Scotland Short Escape

wHere will yOur jourNey take you?

Your Scotland Short Stay will take you on a whistle-stop tour of Scotland, from bustling Edinburgh, to the natural beauty of Cairngorms National Park and finally through Port Appin and Oban.

Start & End

Edinburgh – Port Appin

When to travel

March – September

Pricing

From $2,170pp (ex.flights)

Currency: $USD

key hIghlights
of this itinerAry

food and drink

Sample the home-grown herbs of the Meikleour Estate’s gardens and freshly caught seafood from across the West Coast. Compare whiskies at historic Scottish distilleries from Dornoch to Gairloch.

nature

Discover the unspoilt Scottish Highlands as you pass dramatic mountain ridges, vast lochs of Morlich and Port Appin and visit Arduaine Garen with it’s stunning coastal views and vibrant plant collections.

adventure

Spark your sense of adventure with chances to explore mountain bike and hiking routes in the Cairngorms. Take a funicular ride up Cairngorms Mountain or sample some of the notorious whiskies across Speyside.

wHy we loVe this toUr

If you’re pressed for time, this itinerary offers a perfect snapshot of everything that makes Scotland exceptional.

With your personalised itinerary in one hand and our user-friendly app in the other, you’ll take to the open road in one of our beloved, lovingly maintained Land Rovers.

Enjoy all the flexibility of driving holidays, with the security of knowing you have an expert team just a message away.

Couple in a Celtic Routes Land Rover viewing the app

yoUr joUrney, yOur way

All Celtic Routes self-drive tours are unique, curated to suit you. Take a look at our sample itinerary as a starting point to begin planning your perfect trip.

day 1

day 2

day 3

day 4

scotland short escape

day 1

Edinburgh to Cairngorms

Leave Edinburgh and travel north to Cairngorms National Park, one of Scotland’s most beautiful and diverse regions, offering stunning attractions including Loch Morlich and Rothiemurchus Forest. Explore Cairngorm Mountain, where you can hike, bike, visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, take a funicular ride, or simply unwind in a cosy café.

day 2

Cairngorms National Park to Strathspey and Port Appin

Spend the morning driving from the Cairngorms to Speyside, where you can explore renowned whisky distilleries like Macallan or Glenfiddich or enjoy a scenic walk along The Speyside Way. In the afternoon, continue to the picturesque village of Port Appin, nestled on the shores of Loch Linnhe, and end the day with stunning views and a relaxing seafood dinner.

day 3

Port Appin and Oban

Start your day exploring Port Appin’s scenic shores or taking a ferry to Lismore Island for a short excursion. Then, head to nearby Oban to enjoy its vibrant harbour, fresh seafood, and views of the Inner Hebrides. In the afternoon, visit historic Dunstaffnage Castle, take a boat trip to islands like Mull or Staffa, or stroll through the beautiful Arduaine Garden with its stunning coastal vistas.

day 4

Edinburgh

Return to Edinburgh from Oban (approx. three hours drive). If you want to break up the journey, consider a pit stop in Tyndrum or Callander for a scenic rest.

Progress – Day 1 of 4

More thAn a plaCe to slEep

We have visited and handpicked all of the accommodation we offer, from regal Victorian mansions to cosy country inns. Wherever your tour of Scotland takes you, your accommodation will be more than a place to lay your head, it’ll be a key part of your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Scotland

meikleour arms and estate

$ $ $ $ $

The Meikelour Estate is one of the oldest in East Scotland, and has been supporting its local community since at least the 14th century. Built in 1820, the Meikleour Arms is an idyllic holiday destination, and the award-winning restaurant offers a wide range of locally sourced country food.

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Scotland

the pierhouse hotel

$ $ $ $ $

Hidden away in the quiet village of Port Appin and surrounded by the raw beauty of the magnificent West Coast, you will find The Pierhouse Hotel. With stunning views to the islands of Lismore and Mull, this boutique inn is one of Argyll’s most idyllic destinations.

