Scotland is one of the best places in Britain for a weekend break. Within two hours of Edinburgh or Glasgow you can be on a Hebridean island, climbing a Munro, eating fresh langoustines on a harbour wall in Fife or walking among 5,000-year-old standing stones on Orkney.
Here are eight of my favourite weekend breaks in Scotland — all easy to reach by car, train or short flight, all worth a Friday-to-Sunday trip, and each with somewhere genuinely good to stay.
Need help choosing the weekend break for you?
- For foodies – visit the beautiful East Neuk of Fife – explore the coastal villages from Elie to Crail enjoying delicious local seafood along the way.
- For road trippers – visit sunny Angus – explore this hidden gem of a coastline from Dundee to Aberdeen to discover dramatic castles & the beautiful glens of the southern Cairngorms.
- For outdoorsy types – get active in Highland Perthshire – get outdoors and explore the mountains, lochs and glens of Scotland’s New England – a perfect spot for weekend breaks in Scotland in Autumn.
- For hillwalkers – go Munro bagging in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park – start your munro bagging journey on some of Scotland’s best hills before bagging your first munro.
- For island adventures – head to the highlands and the Isle of Skye – explore the dramatic scenery on Scotland’s most famous island, before a foodie feast in one of Skye’s brilliant restaurants.
- For National Park explorers – visit the mountains and lochs of the Cairngorms National Park – turn off the A9 and discover the lochs and glens of this national park.
- For history hunters – head north to go history hunting on Orkney (yes you can visit Orkney for a weekend!) – visit 5000 years of history on this island off the Scotland’s north coast.
- For a bit of everything – giscover Scotland in miniature on the Isle of Arran – whisky, mountains and one beautiful island, what more could you ask for when you are planning your weekend breaks in Scotland?
Read on for how to plan your perfect weekend breaks in Scotland.
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1 – The East Neuk of Fife
Best for: seafood, coastal walks, pretty harbour villages
How long: 2 nights minimum, 3 to do it justice
Getting there: 1 hour 15 minutes from Edinburgh by car, train to Leuchars then bus to Crail or Anstruther
One of my favourite ways to spend a weekend in Scotland is a trip to the East Neuk of Fife visiting some of Scotland’s prettiest villages, Elie, St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail.
For foodies, Fife is heaven – try freshly cooked seafood from the Lobster Hut in Crail, head to Anstruther for traditional harbourside fish & chips, more seafood at the East Pier Smokehouse, a Michelin starred lunch at The Peat Inn or the lovely Kinneuchar Inn. Pick up your own dinner at the brilliant Bowhouse Market or the Ardross Farm Shop.
Work up an appetite for all that food on the Fife Coastal Path, a 117-mile walking route on the east coast of Scotland from North Queensferry to St Andrews and beyond to Newport on the River Tay. Bringing the kids? The Fife Coastal Path is suitable for all ages and they will love discovering the East Neuk’s tiny harbours, playing cricket on the beautiful stretches of sandy beaches and strolling around the lovely Cambo Estate.
More things to do in the East Neuk of Fife:
> The complete guide to the East Neuk
> More things to do in Fife and how to get outside in Fife
> How to visit St Andrews
Check-in for your weekend break in Scotland:
Glampers will love Catchpenny Safari Lodges which are located right on the coastal path or how about staying in a shepherds hut at Craigduckie Farm? Why not stay in a traditional inn at the Ship Inn in Elie or pretend you are a local and rent a seaside cottage – try Harbour House or Sandcastle Cottage in Crail and the Admiralty House in Pittenweem.
2. Explore Angus
Best for: dramatic castles, sunshine, fish and chips, the V&A Dundee
How long: 2 nights, 3 if you want to add the southern Cairngorms glens
Getting there: 1 hour 30 from Edinburgh by car, direct trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Dundee in around 90 minutes
With beautiful beaches, the dramatic Dunnottar Castle and as much fresh fish as you can eat, not to mention the most sunshine in Scotland, the Angus coast is a hidden gem for weekend breaks in Scotland.
For city trippers looking for a staycation in Scotland, Dundee has undergone something of a renaissance to become ‘Scotland’s coolest design city’ including the rather spectacular V&A in Scotland.
If you fancy getting outside climb up to the Cairngorm plateau, the UK’s largest area of high mountains and the views stretch for miles across Glen Clova and the dramatic Corrie Fee.
