Overview

Self-Drive Holidays
7 Nights
  • Fully customisable itinerary
  • Prices from: £1000 per person
  • Best time to go: November - March
  • Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Edinburgh
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Charming and vibrant, Edinburgh is Scotland’s ancient capital city and a hub for culture and creativity year-round. Attractions include historic Edinburgh Castle, the picturesque Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the home of Scottish royal history.

Historic castles
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Perched atop Castle Hill, Stirling Castle is the former home of the Stuart monarchs. On the West Coast, Urquhart Castle overlooks mysterious Loch Ness and on the shores of Loch Duich, Eilean Donan must be Scotland’s most beautiful & photogenic castle.

Atmospheric Glencoe
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Glencoe is Scotland’s most famous and mystical glen, site of the infamous massacre of Clan Macdonald. Enjoy the clear air, the crunch of frost underfoot and soak up the majesty of the rustic heather valleys with snow-capped mountains above.

Isle of Skye
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The Isle of Skye is popular for its stunning and dramatic volcanic scenery, including the Cuillin Mountain Range, the iconic Storr and spectacular Quiraing. Portree is its colourful capital. Through the winter months, the scenery can really sparkle under dustings of snow, and you’ll likely have this tranquil world all to yourself.

Mystical Loch Ness
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Located near Inverness, Loch Ness is shrouded in mystery. There are various boat trips and cruises available for those wishing to go in search of ‘Nessie’, the Loch Ness Monster.

Inverness
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Situated at the edge of the Great Glen, Inverness is known as the Capital of the Highlands. Nearby you will find Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising, and Speyside, home to Scotland’s most famous whisky distilleries. Enjoy a cosy fireside dram to warm the winter nights.

A Stunning Winter Self-Drive Tour in Scotland

This spectacular Scottish road trip begins in Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital city, and explores the magnificent Highlands & Islands.

You will travel north to Stirling, Glencoe & the Isle of Skye and then onward to Inverness and mystical Loch Ness, exploring a selection of the country’s finest mountain and lochside scenery.

Visiting in the winter months, you’ll enjoy the peace and tranquillity to explore this wonderful world at your leisure. Soak in the clear highland air, marvel at the snow-capped mountains standing serene over the frosted glens and warm your spirit in cosy pubs as you sip whisky by roaring fires.

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Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities. Hop-on, hop-off a City Sightseeing Tour and explore the many attractions, including St Giles’ Cathedral, the National Gallery, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, the New Town and Royal Mile. Walk up Arthur’s Seat and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city. In the evening, you are spoilt for choice, Edinburgh is gastronomic heaven.

This tour takes you into the heart of the Scottish Highlands, resplendent in their winter coat. Drive through Glencoe, the most infamous glen in Scotland, across the desolate otherworldly beauty of Rannoch Moor, to the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. This part of the world is truly breathtaking, and outside of the busy summer months, it will feel all yours to enjoy at leisure.

Journey north to the awe-inspiring volcanic Isle of Skye, visited for its wild mountains, stunning seascapes and geological scenery. Home to the iconic Old Man of Storr, dramatic Quiraing and magical Fairy Pools, Skye is the most famous Scottish Isle. On route to Inverness, you will pass the picturesque castles of Eilean Donan and Urquhart, set against deep clear lochs reflecting the snowy mountain peaks.

The Capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is the perfect base for exploring Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and nearby Speyside, home to the world-famous 70-mile Malt Whisky Trail. Your final overnight stop is in beautiful Highland Perthshire, where you can unwind in cosy pubs, nestled amongst the snowy mountains, forests, rivers and lochs.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh
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Arrive in Edinburgh – Scotland’s majestic capital and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, where the opportunities for sightseeing are almost endless. Enjoy a visit to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, or hike up to the top of Arthur’s Seat for breathtaking panoramic views.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh to Fort William
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Travel north and visit medieval Stirling Castle, before a wonderfully scenic journey takes you through spectacular Glencoe and into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Your destination is on the western seaboard at the foot of Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain.
Overnight – Fort William

