18 days in Scotland Itinerary

On the 3rd (Fri), look for gifts at The Cheese House, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Nigg Old Church, and then have some family-friendly fun at Wildwoodz. On the next day, stroll through Nairn Beach, have some family-friendly fun at Bowhunter Archery, enjoy some diversion at Nairn Leisure Centre, then see the interesting displays at Cromarty Courthouse, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at East Church, and finally see the interesting displays at Tain Museum.

For photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Cromarty visit app .

Auckland, New Zealand to Cromarty is an approximately 31-hour combination of flight and car. Traveling from Auckland to Cromarty, you'll gain 12 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Auckland in January, with highs in Cromarty at 7°C and lows at 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can drive to Thurso.

Thurso is a town and former burgh on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Farr Beach, explore the ancient world of Old St Peter's Church, take an in-depth tour of Castlehill Heritage Centre, then get your bearings at Seadrift Visitor Centre, and finally enjoy the sea views from Holburn Head Lighthouse. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: appreciate the history behind Farr Stone, take an in-depth tour of Strathnaver Museum, sample the fine beverages at Wolfburn, kick back and relax at Dunnet Bay, then make a trip to Mary Ann's Cottage, and finally visit a coastal fixture at Dunnet Head Lighthouse.

To find reviews, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Thurso day trip planning site .

Traveling by car from Cromarty to Thurso takes 2.5 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to drive to Durness.

Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Kick off your visit on the 7th (Tue): take in the exciting artwork at Mudness Ceramics, tour the pleasant surroundings at Polin Beach, then take in the awesome beauty at Ben Stack, then stroll through Scourie Bay, and finally snap pictures at Kylesku Bridge. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Cairn House Gallery, kick back and relax at Rispond Beach, take in the exciting artwork at Lotte Glob, then explore the fascinating underground world of Smoo Cave, and finally get a new perspective on nature at Durness Deep Time.

To see where to stay, ratings, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Durness online tour itinerary builder .

Traveling by car from Thurso to Durness takes 2 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Gairloch.

Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. Start off your visit on the 9th (Thu): look for gifts at Treasure Chest, kick back and relax at Red Point Beach, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Beinn Liath Mhor, then take in the awesome beauty at Glen Torridon, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Beinn Alligin. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Shieldaig Falconry, make a trip to Russian Arctic Convoy Exhibition, brush up on your military savvy at Russian Arctic Convoy Museum, then brush up on your military savvy at Russian Arctic Convoy Project, then enjoy the sand and surf at Mellon Udrigle Beach, and finally don't miss a visit to Solas Gallery.

To see maps, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Gairloch day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Durness to Gairloch takes 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 8°C in January, and nighttime lows around 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Aviemore.

Aviemore is a town and tourist resort, situated within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): fly down the slopes at Cairngorm Mountain, walk around RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, and then get your game on at Aviemore Kart Raceway. On the 12th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, explore the activities along Loch an Eilein, then identify plant and animal life at Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, then get great views at An Lochan Uaine (Green Loch), and finally sample the fine beverages at Caorunn Gin Tour.

Plan my trip to Aviemore with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Getting from Gairloch to Aviemore by car takes about 2.5 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Fort William.

Fort William is the second largest settlement in the Highlands of Scotland with around 10,000 inhabitants – and the largest town: only the city of Inverness is larger.Fort William is a major tourist centre, with Glen Coe just to the south, Aonach Mòr to the east and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Mon): appreciate the views at Glen Coe, walk around Lochaber Geopark Visitor Centre, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Nevis Range Mountain Resort, take in the awesome beauty at Ben Nevis, then admire the sheer force of Steall Waterfall, and finally pause for some photo ops at Peace Memorial. On the 14th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: appreciate the history behind The Glencoe Massacre Monument, enjoy some diversion at Ice Factor, get engrossed in the history at Lochaber Archive Centre, then enjoy some diversion at Crombie Clay Shooting, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cille Choirill Church, and finally brush up on your military savvy at The Commando Museum.

For reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Fort William trip itinerary builder .

Getting from Aviemore to Fort William by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Edinburgh.

World Heritage-listed Edinburgh combines ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere.

Explore hidden gems such as Snow Factor and Alexander and Bucephalus. There's still lots to do: explore the historical opulence of Edinburgh Castle, get a new perspective on nature at National Museum of Scotland, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and don't miss a visit to The Royal Mile.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Edinburgh sightseeing planner.

Drive from Fort William to Edinburgh in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. January in Edinburgh sees daily highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can travel back home.