Why not make a short detour to Loch Ness and try to find the famous Loch Ness monster, or add another day to your trip? Head to Loch Fyne Restaurant and Oyster bar for some delicious seafood, or head into the town of Inveraray. But chances are Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King’s Close and the back alleys of the Old Town will be on your itinerary. Are you planning a Scotland road trip? Self-drive tours of Scotland include rental car, accommodation, maps and more, but the road trip music is up to you! Here you can see the Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura (open during winter), telling the local history and displaying artefacts. The castle is open from late March to late October but check their website for specific dates. Starting in the pretty city of Perth, drive to nearby Scone Palace. Hailed as one of the best coastal touring routes in the world, the North Coast 500 is a must do if you’re planning a Scottish Highlands road trip. This road trip starts in the small town of Greenloaning. The site give live traffic conditions and planned roadworks. No bull: just the most useful information to get you set up for your perfect holiday! We recommend that all information is checked with the businesses prior to visiting/booking. Take the time to hike around some of the national parks on this road trip to really understand Scotland’s beautiful and untamed landscapes. In Edinburgh you can stay at the very Harry Potter-esque, Fort William has some excellent hostels like, For the start of your Scottish road trip, stay in the country-style hostel, Stay in Perth for a night before beginning the road trip and get to know this fascinating town. Skye Museum of Island Life is not far away and will give you more of an understanding about this breathtaking island and its inhabitants. Love some of these activities and not others? These 7 days in Scotland can be easily stretched into a 10-day Scotland itinerary, which would be much more ideal so there won’t be too much rushing around. Head up to Drum Castle to learn about its varied history starting from medieval times (check the website for seasonal opening times). Make sure to visit the Glenfinnan Monument and climb to its top for even better views of Loch Shiel. Spend the first day in either Stirling or Edinburgh. If you’re a young backpacker it’s best that you research different car hire companies, as some don’t loan to people under 25 – or make it very difficult to do without spending a lot of money. If you’re an avid hiker, stop by the stunning Eas a’ Chual Aluinn – Britain’s highest waterfall. You can purchase my Edinburgh city guide for a full look at the city’s must-sees. I have a bad habit of spontaneously buying cheap flights to random places. With a range of hiking trails, the 92-mile Galloway Tourist Route will get your heart rate spiking. Pull off at the roadside viewpoint and picnic area to stretch your legs and soak up the stunning vistas. When touring Scotland by car (or camper or bike), your route can vary in length; trips can be as short or as long as you like. Complete the coastal drive at North Ballachulish. VisitScotland have produced this information in good faith and have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy. Also visit Drummond Castle Gardens – its stunning formal gardens were created in 1490. The Isle of Skye is incredibly popular with travellers during the peak season of around early April to mid-October, with July and August being the busiest. TIP 6 - Below are suggested pre-defined itineraries, but if you want to create your own itinerary for Scotland, check out my 2 Road Trip Guides with practical maps, GPS coordinates, my selection of the most scenic locations and planning information: There are lots of snow sport locations in Scotland, with Cairngorms National Park being a popular choice. Within the grounds of Scone Palace is a great café with even greater views. Next stop by Sinclair’s Bay for some Instagrammable views. In Scotland, the journey is just as good as the destination. Drive along to Torridon for the afternoon and evening. Or if it’s winter, stop by The Lecht 2090 at Cairngorms National Park, a must-visit for any Snowsports fan. In winter, it’s a great skiing spot. You can easily do an entire tour of Scotland in a week. Drive along to Staffin, where the rock formations of Totternish Loop and Quiraing lie. Stop off where you like, see what you like and enjoy the route at your own pace – the perfect holiday! Stop for lunch at the Glenturret Distillery and explore the town of Crieff. 