Today’s drive is very long.
If that doesn’t suit your travel style, you have two options:
- Option one: Drive the route with minimal stops, earmarking locations for future Scotland itineraries
- Option two: Head straight to Edinburgh down the A9 (4.5 hours), stopping for lunch in Pitlochry
- Option three: Spend two nights in Skye and adjust your accommodation plans
If you’ve rented a car, consider your return time and location.
Do you need parking in Edinburgh?
Read our guide to hotels with parking here.
Leaving the Isle of Skye will be a wrench today, especially after your fantastic tour yesterday.
Don’t be downhearted, though.
Our journey towards Fife will take you through more of Scotland’s countryside, which you must see, and allow you to make the most of this long road trip.
Before we head off, we know that the Fairy Pools in Skye is a must-do for many.
Personally, we think other attractions are just as magical or even more so, but if a visit is non-negotiable, get up early and take the 50-minute drive out.
Give yourself at least 40 minutes to find parking at the car park and walk to the falls and back.
The official first stop of the morning is Eilean Donan Castle.
The journey from the Fairy Pools to the castle takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, so remember to add that to your trip.
Morning: Portree to Eilean Donan Castle (43 miles, approx. 1 hour)
Making the most of your last hour on Skye, enjoy the view from the road as you pass the Cullins, stop to dip your face in The Enchanted Waters of Sligachan, and meander through the wee villages leading up to the Skye Bridge.
Once you are over the bridge, you will pass through Kyle of Lochalsh.
Just outside Kyle is the next castle you will want to visit during your one week in Scotland.
Eilean Donan Castle is perhaps the most recognisable of the castles in Scotland.
Accessed via a stone bridge, it dominates the skyline.
On the shores of Loch Duich, this 13th-century structure protected the lands against the Viking invasion.
It also played a role in the Jacobite uprising, which ultimately culminated in its destruction.
The castle you see today was rebuilt and was completed in 1932.
It is the Clan Macrae seat if you are completing some ancestry research.
If you’ve spent a long time at the Fairy Pools in Skye, you might need to miss this attraction or bypass our suggestions at Loch Ness.
Eilean Donan to Fort Augustus, Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle (52 miles approx. 1 hour 20 mins)
Fort Augustus is located at the bottom of Scotland’s famous Loch Ness; look for Nessie!
Here, you can also see the middle part of the Caledonian Canal and its locks.
Urquhart Castle, the 13th-century ruins that played a massive part in Scotland’s fight for independence, is close, but there is little time to explore this attraction.
Fort Augusts to Pitlochry (104 miles, approx. 2 hours)
This drive takes you down the A9.
This speedy road passes through the second of our national parks, Cairngorm National Park.
Afternoon: Pitlochry
Pitlochry is the jewel of Perthshire.
This small, bustling town is nestled underneath the mountains and surrounded by forests.
The town sits on the River Tummel and boasts a beautiful loch, Loch Faskally.
One of the best times to visit Perthshire is autumn when the leaves change.
To see the russets, golds, oranges, and fiery reds that blanket the hillsides from late September to November gives you a whole new insight into what the area has to offer.
Read our guide on things to do in Perthshire.
Pitlochry to Edinburgh (71 miles approx, 1 hour 41 minutes)
Arriving in Edinburgh, you should make your way to your accommodation for the evening.
If you need any ideas on where to stay, look at our Edinburgh accommodation guide.
Evening
Tonight is about enjoying Scottish hospitality and exploring the Scottish capital in the evening.
You will be spoiled for choice when you are to eat out in Edinburgh.
We’ve got you covered for evening activities as well!
Note: If you have rented a car, do you need to return it tonight or find parking?
Highlights on This Leg
The long drive back south is broken up by some of Scotland’s most famous sights — the postcard castle at Eilean Donan, monster-hunting at Loch Ness, and a Victorian town in Highland Perthshire. Guides for the main stops:
- Eilean Donan Castle — the most photographed castle in Scotland, on its own island where three lochs meet
- Loch Ness — the legendary loch, with Urquhart Castle on its shore
- Queen’s View — the classic Perthshire viewpoint over Loch Tummel near Pitlochry
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Skye to Edinburgh?
It is roughly 230 miles and about five hours of driving without stops. With Eilean Donan, Loch Ness and Pitlochry along the way, treat it as a full scenic travel day rather than a quick transfer.
Is Eilean Donan Castle worth stopping at?
Yes — even a short stop for photos is worthwhile, and it sits right on the A87 just after you cross back off Skye. If time allows, the interior tour covers the castle’s Jacobite history and its 20th-century restoration.
Should I stop at Loch Ness on the way south?
Loch Ness is a natural halfway break. Fort Augustus at its southern end has cafes, the Caledonian Canal locks, and boat trips, while Urquhart Castle offers the best-known viewpoint over the water.