The best Scotland itinerary for 12 days

Wondering what to see and do on a Scotland itinerary in 12 days? You’ll be amazed at all the fascinating attractions and hidden gems you can experience on a 12-day road trip in Scotland! The local travel experts at Nordic Visitor will make the most out of your 12 days in Scotland with a self-drive tour specially tailored to your interests.

Need some trip ideas and suggestions for what to see during your 12 days in Scotland? Keep browsing below.

Go on an incredible 12-day Scotland road trip

On a 12-day self-drive tour of Scotland it’s easy to experience many of the country’s most famous sights and scenic routes. Starting from Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, the most popular Scotland itineraries for 12 days usually include a trip up the beautiful east coast to Aberdeenshire, a journey through the rugged Scottish Highlands and some time to explore the main attractions on the Isle of Skye.

Here are just a few of the highlights of such a route:

• The city of St Andrews
• Cairngorms National Park
• The city of Inverness
• The ancient Clava Cairns standing stones
• Loch Ness, home of the famous Loch Ness Monster
• The iconic Eilean Donan Castle
• The beautiful valley of Glen Coe
• Glenfinnan Viaduct (the “Harry Potter Bridge”)
• Doune Castle, featured in the Outlander TV series

In addition to this classic route through the Highlands, on a 12-day Scotland tour you can also spend a night either in the Outer Hebrides, on the isles of Harris and Lewis, or up north in the Orkney Islands. Both island groups offer a vast array of highlights, from the stunning sandy beaches and traditional handicrafts of Harris to the mysterious neolithic ruins that dot Orkney. Plus, if you opt for the Orkney detour, you can also drive along the popular and very scenic North Coast 500 route, which is considered by some to be “Scotland’s Route 66”. 

Included services & optional add-ons for 12-day Scotland tours

Nordic Visitor’s self-drive tour packages include a rental car of your choice and everything else you need for the best Scotland road trip experience. Take comfort in the fact that all accommodations on your 12-day road trip in Scotland have been pre-arranged by your dedicated Nordic Visitor travel consultant in Edinburgh. And know exactly where you’re driving each day — and which optional attractions you can visit — with a personalised itinerary and Scotland travel guide booklet. We’ll also provide you with a hand-marked map of Scotland, a GPS navigation system and our own 24/7 helpline.

Want to add a few personal touches to your trip? Nordic Visitor’s Scotland tour packages can be tailored by our local experts with extra nights at select locations, alternative arrivals or departures from Glasgow, day tours in Edinburgh and more.