Halò~
Welcome to your dream Scotland adventure! If you’re a fan of castles, whiskey, stunning landscapes, Harry Potter and Outlander, you’re in for a treat! The best part? This guide to Scotland with points will show you how to do it all using travel rewards for flights, luxurious hotels, and unforgettable experiences. Here’s a comprehensive Scotland itinerary for 10-14 days that will have you exploring the best of Scotland without emptying your wallet.
Getting There – First Step In Your Scotland Itinerary
Here Are Some Of The Best Upcoming Flight Options From The U.S. To Scotland
It goes without saying that flight rates change regularly and that goes for point redemption costs as well. But I’ve pulled a few examples of flights for the fall of 2025, which is still 7 months away at the time I’m writing this.
Economy
Ultimately your Scotland Itinerary will depend on where you fly into. I suggest looking for flights into Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness. Here’s an economy flight to Edinburgh that I found using Roame Travels, which I HIGHLY suggest you use to shop for award flights. It’s basically like Google Flights for award seats. You can sign up for a free account here.
(Note: This is an affiliate link – I’d be so grateful if you used my link to sign up for roame… it costs $0 for you and I’ll earn a small commission if you use my link to register =)).
You can see it will cost you 22,500 Alaska Miles +$23 to. fly from JFK to Dublin and then from Dublin to Edinburgh… if you want to extend this layover to see Dublin for a few days, simply go to Alaska’s website and click the multi-city option when looking at booking a flight. Make sure you check the box that says “use miles”.
Business Class Examples
Again, using Roame Travels I found a few decent options:
- This one costs 70,000 Aeroplan points +$105 so not the best points deal, but if you only have Chase or Capital One points… this could be a decent option.
2. This flight goes from Portland – Chicago – Dublin – Aberdeen – – a lot of layovers and extra flight time, but it only costs 55,000 points and $22 – better cost all around.
TIP
For a limited time right now you can still transfer Amex points into Hawaiian Airlines and then transfer those points into Alaska Air! This is a loophole that will likely be closing soon, but it’s worth looking into if you’re interested in those lie-flat seats for the long-haul portion of this trip!
Customize Your Scotland Itinerary with These Stop-Over Routes
- US to London + Train to Edinburgh:
- Consider flying to London then taking the Caledonian Sleeper train to Edinburgh
- Train cost: Approximately 235 pounds (~$290) for a Club Room with private bathroom
- Scenic 8-hour journey through the Scottish countryside.
- For An 8-Day London and The Cotswolds Itinerary, check out this post.
- US to Dublin + Flight to Edinburgh:
- Aer Lingus offers flights between Dublin and Edinburgh for as little as 4,000-4,500 miles each way.
- This can be a good option if you want to visit both Ireland and Scotland – then you could just reverse this trip itinerary! Check out this post for the ultimate Ireland itinerary.
Planning Your Scotland Itinerary by Region
Day 1 – Glasgow
We flew from Los Angeles to Glasgow and spent a day putzing around Glasgow before heading out to Skye. I LIKED Glasgow… but I would have preferred to spend more time in Edinburgh and Inverness. Food for thought!
Things To Do In Glasgow:
- The Necropolis – A victorian cemetery filled with interesting sculptures and a lot of history. Take a walk to the top of the hill to be rewarded with views of the city below.
- Buchanan Street – Check out the shops on Glasgow’s main upscale shopping street.
- Pollock Country Park – a lovely place to take a walk + view Pollock House – an Edwardian country house that’s filled with Spanish art.
Day 2-4: Isle of Skye – A Highlight of Scotland With Points
Fly From Glasgow To Skye
Use Avios points for a short British Airways domestic flight to Skye OR you can drive for a scenic 5-hour road trip.
We rented a car in Glasgow and drove the VERY long way up to Skye, which I do not recommend. It took us 8 hours, not 5. Probably because we missed the only ferry to Skye that day and had to back-track a few hours to the bridge that goes to Skye.
Was it pretty? Yes. But I would have preferred to be hiking and exploring Skye and not stuck in a car for an entire day of our trip.
Better option: Fly to Skye and pick up a rental car when you’re there. You won’t want to miss the off-the-beaten path things you can see with that freedom!
Best Isle Of Skye Itinerary:
Lodging:
- Stay at Kinloch Lodge: This was my FAVORITE hotel in all of Scotland. You can book with points through Marriott Bonvoy or use the purchase eraser from Capital One. It’s Far off-the-beaten path, but well worth the stay!
- Cuillin Hills Hotel near Portree is another great option. You can use Qantas points for a portion of the expense and pay cash for the rest, or you can use your purchase eraser from Capital One.
TIP:
- Arrive at Kinloch Lodge hungry. The food is out of this world!! (Make a reservation in advance).
- Also BRING WELLIES (and tall ones at that)! You see this grassy knoll (photo above)… looks harmless right? WRONG! It ended up being a bog that SUCKED OFF Kevin’s shoe! I seriously DIED laughing, but the shoe was toast after that. Lucky Kevin got a pair of tall Scottish wellies + a new pair of tennis shoes. Moral of the story – be prepared with wellies! This grass didn’t even look wet.
Must-See Locations:
- Talisker Distillery: Enjoy a whiskey tasting experience and tour. It was cool to learn some of the history behind the process.
