Scotland is a place that stole my heart—its landscapes, the history, the culture. The charm of Scotland’s coastlines, castles, and cozy villages is undeniable. But my first Scotland road trip itinerary? Well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly a points and miles pro. In fact, I had a lot to learn about maximizing my travel rewards. Even though I had a fantastic time, I now see so many opportunities where I could’ve saved more or done things differently.
This post walks you through my first Scotland road trip, how I got there, where I stayed, what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons I learned. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to refine your own approach to travel planning (especially with points and miles), I’m here to share my experience so you can skip a few of the mistakes I made. And stay tuned for my next post Redoing Scotland Right: My Upgraded Road Trip Points itinerary, where I’ll dive into how I’m planning to do it right on my next Scotland trip—this time, focusing on making the most of points and miles.
Flights to Scotland: What I Paid & What I’d Do Differently
I flew Delta from the east coast RDU- BOS- EDI, and let’s just say I paid for the economy flight in cash. $1,161.75 to be exact (and this was several years ago). Looking back, this was a huge missed opportunity to use points. At the time, I wasn’t yet familiar with how to strategically use points for flights—what I’d do differently now is a whole different story.
Lesson Learned: Don’t be like me—earn and use some points! I could have saved a significant amount on my flight to Edinburgh if I had known how to book it using points and miles. Stay tuned for my second article, where I’ll break down how to book both economy and upgraded flights to Scotland, without paying so much cash!
The Road Trip: Our DIY Route (400 mi)
We rented a small economy car with Hertz for the entire trip, which gave us the freedom to explore Scotland at our own pace. Here’s a breakdown of our route and what I’d do differently next time:
- Edinburgh to Inverness (3-hour drive): This scenic drive was beautiful and smooth, but the roundabouts took some getting used to. The views were definitely worth it, though!
- Inverness to Aberdeen (2.5–3 hours): We opted for a coastal detour, and it was definitely the highlight of the drive! Stumbling upon Bow Fiddle Rock was one of my favorite moments from the trip. However, Aberdeen wasn’t worth the stop, so next time I’d focus on some different locations.
- Aberdeen to Edinburgh (2.5-hour drive): This was a straightforward drive with a lunch stop in Dundee, which wasn’t very memorable. I’d recommend keeping the drive moving unless you have a specific reason to stop in Dundee.
Lesson Learned: If you’re driving in Scotland, make sure your route feels balanced. Avoid spending too much time in cities that don’t align with your travel goals. Don’t always believe google when you ask if visiting X city is worth it. Do more research to find the cities that match your style and priorities.
The Driving Experience: Lessons Learned
- Tech Troubles: Our car’s head unit didn’t sync with our phones, which meant I had to navigate manually (not my best skill!). In hindsight, I would’ve made sure my tech worked perfectly before we left.
- Left-Side Driving: It took a little getting used to, especially with roundabouts and tight spaces. It was stressful at first, but once we got into a rhythm, it became second nature (or so I’m told by my husband- I don’t have the nerve to drive in a foreign country).
- Manual Transmission: Even if you’re comfortable driving a manual, this might not be the time and place to enjoy that. It added unnecessary mental load to the driving experience.
Lesson Learned: Be fully prepared and make things as easy as you can (i.e just get the automatic)!
Where I Stayed: The Real Scoop on Accommodations
Edinburgh
We stayed for two nights on the front end of the trip to explore Edinburgh. As we circled back to Edinburgh to fly home, we stayed at another Hilton property for one night.
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Current points price per night: Standard Room Reward 70,000 points
What’s Great About It:
- Location: Absolutely unbeatable. Turn left and you are pretty much at the Royal Mile, making it super easy to dive into Edinburgh’s charm.
- Hilton Diamond Perks: Access to the Executive Lounge with free food and drinks—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
- Breakfast: One of my favorites—made-to-order oatmeal (my travel breakfast comfort food!) and a solid spread to start the day.
What Could Be Better:
- Parking: Parking was a bit of a headache, especially near the Royal Mile. The hotel offers discounts for nearby garages, but I wish I had called ahead to avoid confusion about where to go.
- Car Rental: We had a rental car for the entire trip, but honestly, we didn’t need it for Edinburgh. The city is very walkable, and the car was parked for most of the time.
Lessons Learned: If you’re planning to stay in Edinburgh, you might not need a rental car. Skip the hassle and consider a taxi or Uber from the airport. Rent a car when you head out of the city for your road trip, especially if you’re sticking to city-based adventures.
DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre
Current points price per night: Standard Room Reward 60,000 points
What’s Great About It:
- Parking: It offers self-parking, which is a huge bonus if you’re driving (£18/day)
- Comfortable Stay: The standard DoubleTree experience—chocolate chip cookies at check-in and a solid, comfortable stay.
What Could Be Better:
- Location: It’s a bit removed from the Royal Mile and central attractions. While it’s not far, it’s not as easy to just step out and be in the thick of Edinburgh’s sights.
- Vibe: Not as charming or exciting as the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, but it was still a great experience.
Lessons Learned: This is a great option for a quick stay or if you’re just passing through. But if you’re looking to be right in the action of Edinburgh, I’d still prefer staying near the Royal Mile for easier access to all the city has to offer.
Inverness
Airbnb at Market Brae Steps
Back when I was still getting the hang of points and miles, I stuck mostly to Hilton properties. Since there weren’t any Hilton hotels in Inverness, we decided to book an Airbnb vacation home. Looking back, I can’t help but cringe a little at the ways I limited myself, but in the end, this choice actually worked out really well.
What’s Great About It:
- Location: The Airbnb was perfectly situated near High Street, allowing for easy access to the main sights in Inverness.
