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Itinerary:

The Barely Balanced team traveled from Edinburgh to nearly every corner of Scotland. We took our trip in June, which was a beautiful time of year to visit. The temperature was mild and we saw the landscapes in full bloom. Our entire trip took about three weeks, spending 2 or 3 days in each town we stopped in. Along the way we stayed in AirBnBs which made us feel at home and gave us a great central base in every city. While we couldn't fit all of these places into our video, we hope our experience inspires you to go on your own adventure!

1. Edinburgh

We started our trip in the historic city of Edinburgh! Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is a wonderful place to start, and an easy airport to fly into. Here you can explore the ancient castle, get a taste of Scotch whiskey, and see some of the country's best cultural and historical landmarks.

Our must do's of Edinburgh:

Visit Edinburgh Castle.

Enjoy The Scotch Whiskey Experience and learn just how Scotch whiskey is made.

Explore the Royal Mile, go shopping, and get a taste of historic life in Edinburgh.

Take a tour through Greyfriars Kirkyard (Cemetery).

Get a pie or fish and chips from Greyfriar Bobby's Pub.

Walk through Princes Street Gardens and take an epic picture by the Ross Fountain.

2. Stirling

From Edinburgh we took about an hour long train ride from the city center to Stirling. Stirling is home to many of Scotland's epic historical battles and is known as "the gateway to the highlands."

Our must do's of Stirling:

Explore Stirling Castle. The gardens are stunning and the docents at the museum are incredible!

Climb Wallace Monument to learn about the battles that took place in the lowlands and get a glimpse of the landscape.

Get a pint at The Settle Inn, Stirling's oldest pub established in 1733.

Take a walk across The Stirling Bridge.

3. Glamis Castle and Aberdeen

While we were in Stirling we picked up a rental car and drove away into the Highlands! Driving on the opposite side of the road is a crazy experience, but the freedom of having a car to explore the country was just amazing.

On our way to Aberdeen we stopped at Glamis Castle to attend some Highland Games. There are many games happening across the highlands all summer long. At the games incredible athletes toss cabers, perform traditional Scottish step dancing, and lift unbelievable stone weights. After the games we continued our drive to Aberdeen, a coastal town, home to Aberdeen University and a bustling city. We took the day to explore the town, get some seafood and walk along the eastern coastline.

4. Speyside

From the coasts of Aberdeen we drove through Speyside, a region in the highlands known for lots and lots of Scotch whiskey. It seems that around every beautiful curve we drove there was another distillery. We stopped at the Speyside Cooperage, one of the only barrel makers in the UK open to tourists where we got a glimpse into how Scotch whiskey casks made and repaired. Our journey continued on to the Glen Moray distillery where we toured the facility to see how they make their Scotch.

Our must do's of Speyside:

Visit any of the many distilleries.

Visit The Speyside Cooperage. This is such a cool place and highlights a craft that is centuries old.

Enjoy the scenic drive and get lunch from a cute cafe.

5. Inverness and Loch Ness

We continued our drive north toward the heart of the Highlands, Inverness. We stayed in a small town just outside of Inverness called Fortrose. Staying in the little coastal town gave us a nice slice of life vibe in the Highlands. We drove all around Inverness and the surrounding towns to explore historical and magical sites.

Our must do's of Inverness:

Visit the Culloden Battlefield and museum. This was a stunning museum that tells the difficult story of Scottish Clans nearly being removed from history. We learned so much here and truly got a better understanding of the resiliency of the Scottish people.

Walk around the town of Inverness.

Have high tea at Bunchrew House.

Experience the mystical standing stones at Clava Cairns.

Explore the depths Loch Ness and keep an eye out for Nessie!

6. Isle of Skye

From Inverness we drove to the other side of the country (only about 3 hours) to the Isle of Skye. The road was winding and absolutely gorgeous. Once you cross the Skye Bridge onto the island you are truly transported to a land of fantasy. We stayed in a more rural part of the island near the town of Portnalong, a nice way to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

Our must do's of Skye:

Visit Portree and explore the city's colorful streets.

Walk the trail that follows The Fairy Pools. (Seriously, its so magical.) And if you're brave, take a swim in one of the pools!

Hike everywhere you can. There are so many stunning vistas and craggy rocks to explore. We really enjoyed The Quairang, The Storr, and Mealtfalls.

7. Oban, Staffa and Iona

Leaving Skye was bittersweet. We could have spent so much more time exploring that amazing landscape, but we carried on down the western coast to the town of Oban. Oban is a small fishing hub. We explored the town and took an amazing boat tour to some smaller islands off the western shore. Staffa is a volcanic island that is now a nature preserve for Puffins and Iona is home to the burial ground of the Kings of Scotland! This boat tour was a full day affair but was absolutely worth it! You'll have the opportunity to hike some beautiful cliffs, be face to face with wildlife, and experience breathtaking Scottish lore.

8. Loch Lomond and Glasgow

Continuing our drive south, back into civilization, we stopped several times along the road to Glasgow. Cameron's family is from this central western area of Scotland. It was so special for the team to spend some time here together. The loch is absolutely picturesque and this area is home to the Highland Boundary Fault, where you can literally see the highlands meet the lowlands. After our scenic drive we stopped in Glasgow for a few nights. While we were in the city we went on a fascinating walking tour and went to some amazing restaurants. Glasgow is a foodie's dream city.

Our must do's of Loch Lomond and Glasgow:

Hike Conic Hill and witness the stunning views.

Drive around Loch Lomond.

Walk around Glasgow with a tour and check out the beautiful university.

Visit any of the amazing restaurants downtown. (If you need inspiration watch Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown: Glasgow.)

9. Edinburgh

We finished our trip back where it all began in Edinburgh. We were able to walk around the city one more time and say goodbye to the country that stole our hearts.