The 5 Best Scottish Road Trips for Incredible Scenery

Are you bored out of your mind and know you deserve a holiday? You don’t have to wait for a sign because it’s definitely time for your next adventure! If you haven’t decided on your destination yet, don’t worry. You don’t have to look too far to enjoy breathtaking sceneries, rich culture, and awesome people. Scotland offers all these and more. Grab the chance to have a Scottish road trip, especially if you’re just in the UK, and be sure to bring your significant other, family or your best buddies to share this experience with you. Not sure where to start? Here are 5 best Scottish road trips for you!

6 Days on the North Coast 500

The NC500 is a new route, and it’s gaining popularity among travellers. Running along Scotland’s north coast, you’ll be able to see castles on top of cliffs, white-sand beaches, and alluringly blue waters. For the whole trip, you’ll cover about 500 miles of magnificent scenery, with its quaint villages, historic castles, and beautiful coastline inviting you to pause and take a moment to just be in awe. 

You can complete your road trip through the North Coast 500 in just six days, giving you enough time for stopovers. But if you want really want to take your time, relax, and not be in a hurry to get back, then you can spend two weeks on this road trip without feeling bored or exhausted. 

3 Days on the Argyll Coastal Route

If you love eating seafood, then this route is one to try because it’s going to be a gastronomic adventure for you. You’ll definitely look forward to stopping over at local restaurants for lunch after a morning of sightseeing. Apart from food, the Argyll Coastal Route is also famous among wildlife watchers. So, if you want to get in touch with the nature lover in you, be sure to add this Scottish road trip to your travel destinations list. 

For this route, you’ll be driving 129 miles, and you can complete this in a single day. But you might want to take it slow and enjoy a full three days on this trip. You’ll start by driving along the serene banks of Loch Lomond. Further along the way, you’ll be greeted by the shores of Scotland’s west coast. And finally, you’ll have a chance to appreciate the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands, with its breathtaking mountains and landscape. The last stop is Fort William, which is the adventure capital of Scotland. 

3 Days on the Royal Deeside Tourist Route

Be mesmerised by the enchanting beauty of the Cairngorms National Park when you take a road trip on the Royal Deeside Tourist Route. On this route, you will travel from Perth to Aberdeen, where you’ll see the farmlands of Blairgowrie and the mountains of the Scottish Highlands. This road trip is short at only 108 miles, so you can take it on the weekend and come back feeling refreshed and invigorated. 

There are many attractions along the way to Aberdeen, such as museums, castles, palaces, and national parks. If you ever get thirsty and exhausted after visiting those famous spots, be sure to stop over at the Royal Lochnagar whisky distillery for some local spirits. Sample some delicious slices of cheese at the Cambus O’May creamery, too!

2 Days on the Road to the Isles

Are you a Harry Potter fan? The Road to the Isles is a route that’s famous for having been a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. This road trip is also perfect for those who love swimming and just basking in the sun. You have the chance to go sailing to the Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck, and Skye once you reach the end of the road. The whole route stretches from the north Scotland west coast to Mallaig. It’s actually a short drive at just 42 miles, and you can finish the whole trip in just one hour. But where’s the fun in that, right? Go ahead and take a couple of days to enjoy the Road to the Isles. 

From Fort Williams, be sure to visit the Ben Nevis Distillery Visitor Centre, which is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. When you’re on your way to the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen, do stop by the Treasures of the Earth located in Corpach and marvel at the finest private collection of gemstones in Europe. Finally, unwind at Glenfinnan and walk the shores of Loch Shiel. 

16 Days on the Grand Tour of Scotland

Now, if you have the time to really immerse yourself in the beauty and magnificence of Scotland, take this 16-day road trip! It’s better to have someone with you on this journey, so you can share the experience and have wonderful memories of Scotland together. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, whisky connoisseur, or someone who just wants to know Scottish culture and meet the welcoming locals, then this is it! 

The trip starts at Edinburgh, driving into the Highlands and then north, where you’ll be taking a ferry to Orkney. From there, you’ll drive west to the Isles of Harris and Lewis and finally south to Skye. The whole trip covers 2,580 miles, and on those 16 days, you’ll see the best attractions Scotland has to offer. Your drive will never be boring because you’ll be seeing the mighty Highlands, rivers cutting through the landscape, the shorelines and the relaxing melody of the breaking waves. By the time you’re done with the trip, you’d already be in love with Scotland. 

Takeaway

So, what do you think? Open your calendar and set a schedule for a Scottish road trip! You can take a two-day trip, a week-long adventure, the Scotland 500, a Scottish Highlands trip, or the ultimate 16-day Scottish experience. And if you have even more spare time for exploring the UK, why not check out our London to Scotland road trip to tag on to your Scottish adventure. There’s so much that Scotland has to offer, so be sure to take the opportunity to get to know the place—its history, culture, and people.  ❤️