning viewpoints to stop at. It adds about an hour to the drive, but it is worth it if you have the time!

Dean Village

Dean Village is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Edinburgh, and I recommend exploring it to enjoy its stunning views and architecture if you are staying near it. If it is not easily accessible from where you are staying, feel free to skip it! If you can visit, you can explore Bell’s Brae Bridge, Water of Leith Walkway, and Dean Village View Point.

If you want a delicious breakfast to start your day off right, I recommend eating at the Painted Rooster. We had a fantastic breakfast here and could not recommend the restaurant enough.

Arthur’s Seat or Carlton Hill

If you want to enjoy a beautiful view of Edinburgh, you have two choices since the city has two beautiful trails you can enjoy. Arthur’s Hill is a more strenuous hike but has the better views of Edinburgh, in my opinion. Carlton Hill is a smaller hill with an easier trail and great views overlooking the city. You can hike one or both, depending on how you are feeling!

Arthur’s Seat is the iconic hike in Edinburgh on an ancient volcano over 800 feet tall. At the top, you can enjoy expansive views of the city and beyond and visit a 2,000-year-old fort.

Carlton Hill and National Monument is a volcanic hill over 300 feet tall with a historic monument. The National Monument may look familiar because it was designed as a replica of the Parthenon in Greece, but it was never completed, and only half of the structure was built. The 1-mile loop on Carlton Hill is less strenuous than Arthur’s Seat, making it a great alternative if you are not up for the longer hike.

Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens

After your hike, you can walk along Princes Street towards downtown before driving to Glencoe. Princes Street has many beautiful buildings, but the Scott Monument is one of my favorite structures because of its Gothic architecture. You can also walk up to the third floor of the monument to enjoy views of the city.

Princes Street Gardens is next to the Scott Monument and adds a splash of vibrant green to Edinburgh. The 37-acre gardens separate the old and new towns in Edinburgh, making it a great spot to enjoy a quick stroll, eat a snack, or relax.

Drive from Edinburgh to Glencoe

If you take the longer and more scenic route to Glencoe, below are some places you can stop along the drive. Although this drive is a bit longer, it offers stunning viewpoints.

Rest and Be Thankful Commemorative Stone - one of the most popular viewpoints along the drive overlooking the highlands
Loch Restil - another beautiful viewpoint along the lake; this is easy to miss, so make sure to keep an eye out for the small pull-off area along the road.
Inveraray Castle - arguably one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland; for a small fee, you can walk around the gardens and explore the inside of the castle
Kilchurn Castle - beautiful castle ruins; you can enjoy the views from Kilchurn Castle Viewpoint along A819 or hike the 1.1-mile hike off A85 towards the castle grounds

Day 3: Glencoe

Now that you are in Glencoe, you will spend the rest of your days exploring the stunning highlands! You can switch around the last two days of your itinerary, depending on what you choose to do.

Glencoe has stunning hiking trails, giving you endless opportunities to experience some of the best views of the Highlands. Even if you do not hike, you can enjoy the views from scenic drives and viewpoints.

Glencoe was one of our favorite areas in Scotland, so I know you will fall in love with it.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Pack warm layers and a rain jacket. Scotland is known for its moody and rainy weather, and most of the time, you cannot escape it. Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons are autumn and winter, and April, May, and June tend to be the driest months. We visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds. We lucked out because it only rained one day during our week in Scotland!
Pack the appropriate hiking gear. If you want to hike in the highlands, you need to make sure you are prepared for unpredictable weather. You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, a rain jacket, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a hiking backpack to carry water, snacks, and other gear.
Start your day early. Since you only have two days in Glencoe, I recommend starting your days early to give yourself plenty of time to explore everything the area offers. If you plan to hike, starting your day early is crucial.
Arrive at the popular trailheads early. The trailheads near Glencoe have small parking lots and fill up quickly. I recommend arriving at the popular trailheads early in the morning to secure a spot.
Pack food and water while you are exploring. Most things to do in Glencoe are remote and have few restaurants and stores nearby. I recommend packing food and water you will need while exploring and hiking for the day.

