Planning a Scotland highway journey? On the lookout for the very best and most stunning scenic routes to drive in Scotland? Listed below are the very best self-driving tour routes so that you can explore- with maps!
Don’t overlook to seize your free information to the very best locations to see on a Scotland highway journey that can assist you plan your journey.
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Scenic routes in Scotland concepts
Between jaw-dropping lochs and spectacular mountain passes, Scotland is a road-trippers paradise. Severely, each flip within the highway produces some new purpose to say ‘Wow’.
In a really perfect world, we’d all have the time to discover this unimaginable nation to our coronary heart’s content material… however, sadly, many people are constrained by vacation or different time commitments.
So, we’ve to select and select our itineraries properly, whether or not you’re going for a fast weekend break or an extended motorhome tour of Scotland.
With a view to provide help to take advantage of your Scottish highway journey itinerary, listed here are a few of the BEST scenic routes & drives in Scotland, together with a quick overview of every self-drive tour, when to go and what to see on the best way.
NC 500- THE iconic scenic drive in Scotland
The NC500 (North Coast 500) goals to showcase the very best of the Highlands in a single unimaginable 516 mile loop. It’s been voted one of many WORLD’s finest coastal touring routes, with spectacular surroundings, unimaginable seashores and unmissable views throughout the Highlands.
What’s the NC 500 driving tour route?
The NC500 begins within the Highland capital, Inverness, though you’ll be able to be part of and go away it wherever. I embody a part of it in my 10-day Scotland Itinerary, which is a good choice for individuals who wish to see as a lot of Scotland as doable in a restricted time.
From Inverness, planning your North Coast 500 route and itinerary is pretty straightforward. You may both drive clockwise or anticlockwise across the loop. Most individuals go clockwise, which implies you head west from Inverness in direction of the Isle of Skye (you don’t really go to Skye on this driving route, though you’ll be able to simply detour if you want.
Head by the North West Highlands, aiming (finally) for Britain’s most northerly town- John O’Groats, (the place you’ll be able to take a day journey to Orkney) earlier than heading south once more to Inverness.
The route is pretty effectively signposted, though a few of it’s single observe and really slender!
Greatest locations to see on the NC 500 self-drive tour
Highlights of the NC 500 embody:
- Inverness- essentially the most northerly metropolis within the UK
- Smoo Cave
- Corrieshalloch Gorge
- Clashnessie Falls
- Bealach Na Ba- the UK’s steepest highway. Do NOT try this with a motorhome (or in the event you’re a nervous driver!)
- Clachtoll Seashore
- Kylesku Bridge
- John o’Groats
- Dunrobin Citadel
- Whisky. Oh, and Scottish breakfasts.
How lengthy does it take to drive the NC500?
Ha- it relies upon how lengthy you cease to take images!! It’s 516 miles, however you’ll NOT be going fast- the highway is gradual and twisty.
Count on to cease usually for automobiles coming the opposite approach or for stray highland animals who recurrently wander into the highway.
You may tour the NC500 in 4/5 days in the event you drive a LOT and don’t cease to discover, however I like to recommend a minimum of a 7-day journey to essentially take advantage of it. Learn our 7-10 day North Coast 500 itinerary and route planner right here.
Are you able to drive the NC500 in a motorhome/ campervan?
Sure, you’ll be able to drive the NC 500 with a motorhome and a campervan. In the event you don’t have your individual there are many locations to rent a van for the journey.
The place to remain on the NC500 scenic drive
There are many nice campsites alongside the North Coast 500, a few of that are open all 12 months.
Wild tenting in Scotland is allowed… with some widespread sense.
- Do NOT block entry or park on personal property- motor automobiles don’t have that proper.
- Be delicate to fragile environments and habitats- respect the character round you
- Take ALL your garbage and waste. ALL. OF. IT. Use correct services to empty your waste tanks & rest room. Many campsites will mean you can empty waste, even in the event you’re not staying there.
- Don’t mild fires or BBQs until it’s protected and you may correctly supervise it.
Another ideas for motorhomes embody having the ability to reverse- you’ll have to do that lots!- and NOT travelling in convoys because it blocks the slender roads.
