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Winter in Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye - Winter

(8 days / 7 nights)

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Frosty landscapes & warm hospitality

The days are shorter, but Scotland’s majestic winter atmosphere more than makes up for it. Surround yourself with scenes of rust-coloured valleys, castle ruins shrouded in mist, snowy Highland peaks and colourful towns aglow in festive lights. On this winter self-drive journey you’ll experience famous places including the Cairngorm National Park, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Glenfinnan and Trossachs National Park, along with the cities of Edinburgh and Inverness.

Would you rather skip the driving? Check out a private version of this tour.

8 days / 7 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in GBP

Approx 1408 GBP

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Seamless travel experience
  • Handpicked hotels and routes designed by local experts
  • Reliable rental cars with a trusted Scottish partner
  • Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map & travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour
  • Service from local travel experts in Scotland
  • Great customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Explore some of Scotland’s top sights on the famous and breathtaking Isle of Skye
  • Walk along the mysterious Loch Ness and visit the castle on its shores
  • Discover Scotland's historic capital Edinburgh and stroll up the Royal Mile
  • See the striking natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands
  • Enjoy some quiet time in nature at the Trossachs National Park
  • Experience the stunning Cairngorms National Park in its winter coat
  • Photograph the iconic Eilean Donan Castle
  • Marvel at the sweeping views of Glen Coe, Scotland's most famous valley
  • Wander around the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, and its surroundings
  • Enjoy a road trip with peace of mind with your personal itinerary from a local travel expert

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, Classic i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i

Season

Nov - Mar

Departure

Daily

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, Classic i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i

Driving distance

1129/702 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh

    Upon your arrival in Scotland, make your way into Edinburgh city centre where you’ll find your accommodation. You might decide to take a taxi or hop on public transport, but for a more direct and comfortable ride, we can organise a private airport transfer for you.

    If you’re arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city, strolling along the Royal Mile and exploring the Old and New Towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Into the Highlands

    Start your road trip by picking up your rental car and setting off! There’s plenty of picturesque stops to make along the way, such as the charming towns of Dunkeld and Pitlochry. You could also explore the Hermitage, a magical woodland walk near Dunkeld.

    Keep your camera close as you drive through the Cairngorms National Park. The vast mountains and deep valleys are a truly breathtaking sight.

    Arriving in Inverness, you can drive to the Battlefield of Culloden Moor, to see where the last battle on British soil occurred in 1746, marking "the beginning of the end for the Highlands." You can also visit the nearby Clava Cairns, a series of tombs and standing stones dating back roughly 4,000 years.

    Spend the night in the Inverness area.

    Average driving distance: 251 km / 156 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 3: Loch Ness, Castles & the Isle of Skye

    Today’s journey will take you from Inverness to the famous Isle of Skye, driving by the shores of Loch Ness. You could stop here to explore the Urquhart Castle ruins. Further along the drive, make a stop at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. If you’re a keen photographer, winter is a great time to visit castles as there are fewer visitors about.

    Then head for the picturesque Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, where you can enjoy the bright frosty mornings and stunning winter sunsets.

    Spend the night on the Iske of Skye or nearby.

    Average driving distance: 185 km / 115 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 4: Winter Tranquillity on Skye

    You have a full day to explore Skye. This island is a haven for nature lovers and today you’ll see some of the best-known spots. Prepare for enchanting and majestic landscapes. First, take some time to wander around the scenic village of Portree with its colourful buildings and boutiques.

    We then recommend driving to the northern part of the island, the breathtaking Trotternish Peninsula. Here you can enjoy a walk up to the Fairy Glen or the Old Man of Storr rock pinnacle. You could also see the beautiful Kilt Rock Waterfall, the intriguing Quiraing and the An Corran Beach at Staffin, where you may spot ancient dinosaur footprints.

    Spend another night on the Iske of Skye or nearby.

    Average driving distance: 70 km / 45 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: Minginish Peninsula & Lochaber

    Today, we recommend heading to the beautiful south of Skye. Along the way, you can admire the breathtaking scenery characterised by dramatic coastlines and mighty mountains. You may wish to visit the Talisker Distillery to sample some local island whisky while you’re here. Or enjoy a walk to the beautiful crystal-clear Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin Hills.

