As the year drew to a close, we set off on a four-day trip up to Scotland, looking for a slow and memorable way to see in the new year. We travelled in a hire car rather than the van this time, which made it an easy trip to plan over a long weekend.
The drive north already felt like part of the trip itself, and we made an early stop at the Angel of the North before crossing the border. Even as a short detour, it was well worth it. Standing beneath it gives you a proper sense of its scale in a way photos never quite manage.
Two Nights in Edinburgh
We stayed for two nights at the Travelodge near Edinburgh Airport, which worked well for keeping costs sensible and made driving in straightforward. Rather than taking the car into the city centre, we left it at the hotel and got the tram in, which turned out to be the easiest option.
On our first day, we headed straight up to Edinburgh Castle. It’s one of those places that genuinely lives up to expectation, with a huge amount of history packed into one site and wide views stretching out across the city rooftops. From the walls, you get a real sense of how Edinburgh is laid out, from the old streets below to the hills beyond.
Later, we wandered through the Christmas markets, which were in full swing. The lights, wooden stalls and smell of hot food made it feel properly festive. It worked well as a slower afternoon after the castle, giving us time to simply walk, browse and take in the city at our own pace.
On the second day, we kept things simple and started with breakfast at a local Wetherspoons before heading back into the city centre by tram. Much of the day was spent doing what we tend to enjoy most on these trips: walking without too much of a plan, following whichever street looked interesting and stopping off in shops and cafés along the way.
One of the real highlights was climbing up Calton Hill. As we were already in the centre by tram, it was an easy stop to fit into the day. The view from the top gives you a brilliant perspective over the city, with the skyline framed by its historic buildings and monuments. It’s definitely worth taking your time up there if the weather is clear.
Driving from Edinburgh to Inverness and Loch Ness
For the third day, we left the city behind and headed north towards Inverness, with Loch Ness firmly in mind. On paper, it looked like a couple of hours in the car, but when booking the trip we hadn’t quite realised just how far it would feel once you’re actually doing the drive. That said, the journey itself became a big part of the experience.
The landscape gradually opened out into rolling hills and wide stretches of countryside, and this part of the trip really felt like Scotland in the way most people imagine it. Even without a glimpse of Nessie, the route more than made up for it.
Before finishing the trip, we stopped at the Falls of Foyers and spent around an hour there. It was a really worthwhile stop and a good way to break up the drive around Loch Ness. The water crashing down through the rocks, with mist hanging in the air, made it feel bigger and louder than expected in person.
We then carried on to Urquhart Castle, where parking was straightforward with plenty of spaces available when we visited. Sitting right on the edge of the loch, it combines the sense of history you expect with some of the best views of the water. Even if castles aren’t usually your thing, the setting alone makes it worth the stop.
Is Scotland Worth Visiting in Winter?
For a New Year trip, the weather was surprisingly mild. It was still cold, as you’d expect, but it never felt unmanageable for walking around the city or stopping at outdoor viewpoints. We were lucky with the conditions, which made the drive and the scenic stops much easier than we’d originally expected for winter travel.
Looking back, this four-day Scotland trip felt like an ideal way to welcome the new year. From the Angel of the North to Edinburgh’s streets and the quieter roads around Loch Ness, it had a good balance of city exploring, scenic driving and classic Scottish landmarks. It’s a route that works especially well over a long weekend if you’re happy to spend a fair bit of time on the road.