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The Grand Tour: Lochdown review – Clarkson, May and Hammond drive Scotland out of the union

The patriarchy’s Cheeky Girls bumble their way through a bants-filled Highlands holiday, leaving carnage – and surely a spike in support for Scottish independence – in their wake

I had high hopes for this diplomatic incident masquerading as a TV travelogue through Scotland. Fingers crossed, patriarchy’s answer to Katie Hopkins and the Cheeky Girls would get chucked out of Scotland just as they were from Argentina while filming Top Gear. During that 2014 debacle , Jeremy Clarkson , James May and Richard Hammond were attacked for driving a Porsche whose number plate – H982 FKL – was deemed a reference to Britain’s victory in the 1982 Falklands conflict. In the resulting unpleasantness, the three presenters took a helicopter to safety, like the last chopper out of Saigon, leaving the crew to defend that oxymoron, British honour.

Indeed, there is surely nothing more apt to make Nicola Sturgeon unleash the ancestral claymore than the sight of three English muppets in gas-guzzling Yank tanks (Lincoln Continental, Cadillac Coupe de Ville and Buick Riviera, each more productive of Greta Thunberg’s tears than a cormorant with its beak stuck in a can of Irn-Bru) heading north from Berwick-upon-Tweed.

As soon as the convoy passed the border, the scripted bants began. “Welcome to McScotland,” said Clarkson into his walkie talkie, while May and Hammond cackled like fiftysomething Beavis and Butt-Heads in their vehicles. Why the McPlods (oh dear, this is catching) didn’t ticket the infantilised Murdoch lackey for driving while using a handheld device is beyond me. Presumably, normal rules of the road were waived for this Amazon production, which is not something I imagine the first minister signing off on. If Donald Trump can build golf resorts in Aberdeenshire and Clarkson can roll through the majestic Highlands babbling anti-Scottish slurs and manifold fatuities, clearly her powers to stymie toxic middle-aged man-babies realising their unedifying dreams need enhancing.

PG Wodehouse once claimed it was not hard to tell the difference between a Scotsman with a grievance and a sunbeam. May embellished this theme, suggesting that Scottish police officers never have occasion to say “You’re nicked, sunshine” because – do you see the punchline yet? – there is no sun in Scotland. To be fair, the permadrizzle was unrelenting.

And then there were the meals, prepared by May, in which every item from kipper to carrot was battered. That said, Clarkson cleared his plate and Hammond hailed Scottish culinary genius for congealing peas, so tricky to eat with a fork, into battered clumps.

As a white, increasingly desiccated middle-aged Englishman, I should be in The Grand Tour’s demographic. But I’d rather read Iris Murdoch than watch Clarkson’s belly shot in profile wobbling from Auchtermuchty to Drumnadrochit in sync with the undulating terrain (proof that spending one’s career on, effectively, a series of La-Z-Boys on wheels is deleterious to one’s posture). If I were a middle-aged Scotsman, I’d have been further affronted by the carnage wrought on my homeland. Let’s review: three wrecked caravans, one left unacceptably in a wooded glen; the appalling fumes; the walls in Edinburgh’s old town; the boat sunk off the Hebrides; a pontoon bridge left bobbing off North Uist. None of the trio spoke to a Scottish person on screen, demonstrating, once again, how tourism narrows the English mind.

But what would have narked me most of all if I were Scottish was that my country was here busted down to an away venue for a proxy war between the US and the Soviet Union. Which of these two polities was responsible for manufacturing the worst car known to humankind, Clarkson asked. Oh, obviously the Soviets, you reply. Have you ever tried to put a Lada through hairpin? Of course you haven’t, because the Queen Mary has a tighter turning circle.

In truth, Clarkson was right about one thing in his life: the worst car in the world is American. In a field, six cars including two Chryslers and a Pontiac Aztek raced in circles in a kind of ground-based balloon race cum demolition derby. The loser would be the first car to crash out. It was the Pontiac (a car so terrible it figured in Breaking Bad as Walter White’s ride of choice to show what a loser he was) that was proven – scientifically, mind – to be the world’s worst car.

As the credits rolled, there was time to reflect on the show’s genius. Its success will be measured not by ratings, but by a spike in support for Scottish independence. It makes the SNP’s case more powerfully than Boris Johnson on a meet and greet in Sauchiehall Street. Watching this, Sturgeon must be laughing harder than she did during the England-Italy penalty shootout. Way to break up the union, you McPlums.

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Lochdown - The Grand Tour Scotland Special: Everything you need to know as it starts streaming

The much-anticipated episode that was filmed in Scotland during lockdown is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

• 14:23, 30 JUL 2021
• Updated 14:29, 30 JUL 2021

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Fans of The Grand Tour have been clamouring for months to find out when the most recent special will air.

Filmed during lockdown after the pandemic put paid to plans to film in Russia, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond were spotted driving around the Highlands in American muscle cars.

Now, it seems fans of the hit show will finally get to see what the trio has been up to on their adventures in "MacScotland" as Clarkson calls it, with the much anticipated special streaming on Amazon Prime from today.

So what can GT fans expect from the new Scotland special?

This week's top Scotland Now stories

Where can fans watch The Grand Tour Presents: ­Lochdown?

The Grand Tour Presents: ­Lochdown began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on July 30 from midnight GMT, meaning fans can watch it now.

Those with a subscription to the streaming can watch now, while those without will need to subscribe to a 30-day free trial on the streaming platform, with membership costing £7.99 per month after.

What can fans expect from the new special?

Starting out on what promises to be the "most beautiful drive they have ever done", as expected from these three the trip quickly descends into chaos.

Taking Classic American cars from the 70s (and their childhood) as their inspiration, the new tour sees them behind the wheels of a Cadillac Coupe de Ville, a Lincoln Continental and a Buick Riviera.

May was pictured driving the Cadillac, while Hammond was in the Buick, and Clarkson was seen behind the wheel of a Lincoln.

The cast and crew apparently even had their own Covid-19 testing centre van for added safety on set.

Clarkson, 61, recently described the new mini-special as "an unplugged album", adding that it's a change of pace that "some people might quite like".

Speaking to PA he said: "People have been saying that my farming programme - because it's so gentle and down to earth and local - is better for it. So maybe they'll think the same of this Grand Tour."

What parts of Scotland will we see?

Beginning their journey in Berwick-upon-Tweed, they then head to the capital, before stopping off at places such as the picturesque Glentruim and Perthshire.

They then boarded their cars onto a Calmac ferry on their way to North Uist where the adventure finished up.

What did they get up to for the Lochdown Special?

The mischievous trio can be seen hitting the race track, driving over floating bridges (which they built themselves) and crashing caravans.

But it isn't long before Hammond is sinking boats, May is getting stuck and Clarkson is up to no good.

As Clarkson recently quipped: "When we're all three together, everything goes wrong."