Glencoe Scenic Drive

Glencoe Scenic Drive is one of the most breathtaking scenic drives near Glencoe, following the A82. Once you reach the A85 intersection, you can turn around to follow the same road to Glencoe or take a right to continue the loop back.

All the attractions mentioned below are along the A82, plus many more viewpoints.

Although the drive along A85 is not as scenic, it still offers beautiful views and a few attractions. We enjoyed our drive along the entire loop, exploring the lesser-visited areas.

Three Sisters Viewpoint

Three Sisters Viewpoint is one of the most beautiful viewpoints near Glencoe, with views of the mountains and surrounding highlands. The best part is that you can enjoy the views from the parking lot. It was one of our favorite viewpoints in Glencoe!

Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley)

If you want to hike, Glencoe has many options, and I recommend picking at least one trail in advance. We loved hiking Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley) because it offered breathtaking views of the Three Sisters and the Hidden Valley.

The 4-mile hike begins at the Three Sisters Viewpoint parking lot and travels to the top of the Hidden Valley Viewpoint, offering views of the valley and surrounding mountains. We continued to the bottom of the valley to enjoy more beautiful views from the base of the mountains.

The Meeting of Three Waters

The Meeting of Three Waters is a small viewpoint with beautiful waterfalls. The waterfall consists of three water sources that merge into one at the base of the mountains, which is very scenic.

The parking area is pretty small, but if you can find a spot, you will love the viewpoint!

Wee White House

The White House is one of the most photographed areas near Glencoe because of its picturesque surroundings. The viewpoint of the hut is off the A82, so you can easily see it from the road.

We enjoyed walking around and capturing the iconic hut with its stunning mountain backdrop.

Glen Etive

If you want to enjoy another scenic drive or are a James Bond fan, I recommend adding Glen Etive to your itinerary. The 12-mile single-track road offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains!

If you are a James Bond fan, you can visit the iconic scene from Skyfall when James Bond and M stand with the Aston Martin DB5.

Day 4: Harry Potter Train or Ben Nevis

You have a few options for your final day in Glencoe:

If you want to hike the iconic Ben Nevis, Scotland's tallest mountain, I recommend allocating the entire day to it. The hike is strenuous, and you need to start early to give yourself plenty of time to hike the trail. You can even hike Ben Nevis on the third day of your Scotland itinerary and explore the rest of Glencoe on your final day.
If you are not going to hike Ben Nevis, you have a few things you can do! You can visit the iconic Harry Potter train, explore waterfalls, or hike more trails near Glencoe.

Ben Nevis

Note: If you decide to hike Ben Nevis, you should allocate the entire day to hiking it. If you do not want to hike it, you can spend the rest of your day exploring everything I mention next!

Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in Scotland, standing over 4,400 feet, and it can be seen from Glencoe and along Glen Nevis Road. Hiking to the top is one of the best things to do in Glencoe, but it will make you work for the views.

The 10-mile hike gains over 4,400 feet of elevation and typically takes hikers all day to complete. It is a strenuous trail but incredibly rewarding if you hike it on a clear day!

Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to hike it because of the weather, but I have friends who hiked it and absolutely loved it!

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glenfinnan Viaduct is the iconic Harry Potter train, and you have probably seen photos of the area. If you want to get the iconic photo of the steam train, I recommend checking out the schedule for The Jacobrite. Usually, the train passes this area around 10:45 AM and 1:15 PM westbound, and 2:50 PM and 5:40 PM eastbound, but these times could change.

When we visited, the train was out of commission, so we did not get to see the iconic steam train, but it was still beautiful.

If you want to go to the iconic view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, you can hike 1.3 miles to the main viewpoints. The westbound viewpoint is to the left, while the eastbound viewpoint is to the right, and the trail has signage to help you find each.

