Posted by Maris on 7th Oct 2024
The 12 Most Beautiful Scottish Road Trips
Road excursions and Scotland go together like Skye and photographers. Gorgeous landscapes, castles amidst untamed terrain, moody glens, and glistening lochs—all you need to complete this wonderful combination is terrific music. See Culture Trip's guide to the best Scottish road excursions, which includes anything from Scotland's own Route 66 to a captivating Sunday drive substitute.
Edinburgh to St Andrews
This one is ideal if you're on a whistlestop tour of Edinburgh. Explore the historic streets of Scotland's capital first, then proceed to the city's outskirts to Cramond. Enjoy the amazing food at Cramond Falls Café while enjoying the views of the boats, beaches, and traditional buildings. Next, cruise over the Forth Bridge, Scotland's version of the Golden Gate, and take in the gloomy Firth of Forth waters. From here, take in the scenic drive to Elie, where you can see the historic Lady's Tower from the 1770s and the 1908 Elie Ness Lighthouse, before arriving in St Andrews, the home of golf.
Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail
Stunningly beautiful and incredibly well-marked, the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail is an incredible journey. While you can start this amazing 266km (165 mi) trek at any point, the St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve is a great spot to start. If you have four or five more days, you should take in the sheer size of the dizzying sea cliffs that flank the whole coast. Some more attractions are spotting uncommon animals, ambling around the captivating dunes, discovering the network of undiscovered beaches, and touring the coastal communities. Slains Castle, thought to have inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Fraserburgh, home to Europe's biggest shellfish harbor, are both worthwhile visits.
North Coast 500
North Coast 500, Scotland's equivalent of America's Route 66, has earned several votes and positive reviews, making it one of the world's best coastal road trips. This amazing route boasts 805km (500mi) of breathtaking views that will make your heart sing. It also offers whale-watching cruises, magnificent castles and distilleries, Highland beauty, and Munro-bagging chances. This thrilling trail lives up to its reputation with several stops, including Dunrobin Castle, Smoo Cave, Sandwood Bay, Duncansby sea stacks, and Beinn Eighe, to mention a few.
The Borders
The Scottish Borders are a gorgeous region of Scotland that will make you drool. They are dotted with historic abbeys and breathtaking scenery. The only route that begins outside of Scotland is the Borders Historic Route, which runs from Carlisle to Edinburgh. Visit Gretna Green to learn about its colorful history as one of the top elopement and marriage destinations in the world (don't forget to touch the marriage anvil); explore every inch of Abbotsford House, the former residence of Sir Walter Scott, to learn about the Scottish Borders textile industry and watch tartan being made from scratch.
Argyll
The Argyll Coastal Route has a genuinely wonderful quality with its eerie lochs, towering mountains, and 208 km (129 mi) of open road. From Tarbert to Fort William, this journey is about the local seafood, clean sea air, and breathtaking landscape. Travel around the picturesque banks of Loch Lomond in all her splendor; savor the sights and flavors of the West Coast as you take in the striking mountain vistas and ethereal shorelines. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain peak in Britain, wildlife boat excursions, Loch Fyne Restaurant & Oyster Bar, and a 19th-century jail are just a few of the unexpected stops along the route.
Deeside
From Perth to Aberdeen, the Deeside Route is not just full of adventure but also wonderful food. This is your chance to indulge your inner outdoor adventurer by visiting the Cairngorms National Park, home to five of Scotland's six tallest mountains. To satisfy the palate, the itinerary also includes a detour to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery and Cambus O'May Cheese Co., which offers an excellent chance to learn about the craft of cheesemaking. The 13th-century Drum Castle and Scone Palace are two examples of architectural allure.
Galloway
Explore the culturally rich wonders along Scotland's southwest coast with the Galloway Tourist Route, an ideal destination for families and thinkers alike. Road trippers will find it difficult to keep away from the 7Stanes mountain biking paradise, the Galloway Kite Trail red kite-watching sanctuary, the Dumfries Museum, and Camera Obscura. The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is the ultimate conclusion for those who love literature, and the verdant surroundings are soul-healing.
The Highlands
You need look no farther than the Highland Tourist Route if you're looking for magic. An impressive collection of castles, mysterious forests, distilleries aplenty, and breathtaking scenery are all clichés associated with the Highlands, but the real thing lives up to the hype. Experience history at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Cawdor Castle, and Culloden Battlefield. At Glenlivet Distillery, savor Scotland's whisky legacy and smuggling tales.
Moray Firth
The Moray Firth option is a breathtaking road travel destination that offers stunning views throughout its 129 km (80 mi) round route from Inverness to Loch Fleet. Experience the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, observe the Black Isle Brewery's craftspeople at work, and get ready to be mesmerized by Rogie Falls' tumbling waters. This excursion includes wonderful views of the Easter Ross and Sutherland landscapes and the ominous seas of Beauly, Cromarty, and Dornoch firths.
Perthshire
The Perthshire Tourist Route connects Dunblane to Ballinluig, is a great option for anyone looking for a shorter Scottish road vacation that combines luxury, history, cuisine, and the great outdoors. Culture travelers should anticipate breathtaking views and dramatic terrain with pockets of woods. Highlights of the trip include the Famous Grouse Experience, Drummond Castle Gardens, the Library of Innerpeffray, a book lover's paradise, and the Victorian spa at Crieff Hyrdro.
Skye
Beautifully pure and enchanting at its core, the Isle of Skye makes for an amazing road trip destination. Travel the A87, A63, and A50 highways to see firsthand all the natural beauties (Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, Fairy Pools), as well as the old-world charm (Dunvegan Castle, Talisker Distillery). There's something about Skye that lets our best selves loose, whether it's through mind-blowing mountain views or exotic foliage.
Stirling to Inverness
Scotland's spine, often known as the A9, is a 440 km (273 mi) stretch of breathtaking scenery and picture-perfect landscapes that seems to go on forever. From Stirling to Inverness, there are countless culturally significant locations along the way, such as Dunblane, Auchterarder, Gleneagles, Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, and Aviemore, all of which are equally fascinating. Even though the view in this one is captivating, be cautious when driving on that route.