It's the kind of high jinks fans expect from the three, and is sure to whet their appetite for the arrival of the third special in the Amazon hit show's fourth series.

How did shooting during the pandemic affect the show?

It's been reported that producers spent £50,000 on coronavirus tests on the ten-day shoot, while bosses at an Outer Hebrides hotel were forced to defend the show's stars following rumours of an 'after party' at their Benbecula accommodation which would have been in breach of coronavirus guidelines at the time.

James May told the RadioTimes.com that the shoot was still great fun, adding: " I mean we had to COVID proof everything, which meant the whole process was not very spontaneous at times,

"Often you have to disinfect things and the crews had to exist in bubbles, and we had to be two metres away from everybody else – but all this stuff wasn’t that terrible considering."

What's next?

With the current problems with travelling abroad, especially to Russia where they originally planned to shoot, it's now likely that the next release will be the second part of the UK double bill across England and Wales, which was recorded in April 2021 to be streamed later this year.

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The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown

• Episode aired Jul 30, 2021

The presenters are celebrating the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows, as they road trip around Scotland, creating chaos on the streets of Edinburgh and building a homemade floatin... Read all The presenters are celebrating the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows, as they road trip around Scotland, creating chaos on the streets of Edinburgh and building a homemade floating bridge across the Hebridean sea. The presenters are celebrating the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows, as they road trip around Scotland, creating chaos on the streets of Edinburgh and building a homemade floating bridge across the Hebridean sea.

• Phil Churchward
• Jeremy Clarkson
• Richard Hammond
• 77 User reviews
• 2 Critic reviews

• Self - Presenter
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• (as Clint Hammond)

• (as Elvis May)

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• Trivia The pontoon bridge constructed by the National Pontoon Adventure Consultancy with some assistance from Clarkson, May and Hammond spanned around 1,000 feet from the coast near Griminish, North Uist to the nearby uninhabited tidal island of Vallay. The "spiky building" Clarkson suggests visiting with Hammond - supposedly the site of the fictitious town of Hammondsburg - is in real life Taigh Mòr, which in English means "Big House". The well-appointed Edwardian mansion boasted running water piped in from North Uist as well as fireplaces in every room. It was built in 1905 for Scottish textile manufacturer, historian and landscape photographer Erskine Beveridge, one of the heirs to the estate of an internationally-renowned tableware manufacturer. After his passing in 1920, the property was inherited by his son George, who drowned in 1944 while attempting to make the crossing from North Uist to Vallay at high tide. With no heirs, the mansion was abandoned soon after his death and its staff dismissed. In the three-quarters of a century since it has gradually become a ruin, and its story has been documented by Scottish-Indian writer, musician and academic Arun Sood, whose grandmother Katie MacNaughton was one of the last to leave the island.
• Connections References Cannon (1971)
• Soundtracks What Makes A Good Man? (uncredited) Written and Performed by The Heavy

User reviews 77

• Too-Tall-for-the-Desert
• Jul 31, 2021
• July 30, 2021 (United Kingdom)
• United Kingdom
• Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Swindon, England, UK (Stand in for American Car Commune, Outer Hebrides)
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The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown: release date, trailer and new episodes explained

What we know about the show's Scotland and Russia specials

The Grand Tour season 4, episode 3 is coming on July 30, Amazon has confirmed – and it'll take co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to Scotland in a special called Lochdown. The episode was actually filmed in 2020, mid-pandemic, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long to see it. The special will imitate the feeling of an American road trip – without actually requiring the British hosts to leave their country. 

There's a first trailer for The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown, too, which you can see below.

There's more good news if you're a fan of The Grand Tour Presents: a new episode has been filming this year in Wales and parts of England like Warwickshire. This dovetails with what James May said in an interview last year about filming more episodes closer to home in an effort to release them more regularly. Given how languid the releases have become lately – a year separated the release of the last two specials, Seamen and A Massive Hunt – that will come as a relief.

Below, we'll tell you everything we know about the future of The Grand Tour Presents on Amazon Prime – including details about the Scotland-based Lochdown special, what we know about the new UK episode as it films, and what happened to the lost Russia special that was originally set to follow A Massive Hunt. 

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The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown release date is July 30, 2021

The next special in The Grand Tour Presents series is called Lochdown – and it just got a release date of July 30 on Amazon Prime Video. Check out the trailer in the section below for confirmation.

That's not all that's coming from Clarkson and pals in the foreseeable future, though.

As of April 2021, another special for The Grand Tour was filming in the UK – the three hosts were spotted filming in Llandrindod Wells, Wales, by The Grand Tour Fans YouTube channel . They were each driving classic French cars, which hints a little at the theme for the episode. Jeremy Clarkson was apparently spotted driving a Citroën CX Break, James May was glimpsed in a Renault Avantime, while Richard Hammond was reportedly in a Matra Murena, according to the channel. Later, the hosts were spot in Leamington in England, filming near a retail park.

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That episode seems like it's probably a while away, though. Let's go through what we know about the Lochdown special's filming, first. A first teaser for that episode was released on social media earlier this year – Clarkson describes the special as The Grand Tour 'unplugged'.

Earlier plans to record an episode in Russia were put on-hold because of the pandemic (see below) – so the Lochdown special was filmed in Scotland across nine days earlier in 2020 instead.

"We did it in area of Scotland with not many people," co-host James May told BT . "We didn’t interact with the locals really. There were complicated systems set up for cleaning everything and it was a bit tiresome going through lots of procedures and being tested every day, but it didn’t get in the way of filming to be honest."

The hosts couldn't go to the pub after filming the episode, which must've been a challenge. 

While it might be a long wait until the trio and their crew can head to more exotic locations, the intent is to keep making episodes in locations where it's easier to pull off – hence why a Wales-filmed special probably makes sense. "In the short term we might have to reduce our travel ambitions and we’ll have a better chance of doing it," May says. "Better to film in the UK and deliver regularly than promise the earth and not deliver anything. The Grand Tour may become a little more domestic. But it will still be us three which is the important thing. And cars."

That bodes well for the future – and who knows, maybe we'll start seeing episodes of The Grand Tour season 4 land more regularly than once every year again.

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown trailer

Och aye the new trailer for The Grand Tour Presents... #Lochdown is here pic.twitter.com/0eobci0wpL July 15, 2021

Check out the trailer for The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown above, which was released in July 2021.

To film the upcoming Scotland special during the pandemic, the crew formed a bubble, and no one caught Covid-19 during the shoot. It was reported that the hosts were seen driving classic American cars from Edinburgh to the Hebrides – which suggests some kind of Route 66-style road trip element. 

Clarkson was seen driving a blue Lincoln, May was seen driving a red Cadillac, and Hammond was seen in a green Buick. The trio also took part in a drag race on a runway somewhere in south Scotland, for which the cars mentioned were apparently modified, and were seen towing caravans at one point too.

