It all started in the summer of 2016, when I had the opportunity to ‘study abroad’ in Scotland for two weeks. Although I didn’t end up taking any courses, I did go on an adventure that still inspires me to this day. The people and places that I encountered in Scotland, will forever hold a special place in my heart.

During my time in Scotland I bought my first legal drink in a bar, pet highland cows, searched endlessly for Nessi, tried Haggis, saw the most beautiful architecture, and shared laughs/memories with amazing people.

How did I get there?

My freshman year of college I attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (before transferring my sophomore year), which is a sister school to Edinburgh University in Scotland. Through my Pennsylvania college, I was able to sign up for the program where I would be staying at the university in Scotland.

Since it was technically my first trip out of the US (unless you count Canada), it was relaxing to know that most of the trip was preplanned. However, I do believe it is a very well laid out plan for anyone who may be planning a two week trip to Scotland- days can be rearranged and ideas can be added/deleted. 

NOTES: 

*I will be inserting links below as I write about each place

*Getting a Historic Scotland Explorer pass is extremely helpful for seeing most of the major historic sites

*We were supposed to have a day at Isle of Arran on one of our free days, however, weather prevented us from being able to take the ferry. It could definitely be factored into this itinerary. 

*This is a beginner itinerary, I was glad at this time to have so much free space (it was my first time experiencing jet lag). Now that I am a more mature traveler, I would definitely add in more things to see.

* We were lucky enough to be in Edinburgh during the famous Fringe Festival and the Royal Military Tattoo. There are more than enough things to see if you are visiting during another time.  

Itinerary

Day 1– Leave from Toronto Airport 

• Travel day

 Day 2– Arrive in Edinburgh

• Tour the Royal Yacht Britannia 

• Bus tour of Edinburgh

• Hike up Calton Hill

• Check in at Pollock Halls of residence

• Dinner at Green Mantle

Day 3– Walk the royal mile in Edinburgh

• St. Giles Cathedral

• Holyrood Palace

• Taste of Scotland show and dinner at Preston Field

Day 4– Day trip to Stirling & Linlithgow

• Linlithgow Palace (historic pass)

• Stirling Castle (historic pass)

• Wallace monument

Day 5– Sites on the outskirts

• Rosslyn Chapel

• Stop at Scott’s View

• Abbotsford- Sir Walter Scott’s castle and gardens 

Day 6– Day trip to Glasgow

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery Museum 

• La Vita for lunch

• Glasgow Cemetery

• Glasgow Cathedral (historic pass)

• The Abbey for drinks

Day 7– Edinburgh Castle day

• Edinburgh Castle tour (historic pass)

• The World’s End Restaurant

• Military Tattoo at the Castle

Day 8– Day trip to St. Andrews

• St. Andrew’s Celtic church (historic pass)

• St. Andrews’s Castle (historic pass)

• See the famous golf courses/museum

Day 9– Free day in Edinburgh 

• Hike Arthur’s seat

• Fringe Festival 

• Elephant House (first 3 Harry Potter books were written here!!)

Day 10– Free day in Edinburgh 

• Botanical Gardens

• The Abbey for Dessert

• The Dog House Pub for live music

Day 11– Free day in Edinburgh

• Explore Edinburgh Fringe Festival

• Underground city ghost tour with City of the Dead tours

Day 12– Day trip to Highlands 

• See cows in Kilmahog

• Stop for the mountain view of Glencoe

• Pitlochry

• Fort Augustus

 

Day 13– Hiking and farewell dinner

• Hike Pentland Hills

• Dinner at Sheep Heid Inn

Day 14– Leave Edinburgh