Looking for fish & chips? The Bay in Stonehaven was voted the UK’s best food experience. Over in Arbroath, ‘smokies’ are a delicacy – haddock is dried in salt and then smoked over oak and beech chips for about an hour, often over whisky barrels.
> Read more: things to do on the Angus Coast
Check-in for your weekend break in Scotland:
If you are looking for luxury, the Hideaway Experience has secluded lodges with hot tubs and views for miles. There are glamping tents and a huge field for campers at Greenhillock as well as pizza ovens and plenty of space for kids to play. Why not stay in Tin House in Glenogil, or The Bothy in Kirriemuir.
3. Highland Perthshire
Best for: Munro bagging, autumn colour, lochs and rivers, foodie pubs
How long: 2 to 3 nights
Getting there: 1 hour 15 from Edinburgh, 1 hour 30 from Glasgow by car. Direct trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Pitlochry and Dunkeld
Highland Perthshire is one of my favourite places for weekend breaks in Scotland, with wooded glens to explore, huge lochs and lots of Munros to climb.
Whilst you could rent a lodge with a hot tub and settle in for the weekend, why not horse ride along the River Tay at Kenmore, ride a RIB out onto the Loch with Loch Tay Safaris, go paddleboarding on Loch Earn, drive a 4×4 up a mountain, go mountain biking at Comrie Croft – or climb Scotland’s 10th highest mountain Ben Lawers?
With so much to do in Highland Perthshire, you might just need a holiday when you get back! Perthshire is also called Scotland’s new England making this region of Scotland a perfect spot for a weekend break in Scotland in Autumn.
> Read more: How to get outside in Perthshire
Check-in for your weekend break in Scotland:
Stay at the Meikleour Arms Hotel, with 11 bedrooms in the main hotel, cottages in the stables and steading, and a lovely French-Scottish farm to fork restaurant. The Taybank in Dunkeld is super cool and stylish boutique hotel, and has a restaurant, live music bar and one of the best beer gardens in Scotland.
The Grandtully Hotel and Ballintaggart Farm are foodie boltholes in the heart of Perthshire, on the famous River Tay. Indulge in stylish rooms, farm to fork menus and great cocktails.
With gorgeous views, quiet secluded woodland pitches, sunny camping fields, a hostel, Swedish katas, a friendly vibe, a great little cafe, mountain biking trails, as well a gold award for green tourism, it is safe to say that Comrie Croft ticks all the campsite boxes.
Looking for luxury? Check into one of the Loch Tay boathouses.
4. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
Best for: beginner Munros, lochside walks, day trips from Glasgow
How long: 2 nights for one Munro, 3 to bag two
Getting there: 45 minutes from Glasgow, 1 hour 30 from Edinburgh by car. Train from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch in 45 minutes
With 41 mountains over 2000 ft to climb, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is a hill walkers paradise. Start your munro bagging journey slowly by climbing Conic Hill and Ben A’an for incredible views without much effort, then Ben Ledi for views over the whole National Park. Finally, why not bag your first Munro on Ben Lomond or Ben Vorlich!
> My guide to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
> The beginners guide to hillwalking in Scotland
> How to climb: Conic Hill, Ben Ledi, Ben Lomond, Ben Vorlich.
Check-in for your weekend break in Scotland:
You can’t get any closer to Loch Lomond than then Lodge on the Loch. This lodge-style hotel offers stylish rooms with balconies with the best view. The more budget-friendly Inn on Loch Lomond at Inverbeg is really well located for exploring the park with rooms as little as £50 a night.
Fancy a luxury lodge? Loch Lomond Waterfront has eight five-star luxury lodges and three lochside grass-roofed chalets. Whether you are looking for a romantic break or a family group trip to Loch Lomond, each lodge sleeps between two and six people, most are dog-friendly, and all have stunning views over the loch.
Located on the edge of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Mhor 84 and its big sister Monachyle Mhor just up the road, are stylish and vintage chic boutique hotels.
For campers there are lots of formal (paid) camping and glamping sites at Loch Lomond – try Beinglas Farm Campsite at Inverarnan (popular with West Highland Way walkers and close to the Drovers Inn), the glamping huts at the stunning Loch Katrine Eco Camp at the Trossachs Pier, and Sallochy Campsite at Rowardennan. Further afield Comrie Croft is great for exploring the Breadalbane.