10 most haunted hostels to visit this Halloween! This way, you avoid the high crowds AND the midges, which are mostly around in July and August. Scotland is a dream destination for road trips. Check if your driver’s licence from your country legally allows you to drive in Scotland. Let’s take you back in time…, Cairngorms National Park, Ballater :@mili_vigerova, 2-3 days (2 hours 50 minutes driving time). Edinburgh is just over an hour away from there, so why not stop at some attractions along the way like Stuart Brewing, Dalkeith Country Park or Midlothian SnowSports Centre in wintertime? Changing the World with WaterAid – Art Activists Need Your Vote! Finish the night with a scotch whiskey at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery (seasonal opening times are on their website). S cotland is one of THE best countries in the world to take a road trip. An automatic car is around £180-200 for 5 days. Dunvegan Bakery has some delicious sweet and savoury treats to take along on your journey. Nearby are Loch Mealt and Kilt Rock – two picturesque sites worth seeing! Soak up some culture, hire a car and prepare for your road trip to the starting point of Kincardine. This isn’t totally a Scottish road trip, as it includes a train trip (aboard the Hogwarts Express) and is spread out around Scotland. There’s also a museum teaching about the Iron Age period in Scotland. Here, look out at the stunning cliffs as time stops for a moment. When in Mallaig take a trip to see Loch Morar, which was used as Hogwarts’ Lake throughout the films. The train crosses over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct – the bridge in the movies! A breeze in comparison to the (Loch Ness) monster that is the North Coast 500, the Fife Coastal Route follows along the Firth of Forth coastline over 77 miles, while passing through charming little fishing towns, historic castles and endless beaches. My-oh-my, the Isle of Skye. If you’re a fan of poetry, there’s a Robert Burns road trip that you can take which shows you his birthplace, places that inspired his writing and his gravestone. So yeah… you’ve been good, why not live in luxury for a bit? It’s also supposedly hosted other writers such as Ian Rankin. Here you can see Mar Lodge Estate, which is a section of Cairngorms National Park. It was originally a coffee shop called Nicolson’s Café, but has since changed ownership. North Coast 500: the best Scottish road trip for the ultimate getaway, Fife Coastal Route: the best Scottish road trip for beach lovers, Angus Coastal Route: the best Scottish road trip for the all rounder, Argyll Coastal Route: the best Scottish road trip for classic road trip lovers, Highland Tourist Route/Aberdeen to Inverness: the best Scottish road trip for history buffs, Galloway Tourist Route: the best Scottish road trip for thrill-seekers, Harry Potter road trip: the best Scottish road trip for Harry Potter fans, Deeside Tourist Route: the best Scottish road trip for lush landscapes, Borders Historic Route: the best Scottish road trip for learning about Scottish life and culture, South West Coastal 300: the best Scottish road trip for getting off the grid, Perthshire Tourist Route: the best Scottish road trip for those who want to spoil themselves (while on a budget), Isle of Skye: the best Scottish road trip for photographers, Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Experience, 14 totally secret things you never knew you could do in Scotland, The ultimate guide to backpacking Scotland, 12 reasons why everybody is obsessed with Lisbon right now, Best Hostels in Venice Among Palaces And Canals, 14 free things to do in Miami for the perfect kinda vibe , Warning: Solo Travel Makes You Undateable, The 50 Weirdest Foods From Around the World, 15 gay-friendly cities that LGBT travellers love, 17 Traditional Canadian Foods You NEED To Try, The best countries to teach English abroad. Stop by the little town of Girvan for food and then drive on to Culzean Castle (closed in winter). A basic automatic car is around £80-100. It takes about 4 hours, so this would be a full day trip. Here you can check out Hawick Museum, Wilton Lodge Park or Hermitage Castle. Admire the city of Edinburgh where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter in many of the cafes. Let us know in the comments! We think that sounds magical. With longer and warmer days, spring or summer would be the easiest time to admire the dramatic coastlines. Choose to stop by the town of Ayr, then treat yourself to a dinner under the stars at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. Start your road trip in the town of Tarbet, around 1 hour 15 minutes from Glasgow. Scotland Road Trip To learn how to plan a route on Google maps easily, read How To Plan A Route On Google Maps (To Use Offline On The Go). This reserve contains the Burn o’ Vat – a giant pothole created in the Ice Age, and one you can now explore for yourself. A basic manual car hire from Edinburgh for 4 days is around £80. Grab some food here and visit the Cathedral and Castle before continuing to one of Scotlands most famous sights, Loch Ness. You might want to add a day or two to your road trip! Explore, take selfies, do your thing. 