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Travelling to the ferry port
A short travel day so you're well rested for the ferry crossing.
Delft is worth an evening stroll through the old town.
This is where your journey begins. From Cologne you head towards the North Sea, where you'll get ready for the ferry to England.
A quiet campsite by Delft's town forest, a good first stop on the way to the ferry port. Delft, with its canals and the Nieuwe Kerk, is within walking or cycling distance and makes for a lovely start. The site is well kept and family-friendly.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Ferry crossing IJmuiden - Newcastle
The ferry sails overnight, and you'll arrive in Newcastle on the morning of day three.
There are restaurants and cabins on board, so you arrive well rested.
Long stretch — allow time for breaks.
The DFDS ferry departs from the terminal in IJmuiden in the late afternoon and takes you overnight to Newcastle. This saves you the long drive through England and gets you off to a rested start in Scotland. Check in at least 90 minutes before departure.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Practising driving on the left, crossing into Scotland
After the overnight ferry, plan deliberately short stages and plenty of breaks.
Drive defensively on your first day of left-hand driving, especially keeping left at roundabouts.
In Newcastle you roll off the ferry and cover your first miles driving on the left, ideally taking it slow and staying fully focused. On the first motorways and country roads you'll get used to roundabouts and which side of the road to use. After that, you head gently towards the Scottish border.
Just past the border stands the impressive ruin of Jedburgh Abbey, an Augustinian monastery dating from the 12th century. The red sandstone walls and the still-standing church tower give you a great first taste of Scottish history. A fitting first stop to arrive and stretch your legs.
A peacefully located campsite on an estate south of Edinburgh, a good base for a day in the city. Buses run from the site into the centre, so you can leave your camper parked. The grounds are green and well maintained.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Castle and old town
A full day in the city with no travelling, easing the pace.
Bring sturdy footwear for Arthur's Seat.
The castle sits high above the city and tells centuries of Scottish history, from the Crown Jewels to the daily one o'clock gun. From the ramparts you get sweeping views over Edinburgh. It's best to book tickets online in advance to avoid queues.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
The Royal Mile connects castle and palace and is lined with narrow lanes, pubs and small shops. If you fancy stretching your legs, climb Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano with panoramic views over the city and the sea. A great mix of city and nature.
Your first proper Highlands scenery
A short driving stage with a nature stop as you arrive in the Highlands.
The A9 is partly dual carriageway, watch out for speed checks.
At South Queensferry you cross the famous Forth Road Bridge and look out at the red 19th-century railway cantilever bridge. A short stop by the water is worthwhile for photos and a coffee. From here the route continues north into the mountains.
A short, family-friendly woodland walk leads through ancient Douglas firs to a viewing pavilion above the roaring waterfalls of the River Braan. The forest is home to some of the tallest trees in Britain. Ideal for stretching your legs after the drive.
A wooded campsite on the edge of the pretty town of Pitlochry, surrounded by mountains and close to the loch. Pitlochry itself has a well-known salmon ladder and inviting cafés. A peaceful place to ease into the Highlands.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Dramatic mountain scenery
Allow plenty of time for photo stops in Glencoe.
Use the designated pull-ins rather than stopping at the roadside.
Glencoe is considered one of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes, with steep mountainsides framing the road. At the visitor centre you can learn about the valley's turbulent history and its walking routes. There are several designated pull-ins for photo stops.
A spacious site in the valley at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Many walking trails start from here, and the town of Fort William is just minutes away. A great base for a day of hiking.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Steall Falls and Glen Nevis
One base for two nights, making for a more relaxed day.
The Steall walk requires sure footing, bring sturdy footwear.
From the end of the road in Glen Nevis, a spectacular path leads through a narrow gorge to one of Scotland's highest waterfalls. The path is rocky in places but manageable, and rewards you with a wide valley meadow. A wire rope bridge over the river is a sporty bonus for the brave.
The curved railway viaduct became world-famous through the Harry Potter films and sits picturesquely beside Loch Shiel. A short path from the visitor centre leads to the viewpoint, from where you can watch trains crossing the arches. The Glenfinnan Monument on the loch shore is also worth a look.
Eilean Donan and Portree
The Skye Bridge is free, no ferry needed.
On Skye the single-track roads begin, always use the passing places and give way to oncoming traffic.
This water-bound castle on a small island in Loch Duich is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. A stone bridge leads you across to explore the restored rooms and the history of Clan MacRae. A perfect stop on the way to Skye.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
A simple, well-placed campsite near the main town of Portree, ideal as a central base for Skye. Portree's colourful harbour with its shops and restaurants is just minutes away. From here the island's highlights are easy to reach.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Old Man of Storr and Quiraing
Two bases on Skye chosen deliberately, so you don't need to move on.
On the pass roads, give way to oncoming traffic and use passing places only for pulling in and letting others pass.
A striking rock pinnacle rises from the hillside here and is one of Skye's landmarks. The climb is steep but well laid out, rewarding you with wide views over the sea and mountains. Best to start early before the car park fills up.