May says that being a bit closer to the home for the hosts doesn't matter that much – after all, viewers on Amazon Prime Video could be watching it from anywhere. "If you're watching The Grand Tour from Sri Lanka, Scotland is as exotic and beautiful as Sri Lanka is from Scotland, so there's always going to be a large part of the audience which finds anywhere in the world fascinating."

And hey, anything that gets the hosts to film new episodes faster seems like a good thing. 

The Grand Tour season 4 Russia special: what we know

Yes, the next Special will land later this year.Yes, it’s filmed in Madagascar and yes, there will be cars.Yes, we wanted to go to Russia.No, we couldn’t (we all know why).Yes, we will try again.No, we don’t know when.Yes, we will keep you updated.#TheGrandTour July 7, 2020

The next planned episode for The Grand Tour Presents was meant to take the hosts to Russia – and this is still the idea, one day. It's just been postponed for now due to the pandemic. James May says that lots of preparation has been made for this special, but that it's "just impossible right now". Hopefully, with the incoming wave of vaccines, that might be able to change in future – but it seems unlikely you'll see a Russia special of The Grand Tour at any point in the next year or so.

After the next UK special, though, Clarkson did confirm the plan was to film abroad – they're just not sure where yet.

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Samuel is a PR Manager at game developer Frontier. Formerly TechRadar's Senior Entertainment Editor, he's an expert in Marvel, Star Wars, Netflix shows and general streaming stuff. Before his stint at TechRadar, he spent six years at PC Gamer. Samuel is also the co-host of the popular Back Page podcast, in which he details the trials and tribulations of being a games magazine editor – and attempts to justify his impulsive eBay games buying binges.

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The Grand Tour's Scotland Special Debuts July 30

Filmed during the coronavirus lockdowns of last year.

The first full-length trailer of the next two-part special from Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May has been unveiled. Titled The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown, the new program will follow the trio as they journey their way across beautiful Scotland in some American land yachts from the 1970s.

The action centers around a Lincoln Continental Mark V, a Cadillac Coupe de Ville and a Buick Riviera from the Malaise Era . Not exactly the most exciting machines to leave the United States, but perfectly suited for a road trip of this nature. The trailer highlights some adventuring around the city of Edinburgh, as well as the construction of a floating bridge across the Hebridean Sea. Due to the lockdown restrictions, the trio are also forced to embrace their least favorite form of lodging: caravans.

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown is set to make its official debut on Amazon Prime Video on July 30. It may not be set in a location as exotic as Madagascar , but the new special could just be the best yet in the Grand Tour era.

Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time. 

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The Grand Tour Scotland ‘Lochdown’ Special Release Date, Trailer Unveiled by Amazon Prime Video

Clarkson, hammond, and may set off during the pandemic in season 4 episode 3..

Photo Credit: Amazon

Richard Hammond in The Grand Tour season 4 episode 3

• The Grand Tour Scotland special release date is July 30 on Prime Video
• Filmed in Scotland during lockdown because of COVID-19 restrictions
• The Grand Tour season 4 episode 3 comes 7 months after episode 2

The Grand Tour will return on July 30, Amazon Prime Video has announced, with a new trailer for “The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown”, the third feature-length special part of The Grand Tour season 4. In it, the former Top Gear trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May get in classic American cars and take off for Scotland. For those wondering why they aren't in a more non-British exotic place — such as Cambodia/ Vietnam for episode 1, or Madagascar for episode 2 — that's because The Grand Tour's Scotland special was shot filmed during the COVID-19 lockdown. Hence the pun “Lochdown” in the title, referencing the Irish word for lake — and the famous Loch Ness.

Still, May promises “the most beautiful drive we have ever done” in the two-and-a-half-minute long trailer for The Grand Tour season 4 episode 3 “Lochdown”. And you can't argue with that, given the sneak peek at the vistas that we see in The Grand Tour Scotland special trailer. Of course, things are not going to be smooth sailing. Their classic (read: old) cars will naturally give them a lot of trouble, be it boiling engines or the struggles of getting out of them. Or just even basic turning abilities. The “Lochdown” trailer reveals that Clarkson, Hammond, and May will also keep switching cars throughout the new The Grand Tour episode.

And what are they up to? As Clarkson says in The Grand Tour Scotland special trailer, they have to build a bridge to ...somewhere in Outer Hebrides. The “Lochdown” trailer ends with May's car stuck on said bridge, with Clarkson about to use his patented use-all-the-power strategy to give him a push. You know, as well as I do, how's that going to go. Elsewhere, there's Hammond crashing his RV (expected), playing pranks on someone else's RV (what can go wrong?), and being applauded by Clarkson, May, and the masked crew for doing something stupid, it seems.

After airing 38 episodes across three seasons between 2016 and 2019, The Grand Tour has really slowed down its production as it has moved away from the hybrid studio and outdoors format. Amazon has expanded its deal with the trio, which includes new solo shows (Our Man in Japan for May, Clarkson's Farm for Clarkson, and The Great Escapists for Hammond). Starting with season 4 , The Grand Tour is now only about feature-length specials. The first of them, “Seamen” aired in December 2019, followed by the second “A Massive Hunt” in December 2020.

Here's the official synopsis for The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown from Amazon :

Confined to the UK by Covid, Jeremy, Richard and James embark on a Lockdown Special to celebrate the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows as kids, and to find out just why it was, given their Dads were all driving terrible Austin Allegros, that these amazing vehicles never took off in Britain. At the wheel of a Cadillac Coupe De Ville as driven by Elvis, a Lincoln Continental as driven by Jock Ewing of Dallas fame, and a Buick Riviera as piloted by Clint Eastwood, the three hosts take their iconic Detroit machines on a road trip across the stunning scenery of Scotland. And even though they are on home turf this lockdown journey turns out to be one of their funniest, most action packed and most charming adventures in years. Along the way they cause chaos on the ancient streets of Edinburgh, enjoy a hilarious, tyre torturing, high octane showdown with Abbie on the racetrack, before heading off to stage an epic Cold War shootout between the worst Soviet and American cars ever made. They also find themselves homeless in the Highlands after a series of housing-based crash bang wallop catastrophes, but still find time to use classic muscle cars to put an infamous Pizza Express journey to the test. After receiving a text from Mr Wilman, Richard, James and Jeremy modify their cars and head to the Outer Hebrides for one of their toughest challenges yet. At the far reaches of Scotland, they must build a homemade floating bridge across the Hebridean sea, capable of supporting them and their massive cars on a perilous journey to their final destination.

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown premieres July 30 on Prime Video worldwide. The previous episode released a day early so I'd keep an eye on the app from July 29.

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Scottish Grand Tour

The Scottish Grand Tour (formerly the Grand Tour of Scotland) rail pass lets you travel on ScotRail trains along a circular route that takes in the highlights of Scotland. The route includes Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William, the Isle of Skye, Inverness, Aviemore and the Cairngorms, Perth and Stirling. The pass gives you four travel days within an eight day period.