    In the afternoon, return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge and make your way through Lochalsh and the Great Glen. On the way to Fort William, we recommend that you stop at the Commando Memorial, a statue in a stunning location with views of Ben Nevis and the Mamores mountains.

    Spend the night in the Fort William area.

    Average driving distance: 212 km / 132 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: Journey Along Dramatic Glens

    Travel down from Fort William, passing by Scotland’s most famous valley, Glen Coe, which offers jaw-dropping scenery. Further on, you could stop at the grave of Rob Roy at Balquhidder and at the beautiful Falls of Dochart in the village of Killin.

    You’ll continue along to the glittering shores of Loch Lubnaig and Loch Lomond. Make a pit stop to explore the towns in this area and snap some photos.

    Spend the night in the Trossachs National Park area.

    Average driving distance: 130 km / 80 miles

    Attractions Attractions
  • Day 7: Trossachs National Park to Edinburgh

    Today’s drive will bring you back to Edinburgh (you can choose to end your trip in Glasgow in the optional activities below). Drive through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where you could stop to take a stroll in nature or visit a local whisky distillery. For a fun photo opportunity, don’t miss Doune Castle, featured in many films and TV series. If time allows, you could also stop by Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s top attractions, or the Kelpies, two impressive horse-head sculptures.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Average driving distance: 130 km / 80 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 8: Departure from Scotland

    It’s time to say goodbye to Scotland. When you need to head to the airport, take the Airlink bus, the tram or a taxi. If you would like to add any additional nights to your trip or to arrange a private transfer, you can do so during the booking process.

    If your flight is in the afternoon, you may have time to enjoy some last-minute shopping, to visit one of Edinburgh’s museums or to take one last stroll through the charming city centre.

    Attractions See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Scotland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Scotland Travel Guide.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Scotland, along with planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

As this is a self-guided tour, you’re welcome to stop whenever and wherever you wish along the way. Except for accommodation and booked activities, other highlights we’ve listed in the itinerary are suggestions based on Nordic Visitor favourites.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, hand-annotated map and our very own Scotland Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

While there is no minimum age to hire a car in the UK, please note that if you are 25 or younger, extra conditions apply.

All drivers under 25 will be subject to a young driver surcharge. You'll pay this upon collection of your rental vehicle.

Anyone who wants to rent a car in the UK will need to present a full driving licence that has been valid for at least 1 year. If you are under 23, you will need to have held your licence for at least 4 years.

There are also some restrictions on the type of vehicle you can rent if you are under 25. Please get in touch with one of our travel consultants for more information.

During your Scotland tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

In Scotland, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available. Please also note that in Scotland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Lifts are not common in Scottish hotels. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! Just let your travel consultant know during the booking process. We’ll arrange any cots needed at your accommodation.

If you need multiple rooms, please note that we can't guarantee family rooms or interconnecting rooms at all accommodation. You may even have rooms on different floors.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. This will incur a small extra cost.

The roads in Scotland are usually in good condition all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness. In winter, though, storms, rain, snow and ice can cause adverse conditions. We recommend checking weather forecasts daily and not taking any risks when it comes to driving.

Please be aware that in the UK motorists drive on the left side of the road (and on the right side of the car). If you are not used to driving on the left, we highly recommend choosing a vehicle with automatic transmission for your self-drive tour.

If you want a manual transmission vehicle, keep in mind that you will need to shift gears with your left hand (floor pedals are the same).

Drivers will need to get used to the narrower roads of the UK as well as the rural single-track roads. If you meet another driver on one of these single-track roads, one of you needs to tuck into a passing place, which might be behind you. In these areas, you should also be careful of animals on the road.

It’s also a good idea to plan how you will navigate around Scotland ahead of time. Your travel consultant will prepare a detailed hand-annotated map of your route to help you stay on track.

We also recommend using navigation apps on your phone, such as Google Maps. Make sure to download the route ahead of time, in case you don’t have signal in the more rural areas.

For inexperienced drivers who still want to explore and discover Scotland, we recommend one of our guided small group tours or privately guided tours. On these tours you’ll have a local, experienced driver at the wheel.

As Scotland is located so far north, it has limited daylight hours in winter, and especially around the winter solstice in December (the shortest day of the year).

