Whether you are searching for the monster of Loch Ness, wanting to taste some good Scottish whiskey, seeking nature, or going back in time in one of the many castles, Scotland has it all!
In this blog, our car rental experts will offer some tips for routes that promise an epic journey. Scotland is perfect for exploration with a rental car, since there are so many beautiful road trips to make. Winding roads make you feel like you're driving through a painting, passing historic castles, lochs, glens, serene lakes, and wild seas. Scotland has captivated imaginations for centuries. Ancient myths still live on, and there's a rich history with many remains still present. Scotland is remarkably diverse and a fascinating country to drive through.
You can also stay active during your trip, for example hiking the Munros or golfing on one of the stunning golf courses.
Whether you're exploring Scotland by car or camper, these Scottish road trips will offer you the opportunity to visit the best highlights. Scotland can always be fit into a road trip, whether you're planning a quick 7-day tour or have more time for a leisurely meander along several of these routes. There's always a Scottish road trip for you!
The North Coast 500
Inverness - Wick - John o'Groats - Thurso - Durness - Lochinver - Ullapool - Gairloch - Applecross - Inverness
- Distance: 492 miles
- Duration: 10-14 days
The North Coast 500 is widely regarded as one of the best road trips in Scotland. It truly is the ultimate tour through the Scottish Highlands, passing by windy beaches, ancient ruins, stunning vistas, and historic castles in breathtaking landscapes.
The Highland Tourist Route is one of the few routes in Europe that is as much about the destination as it is about the journey, Scotland's very own Route 66. If you don't have much time, it's possible to do the NC500 in seven days, but then there wouldn't be much opportunity to stop and learn more about the history and rugged nature.
It's better to undertake this Scottish Highlands route in 10 days, but even better is to allocate 14 or even 21 days to fully experience this unique part of the country. You can take this route through the Scottish Highlands in either direction starting from Inverness, for example, heading north along the east coast. Along the route, you'll find plenty of Scottish attractions, breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, and historic sights. If you come in late autumn or winter, Applecross, Lochinver, and Ullapool are all top places to see the northern lights.
Highlights:
- Inverness castle
- Hunting for the famous Loch Ness monster
- Climbing one of the 37 Munros (mountains over 914m) along the route
- Dunrobin castle
- Hiking the five-mile trail from John o'Groats to Duncansby Head, the most northeastern point on the British mainland, and following the spectacular coastal path to see the two dramatic pointed sea stacks.
- Castle of Mey
The North East 250
Aberdeen - Peterhead - Fraserburgh - Portsoy - Spey Bay - Glenlivet - Braemar - Aberdeen
- Distance: 229 miles
- Duration: 5-7 days
This one week tour is perfect if you love the coast, mountains, and whiskey! This route starts from Aberdeen Airport, you can drive it clockwise or counterclockwise. You will see places like Speyside, Royal Deeside, Cairngorms, the east coast, and the Moray Firth coast. The most beautiful part of this route is the stretch from Tomintoul to Blairgowrie, which forms a significant portion of the Snowroads scenic route, a truly stunning road through the eastern Cairngorms.
Highlights:
- Aberdeen and its rich maritime history
- Whisky distilleries along the NE250 route
- Dolphin spotting from the cliffs at Portknockie
- Elgin Cathedral
- Cairngorms National Park
- Balmoral Castle
The South West Coastal 300
Prestwick - Ballantrae - Cairngaan, Isle of Whithorn - Kirkcudbright - Dumfries - Lockerbie - Moffat - Dalmellington - Prestwick
- Distance: 297 miles
- Duration: 5-7 days
The South West Coastal 300 is a Scottish road trip that's truly ideal for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. With spectacular coastlines, forests stretching over rolling hills, and moorlands, it's perfect for those who enjoy tranquility.
The route starts at Lockerbie, about a 20-minute drive from the border. It's also easily accessible from Glasgow, making it ideal if you fancy spending a few days in the cultural and welcoming city at the beginning or end of your visit to Scotland.
You can travel south along the coast from Prestwick, this route can also be driven in either direction.
Highlights:
- Galloway Forest Park
- Culzean Castle
- Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
- Dumfries - Moffat / Hike along the scenic Southern Upland Way
- Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in Dalmellington
The coastal route of Argyll & Loch Ness
Glasgow - Tarbet - Inverary - Lochgilphead - Oban - Glencoe - Fort William - Glenfinnan - Inverness
- Distance: 271 miles
- Duration: 7-10 days
From seacoasts to loch shores and mountain peaks, the ultimate West Coast of Scotland road trip is for seafood lovers, true gourmets, those who want to enjoy stunning sunsets, and those who want to learn more about the history.
The route starts in Glasgow and ends in Inverness along the West Coast of Scotland, crossing the Highland Boundary Fault and enjoying the lowlands gradually giving way to the dramatic and wild Highlands.
Highlights:
- Glasgow
- The viewpoint at An Ceann Mor in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
- Buy a fresh oyster roadside at Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd.
- Inveraray with Inveraray Jail and Inveraray Castle
- Wildlife spotting from Easdale Island. With whale-watching trips, a visit to Corryvreckan Whirlpool to the local seal colony, while keeping your eyes peeled for porpoises, dolphins, eagles, and otters along the way.
- Oban Distillery, one of the smallest and oldest distilleries in Scotland
- Castle Stalker
- Glen Coe
- Lochaber dominated by Ben Nevis and known as the outdoor capital
- Neptune’s Staircase
- Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from the Harry Potter films
- Drive east and take the legendary A82. Around the Bridge of Orchy, you'll travel a portion of the infamous Skyfall Road, from the Bond film of the same name, one of the most dramatic and picturesque drives in Scotland. Time for a photo op!
- Make a stop at the charming village of Fort Augustus, gateway to Loch Ness
- Urquhart Castle in Drumnadrochit, midway along Loch Ness
