Edinburgh
A gothic capital built on volcanoes, a castle on its rock and a wild summit in the city: the ideal opening — on foot, before taking the wheel.
Suggested stay — 2 nights
Edinburgh gives itself in two intense days: the Royal Mile tumbling from the castle to Holyrood Palace, the medieval closes leading off it, the Georgian New Town, the doll's-house Dean Village along its river — and the ascent of Arthur's Seat, a 251 m extinct volcano offering the city, the Firth of Forth and an appetite for the journey ahead.
The structural advice matches Marrakech: rent the car only on departure. The city is walked in full, parking is dear and enforcement efficient. Many rental firms have suburban or airport branches — collect the vehicle on the morning you head north.
Don't miss
- The castle early, then the Royal Mile going downhill (not the reverse)
- Arthur's Seat at sunrise or sunset (45 min up)
- Dean Village and the Water of Leith walkway
- Victoria Street, the Grassmarket and a live-music pub at night
Our tips on the ground
- In August the Fringe festival doubles prices and packs the city: book very early or shift the urban stop to the end of the trip.
- Calton Hill at sunset offers THE classic city view for a ten-minute climb.
- Ease into left-hand driving on the M90 out of the city heading north: calm roundabouts before the single tracks.
On our publishing schedule
Coming soon“Scotland on your own”, the complete edition, is in preparation
Same method as our Namibia guide: day-by-day itineraries, driving, a costed budget and checklists. Leave us your address and you'll hear about the launch — at the launch price.
In the meantime, our reference
The “Namibia on your own” guide — €29
- The same method, already applied to Africa's easiest self-drive country
- 3 day-by-day itineraries, 4x4 insurance decoded, costed budget
- Instant download, 14-day guarantee — currently in French, English edition coming
Before you go
Readers' questions about Edinburgh
Edinburgh or Glasgow as the gateway?
Edinburgh for beauty and the obvious sights, Glasgow for often cheaper flights, the music scene and direct access to Loch Lomond and the west. The perfect itinerary uses both: arrive Edinburgh, loop through the north, return the car in Glasgow — most rental firms allow it at little cost.
How long before heading for the Highlands?
Two urban nights satisfy most travellers: road trip Scotland truly begins after Stirling or Perth. If your total trip is 7 days, give the capital just one — the Highlands don't forgive time lost in town.