View Property

rEviews

We’re trusted by clients across the world to make their Celtic adventure the trip of a lifetime. Hear what they have to say:

meindert de jonge & family

Scotland | NC 500 Classic

Traveling with Celtic Routes was a fantastic experience! Everything from the first contact, to the preparations and the travel itself, was very well taken care of. Great locations. Great car. Great app. Great activities. And Scotland did the rest! Thanks Graham and team.

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meike & walter van vugt

Scotland | NC 500 Classic

It was an amazing 5 days traveling the Celtic NC500 route through the north of Scotland. Everything was so well-organised upfront by Graham so we had all the time to just enjoy the surroundings and our travel every day! We stayed in beautiful hotels and enjoyed great food (& whisky). We’ll be back next year!

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steven illingworth (uk)

Scotland | Scottish Highlands & Skye

We had a fantastic five days touring Scotland, Edinburgh and Aviemore. Celtic Routes Tours planned and booked the whole tour for us – they know Scotland, we did not but we do now! A very professional, friendly and detail-oriented organisation. The car was fantastic, well-equipped and perfect for our trip. The hotels were great, the food even better and the prepared itinerary was perfect. They even gave us great weather. I cannot recommend them enough, a fantastic trip and we will definitely be back.

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mOre infOrmation

Enquire now → Book a call → Email us

mAke the joUrney yoUr own

In one of our Land Rovers, you’re literally in the driving seat of your self-drive tour. Work with our destination experts to craft your perfect, personalised itinerary.

Read about recent customisations

Couple in a Celtic Routes Land Rover map reading

enQuire abOut this Tour

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Telephone Number *

No. of Adults *

No. of Children *

Tour *

When would you like to go? *

Vehicle *

Budget *

Please let us know your total budget per person for your tour. As a guide, our popular 7 day NC500 itinerary in a mid-size vehicle typically costs £2,900 per person excluding flights, during the summer months

experiences

north coast 500 photography

Capture the Beauty of Scotland’s North Coast 500 with Karen Thorburn.

edinburgh walking tours

Step back in time as you explore historic Edinburgh on a walking tour.

mountain biking in scotland

Switch to two wheels to explore the stunning Isle of Skye with this incredible mountain biking experience.

falconry

Get up close and personal with birds of prey on a falconry experience.

highland whiskies

Drink in barrels of culture in the Cairngorms with these fine Highland Whiskies.

wildlife & wilderness cruise – oban

Enjoy the best seat in the house for spotting sea life near Oban.

jacobite steam train

All aboard a tour of the Highlands the old-fashioned way, on the Jacobite Steam Train.

cairngorms national park

Lose yourself in the essence of Scotland in Cairngorms National Park.

wildlife & wilderness cruise – highlands

Take to the water to see the best of the Scottish Highlands on this wildlife and wilderness cruise.

birdwatching in the highlands

Watch rare and beautiful birds enjoying their natural habitat.

nature experiences

Reconnect with your wild side with these nature experiences.

highland cows

Meet the real celebrities in Scotland. The Highland Cows.

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what’s 
inclUded?

Your Celtic Routes holiday comes with everything you need to enjoy your tour of Scotland to the fullest. From a spacious Land Rover suited to the wilder parts of your Celtic adventure, to a dedicated app featuring your itinerary, map and weather forecast, we’re with you every step of the way

Land Rover Hire

Full insurance for 2 people

Accommodation

Breakfast each day

Personalised handover and collection*

Detailed personalised trip notes

Dedicated expert travel advisor

App navigation

Cultural information

mOre infOrmation

Enquire now → Book a call → Email us

wHere will yOur jourNey take you?

key hIghlights of this itinerAry

wHy we loVe this toUr

yoUr joUrney, yOur way

More thAn a plaCe to slEep

rEviews

mOre infOrmation

mAke the joUrney yoUr own

enQuire abOut this Tour

what’s inclUded?

mOre infOrmation

key hIghlights
of this itinerAry

what’s 
inclUded?