7 Days in the east of Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland's historic capital city, is bound to leave an impression on you. You could easily spend weeks discovering its many fantastic attractions, hidden gems and vibrant cultural scene. Today's stops will give you a real feel for this beautiful city's unique character, fascinating past and unbridled charm.

• Edinburgh Castle - towering over the city, you won't be able to miss Edinburgh Castle. As well as offering spectacular views of the skyline, it's home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. 
• National Museum of Scotland - not only is the National Museum of Scotland free to visit and full of thousands of incredible objects, but the building is also an architectural masterpiece that should not be missed by fans of design. Take in the vast airy space of the Grand Gallery before moving into the galleries on art, design, science and more. 
• Calton Hill and the National Monument - Edinburgh is a city best explored on foot, and for budding photographers or those keen to admire the stunning cityscape, it's time to head to Calton Hill to enjoy great views in the lingering light of the late afternoon. 
• Real Mary King’s Close - step into the past as you head below the Royal Mile to discover a warren of old streets and living and working quarters from the 17th century which have been forgotten for hundreds of years.

If you have a few extra moments during the day, make sure you visit: 

• The Royal Mile - take in this famous thoroughfare, lined with a range of shops, pubs, eateries and historic closes, with St Giles' Cathedral in the middle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom of the street.
• Leith - catch the tram to one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the UK which boasts three Michelin-star restaurants.

Leave Edinburgh and venture out into the Kingdom of Fife, taking the Queensferry Crossing. Look out for the remarkable structure of the Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Forth Road Bridge. Follow the brown signs for the Fife Coastal Path to take in the sparkling coastline and the picturesque villages of the East Neuk.

• Villages in the East Neuk of Fife - the East Neuk refers to a scattering of quaint fishing villages in the northeast corner of Fife. With curious winding streets, ancient stone harbours, and original, white-washed fisherman's cottages, they make the perfect place to stop, breathe in the sea air, and perhaps grab a refreshing cup of tea or coffee.  
• St Andrews West Sands - next, head to beautiful St Andrews, a historic university town. Work up an appetite before lunch with a bracing stroll along the town's iconic West Sands – a long, flat beach famously featured in Chariots of Fire (1981). 
• St Andrews town centre - wander through the streets of the town and you'll find a range of boutique shops, cosy pubs, cafés and restaurants, as well as the ancient university campus, St Andrews Cathedral and St Andrews Castle.

On the third day of your trip, it's time to discover the unique offerings of Dundee, Scotland's fourth largest city. A UNESCO City of Design, Dundee is a thriving, compact place full of exciting developments and has a vibrant cultural scene. It also has a fascinating and varied history that includes textiles manufacturing, polar exploration, journalism… and marmalade! 

• RRS Discovery - hop on board the ship which has travelled to the ends of the earth and back! Captain Scott and his hardy crew reached the then undiscovered polar region of Antarctica in the early 1900s in one of the most significant expeditions to have ever been undertaken. Wander through the ship, see objects that belonged to Scott and his men, and discover their brave tales of seafaring and difficulties in the Antarctic. 
• V&A Dundee - see world-class examples of design, from architecture, fashion and furniture to video games and even healthcare. This is the first V&A museum in the world outside London and there are plenty of intriguing objects and enlightening exhibitions to see. 
• McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum - with eight galleries across two floors, there's a surprising range of artefacts to discover, with thousands of objects from all over the world demonstrating Dundee's role as an important centre of trade.
• Dundee Contemporary Arts - open day and night, Dundee Contemporary Arts lies on Perth Road and is a hub of culture and style. Visit in the afternoon and enjoy exhibitions on modern art and explore quirky, design-orientated wares in the shop. There's also a cinema where you can see the latest releases, classic films and independent productions.

Follow the brown tourist route signs marked for the Angus Coastal Route and spend part of today taking in the ever-changing coastline of the northeast of Scotland, with its cliffs, sheltered bays and harbour towns. En route to Aberdeen, make two stops to discover some of Scotland's most spectacular historic attractions: Arbroath Abbey and Dunnottar Castle.

• Arbroath Abbey -  a 30-minute drive from Dundee will take you to the historic town of Arbroath, home to Arbroath Abbey. Founded in the 12th century, the abbey is where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320, which affirmed that Scotland was an independent nation. Explore the church ruins, the gatehouse range and the abbot's house. 
• Dunnottar Castle - the well-preserved ruins of Dunnottar Castle are perched on a dramatic cliff some 160 ft above the North Sea. This once impregnable fortress was visited by legendary historic figures including William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, Oliver Cromwell and, in more recent times, Mel Gibson in Franco Zeffirelli's 1991 film, Hamlet. 
• Aberdeen - enjoy a relaxing evening in Aberdeen and take in this city's unique atmosphere. You could take a walk to the bustling port and try to spot the bay's resident dolphins from the vantage point of the Torry Battery or explore the curious Footdee (also known locally as 'Fittie'), an adorable grouping of houses in an old fishing village.

