Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle
Scotland is a magical place. For those who don't know much about the United Kingdom, England, especially London, seems to get the spotlight. Still, I highly recommend that if the UK is in your future travel plans, you take the time to head north of the Solway–Tweed line (the border between England & Scotland).
I would suggest that you begin your trip to Scotland in the mythical city of Edinburgh. Even in the city's 'New Town' neighborhood, a beautiful sight is at every glance.
There's a spirit in the air in this charming place. A walk down the Royal Mile is a must, as well as a stop to the Grassmarket and a walk along Victoria Street. Edinburgh is full of quaint stores and full of incredible views. You can see why this city was the inspiration for Harry Potter. If you have the time, I would suggest stopping by the National Museum of Scotland and taking a trek up Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill.
Leaving Edinburgh isn't easy, but heading into the highlands is equally essential. Driving in this part of the United Kingdom is relatively easy. Scotland has only 5.5 million people. The quaint villages and regional cities are worthy of a pitstop. I highly recommend driving up the A9, past Cairngorms National Park, and to Inverness. Driving along the north side of Loch Ness is lovely, and Fort Augustus is a great lunch break.
You must take a turn on to A87 and stop at the stunning Eilean Donan Castle on your way to the Isle of Skye. Skye is a place from another world. It's a must that you come to this eery and gorgeous place. An Crùbh is a great cafe to stop at if you're exploring the south of the island. For dinosaur lovers, make sure you stop at An Corran Beach, where you can find preserved dinosaur footprints in the beach rocks. They're not easy to spot, but it's a fun outing after a picnic lunch. Be prepared; many streets in Skye are one lane. During the peak tourist season, you may need to squeeze past buses and other tourists. Also, be prepared for midges on Skye. Like mosquitos, they like to leave you with an itchy souvenir.
View of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat
I would suggest taking the Mallaig ferry on your way back to southern Scotland. Oban is adorable, and so is Inveraray. There's terrific scenery and lakeside access along the A82 in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park worthy of a lunch break.
Coming into Glasgow can be a bit chaotic. As the largest city in Scotland, there is a bit of traffic. Perhaps at this point, you can ditch the rental car and experience the city on foot. Glasgow is a bit gritty and post-industrial, but the people are warm, funny and would love to grab a pint with you at the local pub. From Glasgow, you can quickly get back to Edinburgh by train or head back to England along the west coast.
The Royal Mile
Skye