The pass is good for travel in one direction only: your choice of either clockwise or anti-clockwise and you can break your journey at any of the stations along the route (shown on the map below).

You can travel on the following rail services with this pass:

• West Highland Line (Glasgow or Edinburgh–Fort William and Mallaig)
• Kyle Line (Inverness–Kyle of Lochalsh)
• Highland Main Line (Glasgow or Edinburgh–Inverness via Perth)

The Grand Tour of Scotland pass also allows includes some travel by ferry and coach, which means that you are able to visit the Isle of Skye.

You can travel on the following coach and ferry services with this pass:

• Ferry travel with Caledonian MacBrayne between Mallaig and Armadale on the Isle of Skye
• Bus and coach services operated by Stagecoach between Armadale on the Isle of Skye and Lochalsh. This includes route 51 (which runs directly between Armadale and Kyle of Lochalsh) and routes 50, 52, 152 and 917 (which involve changing at Broadford/Armadale Road End on Skye).

Buying the Scottish Grand Tour rail pass

You can buy the Scottish Grand Tour rail pass and download it directly to your phone. Click below for details about international prices.

This rail pass is valid for standard class travel on ScotRail services at any time on the West Highland Line (Glasgow–Fort William/Mallaig) and the Kyle Line (Inverness–Kyle of Lochalsh), but you on weekdays you must travel after 9.15am on the Highland Main Line (Glasgow or Edinburgh–Inverness via Perth) and on services between Edinburgh and Glasgow. On weekends you may travel at any time on any line.

Apart from these time restrictions, you are able to travel on any train and advance bookings or reservations are not required.

This pass is available for everyone, regardless of where you live. You can order it online and have the pass sent to your mobile phone.

If you live in the UK you have three months from buying the pass before you have to start using it. If you live outside the UK, you can buy this rail pass up to 11 months before you start using it.

The Grand Tour of Scotland rail pass can be used on trains operated by the following companies:

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Isle of Skye, Scotland

Grand Tour of Scotland

Imagine immersing yourself in the Scottish culture and stunning landscape. With this 17-day tour of Scotland, you could take the wheel on scenic drives and go island hopping to Orkney, Lewis and Harris, Skye, Mull, and more.

Stop when you want to and visit what you want to see most with a self-drive tour of Scotland. With 2 and a half weeks, you'll have plenty of time to explore the impressive Highlands, get to know the rugged Scottish isles, and learn more about the local culture and history.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, make your way to your hotel located in the city centre. For those arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city, strolling along the Royal Mile and exploring the Old Town and New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

Spend the night in Edinburgh.

DAY 2: SCOTLAND'S DRAMATIC EAST COAST

Your road trip starts today! Pick up your rental car and head into Fife. Here you could visit the lovely village of Falkland before stopping by the sea in St Andrews, famous for being the home of golf. Later, continue north, passing by Dundee and the St Cyrus National Nature Reserve. Don't miss the spectacular Dunnottar Castle for a fantastic photo opportunity.

Spend the night in the Aberdeen area.

Driving distance: 235 km / 135 miles

DAY 3: ROYAL DEESIDE & CASTLES

Welcome into the Scottish Highlands! You'll first drive along the Deeside Tourist Route, a charming journey through the Cairngorm National Park. The area is dotted with castles, such as Crathes Castle and Balmoral, the home of the Royal Family in Scotland. Later, you'll arrive into Speyside, a region famous for its whisky production.

Spend the night in the Inverness area.

Driving distance: 240 km / 150 miles

DAY 4: JOURNEY TO ORKNEY

Today, you head all the way north mainland Scotland to catch the ferry to Orkney. Along the way, you could stop at the fairytale-like Dunrobin Castle.

Make sure to admire the beautiful views over the Pentland Firth while on the ferry. Once you reach Stromness on Orkney, you can drive to Kirkwall, the capital and former Viking stronghold. You have the rest of the day to explore.

Spend the night in the Kirkwall area.

Ferry Scrabster to Orkney: 1.5 hours

Driving distance: 205 km / 130 miles

DAY 5: WONDERS OF ORKNEY

Spend your entire day discovering the highlights of Orkney, from its stunning scenery to ancient landmarks. The most famous area is the UNESCO-listed "Heart of Neolithic Orkney". Comprised of Skara Brae, a prehistoric village, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the chambered cairn of Maeshowe.

Spend another night in the Kirkwall area.

Driving distance: 56 km / 35 miles

DAY 6: NORTH COAST 500

Today you journey back to the mainland by ferry and take on part of the North Coast 500, one of Scotland's most scenic drives. You'll find gold sand beaches to make you feel like you're in the Caribbean, a backdrop of mountains, and stunning views all around. We recommend stopping to visit the largest sea cave in Britain, Smoo Cave, as well as the 15th-century Ardvreck Castle.

Spend the night in the Ullapool area.

Ferry from Orkney to Scrabster: 1.5 hours

Driving distance: 250 km / 150 miles

DAY 7: GAELIC CULTURE ON LEWIS

This morning, you'll catch a ferry from Ullapool all the way to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. This part of the Outer Hebrides is renowned for its thriving Gaelic culture. Spend time visiting the town before driving west to see the spectacular Callanish Standing Stones. We also recommend learning more about the history of the island at the Black Arnol Museum.

Spend the night on Lewis and Harris.

Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway: 2.5 hours

Driving distance: 165 km / 100 miles

DAY 8: HARRIS AND THE GOLDEN ROAD

Today, you head south to discover the second half of the island, Harris. Explore the small village of Tarbert before driving along the Golden Road. This journey offers striking island scenery. And don't miss Luskentyre Beach, with its white sands and turquoise waters.

Spend another night on Lewis and Harris.

Driving distance: 70 km / 45 miles

DAY 9: ISLAND HOPPING TO SKYE

This morning, you'll take a ferry to another stunning island, Skye. Upon your arrival in Uig, we recommend exploring the northern part of the island known as the Trotternish Peninsula. This is where some of Skye's most famous sights are located. This includes the "Old Man of Storr," the Quiraing, Kilt Rock waterfall, and the Fairy Glen.

Spend the night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.

Ferry from Tarbert to Uig: 1 h 40 minutes

Driving distance: 80 km / 50 miles

DAY 10: EXPLORE THE WESTERN SIDE OF SKYE

Spend the day discovering more of Skye, a haven for nature lovers. Take some time to wander around Portree, the scenic and colourful main village of the island. Then we recommend driving to the west of the island. Here you could visit the romantic Dunvegan Castle, walk along the beautiful Claigan Coral Beach and even visit Neist Point, the most westerly point of Skye.

Spend another night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.

Driving distance: 130 km / 80 miles

DAY 11: THE MAGIC OF SKYE

You have another full day to take in more of the legendary Isle of Skye. Head south this time to enjoy a walk at the Fairy Pools, admire the Black Cuillin Hills, or sample whisky at the Talisker Distillery.