- Local Vibe: Staying in a local rental made it feel like you were part of the neighborhood.
- Laundry Gets Done: Having an in-unit washer and dryer was a game changer so we could refresh some of our clothes without having to spend time at a laundromat.
What Could Be Better:
- Stairs: The Market Brae Steps were no joke! They were steep and exhausting after a long day. While I welcomed the challenge, I would consider it extremely relevant for anyone with mobility issues or opposition to brisk exercise on vacation!
Host Experience: Unfortunately, our host was not the best. The experience wasn’t as smooth as it could have been, which added some stress to the stay and for that reason, I won’t recommend our specific rental.
Lessons Learned: If you’re renting an Airbnb, make sure to check for accessibility details like stairs, especially if you’re traveling with mobility concerns or a lot of luggage. We had no idea before we got here that our main route to and from High Street would require a higher heart rate.
Aberdeen
Hilton Aberdeen TECA
Current points price per night: Standard Room Reward is about 30,000 points
What’s Great About It:
- Standard Hilton Quality: Comfortable stay with all the usual Hilton amenities.
- Value for Points: At 30,000 points per night, it was a decent redemption.
What Could Be Better:
- Location: Aberdeen didn’t offer much in terms of scenic charm or memorable experiences. It felt like a business city with little to explore.
- Lack of Character: After experiencing the Highlands and coastal towns, Aberdeen felt a bit uninspired.
Lessons Learned:
- Aberdeen didn’t offer the kind of Scotland experience I was hoping for. Next time, I’d spend more time in places with a bit more character and natural beauty, like the Highlands or smaller coastal towns. Note: The drive through outer Aberdeenshire was absolutely beautiful!
Notable Things to Do and Places to Go
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle
Just a short walk from the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, and we had the audacity to skip it- at first!! The crowds can be intense, which is why we prioritized some other castles early on. But we made time on our last day, and I’m so glad we did! It’s one of the larger castles we visited, with panoramic views and fascinating exhibits. Totally worth the visit.
The Royal Mile
A lively stretch packed with cathedrals, shops, restaurants, and street performers—there’s always something to see and do here.
Arthur’s Seat
An ancient volcano turned scenic hike! Many guides describe it as an easy walk, but in my opinion, it’s more moderate to challenging. It’s over 800 feet high with a continuous climb. I walk daily and still found parts of it tough. That said, if you’re prepared with water, proper shoes, and a sense of adventure, the views from the top are spectacular.
Food & Shopping
- Edinburgh Larder Cafe
Just two minutes from the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, this cozy spot serves up fantastic coffee, hearty breakfast, and a welcoming atmosphere. It felt like a comforting little pocket of joy. - Gordon’s Trattoria
The best Italian food you can find in Scotland! This delicious meal is only a three minute walk from Hilton Edinburgh Carlton. - Johnnie Walker Store- Princess Street
For a great gift idea, visit the store for limited edition whisky in a personalized bottle. My in-laws loved this!
Inverness & The Highlands
Loch Ness
The drive around Loch Ness is about 67 miles and takes around 2.5 hours. While the view isn’t scenic the entire way (thanks to hills and trees), there are plenty of scenic pull-offs along the route.
My tip: Make a stop at Urquhart Castle—you’ll get gorgeous views over the loch and a chance to explore fascinating castle ruins.
Urquhart Castle
A favorite stop of mine! Not only is it beautifully situated over the water, but it also has ties to the Grant Clan—part of my ancestry—which made it even more meaningful. There’s a café on-site too if you’re in need of a snack.
Culloden Battlefield
Ideal for Outlander fans (guilty!) or anyone with an interest in history. The visitor center was incredibly informative, and the gift shop was one of the best I’ve seen.
Nearby: Clava Cairns, the ancient stone circle that inspired the “Craigh na Dun” time travel stones in Outlander.
Bow Fiddle Rock (Portknockie)
About an hour east of Inverness, this coastal rock formation is breathtaking. It’s a perfect pairing with a visit to nearby Cullen.
Food & Shopping
- Good Craic Cafe (Inverness)
Friendly service, great food, and early hours made this one of our repeat visits. The avocado and egg on sourdough was my go-to—and seriously, the portions were so generous I still wonder how they make a profit! - Ablekids Press (Inverness)
A unique little bookstore tucked along the Market Brae steps. They specialize in bilingual children’s books and made for the perfect take-home gifts for my daughter. I haven’t seen anything quite like it anywhere. - Lily’s Kitchen Cafe (Cullen)
Home of the award-winning Cullen Skink (and I see why!). This tiny spot serves up rich, creamy smoked fish and potato soup, along with delicious sandwiches. A cozy lunch stop after exploring Bow Fiddle Rock.
Aberdeen (and Aberdeenshire)
I don’t have much to report from the city itself—our stop included a quick mall run—but the surrounding countryside was well worth the drive.
Crathes Castle
A hidden gem! The castle’s interior is full of intricate details, and the guide we met shared so many fascinating insights about its history and construction. The gardens outside are absolutely beautiful and make for a peaceful walk.
Aberdeen Beach
This stretch of coastline offers a nice walking path along the shore—great for some fresh air and a quiet stroll. It wasn’t very busy when we visited in September, but it was a peaceful spot to stretch our legs and take in the sea views without leaving the city.
Packing It Up!
Now that I’ve shared the good, the bad, and the lessons from my first Scotland road trip, stay tuned for my next article, where I’ll dive into how I’m planning my second trip with a stronger focus on using points and miles. I’ll walk you through the details of how I’m booking flights, hotels, and rental cars with my points strategy, so you can make your next trip to Scotland more affordable and efficient!
Have questions about planning your own Scotland road trip? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’d love to help!