Before you head to your next destination, make sure you: 

• Try an Arbroath smokie - pick up an Arbroath Smokie from the town centre, a traditionally smoked haddock which is a famous local delicacy. 
• Keep an eye out for wildlife – along the east coast you may be able to spot local wildlife such as puffins or dolphins playing in the sea.

Today, you can spend the morning in Aberdeen experiencing one or two cultural highlights before journeying through the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside, taking in one of the region's many castles before you reach the market town of Elgin in the Moray area of Aberdeenshire.

• Aberdeen Maritime Museum - the best place to discover more about this city's industry and its long relationship with the North Sea is at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. Through objects, paintings, exhibitions and interactive displays, you can find out about the likes of ship building and fishing in Aberdeen and the fascinating story of the North Sea oil industry. 
• Castle Fraser - like Dunnottar Castle, this is one of the many castles which make up Aberdeenshire's Castle Trail. Dating back to the 15th century, it's a fine example of a Scottish baronial castle. Explore its grand rooms full of portraits and period furniture before heading up the tower to admire great views across the estate. Outside, you can explore the gardens or follow one of the lovely trails which lead through the expansive grounds. 
• Strathisla Distillery - Strathisla Distillery is the oldest operating distillery in the Highlands, dating back to 1786. The distillery's fantastic tours will give you an insight into the art of blending as the distillery produces a range of Chivas Regal premium blended whiskies alongside its single malt Strathisla 12-Year-Old. 
• Elgin - you can stroll around the town, passing by North College Street to see the ruin of Elgin Cathedral, before enjoying a refreshment in a pub such as The Drouthy Cobbler or sitting down to an evening meal in a local restaurant.

If you want to squeeze a few extra experiences into your time here, try: 

• Macallan Distillery – From Elgin take the service 36 bus towards Dufftown, stopping off at Macallan Distillery to taste a dram or two. The journey takes roughly 50 minutes. 
• Lossiemouth Beach – head over at sunset to this nearby sandy beach to catch incredible views out to sea.

Today, spend the morning in Elgin before driving south through Speyside, home to Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail, and Royal Deeside, an area much-loved by the British monarchy. This scenic route also takes in the majestic Cairngorms National Park, where the landscape of impressive mountains, rushing rivers and deep forests won't fail to capture your imagination. 

• Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Visitor Centre - Johnstons of Elgin are one of the most distinguished producers of woollen and cashmere goods, having been established in 1797. Take a free tour of the Elgin mill – it's the only mill in Scotland to transform raw cashmere from fibre to a finished product. 
• Braemar - at Braemar you could simply stop for a break and wander the high street, visit the castle, or take the opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy the open spaces of the national park. For a gentle circular walk, follow Queen's Drive and River Clunie circuit which follows the river before joining Queen's Drive, one of Queen Victoria's favoured routes. 
• Pitlochry - Pitlochry itself is considered to be a gateway to the Highlands, and the pleasant village has a range of shops and cafés, as well as fascinating museums and heritage centres. You might have time to see the Pitlochry Power Station and Dam, as well as the nearby Fish Ladder, which was built to allow the migration of wild Atlantic salmon as they make their way from the sea to Scotland's rivers.

If the planning of your trip allows, why not line up your visit to Braemar with the Braemar Gathering? This famed Highland games takes place on the first Saturday of September and is usually attended by members of the Royal family. 

Today, you'll head south from Highland Perthshire, taking in one of the country's favourite beauty spots and stopping in Perth, a city which straddles the River Tay. Explore the city streets and make time for the Black Watch Museum, where you can uncover the dramatic history of Scotland's foremost Highland regiment.

• The Hermitage - only 20 minutes' drive from Pitlochry lies Dunkeld, where you'll find The Hermitage. This magnificent woodland site dates from the 18th century, with tall trees and tumbling waterfalls, there's no surprise that it's popular with walkers and photographers alike. Follow trails along the banks of the River Braan and look out for man-made features as you explore. 
• Black Watch Castle & Museum - step inside Balhousie Castle and explore the museum to discover the intriguing history of the Black Watch Regiment, which dates back to 1725. Through a range of objects and memorabilia including uniforms, photographs, diaries, artworks, medals, weapons and military kits, as well as films and personal accounts, uncover the story of the regiment and relive their most dramatic moments. 
• Edinburgh - from Perth, head south to Edinburgh, returning over the Queensferry Crossing. Should you fancy extending your trip, there are also some other fantastic locations that are easily reachable from Edinburgh, including the beautiful seaside town of North Berwick in East Lothian, or the scenic region of the Scottish Borders, which is accessible by rail via the Borders Railway.