Day 8 brings you full circle, driving south out of the Highlands and back towards Edinburgh. It is a short, easy run, which leaves plenty of room for a detour through the Kingdom of Fife on the way.
Whether you choose the golfing town of St Andrews or the harbour village of Anstruther, you finish the day crossing the elegant Queensferry Crossing into Edinburgh, dropping off the hire car and swapping the open road for the capital’s cobbles.
Driving from Pitlochry to Edinburgh
The direct route is about 90 miles down the A9 and M90, a comfortable two hours. Because it is so quick, this is the day to build in a leisurely lunch stop rather than racing back to the city.
Dropping into Fife adds barely any time and gives the final driving day a proper sense of occasion before you return the car.
Detour: St Andrews or Anstruther
St Andrews is the obvious draw — the home of golf, a historic university and the dramatic ruins of its cathedral and castle on the cliff edge. Even non-golfers enjoy walking the edge of the Old Course and the West Sands beach.
If you would rather slow down, the East Neuk fishing village of Anstruther serves some of Scotland’s best fish and chips straight on the harbour. Either makes a memorable last stop before Edinburgh.
Crossing the Queensferry Crossing
The approach to Edinburgh takes you over the Queensferry Crossing, the graceful cable-stayed bridge that opened in 2017. From it you get a grandstand view of its two older neighbours — the Victorian Forth Bridge and the 1960s road bridge — three generations of engineering side by side over the firth.
Dropping the car and where to stay
Return the hire car once you reach Edinburgh — the city is walkable and well served by trams, so a car becomes a liability in the centre. For a central, no-fuss base, the Ibis on Hunter Square sits just off the Royal Mile, perfectly placed for the two city days that follow.
Practical tips
- Return the car before checking in to avoid pricey city-centre parking
- St Andrews car parks fill on event and match days — arrive earlier
- Anstruther’s chip shops draw queues at peak lunch; go early or late
- Keep some time buffer for the rental drop-off paperwork
- Once the car is gone, use the tram and your feet — central Edinburgh is tiny
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stop in St Andrews or Anstruther?
St Andrews suits golf fans and history lovers with its Old Course, university and cathedral ruins. Anstruther is the pick for a laid-back harbour lunch and award-winning fish and chips. Both sit in the East Neuk of Fife on the way south.
Where do I drop the rental car in Edinburgh?
Most rental firms have city-centre or airport drop-offs. Returning it before you check in avoids paying for central parking, since Edinburgh is compact and easily explored on foot and by tram once the car is gone.
How far is Pitlochry from Edinburgh?
About 90 miles and roughly two hours direct on the A9 and M90. Adding a Fife detour to St Andrews or Anstruther turns it into a relaxed final driving day before you hand back the car.
