Leakey's Bookshop

As a teenager, I visited Scotland for a few days, and that in addition to Outlander binge watching ended up with me moving to Edinburgh next year. I spent a few years living there and falling more and more in love with the country. The only problem was that it was my university years which meant a tight budget but still the need to explore. So this guide is a summary of a few years of budget travel in Scotland and what I think it's the best compromise between budget and exploring everything this magical country has to offer. ⛰️ This guide will help you plan your perfect Scotland trip - on a budget and without a car. The base of this trip is a loop which you can start in either Glasgow or Edinburgh and which will take you 8 days. Then, at every stop, I'll give you some day trip options so that you can extend your trip depending on what you want to see and how much time you have. If you go for all-day trips this full itinerary will take 17 days. 💷 I'll give you a full breakdown of the cost. The basic loop will require around 210£ for all transport and accommodation. I'll provide you with a spreadsheet that breaks down each cost and each day trip so you can also plan and adjust your trip according to your budget. I'll also share with you accommodation recommendations and a breakdown of all the buses/trains you'd need to take.

The Scottish Highlands, a rugged and enchanting region in the north of Scotland, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and traditional culture. Towering mountains, deep glens, and sparkling lochs characterize this wild and untamed terrain, offering endless opportunities for outdoor exploration and adventure. Visitors can embark on scenic drives along the North Coast 500 route, hike through the majestic peaks of Ben Nevis or the Cairngorms, and cruise the mysterious waters of Loch Ness in search of the legendary monster. The Highlands are also steeped in history, with ancient castles, clan battlegrounds, and archaeological sites scattered throughout the landscape, telling tales of Scotland's turbulent past. This guide includes: - introductory note - places to visit (museums and cultural venues, open squares, and others) - photo spots Get to see more from my travels on my Instagram (@pedralexpereira) and Flickr (flickr.com/photos/pedralexpereira)

The North Coast 500 is the magical route around the Highlands of Scotland. This journey begins in Inverness, known as the gateway to the Highlands. We will drive to the West coast of Scotland, with the opportunity to include the Isle of Skye if you have some extra time. Then, we drive clockwise along the coast, taking in waterfalls, lochs, beaches, and the rolling hills of Scotland. While driving the NC500, you will see the highlights of the route, with many opportunities for hikes, walks along the beach, and castles. As you drive you will be presented with scenic vistas of the rugged Scottish Highlands, whose views are known worldwide and are the real reason this route is so popular. You are encouraged to stop often at scenic points along the way to fully appreciate your surroundings. This guide will include a full itinerary for an 11 day trip. It can be cut down to 9 days if you remove the Isle of Skye. If you don't do all the activities, you could potentially cut down some more time, but I have tried to limit driving to under 3 hours a day. This guide also includes suggestions on where to stay and where to eat dinner for each night of the trip. Estimated budget of this trip based on 2 people sharing a room: Accommodation (usually including a full breakfast) at an average £130 a night = £1,300 Dinner at an average £40 pp = £800 Car rental c. £40 per day = £440 Fuel for c. 830 miles at 148.5p = £1,235 Other (entry prices, parking) = £200 Total = £3,975 The food budget in particular in subject to where you go and what you order. This also doesn't include prices for lunch. Accommodation prices could also be reduced by staying in hostels rather than hotels/ B&Bs. Car rental prices were found on Kayak comparable site - these are variable.