Day 3: Fort William to the Isle of Skye
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Take a spectacular road trip north along the tranquil shores of Loch Lochy, and through the towering mountains of Glen Shiel. Along the way, pause to visit the world-famous Commando Memorial which stands proud over the Great Glen. Cross the bridge on to the famous Isle of Skye, one of the most spectacular islands in the world.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 4: Isle of Skye Sightseeing
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Today you will have a full day on Skye to roam the rugged island, sample some fine island whisky, enjoy a great day’s walking and marvel at the unique and iconic scenery. There are a number of very well renowned restaurants on Skye which you can book into to enjoy in the evening.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 5: Isle of Skye to Inverness
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Depart Skye and travel past the most photographed of Scotland’s castles, Eilean Donan. Your route takes you by brooding Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, and onto the vibrant ‘Capital of the Highlands’.
Overnight – Inverness

Day 6: Inverness Sightseeing
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A full day to explore Inverness where you could choose to visit Culloden Battlefield where, in 1746, the last battle took place on British soil. Alternatively, you could travel into Speyside and tour the famous Malt Whisky Trail to sample some of this warming drink.
Overnight – Inverness

Day 7: Inverness to Highland Perthshire
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Travel from the Highlands to the Lowlands into beautiful Highland Perthshire. En-route you could explore Cairngorms National Park, home to ancient Scots Pine woodland, and tour Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery. Stay overnight in the picturesque Victorian spa town of Pitlochry which has no shortage of cosy pubs, fantastic eateries, and scenic local walks.
Overnight – Pitlochry area

 

Day 8: Depart Edinburgh
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After breakfast it’s less than a two-hour drive back to Edinburgh, where your unforgettable winter road trip will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

  • Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 7 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
  • Comprehensive information pack
  • Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
  • Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
  • 7 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
  • Tickets for the Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour
  • 24-hour emergency contact number
  • Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

  • Travel insurance
  • Flights
  • Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay Special Places to Stay
Special Places to Stay Special Places to Stay
Premium Premium
Premium Premium
Standard Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Category
Accommodation type
Price per person
Standard
4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels
From £1000

A collection of quality 4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels often located in beautiful locations which provide an excellent standard of accommodation.

Tastefully decorated and furnished, these properties are generally owned and operated by locals who have a genuine passion for their region which they are keen to share with you. Their warm hospitality is sure to be a highlight of your Scottish experience.

Premium
Boutique Guest Houses and 4* Hotels
From £1550

Our Premium category includes a unique collection of luxurious and stylish boutique Guest Houses and small 4* Hotels. These are wonderfully charming and intimate and run with great flair by their owners.

It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. These range from traditional luxury to contemporary Hotels.

Special Places to Stay
Exceptional Hotels and luxury Resorts
Please enquire

From award-winning luxury Hotels to unique country retreats, all of which offer exceptional accommodation with superb facilities and outstanding service.

These are truly magical places and amongst the best Scotland has to offer. The perfect choice when you would like somewhere really special which can be a treat for the night or for your entire holiday.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

  • Collision Damage Waiver
  • Super Damage Excess Waiver
  • Third Party Insurance
  • Theft Waiver
  • Tax
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa or similar
  • Good for 2 people
  • Maximum of 4 passengers
  • 2 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission
Compact
Ford Focus or similar
  • Good for 2 – 4 people
  • Maximum of 5 passengers
  • 2 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission
Intermediate
Volkswagen Passat or similar
  • Good for up to 4 people
  • Maximum of 5 passengers
  • 3 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission
Fullsize
VW Sharan or similar
  • Good for 5 people
  • Maximum of 7 passengers
  • 3 – 4 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission

Make an enquiry

Isle of Skye & Scottish Highlands Winter Escape

Need something more tailored?
Contact us via email:
enquiries@absoluteescapes.com

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