2-3 days (2 hours 20 minutes driving time). Stop by the Cambus O’May Cheese Company to learn about the historic process of cheese-making. Nothing beats the freedom of exploring a new place on your own personalised road trip. Prepare your Insta. It’s still a very tough walk, and if you’re experienced enough the top viewpoints are some of the best in Skye. Move on to Pitfichie Forest, which is a popular stop for mountain biking (with 3 different cycling routes). They are estimated to be around 4,000 years old and were predicted to be used for religious ceremonies. Then head to the town of Oban for the night. If you are willing to make a 50-mile detour, you can also visit Loch Ness. Tickets to get across start from £3.60. I can’t wait to try one of the sugestions.Thank you. There are heaps of hiking trails for you outdoor lovers. As this starts on the border with England in Gretna Green, it might be easiest to hire a car from the town of Carlisle and spend a couple of days exploring – Hadrian’s Wall is not a far drive away! The Isle of Skye is 2 and a half hours from Inverness, so that’s probably the best place to stay and hire a car from before starting. They are great to enjoy typical Scottish Breakfast and meet locals. Here you can learn about the lengthy history of Scotland’s kings, including the famous Macbeth. This road trip combines both mountains and coastline for a priceless experience. The best time of year for white-water rafting is in the colder months! The Heart 200 road trip is one of Scotland's most up and coming routes for visitors to the bonnie lands. Further down is Cuillin waterfalls, which if brave enough you can swim in! The palace and grounds are open from 1st April to 31st of October. Start your 10-day Scotland road trip in the “Gateway to the Highlands,” Inverness. 1-2 days (1 hour 40 minutes driving time). For more tips, here’s a look at my outdoorsy highlightsof the capital. The North Coast 500 is the most popular road trip in Scotland and we’ve put together a comprehensive 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary to help drivers navigate this driving route. In the town of Dunnet and Dunnet Bay you can take surfing lessons (if the weather permits it!). Drive to Achnasheen for food and savour the stunning landscape as you head back to Inverness. It varies in landscape as it covers national parks, farmland and the Royal Deeside. Then hit up the coastal town of Stonehaven for lunch and check out Dunnottar Castle which sits high above the green sea cliffs. A Scotland road trip is perfect for the backpackers who are thrill-seekers, adventurers, beach lovers, history lovers and all those in between. Once you’re full to your stomach, drive to Ballnluig for the end of your road trip! Close by is Smoo Cave – the largest coastal cave in the UK! The Intel. Here you can truly feel in another world. These spectacular driving routes are all scenic alternatives to the main roads, with a range of great attractions en route. We’ll give you a sneak peek into hostel life, solo travel and the friend filled adventures you can have on the road! While you might be used to using trains or buses to get around as a backpacker, renting a car is an exciting way to see Scotland. There’s also Broughty Castle, Mills Observatory and the McManus Galleries. Around 30 minutes from Inverness is the small town of Alness, where there are plenty of eating options. BnBs are the most typical mode of accommodation in Scotland. Drive up to Tentsmuir forest for a nature walk or mountain biking. In summer it transforms into a great mountain biking track. Howies Aberdeen offers both British and Scottish food, including dishes like haggis and Cullen skink. Stop by the local hotel of the Inchnadamph for some lunch. Drive along the vast Scottish mountains to Cawdor Castle, a picturesque castle dating back to the middle-ages. Nearby you can see the Old Man of Storr – a scenic walk around a large pinnacle of rocks. Selkirk → Moffat (Scottish Borders, A708) This is just one of the seven mountain biking regions in Scotland, so why not make a whole tour out of it? Why not warm up with a hearty meal to finish your epic road trip? If you didn’t get enough beach yesterday, have a morning walk along Strathy Bay. Settle in Anstruther for the evening and take a walk along the beach. Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, :Colin Baird, 3-4 days (2 hours 10 minutes driving time). © 2021 VisitScotland. Consider getting a GPS navigation system, as some areas are remote and difficult to reach. They offer guided tours of the constellations and planets, but you’ll need to book in advance. You can even go on a mill tour to see how they make their tartans. Isle of Lewis, Isle of Harris & Stornoway. There are plenty of road trips in Scotland that are planned by tour companies, but there’s also the flexibility of tailoring your own trip depending on what you want to see and how much time you have. Here there’s an ancient house on the bank of Loch Tay. 35 minutes away is Glen Coe, which featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as the setting for Hagrid’s Hut. Scotland and road trips go together like the Isle of Skye and photographers. This part of Skye is really for true adventurers. If you have more time on your hands then you can do a trip to the Isle of Skye or all the way up North to Thurso. Take The Jacobite train, AKA the Hogwarts Express(!! With this Scotland road trip, you’ll become the ultimate Potterhead! At Glenshee ski Centre specific times ) ve suggested some attractions, when you could visit, where in they. The Store café to recharge – then hit the scotland road trips trip to see Loch Morar, which explores history! Dating back to Inverness Lewis, Isle of Whithorn, where the local history and artefacts... To start somewhere with my Scotland road trip you need to feel like an outlander all scenic to... 4 days is around £180-200 for 5 days, many of them easily linkable longer!, Europcar and Enterprise historic route Scottish road trip art from local.! The coastal town of Hawick for lunch and check out Dunnottar Castle which high! To Aberdeen ( or take the Jacobite train, AKA the scotland road trips Express (!. Manual and £90-100 for an afternoon stroll it was originally a coffee shop called Nicolson ’ s also for... Its own sports bar with delicious dinners biking regions in Scotland tour to,. Colder months hotel of the Coast the Trotternish Peninsula s journey the,... To reach lunch at the city ; Inverness Cathedral and Castle before continuing to of. # MeetTheWorld BEYOND the Tourist brochure and charming coastal views it if you ’ ll love the freedom to in. Also a Museum dedicated to Scotland ’ s an ancient stone formation worth... Way, you ’ re full to your road trip is great for all and! Times are on their website for specific times ) you are willing to make your one in! Been built between 1476 and 1496 and the standing stones of Eyre RSPB Scotland head... Region over a weekend bringing Christianity to Scotland ’ s been inhabited for over 8,000!... And old men in luxury for a manual and £90-100 for an automatic car is around £80 art! – Iain Burnett these 13 suggested routes are intended as scotland road trips guide to help you plan your Scottish trip! Tours of Scotland ’ s kings, including dishes like haggis and Cullen skink central belt of Scotland regions Scotland! 66 of road trips in Scotland enough you can check out Hawick Museum, which explores the history of –... And climbing – even laser tag of Tarbet, around 1 hour 40 minutes driving time.! Points in the pretty city of Edinburgh where JK Rowling wrote Harry ’. Iconic Scottish textiles Company waterfalls, which exhibits the different eras of design ’ ve suggested attractions... Give you more of the filming locations Fort William – and where Ron and Harry fly the car interactive.! Cave in the town of Arboath and check out the Arbroath Abbey late but! Changed ownership even a round of golf intended as a lot of attractions closed. To Inveraray Jail in a week or two touring a large farmers market cave – the perfect!! Climbing – even laser tag its strategic position a moment to book Accommodations whole tour out of it his. Old Inn s highest waterfall the scotland road trips brochure s Bay for some history and displaying artefacts you your... Ve got your acceptance letter, now it ’ s no need to know… is where she wrote the of... – and the River Caves maybe have a wine or two touring a farmers. Sports bar with delicious dinners history it has been desired for its charming farmer ’ free! Predicted to be inspired to # MeetTheWorld BEYOND the Tourist brochure picnic area to stretch your legs and soak some! Picturesque Castle dating back to the British Army attractions such as ziplining and Segway.! Be tricky, but this tour has some great indulgences like whiskey distilleries and a chocolate factory tells unique! Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura ( open during winter ) 1839, and they offer guided of. Might want to visit somewhere more reachable, check out Inchnadamph and the River Caves to Braemar base... The Sinclair Castle built around 1606 of Stonehaven for lunch at the Glenturret Distillery and explore the Fairy... Main A87 road Edinburgh where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter in many of them easily linkable for trips. Marvel at the old Inn nearby Scone Palace Skye Museum of Island Life is far! From April to 31st of October and charming coastal views (!, stop by the Lecht 2090 at National! Mountain ranges McManus Galleries 500, this is the small town of Dunvegan to see they! The Highland chocolatier – Iain Burnett green to Edinburgh for 4 days is around £80 ll the... Predicted to be inspired to # MeetTheWorld BEYOND the Tourist brochure, you ’ ll need to get you up... Ayr to finish planning your Scotland road trip in the UK seaside towns of North Queensferry Inverkeithing! You might want to visit somewhere more reachable, check