Posted by Maris on 3rd Oct 2023
7 Best Scenic Drives in Scotland to Enjoy the Beauty of This Country
Exit the freeway and take the less-traveled road to see the majority of Scotland’s magnificent splendor. To get you started on where to go for a leisurely drive, here are 7 stunningly lovely routes to take in Scotland.
1. Argyll Coastal Route
- 129 miles / 208 km
- Tarbet (Loch Lomond) – Fort William
Inveraray, noted for its fairytale castle, may be accessed by going through the breathtaking grandeur of the Western Highlands from the bonnie, bonnie borders of Lake Lomond. On your route to Oban, visit Kilmartin Glen, the historic birthplace of the Scottish country, and enjoy the spectacular shoreline views.
Visit the pier for a delicious al fresco lunch of freshly caught goodies; the town is known as Scotland’s seafood center. After a satisfying meal, climb Battery Hill to see the views of Oban Bay from McCaig’s Tower.
Take the West Coast route past Benderloch and Appin to reach the beautiful Castle Stalker, which is nestled on a tiny islet at the mouth of Loch Laich. It is not open to the general public, but it makes an excellent Instagram post.
Before arriving in Fort William, take a picturesque drive along the banks of Lake Leven to witness why Glen Coe is known as the “Valley of Weeping.”
2. Borders Historic Route
- 89 miles / 143 km
- Scots Dyke (England/Scotland Border) – Edinburgh
As you journey across the Scottish Borders’ undulating hills, you will see luxurious mansions, old abbeys, and lovely settlements with a long history of textile manufacture. Learn vivid stories about the lawless Border Reivers who plunder both sides of the Scottish and English borders before carrying their booty to the Devil’s Beef Tub!
Sir Walter Scott, the famous author and patriot, was so impressed by the Eildon Hills, located just south of Melrose, that he chose to have his beloved home, Abbotsford, built in their shadow.
Learn about the daily lives of the miners who worked at the Lady Victoria Colliery at the National Mining Museum Scotland, which is located a little further north.
Take a break from your journey to see Rosslyn Chapel, which is noted for its elaborate stone carvings and spooky atmosphere. Dan Brown’s best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code heavily included it. Stretch your legs in the lovely Roslin Glen before continuing on to Edinburgh for the final leg of your adventure.
3. Deeside Tourist Route
- 108 miles / 174 km
- Perth – Aberdeen
Scone Palace, one of Scotland’s stately mansions and the residence of the Earls of Mansfield, is the first stop. Scone was historically where Scottish Kings were crowned. The legendary Coronation Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone) is on exhibit in Edinburgh Castle with the Scottish Crown Jewels.
The drive continues through Glenshee, a famous winter sports location, to reach to Braemar, noted for its Highland Gathering, which is attended by members of the Royal Family. Queen Victoria purchased the Balmoral Estate in 1852, and the Royal Family has had yearly vacations here ever since, earning the region the appellation Royal Deeside.
This route is part of the well-known “Castle Trail,” and you can stop along the way to view Crathes Castle and Gardens or Drum Castle, which has one of Scotland’s finest medieval banqueting halls.
The road comes to an end in Aberdeen. This attractive city boasts lovely parks and a charming seaside position and is famed for its granite architecture.
4. Fife Coastal Route
- 77 miles / 124 km
- Kincardine – Newport on Tay
Cross the River Forth at Kincardine to go to Culross, a lovely 16th and 17th century village that plays an important role in the hit television series “Outlander.”
The Mercat Cross area serves as the setting for the fictitious village of “Cranesmuir.” Claire’s herb gardens are located behind the magnificent mustard-colored Palace at Castle Leoch.
Dunfermline was Scotland’s former capital. The famed Scottish hero Robert the Bruce is buried in this region, which also includes a royal mansion and a 12th-century abbey.
The second phase of the tour takes us to the East Neuk of Fife, which is peppered with charming fishing communities like Anstruther, Crail, and Pittenweem. The highlight of this drive is without a doubt the old university town of Saint Andrews, which is known around the world as the birthplace of golf.
Journeys come to an end in Newport on Tay, which is located on the other side of the silvery River Tay from Dundee.
5. Forth Valley Tourist Route
- 43 miles / 69 km
- Edinburgh – Stirling
Travel from the center of Edinburgh to South Queensferry to observe the three bridges that span the Forth Estuary. The oldest is the huge Forth Rail Bridge, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for more than a century.
The moniker “ship that never sailed” relates to Blackness Castle, a medieval castle with a nautical design. Another popular filming location on Outlander Tours is Black Jack Randall’s Fort William headquarters.
Linlithgow Palace served as the sinister Wentworth Prison in Outlander. This 15th-century palace is situated in a beautiful setting with a loch in the background. It was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and a favorite residence of the Stewart Kings and Queens.
Take a break to investigate The Kelpies are two massive monuments of horse heads that commemorate the importance of heavy horses in Scottish industry. The Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only spinning boat lift, is close. Thanks to this engineering marvel that connects the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal, boats can now cruise from coast to coast throughout Scotland.
Stirling is the geographic center of Scotland. It was critical throughout Scotland’s wars for independence. On the outskirts is the site of the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn. At the award-winning visitor center, you can learn more about this epic Scottish triumph over King Edward II of England’s forces.
The magnificent Castle stands atop Stirling’s Old Town. Inside, you may visit the opulent Royal Palace, Chapel Royal, and Great Hall. It was the location of large dinners and pageants and is the most magnificent structure in Scotland. It was built for King James IV.
6. Highland Tourist Route
- 116 miles / 187 km
- Aberdeen to Inverness
Whisky, castles, and stunning countryside are the highlights of this journey between Scotland’s two northern cities. Leave Aberdeen behind and go to Alford to visit the Grampian Transport Museum. The unique collection of automobiles tells the tale of travel and transportation in the North East of Scotland.
Elegant Craigievar Castle, the peak of what you’d expect a Scottish castle to look like, is only a short drive from Alford, and is said to have served as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
The road then traverses the Cairngorms National Park to reach the remote Corgarff Castle. The road then climbs over 2,000 feet (610 m) across the eastern Cairngorm Mountains. This mountain route, Scotland’s second highest in terms of elevation, mostly follows the old military road built by hand after the Jacobite Rising in 1745.
Glenlivet Distillery is nestled in a remote gorge near Tomintoul. This remote location was ideal for illegally making whisky. Distiller George Smith decided to go legit in 1824 and received the first local license; Glenlivet has never looked back since. Visit the distillery to learn about the history of George and his whisky, and then enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour to witness how it is made.
Cawdor Castle was home to the Thanes of Cawdor for over 600 years, and the journey concludes in Grantown on Spey. Culloden Moor, the site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden between Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Army and the Government Forces, is nearby. The tourist center combines immersive audio-visual exhibits to explain the story now that the moor has been restored to its original form from that fateful day.
7. North Coast 500
- 500 miles / 805 km
- Inverness – Inverness
The North Coast 500 is without a doubt, the most popular tourist route and is regarded as the ideal road trip. This 500-mile (805-km) route delivers some of Europe’s best seaside scenery from beginning to end.
This breathtaking drive, often known as “Scotland’s Route 66,” passes by historic landscapes, mighty mountains, and majestic castles. You should do it because it’s on so many people’s bucket lists.