5. The Isle of Skye
Best for: dramatic mountain scenery, foodie destinations, fairy pools
How long: 3 nights minimum — Skye is too far for a 2-night trip
Getting there: 5 hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow by car. Train to Mallaig or Kyle of Lochalsh, then ferry or bus
Skye is famous for its dramatic scenery including The Quiraing, a giant landslip on the Trotternish Ridge with incredible views across the island.
Why not hike up to the Old Man of Storr, Skye’s famous chimney rock stack and view the Black Cuillin – hike to Camasunary Beach at Elgol, take a day hike to the magnificent Sgùrr na Strì, or just view the ridge from Sligachan Old Bridge, Gesto Bay Viewpoint or the Fairy Pools at Glen Brittle.
If hiking isn’t your thing, the food on Skye is pretty good too. For lunch, head to the Oyster Shed for freshly shucked slippery suckers, Scottish prawns & mussels.
For dinner head to Stein, a remote hamlet on the far north coast of Skye and an unusual place to find a Michelin-starred restaurant, but down on the waterfront is Loch Bay Restaurant serving up 7-course fruit de mer tasting menus and a la carte lunches.
Over at Loch Dunvegan is The Three Chimneys, a fine dining restaurant in a croft cottage. The Three Chimneys is one of the world’s ultimate destination restaurants and a Scottish icon and one for your bucket list.
Read more:
> My guide to Things to do on the Isle of Skye
> The Three Chimneys
> Loch Bay Restaurant
Check in:
The Old Inn at Carbost is a traditional pub with rooms, located out at what feels like the end of the world – you turn left at The Cullins and just keep going and going and going until you reach Carbost and the home of the Talisker Distillery.
My favourites hotels Sligachan Hotel with its whisky bar sitting under the Cuillin, the five star Edinbane Lodge and four star Greshornish House Hotel both in Edinbane, Bracken Hide Hotel and Skeabost House Hotel outside of Portree, foodies will love Kinloch Lodge Hotel and Restaurant.
Prefer glamping? Set peacefully in the owner’s garden surrounded by trees are Syke Yurts, perfect for families and Fire, which is designed for couples. With no wifi or mobile phone signal you are guaranteed peace and quiet – a luxury on this most popular of islands.
6. The Cairngorms National Park
Best for: outdoor adventure, wildlife, mountain biking, family-friendly
How long: 2 to 3 nights
Getting there: 2 hours 30 from Edinburgh and Glasgow by car. Direct trains to Aviemore from Edinburgh and Glasgow on the Highland Main Line
The A9 road takes travellers from the Central Belt right to the north coast of Scotland and is one of the countries’ busiest roads – but it is well worth spending a weekend exploring the towns along the route.
Visit the pretty Perthshire villages of Dunkeld and Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and its castle, stop for photos at the gorgeous Queen’s View over Loch Tummel and explore the Victorian Hermitage garden.
Further north is Dalwhinnie, Scotland’s highest whisky distillery, you can visit the wildcats at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie before discovering all the attractions of the Cairngorms National Park from Aviemore.
Read more:
> My complete guide to the Cairngorms National Park
Check-in to the Cairngorms for your weekend break in Scotland:
Travelling north? Balsporran B&B is right on the A9 and offers beautiful double rooms and excellent breakfasts perfect for weekend breaks in Scotland.
If you like things off-grid and rustic the Lazy Duck near Nethy Bridge has a small campsite, a hostel and three lodges perfect to hide away in.
If you are looking for a hotel, try the Cairngorm Hotel or the High Range Lodge Hotel in Aviemore, Forces Manor in Kincraig, or the Atholl Arms in Blair Atholl.
7. Orkney
Best for: prehistoric history, dramatic coastlines, puffins in spring
How long: 3 nights minimum
Getting there: 1 hour by plane from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Kirkwall. Or NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen (6 hours) or Scrabster near Thurso (1.5 hours)
You might be surprised you can take a weekend break on one of Scotland’s northern islands, however, Orkney is just 1 hour by plane from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Discover the incredible Skara Brae, a 5000-year-old Neolithic village discovered after a storm in the 1800s and Walk around the 104m wide Ring of Brodgar and the nearby Stones of Stenness. wonder at how people 5000 years ago managed to lift 14 m high stones and dig a 10 m deep ditch – all without metal tools.