Driving distance: 160 km / 100 miles

DAY 12: THE BEAUTY OF LOCH NESS

Journey back to the mainland. We recommend Eilean Donan Castle as your first stop of the day. It is a picturesque sight and one of the most recognised castles in Scotland.

You'll then make your way to the famous Loch Ness to explore this area further. You could pop by the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, visit the nearby Urquhart Castle, or even opt for a boat tour for better views over this vast loch.

Spend the night in the Fort William area.

Driving distance: 260 km / 160 miles  

DAY 13: JOURNEY TO MULL

Start the day by hopping onboard another ferry which will take you to Mull. Admire the views along the way. Once you reach Craignure, you can start exploring this western island. First stop, the nearby Duart Castle perched by sea cliffs. We then recommend driving along the west coast for stunning scenery to reach Tobermory.

Spend the night on the Isle of Mull or in the Oban area.

Ferry from Oban to Craignure: 45 minutes

Driving distance: 180 km / 115 miles

DAY 14: ISLES OF IONA AND STAFFA

Today you have a day at your leisure on Mull. You can choose to drive around the island and discovering more of its beauty. Or you could take a short ferry to the Isle of Iona. This charming, tiny island is home to white sand beaches and a sacred abbey. From here, you could even book a boat trip to visit the uninhabited Isle of Staffa, renowned for its sea cave and basalt columns.

DAY 15: KILMARTIN GLEN AND LOCH LOMOND

This morning, take the ferry back to the mainland and drive along the scenic route to the historical valley of Kilmartin Glen. This region is considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland. You'll later pass by Inveraray before continuing on to Loch Lomond.

Spend the night in the Trossachs area.

Ferry from Craignure to Oban: 45 minutes

Driving distance: 245 km / 150 miles

DAY 16: TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK

Today’s drive will take you through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park back to Edinburgh. You can also choose to end your trip in Glasgow if you want to explore Scotland's largest city.

You'll have plenty of activities to choose from for an exciting last day. Take a walk through nature, enjoy a steamship tour on Loch Katrine, or visit the local Deanston Distillery. But make sure not to miss Doune Castle, featured in many movies and TV series. If time allows, you could also stop by Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s top attractions, or at the Kelpies, two impressive horse-head sculptures.

DAY 17: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

Today you say goodbye to Scotland. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may take your last few hours to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Edinburgh’s many museums, or take one last stroll through the charming city centre.

From £3403 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

April — October

Contact details

• +44 (0131) 3444630
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Edinburgh & The Lothians
• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Edinburgh Airport
• Architecture
• Food and drink
• Island Hopping

Tour prices

From £3403 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

Nordic visitor uk.

Nordic Visitor provides tailored tour packages in Scotland. Our travel experts are based in Edinburgh and will craft a personal itinerary for you based on your vacation or holiday needs. All our travel packages are tested by our consultants to ensure your Scottish getaway is everything you dreamed of and more. Choose from self-drive, small group or private tours. You'll also find a range of special interest packages including tours focusing on castles, whisky, cuisine, Outlander and more!

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Monday: 9am–5pm Tuesday: 9am–5pm Wednesday: 9am–5pm Thursday: 9am–5pm Friday: 9am–5pm Office closed during local Edinburgh holidays.

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The Grand Tour Presents Lochdown – Parts Of The Episode Revealed To Be Shot In Swindon, 350 Miles South Of Edinburgh

It’s been revealed that while the latest episode of The Grand Tour, named Lochdown , was set in Scotland, not all of the show was actually filmed in the country. In fact, it’s been confirmed that the ending was actually set in Swindon, 350 miles South of Edinburgh.

The final segment of the episodes follows the ex-Top Gear presenters as they head to a new town on the Isle of Skye called Hammondsburg . In the episode’s story, it was set up by Andy Wilman to be an American-themed location with things such as laser quest, a multiplex, and a sports bar.

The Grand Tour Bumped Into Top Gear While Filming In Scotland Along With Others

What viewers didn’t realise is that with a subtle sweep of the camera and a transition, we’d travelled from the Outer Hebrides and arrived in Swindon, specifically, West Swindon leisure park. The area had obviously had an American makeover, which Jeremy compliments as he pulls up at a bar called The Ridge.

The manager of this establishment, Luke Jacobs, was interviewed on how this came to be and what it was like hosting The Grand Tour presenters.

“It was really cool but it was a very hard-kept secret! It’s quite exciting for us and great for the area, it’s put Swindon on the map.

“The show’s crew arrived at around 7am to set everything in the leisure park up and they were a good group of people.

“The boys arrived in the afternoon in their expensive cars, which was great, and they spoke to us briefly, they seemed like nice guys.

“They were all done by 3pm, it all happened quite quickly. We ticked all the boxes for them and I think someone had recommended us to them so this might snowball into other things, who knows.

“We’ve had so many messages from people who saw the special over the weekend, it’s been mad.

“It’s a massive show so it was really surreal seeing The Ridge in it, I rewound it a few times and felt very proud.”

Obviously, the episode was heavily planned and it’s not like other TV shows don’t do similar things. But why does it feel like cheating when The Grand Tour does this? I’m interested to know your thoughts…

The Grand Tour: Richard Hammond Teases A Second Part To The Lochdown Special

Alex Harrington

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This is the ultimate lamborghini miura, one comment.

Its not like they were ACTUALLY going to build an “American car enthusiast retreat” in the Outer Hebrides complete with running water and electricity and an American-style sports bar. It was a funny and fitting end to the trip.

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• Grand Tour of Scotland

Scottish Highlands & North Coast 500

(17 days / 16 nights).

• Travel Style

Discover the Scottish Highlands and Islands' way of life

This 17-day self-drive tour has been designed for those who want a complete experience of Scotland. If you want beautiful scenic drives, the chance to explore mythical ruins and learn more about Scotland's rich history, this itinerary is for you. During this tour you get all the exciting adventures and highlights of our Complete Scotland tour, which goes from Edinburgh into Highlands, to the Orkney Islands, then west to the Isle of Harris and Lewis and down to the Isle of Skye, plus the chance to discover the stunning Isle of Mull.

17 days / 16 nights

Price p.p. from

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Approx 3403 GBP

— why book with nordic visitor.