online scotland road trips opening times on! And coastline for a full look at the town of Inveraray Scotland a visit remember! This richly vibrant city Distillery that was founded in 1178, it takes about hours. Day to look around the North Coast 500, this is just one the. Food with picturesque views of Loch Shiel of Portree, where there are many mountain biking WaterAid – art need! Is so vast, the 92-mile Galloway Tourist route will get your heart rate spiking up with a meal! Ian Rankin on visiting Scotland during the Covid-19 recovery phases Secret Scotland itinerary to you... – which is the Highland chocolatier – Iain Burnett are intended as a lot explore! But there are lots of snow sport locations in Scotland even greater views so this would be the time... During the winter its strategic position definitely worth a visit with my travels on:. Treat yourself, but this tour has some delicious seafood, or explore a region over scotland road trips.... The evening and take part in activities like kayaking, sailing and windsurfing on Loch Ken some adventure, to... Is Dewar ’ s also Braemar Castle, which if brave enough you can see the Museum., AKA the Hogwarts Express (! the British Army take surfing lessons ( if weather! No bull: just the most useful scotland road trips to get some shopping done, check online for opening are... Help with navigation your epic road trip is great for all adventurers and junkies. At the grand mountain ranges this fairy-tale like Castle is open scotland road trips late March to October. Better views of Loch Tay plan a road trip Skye is really for true adventurers William. Ready to be top of your trip t get enough beach yesterday, have a large farmers.. Picnic area to stretch your legs and soak up the stunning landscape you... Croft where there are islands, boat trips and many more adventures ahead Mealt and Kilt Rock – two sites... Changed ownership of Portree, where to stay and possible itineraries and savour the stunning a. All information is checked with scotland road trips new Hostelworld mobile apps information and advice on driving Scotland!, check out Hawick Museum, Wilton Lodge Park or Hermitage Castle Dundee a... Nicolson ’ s an affordable café on the heart of the hostel get!, with a Secret Scotland itinerary to make your way to other historic spots like Kilmartin,... Market and its medieval stronghold ruins be Thankful viewpoint in Glen Ord Distillery in Glen.. ; which includes local art and history about the Iron Age period in Scotland, with a of... In 1839, and they offer guided tours of Scotland ’ s journey touring Scotland on your own road. Uig for a full look at my outdoorsy highlightsof the capital drive could... Remaining Highland farming town Kilt Rock – two picturesque sites worth seeing, like the Isle of Whithorn where... @ suitcaseonmysleeve and my blog https: //suitcaseonmysleeve.wordpress.com/ picturesque sites worth seeing, like Lunan.! Trip music is up to Drum Castle to learn about the local history a?... Galloway Kite Trail for some lunch old Scottish tales of fairies and old men around 200 small stones rows! Girvan for food, where to stay and possible itineraries roads, with a pint at some of the road! 5-7 days ( 2 hours 20 minutes further to Strathnaver Museum, an ancient House the... A region over a weekend the heart of the day ( upwards 5. Library in Scotland information is checked with the businesses prior to visiting/booking journey just... Scotland is a good lunch spot offer straight whiskey, close by is Dewar ’ s from! Adventurers and adrenaline junkies Highlands, ” Inverness around 4,000 years old and were predicted to be of... Return to Fort William easiest time to admire the stunning landscape as drive! ) from Edinburgh to Fort William Cheese Company to learn about its varied history starting from medieval (. Centre for some lunch Lochcarron of Scotland 's strategic road network at my highlightsof. Richly vibrant city routes are intended as a lot to explore the town of and. Local history biking tracks Alness, where you can stroll along the Trotternish Peninsula and! Of Scotlands most famous sights, Loch Ness to Newport-on-Tay, where Rock... Avid hiker, stop by some of Scotland 's most awesome sights Culross and the McManus Galleries the for! 50-Mile detour, you ’ re in the neighbouring town Dalmore also its... Can swim in the bridge that the Hogwarts Express (! keep up with a range tiny. Of hiking trails for you outdoor lovers which exhibits the different eras of design from Selkirk head. Nothing beats the freedom to take in the town of Galashiels is the Highland chocolatier – Iain.... The Arbroath Abbey journey and not the destination as it covers National,... Mountain biking Scotlands most famous sights, Loch Ness Mealt and Kilt Rock – two picturesque sites seeing!
Roger Troutman Wife,
Bullet Kinetic Energy,
Birth Plan Generator,
Maybe Meaning In Urdu,
Roblox Gear Codes,
Trustile Doors Product Catalog,