18 days in Scotland Itinerary

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): look for gifts at The Cheese House, thentake in the architecture and atmosphere at Nigg Old Church, and then have some family-friendly fun at Wildwoodz. Here are some ideas for day two: kick back and relax at Nairn Beach, get outside with Bowhunter Archery, enjoy some diversion at Nairn Leisure Centre, examine the collection at Cromarty Courthouse, thentake in the architecture and atmosphere at East Church, and finally see the interesting displays at Tain Museum.

To find traveler tips, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, read Cromarty driving holiday planning tool.

Auckland, New Zealand to Cromarty is an approximately 31-hour combination of flight and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 12 hours traveling from Auckland to Cromarty. Prepare for cooler weather when traveling from Auckland in January: high temperatures in Cromarty hover around °C and lows are around °C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can go by car 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, delve into the distant past at Old St Peter's Church, thentake an in-depth tour of Castlehill Heritage Centre, thenlearn more about the world around you at Seadrift Visitor Centre, and finally visit a coastal fixture at Holburn Head Lighthouse. On the 6th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: make a trip to Farr Stone, take an in-depth tour of Strathnaver Museum, sample the fine beverages at Wolfburn, kick back and relax at Dunnet Bay, thenmake a trip to Mary Ann's Cottage, and finally visit a coastal fixture at Dunnet Head Lighthouse.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read Thurso online driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Cromarty to Thurso in 2.5 hours. January in Thurso sees daily highs of °C and lows of °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time 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): explore the galleries of Mudness Ceramics, stroll through Polin Beach, take in the awesome beauty at Ben Stack, thenenjoy the sand and surf at Scourie Bay, and finally don't miss a visit to Kylesku Bridge. On the next day, don't miss a visit to Cairn House Gallery, stroll through Rispond Beach, thenview the masterpieces at Lotte Glob, thenHead underground at Smoo Cave, and finally get curious at Durness Deep Time.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Durness trip planning tool.

You can drive from Thurso to Durness in 2 hours. In January, daytime highs in Durness are °C, while nighttime lows are °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to drive 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. Kick off your visit on the 9th (Thu): stop by Treasure Chest, enjoy the sand and surf at Red Point Beach, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Beinn Liath Mhor, thentake in the awesome beauty at Glen Torridon, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Beinn Alligin. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: identify plant and animal life at Shieldaig Falconry, make a trip to Russian Arctic Convoy Exhibition, learn about all things military at Russian Arctic Convoy Museum, thenbrush up on your military savvy at Russian Arctic Convoy Project, thenstroll through Mellon Udrigle Beach, and finally make a trip to Solas Gallery.

To see traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Gairloch route planner.

Traveling by car from Durness to Gairloch takes 3 hours. January in Gairloch sees daily highs of °C and lows of °C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel to Aviemore.

Aviemore is a town and tourist resort, situated within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Start off your visit on the 11th (Sat): fly down the slopes at Cairngorm Mountain, thenstroll around RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, and then have some family-friendly fun at Aviemore Kart Raceway. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get interesting insight from Tours, explore the activities along Loch an Eilein, identify plant and animal life at Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, thengo for a walk through An Lochan Uaine (Green Loch), and finally sample the fine beverages at Caorunn Gin Tour.

To see other places to visit, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Aviemore online trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Gairloch to Aviemore in 2.5 hours. In January, daytime highs in Aviemore are °C, while nighttime lows are °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to go by car 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. On the 13th (Mon), admire the verdant scenery at Glen Coe, stroll around Lochaber Geopark Visitor Centre, take in the awesome beauty at Nevis Range Mountain Resort, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Ben Nevis, thentake in the dramatic scenery at Steall Waterfall, and finally pause for some photo ops at Peace Memorial. Here are some ideas for day two: appreciate the history behind The Glencoe Massacre Monument, have fun at Ice Factor, get engrossed in the history at Lochaber Archive Centre, have fun at Crombie Clay Shooting, thenpause for some serene contemplation at Cille Choirill Church, and finally brush up on your military savvy at The Commando Museum.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read Fort William trip planner.

Drive from Aviemore to Fort William in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can drive to Edinburgh.

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Snow Factor and Lawnmarket Old Time Photos. There's lots more to do: step into the grandiose world of Edinburgh Castle, explore the galleries of Royal Yacht Britannia, learn more about the world around you at National Museum of Scotland, and make a trip to The Royal Mile.

To see maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Edinburgh trip planner.

Getting from Fort William to Edinburgh by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. January in Edinburgh sees daily highs of °C and lows of °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.