In early December, you can expect daylight hours between 8 AM and 4 PM in Edinburgh and Glasgow. By Christmas, sunrise and sunset are closer to 9 AM and 3:40 PM. You’ll want to make good use of these hours.

Winter in Scotland isn’t as cold as you might expect. That said, the weather is more changeable at this time of year, and it can definitely get chilly. It’s good to come prepared for wind, rain and maybe some snow when travelling to Scotland between November and March.

You’ll want to pack lots of layers and rain gear to keep yourself warm and dry. We have a handy packing guide to help you decide what to bring in your suitcase.

Whatever time of year you’re in Scotland, you’re likely to see lots of different types of weather. As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

  • A warm jumper or fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
  • Good walking shoes or boots (especially if you intend to hike and go on nature walks)
  • Light scarf or thin sweater
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

In some areas of Scotland, such as the Highlands and islands, you might notice small, pesky insects called midges. They’re most active on summer evenings and tend to swarm near still water. You can avoid bites by wearing long-sleeves and trousers and by packing an insect repellent.

And here’s our recommendations for a winter getaway:

  • A warm, windproof and waterproof jacket
  • Thermal base layers and cosy jumpers
  • A scarf, gloves and hat
  • Sturdy boots and some woollen socks

For more information, check this packing list suggestion.

On your Scotland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around £1.60–£2 per litre.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Scotland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between £15–£20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between £20–£25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay £40–£50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, Australia or the European Union, you won’t need a visa to visit Scotland.

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Scotland on the website of the UK government.

Your passport must also be valid during the entirety of your stay in Scotland. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

During your tour, there will always be an Edinburgh-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can easily add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Scotland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Scotland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon your arrival in Scotland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Scotland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Scotland?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the Edinburgh city centre. If you’ve come from another airport, such as Glasgow, you can take the train or book a private transfer.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in British Pounds (GBP), the local currency in Scotland and the UK.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Outstanding

The self-guided package allowed us to make the best of our vacation to Scotland. The accommodation were outstanding, as was the includedd breakfast. Having the rental car taken care of made things easy as well, especially since we are from out of country. The drop off/pick up from the airport was also well worth the money, as opposed to finding a cab or using a rideshare service. One of the best aspects of using Nordic Visitor was the welcome packet, which had everything from suggestions on eateries to suggested destinations. The best part of the destination recommendations was how inclusive it was. There was everything from standard tourist activities to off the beaten path hiking suggestions. Would absolutely use this service again. It would be even better if flights were included as an option as well.

So convenient

It was so convenient to have the logistics already planned for us. The accommodation was all nice and the suggested outings were perfect.

Amazing

We went on the Scotland Winter World tour for 8 days, and overall it was great. We experienced so much and travelled all over Scotland. The detailed information that was provided upon arrival was amazing. Magda was wonderful and knowledgeable and responded quickly to emails and phone calls.

Absolutely wonderful!

Our trip was absolutely wonderful! Magda was great to work with and helped us through the whole process. Everyone we worked with from the beginning through the end of the trip was absolutely marvellous.

Excellent service from Nordic Visitor

I want to thank everyone that helped with the trip because it was an excellent service. I will recommend you to people I know, because all of Nordic Visitor's recommendations were great and the hotels and B&Bs were amazing. I will probably do another trip with you guys. I hope you expand your services to more countries.

Beyond our expectations

Everything was beyond our expectations. We had no worries, Nordic Visitor took care of all the small details I didn't even begin to think about.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in good quality 3-star guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses.

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Rental car

Enjoy your road trip with 2 authorised drivers and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.

Vauxhall Astra (manual)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • M

Vauxhall Astra (manual)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Manual

Toyota Auris (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Toyota Auris (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Ford Mondeo (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Ford Mondeo (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Ford Mondeo Estate (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x5
  • A

Ford Mondeo Estate (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard Estate
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 5
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

BMW 520 (automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

BMW 520 (automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Limited availability between 18 September 2024 - 31 December 2025
  • Description: Premium
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Vauxhall Grandland (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Vauxhall Grandland (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Mercedes Vito (automatic)
or similar

  • x8
  • x3
  • x5
  • A

Mercedes Vito (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 8
  • Luggage: 5
  • Doors: 3
  • Transmission: Automatic*
  • *manual option available upon request

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in GBP

Approx 1408 GBP

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