You can also hike a 2.4-mile loop to a few other viewpoints.

Glen Nevis

On your way back to Glencoe, you can enjoy a scenic drive on Glen Nevis. The 6.5-mile road starts near Fort Williams and offers stunning views of Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains.

Lower Falls to Patty’s Bridge

One of the easiest hikes in Glen Nevis is the 2-mile trail from Lower Falls to Patty’s Bridge. It is a great place to stretch your legs along the drive and enjoy views of the waterfall, river, and mountains. The trail tends to be muddy, so wear waterproof shoes!

Steall Waterfall

Steall Waterfall is the last attraction on Glen Nevis and is the second-tallest waterfall in Scotland, standing at 393 feet. The 2.3-mile trail has a few viewpoints of the waterfall, with the best being at the end of the trail across the river.

Getting Around Scotland: What You Need to Know

Scotland has a few airports you can fly into and a great public transportation system you can utilize. We flew in and out of Edinburgh so we could spend a day in the city, and then rented a car once we headed to the Highlands.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know!

Airports

Since the first part of your itinerary is in Edinburgh, I recommend flying into the Edinburgh Airport. Edinburgh has many flights available, so you should be able to find something that works for you!

The city has a bus running all night, making it easy to use once you arrive at the airport. We arrived super late (around midnight) and easily got to the city using the Airlink 100 bus

You could also fly into Glasgow and take a train to Edinburgh. Glasgow sometimes has more flight options, depending on where you are coming from, but it is easier to fly into Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Transportation

Edinburgh has a great transportation system that we used to get around the city, so you do not need a car. We mainly walked around the city because I truly believe that is the best way to see everything, but you can also ride the trams and buses to get around.

Scottish Highlands Transportation

Once you leave Edinburgh to head to the highlands, I recommend renting a car. You will have more flexibility to explore anything your heart desires in the highlands! We rented a car once we left the city, and it was the best decision.

Driving on the Left Side

Make sure you are prepared to drive on the left side of the road! The United Kingdom drives on the left side, and the driver is on the right side of the car, which is the opposite of what we are used to. You get used to this quickly, but it is good to know if you plan to rent a car.

Scotland Frequently Asked Questions

Is 4 days enough time for Scotland?

If your goal is to see the highlights of Edinburgh and Glencoe, then yes, 4 days is enough time.

Of course, if you have more time to spend in Scotland, I recommend allocating an extra day to Glencoe or adding the Isle of Skye to your itinerary.

But if you only have 4 days, you can see the highlands and hike a few trails!

What can you see in 4 days in Scotland?

If you have 4 days in Scotland, you can visit Edinburgh and Glencoe! These two areas offer the best of both worlds: a beautiful city and lush highlands.

I recommend spending a day in Edinburgh before heading to the Highlands. Glencoe deserves at least a few days in your itinerary because it is beautiful and has fun hikes!

When is the best time to visit Scotland?

Although Scotland is a year-round destination, the general consensus is that the best time to visit is late spring and early fall. These seasons tend to have the best weather.

Scotland is known for being rainy and moody, and the highlands have about 265 days of rain, making it crucial to pack a rain jacket and warm layers. Trust me, the weather can be very unpredictable even in the summer.

Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter. Average rainfall during these seasons is about 2-3 inches.

April, May, and June tend to be the driest months, and when we visited in May, it rained one day. Honestly, I was surprised we only had one day of rain (and super thankful, of course!).

Should I rent a car in Scotland?

Yes, you should rent a car once you head to the highlands.

You can use public transportation in Edinburgh, so you do not need a car on your first day. I recommend picking up your car before you make the drive to Glencoe.

Although you could take public transportation around Glencoe, I think it is easier to drive yourself. Renting a car gives you more flexibility to be on your own schedule!

If you want to visit Scotland for 4 days, this guide is the perfect place to start creating your itinerary! I created this 4-day Scotland itinerary with everything you need to know about visiting Edinburgh and the Highlands in one incredible trip!