• Seamless travel experience
• Handpicked hotels and routes designed by local experts
• Reliable rental cars with trusted Scottish partner
• Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map & travel guide
• 24/7 helpline during your tour
• Service from local travel experts in Scotland
• Great customer reviews
• Carbon offsetting included

— Cancellation Protection

• Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
• Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

• Explore some of Scotland’s  top sights  on the famous and breathtaking  Isle of Skye
• Explore the mysterious and ancient “ Heart of Neolithic Orkney ”
• See the rugged hills of the  Isle of Mull  and beautiful beaches of  Iona
• Visit the spectacular  Callanish Standing Stones
• Walk along the mysterious  Loch Ness  and visit the  castle  on its shores
• See the striking natural beauty of the  Scottish Highlands
• Enjoy island-hopping between Orkney , Harris , Lewis  and  Skye
• Drive along the famous  North Coast 500
• Discover Scotland's historic capital Edinburgh and stroll up the Royal Mile
• Enjoy a road trip with peace of mind with your  personal itinerary  from a  local travel expert

Travel style

Active i , best seller i , castles and royalty i , classic i , countryside and natural scenery i , heritage i , highlands i , hiking i , honeymoon & romance i , isles i , off the beaten path i, driving distance, 2580 / 1610 km/mi, attractions.

Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.

Isle of Skye

Isle of mull, butt of lewis, orkney islands, the callanish standing stones, cairngorms national park, doune castle, stirling & stirling castle.

Eilean Donan Castle

Trossachs National Park

Dunnottar Castle

Loch Lomond

Ring of Brodgar

North Coast 500

Fort william.

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

Make your way into Edinburgh city centre where your hotel will be located. Many travellers opt to take a taxi or use public transport, but for a more direct and comfortable ride, we will be happy to organise a private airport transfer for you. For those arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city, strolling along the Royal Mile and exploring the Old Town and New Town , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle .

Spend the night in Edinburgh. 

Day 2: SCOTLAND'S DRAMATIC EAST COAST

Today, start your road trip driving up to Fife. Your first stop will be the quaint village of Falkland , where you can explore its Renaissance palace. From there, drive east to the town of St Andrews , famous for being the home of golf and of the oldest university in Scotland. As you continue north, pass by Dundee, a UNESCO City of Design. You can then take the direct route to Aberdeen , or take the coastal scenic route, which will take you past the St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve and the spectacular Dunnottar Castle , near Stonehaven.

Spend the night in the Aberdeen area.

Average driving distance: 235 km / 145 miles

Day 3: ROYAL DEESIDE, CASTLES & WHISKY

Today will take you into the Scottish Highlands. First drive along the “ Deeside Tourist Route ”, an enchanting route through the Cairngorms National Park . On the way, there is a plethora of castles you could visit, including 16th-century Crathes Castle , and of course, the Scottish residence of the Royal Family, Balmoral Castle , which you can visit from April to July. You will then continue to Speyside , which is famous for its whiskies. You may want to visit one of the many distilleries (there are over 40 to choose from!), such as Glenfiddich or Aberlour.

Spend the night in the Inverness area.

Average driving distance:  240 km  / 150 miles

Day 4: JOURNEY TO ORKNEY

Today your drive will take you north, across the Black Isle Peninsula , all the way to the seaside village of Scrabster. We recommend making a stop on the way at the fairytale Dunrobin Castle . In the early afternoon, you‘ll catch a ferry to Stromness on Orkney , a beautiful 1.5-hour journey across the Pentland Firth with spectacular views of the Old Man of Hoy. Once you‘ve reached mainland Orkney, drive to the capital, Kirkwall , a former Viking stronghold. Here you can explore the city centre and the magnificent 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral. 

Spend the night in the Kirkwall area. 

Ferry from Scrabster to Orkney: 1.5 hours

Average driving distance:  205 km / 130 miles

Day 5: THE WONDERS OF ORKNEY

You have the whole day to explore the gems of Orkney, admire its stunning scenery and ruins dating back millennia to the Stone Ages. The highlight of Orkney‘s wonders is the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site area that comprises a group of Neolithic monuments. This includes the 5,000 year-old prehistoric village of Skara Brae , the mysterious Ring of Brodgar stone circle, the huge megaliths at the Standing Stones of Stenness and the chambered cairn of Maeshowe , where 12th-century Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. 

Spend another night in the Kirkwall area.

Average driving distance:  56 km  / 35 miles 

Day 6: THE NORTH COAST 500 ROUTE

Today you journey back to the mainland by ferry before taking on part of the famous North Coast 500 route. Scotland‘s version of Route 66 stretches around the northern coast of Scotland, and is known for its incredible vistas of rocky cliffs, mountains, and gold sand beaches. We recommend stopping along the way to visit the beautiful Smoo Cave , the largest and most dramatic sea cave in Britain, the pristine beaches and turquoise waters of Durness , and the 15th-century ruins of Ardvreck Castle before arriving at the charming village of Ullapool . 

Spend the night in the Ullapool area. 

Ferry from Orkney to Scrabster: 1.5 hours 

Average driving distance:  250 km / 150 miles 

Day 7: GAELIC CULTURE & NEHOLITHIC MEGALITHS OF LEWIS

This morning, catch the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis , where the Gaelic culture and language still thrives. In Stornoway, you could visit the Stornoway Museum located within Lews Castle, which houses exhibits about the island including six of the famous Lewis Chessmen. You will want to make the detour toward the west side of the island to see the spectacular Callanish Standing Stones , an impressive collection of Neolithic stone circles and megaliths. We also recommend visiting the Black Arnol Museum to learn about the history of the island life.

Spend the night on Lewis or Harris.

Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway: 2.5 hours

Average driving distance:  165 km / 100 miles 

Day 8: HARRIS & THE GOLDEN ROAD

Today enjoy the beauty of the Isle of Harris . You can explore the small village of Tarbert and then take in the striking scenery on a drive along “ The Golden Road ” towards Rodel. We recommend exploring the beautiful medieval St. Clement’s Church and going for a walk on Luskentyre Beach , one of the most spectacular in Scotland, boasting miles of white sands and dazzling turquoise waters. You can also visit the Harris Tweed outlets for a genuine souvenir, as this tweed is still woven by hand in the Outer Hebrides.

Spend another night on Lewis or Harris.

Average driving distance:  70 km / 45 miles

Day 9: ISLAND HOPPING TO SKYE

Today you’ll catch the ferry from Tarbert to Uig on the Isle of Skye . Upon your arrival on Skye, we recommend a drive around the northern part of the island via the breathtaking Trotternish Peninsula . There you can enjoy a walk up to “ The Old Man of Storr ” rock pinnacle and see the beautiful Kilt Rock waterfall. Other highlights include the Quiraing , the An Corran Beach at Staffin, where you may spot ancient dinosaur footprints, and the mystical Fairy Glen.

Spend the night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.

Ferry from Tarbert to Uig: 1 hour and 40 min

Average driving distance:  80 km / 50 miles

Day 10: DUNVEGAN CASTLE & CORAL BEACH

Spend a full day taking in the magic of Skye, a paradise for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Wander around the scenic village of Portree , with its colourful buildings and local shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. Drive to the western of the island to visit the romantic Dunvegan Castle , home to the Chief of Clan MacLeod. We also recommend going for a walk along Claigan Coral Beach , one of the most beautiful beaches of Skye. You can also visit Neist Point , the most westerly point on Skye that offers stunning sea views.

Spend another night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.

