Moon Scotland: Highland Road Trips, Outdoor Adventures, Pubs & Castles

by Sally Coffey, Moon Travel Guides

Overview

Dramatic landscapes, hauntingly beautiful ruins, and stirring myths and legends: See for yourself why this evocative country has inspired art and folklore for centuries with Moon Scotland. Inside you’ll find:

• Flexible itineraries including a journey through the Highlands and Islands, day-by-day itineraries in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a tour of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites, and more
• Strategic advice, whether you’re looking to castle-hop, trace your ancestry, go cliff-diving, or stroll through misty villages
• Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Walk along Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, or climb the Arthur's Seat peak. Explore Neolithic burial chambers and rugged archipelagos in the north, follow the Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside, or hop on the West Highland Railway, one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. Catch a traditional music performance in Glasgow or chat with locals at a corner pub over folk music and a pint. Hike through wild moors and pine forests to deserted villages on Skye, play one of the oldest golf courses in the world, or take a seaplane over Loch Lomond for dramatic views of the Highlands
• Honest tips from Scotland expert Sally Coffey
• Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Background information on Scotland’s landscape, history, and cultural customs
• In-depth coverage of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southern, Central, and Northeast Scotland, Loch Lomond, Inverness, Orkney & Shetland, the Central Highlands and the Isle of Skye, and the Outer Hebrides
• Handy tools such as visa information, a Scottish phrasebook, and tips for LGBTQ+ travelers, families with kids, and seniors

Experience the best of Scotland with Moon’s practical tips and expert insight.

Sticking to the major cities? Check out Moon Edinburgh, Glasgow & the Isle of Skye.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798886470581
Publisher:	Avalon Publishing
Publication date:	01/07/2025
Series:	Moon Europe Travel Guide
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Little did Sally Coffey know that a holiday with friends to the Western Highlands 12 years ago would ignite a passion for Scotland that would see her return time and time again. With each visit she would fall a little deeper in love, bewitched by the fact that no two trips are ever the same.

Ensconced in a remote loch-side cottage that New Year's Eve, Sally and her friends were astonished when the tradition of first footing they had read about was upheld, and a trio of jovial locals appeared (seemingly from nowhere) bearing gifts, including a lump of coal and the obligatory wee dram. Since then she's been disarmed by the warmth of Scottish people everywhere she's gone, from the folk pubs of Edinburgh to the shores of Loch Lomond. Her travels have taken her to the wilds of Skye and by seaplane to Oban. She's mastered single-track roads and learned what it really means to be cold.

Born in London to Irish parents, Sally has spent the past five years writing about British travel. She was the editor of BRITAIN, the official magazine of VisitBritain for four years and has written for national newspapers, glossy travel magazines and websites. She is also the author of Moon Edinburgh, Glasgow & the Isle of Skye.

Table of Contents

Discover Scotland 6

11 Top Experiences 10

Planning YourTrip 16

If You Have 18

Best of Scotland 25

Top Five Castles 29

Wildlife and Whisky 30

Island-Hopping the Inner Hebrides 32

Best Road Trips 33

Edinburgh 34

Itinerary Ideas 42

Sights 43

Performing Arts and Entertainment 67

Festivals and Events 69

Sports and Recreation 72

Shopping 75

Food 78

Nightlife 84

Accommodations 90

Information and Services 93

Getting There 93

Getting Around 95

Around Edinburgh 95

Central Scotland 104

Itinerary Ideas 110

Stirling 110

Fife 121

St. Andrews 129

Dundee 134

Perth 138

The Cairngorms and the North East 143

Itinerary Ideas 148

Aberdeen 149

Cairngorms National Park 161

Moray Speyside 180

Glasgow 190

Itinerary Ideas 198

Sights 199

Sports and Recreation 214

Performing Arts and Entertainment 219

Festivals and Events 221

Shopping 221

Food 224

Nightlife 230

Accommodations 235

Information and Services 237

Getting There 237

Getting Around 239

Greater Glasgow 240

Southern Scotland and the Borders 244

Itinerary Ideas 249

Abbotsford and the Borders Abbeys 252

Ayrshire 263

Arran 276

Loch Lomond and the Inner Hebrides 283

Itinerary Ideas 288

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park 290

Oban 308

The Inner Hebrides 311

Western Highlands and the Isle of Skye 325

Itinerary Ideas 330

Glen Coe Road 332

Fort William and Around 335

Fort William to Mallaig 342

Isle of Skye 346

Inverness, Loch Ness, and the North Coast 500 371

North Coast 500 Road Trip Itinerary 376

Inverness 380

Moray Firth 389

Loch Ness 394

Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh 402

The North Coast 500 404

The Outer Hebrides 433

Itinerary Ideas 439

Lewis 442

Harris 452

Uist 459

Barra 463

Orkney 470

Itinerary Ideas 476

Kirkwall 478

Stromness, West Mainland, and Hoy 484

East Mainland and the South Isles 492

Highlights of Shetland 496

Background 499

The Landscape 499

Plants and Animals 502

History 505

Government and Economy 510

People and Culture 511

Essentials 514

Transportation 514

Visas and Officialdom 520

Festivals and Events 521

Recreation 522

Food and Drink 523

Accommodations 524

Conduct and Customs 525

Health and Safety 525

Practical Details 526

Traveler Advice 529

Resources 532

Glossary 532

Scottish Phrases 533

Suggested Reading 534

Internet Resources 537

Index 539

List of Maps 550

Editorial Reviews

"Moon handbooks are always a pleasure to read. The writing is crisp, the research impressive, and the recommendations practical and down to earth."—Chicago Tribune

“The books are more easily readable than other guides. The main attractions are also marked with a special icon and sidebars and boxes highlight special information, making the Moon handbooks one of the most user-friendly guides in terms of visual appeal and organization…the quality is uniformly excellent."—Transitions Abroad

"Far from narrow minded, each Moon travel guide gives itinerary options for a variety of travelers’ budgets—from frugal to lavish. They make books catering to those who love the outdoors, those who have limited time, those staying exclusively in cities and those who’ve fully committed to living abroad. In all, they have hundreds of titles, ranging Bermuda to Budapest, that’ll teach you to embrace a new culture."—Gear Patrol, "The Best Travel Guidebooks for Every Journey"

"Moon handbooks have become known as well-written and exceptionally informative guides."—The New York Times

"Moon guides are perfect for the relaxed road tripper or outdoor explorer."—No Small Plan

"Moon handbooks are known for cannily combining logistical information with cultural background of a country or state."—Los Angeles Times

From the Publisher