Campervan Road Trip Itinerary Through The Inner Hebrides

Isle of Iona. Rob Schulze

Inner Hebrides Road Trip

If you love exploring golden sand beaches, tranquil towns, and thriving wildlife like otters, seals, and orca whales, you’ll love this campervan road trip to the Inner Hebrides. The Inner Hebrides islands have an otherworldly atmosphere and are unique in their diverse landscapes and sceneries.

• Campervan Road Trip Itinerary Through The Inner Hebrides
• Part 1:Your Unmissable Campervan Road Trip Through Portree in Skye
• Part 2:Stunning Campervan Road Trip Guide to Dunvegan, Isle of Skye

We have created an itinerary for a campervan road trip throughout the Inner Hebrides. We’ll explore eight beautiful locations, veering in and out of trampled tourist tracks, blending big hitters with remote locations. Our campervan road trip guide about the Inner Hebrides will include information about ferries, campervans you can hire and campsites for a peaceful escape that brings the best of island life to your fingertips. This campervan road trip itinerary for the Inner Hebrides highlights eight locations, which are must visit spots. Look out for the forthcoming individual guides that we will publish into each location where we will go into greater depth.

We wind our way around captivating Inner Hebrides, exploring the following locations on our journey.

• Start: Portree
• Part 2: Dunvegan
• Part 3: Broadford
• Part 4: Armadale
• Part 5: Fionnphort, Isle of Mull
• Part 6: Calgary Bay
• Part 7: Port Askaig
• End: Jura

Start: Portree

Portree. Herbert Frank

Our Inner Hebrides road trip starts at Portree, the largest town on the Isle of Skye. The settlement is fairly new at 200 years old and was created as a fishing village by Lord MacDonald at the start of the 19th century. Join us as we explore the cultural hub of Skye, starting at the picturesque harbour famed by cliffs, with brightly coloured buildings adding to its enticing charm. Take in dramatic scenery like the Old Man of Storr and the magical fairy pools, embrace the town's rich local culture, and discover rich history including the town's links to the Jacobite rebellions. The enclosing waters are ideal for spotting dolphins, seals and sea eagles, and we'll highlight the best places to spot them in Portree. Road trip guide coming soon!

Check out the full guide here: Your Unmissable Campervan Road Trip Through Portree in Skye

Part 2: Dunvegan

Dunvegan. Manuel Osdoba

Next, we rumble in our campervan over to the small town of Dunvegan on the west coast of the Isle of Skye, famed for Dunvegan Castle, one of the most popular attractions on the island. Hop on the A850 from Portree to reach Dunvegan in approximately half an hour. Tucked in a sea loch between Waternish and Durinish, the large village was once the historic seat of the MacLeod clan, with Dunvegan Castle serving as the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. Wander from the fortress to glittering lochs, like Loch Dunvegan, which are ideal for admiring the rugged Skye landscape. Hop over to Coral Beach, famed for white coral-like sand and turquoise waters. We’ll take you to scenic spots like Neist Point Lighthouse and quirky attractions like The Giant MacAskill Museum. Dunvegan is an appealing destination in the Inner Hebrides perfect for history buffs, beach lovers, and watersports enthusiasts.

Check out the full guide here: Stunning Campervan Road Trip Guide to Dunvegan, Isle of Skye

Part 3: Broadford

Broadford. Katherine

The village of Broadford is the second largest on the Isle of Skye and is often the first stop for visitors crossing the Skye Bridge. The third stop on our road trip itinerary is a hotspot for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who can explore fantastic attractions like Beinn na Caillich, a mountain near the town boasting panoramic views of the surrounding islands and rewarding hikes. Walking and climbing are big pursuits in the area, with the imposing Red Cuillins mountains looming over the landscape. We’ll show you the best spots to spot otters, seals, and whales and explore beautiful spots like Broadford Bay, a stunning spot for coastal walks for birdwatching and admiring ocean views. Broadford’s captivating blend of natural and local attractions makes it a unique area to reconnect with nature. The drive from Dunvegan to Broadford follows the A863 and the A87, taking just under an hour to complete. More details in our guide!

Part 4: Armadale

Armadale. Paula Funnell

From Broadford, we take the A851 to make a 25-minute drive to the picturesque hamlet of Armadale on the Sleat Peninsula, the fourth destination on our Inner Hebrides road trip. Located on the south end of the Isle of Skye, this stunning corner of the Inner Hebrides is home to an attractive beach hotspot for watersport enthusiasts of all levels. The craggy shoreline is perfect for rock pooling and birdwatching, with coastal birds like puffins, oystercatchers, and rock doves frequenting the area. Rare fauna like primula scotica can also be found here, and the ocean is a wonderful area to embrace a relaxing pace of life while enjoying beautiful views across the water. We’ll explore the historic castle of Armadale, stroll through its beautiful gardens, and pop into the Torabhaig Distillery for a cheeky tasting tour. Our campervan road trip guide to Armadale, will show you how to get there by road and ferry, coming soon.