The Quiraing is a bizarre landscape of rock towers, plateaus and green slopes, formed by ancient landslips. A circular path follows the formations with ever-changing views. The route is narrow and exposed in places, but unforgettable.
Fairy Pools and mountains
If you'd rather drive less, choose just one destination between Fairy Pools and Armadale.
The Fairy Pools are very popular, it's quieter early or late in the day.
Crystal-clear mountain streams form a chain of small pools and waterfalls here, set against the backdrop of the Black Cuillin. A level to gently rising path runs alongside the pools, and braver visitors dip into the cold water. A very photogenic and family-friendly walk.
In the south of the island lies the Clan Donald Centre, with a ruined castle, gardens and a museum on Highland history. The green Sleat Peninsula is known as the Garden of Skye and offers a peaceful contrast to the rugged mountains. A lovely way to round off your stay on the island.
Wester Ross and Loch Broom
A slightly longer driving stage, but with spectacular scenery.
Plan plenty of drink breaks, as there are few petrol stations and shops in the far north.
A deep, wooded gorge crossed by a swaying suspension bridge, beneath which the Falls of Measach roar. A short circular walk with a viewing platform is well worth it for the spectacular view into the chasm. A good stop on the way to Ullapool.
A campsite right by the water with views over Loch Broom, on the edge of the pleasant fishing town of Ullapool. From here it's easy to explore the far north and the mountains of Wester Ross. The town has pubs, small shops and a harbour.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Mountains, coast and quiet
One base for two nights, a relaxed hiking day.
The roads in Coigach are narrow and single-track, allow more time than the distance suggests.
A striking standalone mountain with a jagged ridge that, despite its modest height, offers one of the finest circular walks in the north-west. The path circles the mountain with sweeping views over lochs and sea. Those who are sure-footed can continue up to the summit ridge.
A small picture-postcard beach with white sand and turquoise water, surprisingly Caribbean for the north of Scotland. Perfect for a rest after the hike, swimming is only for the hardy. The drive along narrow roads is part of the experience.
Capital of the Highlands
A moderate driving stage back towards the centre of the Highlands.
Inverness has large supermarkets again for restocking supplies.
A lovely woodland path leads to a suspension bridge over the roaring Rogie Falls, where salmon leap in late summer. The walk is short and family-friendly. A pleasant stop on the way to Inverness.
A campsite right on the shore of the Beauly Firth, just a few kilometres west of Inverness. From here you can visit the Highland capital and nearby Loch Ness. The waterside setting with views over the firth is especially lovely in the evening.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Legends and history
A full day with castle and battlefield, minimal driving time.
Book tickets for Urquhart Castle online, as it can get very busy.
The sprawling castle ruin sits spectacularly on the shore of Loch Ness and offers one of the best views of the famous loch. You can climb the towers and learn more about the Highlands' turbulent history. If you're lucky, you might spot Nessie, though a vast expanse of water is more likely.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
On this moor in 1746, the Jacobite rising ended in a devastating battle that changed the Highlands forever. The modern visitor centre tells the story vividly, while outside, stones mark the graves of the clans. A quiet, history-laden place.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Mountains and borderlands
A longer driving stage, but with a short nature stop in the morning and motorway in the afternoon.
Fill up in good time before taking the A9.
The Cairngorms National Park offers vast pine forests, clear lochs and the region's highest mountains. Loch Morlich is a great spot for a walk, and with a bit of luck you might spot the semi-wild reindeer. A lovely final Highland stop before heading further south.
A well-kept site in the pretty market town of Moffat in the Southern Uplands, well placed for continuing on into England. The town has cafés, shops and a historic centre. A peaceful stage on the way back.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Hadrian's Wall and Newcastle
Allow a time buffer for the ferry check-in, better to arrive early.
Housesteads sits up high, so it can be windy and cool.
Long stretch — allow time for breaks.
The best-preserved Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall sits impressively on a ridge with views across the land. You can explore the foundations, gateways and a museum, and walk along the old line of the wall. An exciting way to round off the history part of the trip.
At the ferry terminal in Newcastle you check in for the overnight ferry back to IJmuiden. The crossing gets you to the continent well rested, while you eat and sleep on board. Check in at least 90 minutes before departure.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Back on the continent
After the ferry, deliberately get used to driving on the right again.
A short stage, so you arrive relaxed in Cologne on the last day.
Long stretch — allow time for breaks.
In the morning the ferry docks in IJmuiden and you roll back onto the continent, once again driving on the right. From here you head calmly towards the German border. Switching from driving on the left back to the right takes a bit of concentration again.
A wooded, quiet campsite on the edge of Arnhem, ideal as the last stage before heading home. The surrounding area has forests and the open-air museum, in case you'd like to make use of the afternoon. A relaxed final night of the trip.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The journey home
A final relaxed driving stage back home.
Fill up the camper one more time before returning or parking it.
After this final short stage, you arrive back at your starting point, Cologne. This brings your Highlands road trip full circle. Time to let all those impressions of mountains, castles and the Isle of Skye sink in.
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