Average driving distance:  130 km / 80 miles

Day 11: THE MAGIC OF SKYE

Enjoy another full day at your leisure in the mesmerizing surroundings of Skye. The island is perfect for those who love hiking as there are great areas and mountains all over, including to the mystical Fairy Pools and taking in the beauty of the Cuillin Mountains . You could also take part in a sailing tour to get a different perspective. For the whisky enthusiasts, or for those who want to taste the true flavor of Scotland, visit the Talisker Distillery to sample some genuine single malt Scotch whisky.

Average driving distance:  160 km / 100 miles

Day 12: THE BEAUTY OF LOCH NESS

Today’s journey will bring you back to the Scottish mainland. Make sure to stop at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle , a sight you will surely recognise from many photographs, films and TV shows. Drive all the way to the shores of the mysterious Loch Ness , where you can visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. You might also wish to take a boat tour on Loch Ness in search of its notorious and elusive monster, or go explore the nearby Urquhart Castle ruins on the shores of the loch.

Spend the night in the Fort William area.

Average driving distance:  260 km / 160 miles

Day 13: FORT WILLIAM TO THE ISLE OF MULL

Start your day with a scenic ferry ride over to Craignure on the Isle of Mull , a place characterised by white sandy beaches, rugged mountains and thriving wildlife. Your first stop will be Duart Castle , standing proudly by the sea cliffs of the island. We then recommend taking the scenic route along the west coast, past the highest peak Ben More. Stop on the way at one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, Calgary Bay . Continue on to the charming village of Tobermory , the largest settlement of the island.

Spend the night on the Isle of Mull or in the Oban area.

Ferry from Oban to Craignure:  45 minutes

Average driving distance:  180 km / 115 miles

Day 14: BEAUTIFUL ISLES OF IONA & STAFFA

Today you have a full day at your leisure on Mull. You have the option to head to the west coast of the island, from where you can take a ferry ride from Fionnphort over to the Isle of Iona , home of dazzling beaches and sacred sites such as Iona Abbey . From Iona you can join a boat trip to the uninhabited Isle of Staffa , where you can admire Fingal’s Cave, a natural arched sea cave with impressive basalt columns. While on the boat tour, you might come across dolphins, porpoises and minke whales. 

Spend another night on the Isle of Mull or in the Oban area.

Included: Entrance to Iona Abbey

Average driving distance:  180 km / 115 miles

Day 15: KILMARTIN GLEN, LUSS & LOCH LOMOND

Today, take the ferry back to the mainland and continue your drive along the scenic route to the historical valley of Kilmartin Glen. This area is considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland, including standing stones and circles as well as forts and castles. On the way we recommend a stop at Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne, where you could visit Inveraray Castle. Continue on to the shores of the beautiful Loch Lomond and visit the charming conservation village of Luss .

Spend the night in the Trossachs National Park area.

Ferry from Craignure to Oban: 45 minutes

Average driving distance:  245 km / 150 miles

Day 16: TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK TO EDINBURGH

Today’s drive will bring you back to Edinburgh (you can choose to end your trip in Glasgow in the optional activities below). Drive through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park , where you could stop to take a walk in nature, enjoy an optional steamship tour on Loch Katrine , or visit a local whisky distillery. For a fun photo opportunity, don’t miss Doune Castle , featured in Monty Python & the Holy Grail and Outlander. If time allows, you could also stop by Stirling Castle , one of Scotland’s top attractions, or at the Kelpies , two impressive horse-head sculptures.

Day 17: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

On your day of departure, we recommend taking the Airlink bus or a taxi directly from your hotel to reach the airport. If you would like to add any additional nights to your trip or to arrange a private transfer, you can do so during the booking process. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may have time for some last-minute shopping, to visit one of Edinburgh’s museums, or take one last stroll through the charming city centre.

If you wish to spend more time in Edinburgh or Glasgow before or after the tour, ask your travel consultant about adding extra nights or services, such as private airport transfers. We can also extend your trip with other destinations in the Nordic region such as Iceland or Norway. Contact us for details about tailoring your itinerary.

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Private Airport Transfer: Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh

Private airport transfer: glasgow airport to edinburgh, classic afternoon tea, champagne afternoon tea, admissions to the royal yacht britannia, johnnie walker distillery – the journey of flavour, johnnie walker distillery – whisky makers’ cellar, ghostly underground vaults walking tour, underground vaults historical walking tour, edinburgh old & new town food tour, the scotch whisky experience – gold tour, the scotch whisky experience – silver tour, cardhu distillery – flavour journey, royal lochnagar distillery - warehouse tasting, deconstructed whisky tasting at aberlour distillery, glenfiddich distillery tour & tasting, the original glenlivet distillery tour, talisker distillery – distillery tour, loch ness cruise, day fourteen, boat tour to the isle of staffa, day fifteen, oban distillery tour, day sixteen, switch your last night to glasgow, steamship cruise on loch katrine, deanston distillery – warehouse 4 experience, day seventeen, private airport transfer: edinburgh to edinburgh airport, private airport transfer: edinburgh to glasgow airport, private airport transfer: glasgow to edinburgh airport, private airport transfer: glasgow to glasgow airport.

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

• Accommodation (Comfort Plus/Superior) for 16 nights
• Daily Breakfast
• Rental car of your choice with unlimited mileage, 2 authorised drivers, CDW insurance and VAT for 15 days
• All ferry crossings, as per itinerary
• Carbon offsetting the package
• Map of Scotland and detailed personal itinerary
• Nordic Visitor's Scotland Travel Guide
• 24/7 helpline
• Taxes & service fees

Not included

• Flights to/from Scotland
• Transfers to/from airports (can be arranged on request)
• Transfers to/from car rental pickup/drop-off locations
• Meals & drinks (unless otherwise stated)
• Entrance fees to attractions (unless otherwise stated)
• Driving-related fees and expenses
• Personal travel insurance

Optional Extras

• Cancellation Protection

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Scotland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Scotland Travel Guide .

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Scotland, along with planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

As this is a self-guided tour, you’re welcome to stop whenever and wherever you wish along the way. Except for accommodation and booked activities, other highlights we’ve listed in the itinerary are suggestions based on Nordic Visitor favourites.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, hand-annotated map and our very own Scotland Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

The minimum age to hire a car in Scotland is 23. Please note that if you are 25 or younger, an additional fee and extra conditions apply.

For example, you need to have held your driving licence for at least 4 years. If you are 23 or 24, you can only hire vehicles up to the SUV category.

Scotland is beautiful all year long. That said, it’s good to be aware that the summer is the high travelling season, with July and August being peak months.

This means many of the highlights, such as the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh, will be extremely popular and might have limited availability. This could impact your booking of attractions, accommodation, restaurants, excursions and more.

For a more relaxing experience, we recommend booking your tour, plus any extra excursions, activities or entrance tickets, well in advance. You also might prefer to arrive during the shoulder season, which is during April–June and September–October.

