Four Day Scotland Itinerary: How To Explore The Major Cities

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This post will share a realistic four-day Scotland itinerary for visitors who want to explore the major cities.

Last week, I spent four days in Scotland after my trip to Barcelona was cancelled.

I was too upset to plan a proper itinerary, so I visited the two most popular cities: Edinburgh and Glasglow.

It was not a shabby itinerary, except I wished I had planned it better.

This is why I have decided to write this post to help someone planning a trip to Scotland in the future.

For some reason, Scotland is super underrated.

When people visit the UK, they never go beyond the significant London-Oxford-Manchester route, which is quite understandable because this place gets expensive, so you must plan accordingly.

But if you’re planning an extended stay on this island, stopping by Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast is a good idea.

If you live in England, you cannot visit Scotland.

I spent four days in Scotland and cannot wait to return.

I’m also looking forward to my January trip to Cardiff and Belfast.

Unlike England, which is split into nine geographical regions, Scotland is divided into three;

The Highlands is mountainous, with Ben Nevis being the tallest mountain.
The Central Lowlands, where about 90% of Scotland’s residents reside. It also houses its largest cities, Edinburgh to the East and Glasgow to the West.
Southern Uplands is the least populated rural and agricultural region.

For the sake of this post, the itinerary will focus on the major cities in the lowlands.

If you dig further, you’ll realize that the lowlands are just the tip of the iceberg.

Scotland is incredibly gorgeous, with so much to offer.

How To Plan A Four-Day Scotland Itinerary

For this itinerary, we’ll focus on the three urban cities: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

While I wasn’t that impressed with Glasglow, I would swap it with Dundee if I had to follow this itinerary again.

The benefit Glasgow has is its centrality.

You are guaranteed to get a direct train to England from Glasglow Central Station.

So, let’s get right into it!

Day 1 & 2 – Edinburgh

Listen, if you don’t spend at least two days in Edinburgh, you might regret it.

The only time you can squeeze in all your attractions will be during the Summer when we have longer days.

But even then, it will be crowded, so you won’t be able to enjoy it, so bear that in mind.

If you want to take the City Sightseeing Bus Tour to kill multiple birds with one stone, you can do so.

I prefer to take a walking tour as far as my feet can.

For Day 1, you’ll want to focus on the City Centre and stop by iconic attractions like:

The Edinburgh Castle & The Royal Mile.
The Scottish National Galleries including the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish Portrait Gallery, & The Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture.
Museum On The Mound, Scott Monument & The Princes Street Gardens.

Between the Castle and the Museums, time will fly so quickly.

For Day 2, you’ll want to taste the Scottish Highlands from the Lowlands.

Ensure you have your hiking boots ready because you’ll be climbing often.

Climb to the top of Calton Hill and bask in the city’s skyline. Also, stop by all the major monuments on the hill.
Find your way to Holyrood Park, where you’ll find the Queen’s residence, Holyrood Palace, and the Scottish Parliament Building. If you have any energy left, hike up to Authur’s Seat. The view is simply astonishing. You will not regret it!

It’s essential to start your itinerary in Edinburgh and get it out of the way.

You don’t want to be too exhausted by the end.

Day 3 – Glasgow

On the third day of your four-day Scotland itinerary, you’ll want to head to Glasgow, about 1 hour by train from Edinburgh.

Or Dundee, which is also about 1 hour 20 minutes by train.

Come through Glasglow Queen Street Station and head straight into George Square, which also houses the Glasgow City Chambers. On your way out, stop by the iconic Gallery of Modern Art.
Walk further into the city centre, where you’ll find St. Enoch, Princes Square Shopping Centre & the Buchanan Galleries. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many shopping centres closely located together.
If you don’t get carried away with shopping, you can explore People’s Palace, Centre for Contemporary Arts or Kelvingrove Art and Gallery Museum.

If you’re a history and culture enthusiast like me, you’ll find Glasglow too industrialized and boring.

It’s only perfect for a stop-over for a few hours.

Then again, if you can find a few hidden gems, go right ahead.

Alternatively, Dundee

I wish I had gone to Dundee instead. Thankfully, there’s always the next time.

Recognized as a UNESCO City of Design, Scotland’s coastal city and cultural centre is known for jute, jam and journalism.

Here are some must-visit attractions you see:

V & A Dundee; Scotland’s first design museum.
Verdant Works; Jute Industrial History Museum.
Broughty Castle Museum: a 15th-century riverside castle.
McManus Art Gallery & Museum covers Scottish art, local culture & history.
Dundee Contemporary Arts & Dundee Science Centre.
If you have more time, visit the Dundee Museum of Transport and HMS Unicorn, a historic Royal Navy warship.

You’ll have a filled day getting schooled on Scottish art, history and culture.

Day 4 – Aberdeen

To wrap up your four-day Scotland Itinerary, you want to head to Aberdeen, which is about 1 hour 15 minutes by train from Dundee and 2 hours 40 minutes from Glasgow.

It is the third-largest city in Scotland after Edinburgh and Glasgow and is known for its abundant grey granite and oil and gas industry.

Here are some must-see attractions you need to visit:

Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, The Tolbooth Museum and/or The Gordon Highlanders Museum.
St. Machar’s Cathedral
Craigievar and/or Balmoral Castle
Marshal and/or Kings Colleges of the University of Aberdeen.

Aberdeen packs quite a punch, and depending on your interests, I’m sure you’ll have a field day exploring.