Walk the coastal path from Stromness to Birsay, climb up to the Kitchener Memorial above 100m cliffs filled with seabirds to spot puffins and find Yesnaby Castle, a huge sea stack, popular with climbers.
Find out the story behind the beautiful Italian Chapel – and learn about the POWs who decorated the stunning interior.
> Read more: How to visit Orkney
Check in:
Check into Instabillie, a self-catering cottage in a traditional Orkney croft house, with stunning views over rolling countryside, and the Bay of Skaill. If you are looking for a hotel, book into The Kirkwall Hotel, the Murray Arms Hotel in St Margaret’s Hope, or the Ferry Inn in Stromness.
8. The Isle of Arran
Best for: Scotland in miniature — mountains, beaches, whisky, all on one island
How long: 2 to 3 nights
Getting there: 1 hour 30 from Glasgow by car and ferry, 2 hours 30 from Edinburgh. CalMac ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick takes 55 minutes. Train from Glasgow to Ardrossan connects with the ferry
With rugged highland mountains, windswept beaches and ruined castles, and, of course, its own whisky, the Isle of Arran truly is ‘Scotland in Miniature’ – plus Arran is located in the Firth of Clyde, just 1 hour from Glasgow and 2 hours from Edinburgh.
To get to the Isle of Arran you take the fast 55-minute ‘CalMac’ ferry from Ardrossan on the mainland to Brodick. If you don’t want to take the car, with a train connection from Glasgow, the Isle of Arran is one of Scotland’s most accessible islands – which makes it perfect for a weekend away! Book your train tickets with trainline.com*.
Spend your days climbing Goat Fell, hiking to the Machrie Moor Standing Stones, visiting the King’s Caves, and the island’s two castles – Brodick and Lochranza – before touring the distillery, brewery and cheese shop!
> Read more: how to visit the Isle of Arran
Check in:
The very stylish Glenisle Hotel is located in the village of Lamlash, the top floor suite has a roll-top bath, a huge bed and views out over the bay and Holy Island.
With modern rooms and a well-regarded dining room, the Douglas Hotel is located in Brodick overlooks the ferry terminal and Goat Fell. If you are looking for a spa hotel then look no further than the Auchrannie Resort.
With a pool and beauty treatments on site, Auchrannie offers up a completely different way of staying on the Isle of Arran. There are lots of campsites on Arran – I love Glen Rosa, Lochranza and Bridgend.
FAQs
Where is the best weekend break in Scotland?
The best weekend break in Scotland depends on what you’re after. For food and pretty villages, the East Neuk of Fife is hard to beat. For dramatic scenery, the Isle of Skye. For an active weekend, Highland Perthshire or the Cairngorms. For a different type of break, the Isle of Arran or Orkney are both reachable in a long weekend.
What is the prettiest weekend break in Scotland?
Plockton on the west coast and the East Neuk of Fife villages (Crail, Pittenweem, St Monans, Anstruther) are the prettiest weekend break destinations in Scotland. Both have white-painted harbour cottages, good seafood and excellent walking on the doorstep.
Where can I go for a long weekend in Scotland from Edinburgh?
From Edinburgh, the best long weekend trips are the East Neuk of Fife (1 hour), Highland Perthshire (1.5 hours), the Cairngorms (2.5 hours), and the Isle of Arran (2 hours by car and ferry). Skye is reachable in 4-5 hours and is worth a long weekend if you want dramatic scenery.
Where can I go for a weekend break in Scotland by train?
The best weekend break destinations in Scotland by train are Pitlochry and Aviemore (both on the Highland Main Line from Edinburgh and Glasgow), the East Neuk of Fife (train to Leuchars or Cupar then bus), and Fort William (West Highland Line from Glasgow). The Caledonian Sleeper from London also reaches Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fort William.
When is the best time for a weekend break in Scotland?
May, June and September are the best months for a weekend break in Scotland. Long days, decent weather and fewer midges than peak summer. October is excellent for autumn colour, particularly in Perthshire and the Cairngorms. Winter weekends are quieter and atmospheric, particularly for hotel-based breaks.
Is it Friday yet?
Love, from Scotland x