If you do wish to travel in July or August, we will be happy to help you plan your trip to make it as smooth as possible.

During your Scotland tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

In Scotland, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available. Please also note that in Scotland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Lifts are not common in Scottish hotels. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! Just let your travel consultant know during the booking process. We’ll arrange any cots needed at your accommodation.

If you need multiple rooms, please note that we can't guarantee family rooms or interconnecting rooms at all accommodation. You may even have rooms on different floors.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. This will incur a small extra cost.

The roads in Scotland are usually in good condition all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness. In winter, though, storms, rain, snow and ice can cause adverse conditions. We recommend checking weather forecasts daily and not taking any risks when it comes to driving.

Please be aware that in the UK motorists drive on the left side of the road (and on the right side of the car). If you are not used to driving on the left, we highly recommend choosing a vehicle with automatic transmission for your self-drive tour.

If you want a manual transmission vehicle, keep in mind that you will need to shift gears with your left hand (floor pedals are the same).

Drivers will need to get used to the narrower roads of the UK as well as the rural single-track roads. If you meet another driver on one of these single-track roads, one of you needs to tuck into a passing place, which might be behind you. In these areas, you should also be careful of animals on the road.

It’s also a good idea to plan how you will navigate around Scotland ahead of time. Your travel consultant will prepare a detailed hand-annotated map of your route to help you stay on track.

We also recommend using navigation apps on your phone, such as Google Maps. Make sure to download the route ahead of time, in case you don’t have signal in the more rural areas.

For inexperienced drivers who still want to explore and discover Scotland, we recommend one of our guided small group tours or privately guided tours . On these tours you’ll have a local, experienced driver at the wheel.

This itinerary includes a ferry crossing. To board, you’ll need to arrive at the port marked in your voucher and on your map. You will need to arrive a certain amount of time ahead of your departure, and this time will be noted on your voucher. Simply drive your car in the queue to board the ferry at the right time.

Summer in Scotland might be warmer than you expect! While temperatures are unlikely to reach higher than 20°C (68 °F), heatwaves in Scotland are usually humid. This means it can feel hotter than it is, especially in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

That said, the weather is also very changeable, so you’ll want to come prepared for anything. Rain is always a possibility, and when the sun sets a warm jumper or jacket is a must. We’ve prepared a useful packing guide to help you decide what to bring with you.

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24/7 helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.

Whatever time of year you’re in Scotland, you’re likely to see lots of different types of weather. As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

• A warm jumper or fleece
• A waterproof jacket
• Good walking shoes or boots (especially if you intend to hike and go on nature walks)
• Light scarf or thin sweater
• Reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

In some areas of Scotland, such as the Highlands and islands, you might notice small, pesky insects called midges. They’re most active on summer evenings and tend to swarm near still water. You can avoid bites by wearing long-sleeves and trousers and by packing an insect repellent.

And here’s our recommendations for a winter getaway:

• A warm, windproof and waterproof jacket
• Thermal base layers and cosy jumpers
• A scarf, gloves and hat
• Sturdy boots and some woollen socks

For more information, check this packing list suggestion .

There are limited laundry facilities in Scotland’s countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

On your Scotland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around £1.60–£2 per litre.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Scotland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between £15–£20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between £20–£25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay £40–£50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, Australia or the European Union, you won’t need a visa to visit Scotland.

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Scotland on the website of the UK government .

Your passport must also be valid during the entirety of your stay in Scotland. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

During your tour, there will always be an Edinburgh-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can easily add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us . 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

You can get in touch with our Scotland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Scotland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

• Which credit cards are widely accepted in Scotland
• What kind of electric adapters or converters you’ll need
• The native languages of Scotland that you might hear alongside English
• As well as tipping, local news sources and other useful information

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon your arrival in Scotland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Scotland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Scotland?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the Edinburgh city centre. If you’ve come from another airport, such as Glasgow, you can take the train or book a private transfer.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in British Pounds (GBP), the local currency in Scotland and the UK.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

These should tide you over until you’re in Scotland to take your own pictures.

Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye

Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye

Colourful houses on the Isle of Mull

Urquhart Castle over Loch Ness

+14 more from this tour

Ardvreck Castle

Durness Beach

The Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye

Quiraing on the Isle of Skye

Beaches on the Isle of Harris

Iona Island

Loch Morlich

Edinburgh Old Town

St Andrews Golf Course - VisitScotland

Inveraray Castle

Stirling Castle

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Very pleased

We are very pleased with the service provided by Nordic Visitor. All the arrangements were excellent and very comfortable. Our agent also provided us with great ideas as we travelled through Scotland. Each day's itinerary was comfortable allowing ample time for sightseeing stops as we moved to our next accommodation. We highly recommend Nordic Visitor should your travel plans include any of their destinations.

Gregory, United States

Grand tour of scotland, october 2023, great experience with nordic visitor.

Our experience with Nordic Visitor was great. We received all our documents and everything ran smoothly. We ran into an issue with a ferry being cancelled and Rebecca from Nordic Visitor was right on top of it with a solution. We had a wonderful time following the very well planned out itinerary.

Lise, Canada

Easy and relaxed planning experience.

Duncan's communication with us was excellent and also prompt when answering emails which made the planning experience really easy and relaxed.

Stephen, Australia

We will use nordic visitor again.

Eve did an excellent job of planning our itinerary as well as the hotels, rental car, ferries and suggestions for a few meals as well as activities. The travel documents were very clear and the map was exceptional with travel routes marked and hotels listed. We were provided with the Historic Environment Scotland Explorer Pass but we found very few opportunities to use it. We have travelled with Nordic Visitor in Iceland and now Scotland and found the services to be exceptional. We will use Nordic Visitor again in the future.

Strader, United States

Grand tour of scotland, august 2023, all the logistics were handled for us.

It was so nice to have all of the logistics handled for us so we just went day to day and always knew where we were staying that night.

John, United States

Nordic visitor took care of us.

Nordic Visitor had a good provider of the car. They took care of a flat tire, a major problem in the remote north of Scotland.

Stephen, United States

Accommodation.

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in good quality 3-star guesthouses or country hotels.

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses.

Enjoy your road trip with 2 authorised drivers and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.

Toyota Yaris (manual) or similar

• Description: Economy
• Passengers: 4
• Transmission: Manual

Vauxhall Astra (manual) or similar

• Description: Compact
• Passengers: 5

Toyota Auris (automatic) or similar

• Transmission: Automatic

Ford Mondeo (automatic) or similar

• Description: Standard

BMW 520 (automatic) or similar

• Description: Premium

Vauxhall Grandland (automatic) or similar limited availability

• Limited availability between 29 April - 2 June 2024
• Description: Intermediate SUV

Mercedes Vito (automatic) or similar

• Description: Premium Passenger Van
• Passengers: 8
• Transmission: Automatic*
• *manual option available upon request

Price per person from

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