- Fairy Pools: Hike through breathtaking scenery and capture magical photos. I can’t say enough great things about these fairy pools… you can’t tell from these pictures, but the color of the water was pretty amazing! And the topography leading up to them is straight out of a movie.
- Portree: Stroll through the colorful harbor town, enjoy fresh seafood, and shop for local crafts. I’d suggest staying closer to Portree for 1-2 nights as well so you can explore easily. The drive to Kinloch Lodge wasn’t hard, but it’s VERY easy to pass the driveway turning into it at night.
Day 5: Scenic Drive to Loch Ness
Time to head back to the mainland as your Scotland itinerary continues.
- Drive along the picturesque Caledonian Canal with optional stops for views and quaint villages.
- Visit Loch Ness for a boat tour and some monster hunting.
- Continue on to Inverness.
Best Hotels In Inverness – Perfect for Scotland With Points:
- We stayed at Bunchrew House: which you can use the Capital One purchase eraser for. Don’t skip the afternoon tea – it’s a true celebration!
- Another great luxury option is Ness Walk Hotel – which can be booked with points inside your Chase Travel Portal (although you won’t get as much value per point by booking that way).
Day 6-7: Inverness & Culloden
- Explore Inverness highlights:
- Inverness Castle
- River Ness Walk
- If you’re a fan of ‘Outlander’ than you simply must visit the historic Culloden Battlefield – the site of the last battle of the Jacobite rising.
Day 8-10: Stirling Castle and Scottish Highlands
Key Activities for Your Scotland With Points Adventure in the Highlands:
- Tour Stirling Castle for a step back into Scotland’s royal past. Check out the monument to William Wallace and maybe watch “Braveheart” again before heading here. The movie portrays the battle of Stirling Bridge, though it’s not accurate to the history. Tickets can be booked here.
- Doune Castle: If you LOVE ‘Outlander’ like I do – you’ll want to visit this castle, which was used to portray Castle Leoch in the show (the home of Clan Mackenzie).
- Take a scenic drive through the Scottish Highlands.
- Stay in Glencoe or Fort William: Use Hilton Honors or IHG One Rewards points for a cozy mountain lodge.
Day 11: Whiskey Trail Adventure
- Speyside Whiskey Trail: Visit famous distilleries like Glenfiddich and Macallan.
- Many offer tours and tastings. Check out more info here.
TIP:
- If you’re REALLY into whiskey it’s a good idea to hire a private car or take a luxury train tour of whiskey trail ;). While it is possible to book activities like this in Scotland with points, I suggest you save those points for flights and hotels.
Day 12-14: Edinburgh
Cap off your Scotland with points journey in Edinburgh, the magnificent capital city. If you’ve never been to Edinburgh, I HIGHLY suggest you give yourself more than just 2 days here. Especially if you love Harry Potter!
From Edinburgh Castle (which inspired Hogwarts) to Victoria Street (which inspired Diagon Alley) to the cemetery JK Rowling prowled to get inspiration for character names… there is MUCH to see and do when it comes to Harry Potter here.
Best Edinburgh Hotels with Points & Miles:
- The Caledonian (Hilton Honors)
- The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel (Book with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts)
- Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa (Marriott Bonvoy)
Must-See Edinburgh Attractions:
- Edinburgh Castle – Don’t miss this one! Consider it the real-life Hogwarts. It’s also where Mary Queen of Scots once lived and where the Scottish crown jewels are on display. You might want to book in advance. We showed up an hour before closing and totally LUCKED OUT with minimal crowds! But I wouldn’t plan on that.
- The Royal Mile – The mile of cobblestone streets, pubs, shops and historic buildings that connect Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. There is so much to see and do here!
- Holyrood Palace – Visit the official residence of the British monarch of Scotland and see the famed bed chamber of Mary Queen of Scots. It’s definitely a good idea to book ahead. Also – the palace isn’t open to the public when the King is in residence. If it’s a MUST-SEE for you, I’d suggest you make sure you can book with your dates before booking the rest of your trip!
Best Restaurants in Edinburgh:
- The Witchery – Another fantastic afternoon tea experience.
- Duck & Waffle – A great spot in the heart of St. James Quarter for breakfast, all day brunch and Sunday roast.
- The Elephant House – I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the famous café that JK Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter. HOWEVER… the restaurant is currently closed due to a fire in the building. Their shop is still open and it’s worth swinging by to snap a pic of the sign.
- Devil’s Advocate – A fantastic place to grab dinner and drinks in the evening. They had a cute little whiskey tasting (Kevin loved it) and a lively after-work atmosphere.
Bonus: Harry Potter Fans’ Dream Day
- Ride the iconic Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Harry Potter Train).
- Visit filming locations like Glenfinnan Viaduct and relive the magic (It’s one of the filming locations for the Hogwarts Express).
Conclusion
If you’ve got Scotland on the brain, what are you waiting for? Your magical Scotland itinerary awaits! Even better, by strategically exploring Scotland with points for flights & hotels, you’ll create memories to last a lifetime without breaking the bank. Pack your bags, charge your camera (or your phone), and get ready to explore the land of legends.
New to points and miles and curious how YOU can get started? Check out my free masterclass to see if it’s right for you.
Happy travels!
