Routes · Europe

Mumbai to Britain: London, Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye

Mumbai → London → Edinburgh → Isle of Skye

Britain & Highlands Best season (general guide): May–Sep

This route moves from a world capital to Scotland's historic city and on to one of its wildest islands, by train and road. From Mumbai there are direct flights to London. The return can be from Edinburgh or Glasgow, so you won't need to go back south. The itinerary spends three nights in London, two nights in Edinburgh and three nights in Isle of Skye.

How to pace it: After you arrive from Mumbai, London has days one to three. Use day one for the South Bank, day two for the British Museum and Covent Garden, and day three for the Tower of London or the galleries. Edinburgh follows on days four and five: take the train north and walk the Royal Mile on day four, and see the castle and climb Arthur's Seat on day five. The Isle of Skye takes days six to eight: cross through Glencoe to Skye on day six, explore Trotternish, with the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, on day seven, and finish with Cuillin views and Portree on day eight.

London needs at least three days. Many major museums are free, the South Bank is a pleasant walk past theatres and galleries, and markets such as Borough fill the gaps between sightseeing. The train north to Edinburgh follows the east coast. Edinburgh's castle, the Royal Mile and the Georgian New Town are close together, and a walk up Arthur's Seat gives views over the city. The road to Skye passes through Glencoe and along lochs, over the bridge to the island. On Skye, the Trotternish peninsula has the rock pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr and the landslips of the Quiraing, while the Cuillin mountains dominate the south.

Late spring to early autumn, about May to September, has the longest days and the most reliable access to the Highlands. Midges, small biting insects, are active from about May to October and are worst in midsummer on still, damp evenings, so bring repellent for Skye.

Skye's single-track roads use passing places; pull in to let others pass. Book accommodation on the island well ahead in summer, as it fills up quickly.

Vegetarian food is easy to find throughout Britain, from London's markets to Edinburgh's cafés. On Skye, Talisker, the island's oldest working distillery, stands on the shore of Loch Harport at Carbost. It runs tours and tastings, and it's worth booking ahead in summer. Portree, the island's main town, is about 45 minutes' drive away.

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