Part 5: Fionnphort, Isle of Mull

Fionnphort. Carron Brown

The distance to Fionnphort, the fifth stop on our road trip, involves a drive and a ferry ride that totals just under five hours. While that might sound like a daunting distance, the destination is worth every minute. This pretty village is located on the Isle of Mull. It is a fantastic gateway to incredible local attractions - picnic on the beautiful sandy shores of Fionnphort Beach, enjoying vistas across nearby Iona. Keep an eye out for seals basking on the rocks or hop on a boat trip to the uninhabited islands like Staffar, famed for its cave and unique basalt columns. We’ll visit the historic island Iona, famed for its abbey, one of Scotland's oldest and most significant religious centres, and highlight the best beaches around, including remote spots like Ardalanish Bay. The natural attractions and serene natural beauty of Fionnphort make this an incredible stop on your road trip.

Part 6: Calgary Bay

Calgary Bay. Gary McNair

Snuggled on the Isle of Mull's western coast, Calgary Bay is our sixth stop and a hidden gem with outstanding views of golden sands and turquoise waters framed by rugged cliffs. It's a paradise for nature lovers, and we will explore tranquil walks along the Calgary Art in Nature trail, where sculptures blend into the landscape and highlight the best time to spot seals and otters from the shore. The nearby Calgary Castle adds a touch of history to this idyllic setting. To reach this enchanting bay, we will take the scenic coastal road from Tobermory, winding through the stunning Mull countryside. Join us as we escape into a world of romance and natural beauty. Our road trip from Fionnphort will take around 2 hours, winding through the scenic Isle of Mull, passing jaw-dropping scenery and sleepy villages, before arriving at Calgary Bay. Look out for the forthcoming guide!

Part 7: Port Askaig

Port Askaig. Reading Tom

The seventh stop on our Inner Hebrides road trip involves another ferry ride to the east coast of Islay. This tiny cove is a gorgeous spot for soaking in the famed beauty and unique cultural experiences on the Hebrides Islands. The village is the main ferry port to the nearby island of Jura and boasts some of the most beautiful coastal walks in the area, including spectacular paths along the Sound of Islay. Not far from Port Askaig is the Finlaggan Historic Site, which has ruins of ancient buildings and a visitor centre with displays exploring the island’s important mediaeval history. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot seabirds, eagles, and marine life, including dolphins and seals, in the surrounding waters. Port Askaig’s quiet charm and spectacular surroundings make it a beautiful location to take a break from driving, soak in the scenery, and sip on smoky, peaty whiskies at nearby distilleries.

End: Jura

The Isle of Jura. Webted

Our final destination in the Inner Hebrides takes us to the Isle of Jura, around an hour's drive from Port Askaig via the A846, plus a ferry ride via the Feolin Ferry Terminal. It is a strikingly untamed area and a perfect ending to an unforgettable road trip to the Inner Hebrides. Located off the mainland's west coast, the long, narrow island is renowned for its soaring mountains - the three distinctive Paps of Jura (Beinn a' Chaolais, Beinn an Oir, and Beinn Shiantaidh), which dominate the skyline and offer challenging hikes with rewards of jaw-dropping, eagle-eye views. Visitors can also sip on whiskey at the iconic Jura Distillery and laze on fabulous beaches like Lussa Bay, a hotspot for picnicking, beachcombing and quiet days out. Literary fans can visit the remote farmhouse where George Orwell penned his famous novel 1984, while nature lovers enjoy being outnumbered by a thriving population of red deer. With its sense of remoteness, Jura is an enchanting location for hiking, wildlife spotting, and enjoying Scotland's simple yet soul-healing wild beauty.

Our Inner Hebrides Campervan Road Trip Map

Use this straightforward map to follow along on our Inner Hebrides road trip. Feel free to add or remove stops as desired.

Our campervan road trip through the Inner Hebrides will help you uncover the wild beauty of Scotland's most enchanting isles. Every stop has offered something unique - from the rugged cliffs of Portree and the historic charm of Dunvegan to the serene shores of Broadford and the gateway to the isles at Armadale. Fionnphort's scenic vistas, Calgary Bay's sweeping beaches, and Port Askaig's ferry crossing to Jura's wilderness will fill our itinerary with unforgettable moments. Whether camping under the stars or parking by the sea, this adventure promises memories to last a lifetime. If you can’t wait for our individual guides to be published, we hope this itinerary gives you some great ideas.