The place else are you able to keep on the NC500 driving route?
In the event you desire one thing with an precise mattress and 4 partitions, there are PLENTY of motels and B & Bs to take pleasure in alongside the route. I counsel reserving upfront between June and October- it might get busy!
Greatest time to drive the NC500?
As with all the pieces in Scotland, the climate actually does make a distinction. The most effective climate is between April-October… however that’s additionally when this route is at its busiest.
I like to recommend avoiding July and August utterly in the event you can- the colleges are on vacation and in every single place is over-crowded. However Spring/ early summer time or September/ October is a good time to go to.
(Listed below are some extra nice concepts for locations to go to in Europe in October.)
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve carried out the arduous be just right for you!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary strategies
- Routes and issues to see alongside the best way
- Suggestions, customs and far rather more!
Isle of Skye self-drive scenic driving route
The Isle of Skye is likely one of the most well-known islands on the west coast of Scotland.
Highlights of an Isle of Skye drive
- Fairy Swimming pools
- Talisker Distillery
- Previous Man of Storr hike
- Dunvegan Citadel
- Neist Level
READ MORE: Our full 3-day Isle of Skye itinerary
How lengthy does it take for an Isle of Skye driving tour?
It’s doable so as to add Skye onto the NC500 and go to for the day, but it surely’s effectively price spending 3 days in a highway journey right here to essentially see a few of the unimaginable sights.
Greatest time to go to the Isle of Skye?
I like to recommend avoiding June, July and August in Skye- too many individuals and too many midges. Our favorite time of 12 months is Autumn- it’s one among our favorite locations to take pleasure in Autumn in Europe– the colors of the altering foliage are spectacular.
Kintyre Peninsula Driving tour route
Really helpful by Susanne | Adventures round Scotland
The Kintyre Peninsula could be reached by automotive from Glasgow in approx 3 hours and takes you effectively off Scotland’s in style vacationer routes. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply there isn’t something price seeing, it simply that the majority vacationers don’t realise all that it has to supply.
Highlights of a Kintyre Peninsula highway journey
A number of highlights embody:
- the fishing port of Tarbert which sits on the gateway to the peninsula. The city is dwelling to a vibrant harbour and historic fort ruins which sit on a hilltop overlooking the encompassing space.
- One other close by fort price visiting is Skipness which dates again to the thirteenth century. Though ruined, it’s substantial in measurement and the rooftop affords magnificent 360-degree views.
- As you drive south, there are quite a few fairly coastal villages price stopping at together with Carradale and Southend the place you’ll be able to discover the Keil Caves which have proof of occupation from as early because the third century AD onward.
- Campbeltown is the principle settlement and was as soon as dwelling to 34 whisky distilleries. As we speak solely three distilleries stay and taking a tour is a good way to find extra about Scotland’s most well-known drink (and to pattern some!)
- Lastly, no Kintyre driving tour can be full with out a go to to the Mull of Kintyre made well-known within the music by Sir Paul McCartney. It sits on the very south of the peninsula with a strolling path to the lighthouse.
How lengthy does it take to drive the Kintyre Peninsula?
To correctly discover Kintyre, a road-trip of two or 3 days is right however add in some further time if you wish to mix it with an island-hopping day journey to the Isle of Gigha, essentially the most southerly of the Hebridean islands which is a brief ferry experience from Kintyre.
To make sure points of interest are open, spring and summer time are the very best instances to go to.
SWC300 (South West Coastal Scenic Driving route)
Really helpful by Kathi | Watch Me See
The south of Scotland is stuffed with hidden gems far off the overwhelmed observe. Whereas most guests flock to the busy Highlands of Scotland, it’s price heading in the other way.
The South West Coastal 300 (SWC300) is a scenic drive across the south-west of Scotland. It passes by components of Ayrshire, runs alongside the coast of Dumfries and Galloway and crosses into the Moffat and Galloway Hills.
Street trippers who dare to enterprise off the overwhelmed path will be rewarded with beautiful coastal surroundings, castles steeped in historical past, picturesque lighthouses, quirky artist cities, recent native produce and rather more.
Issues to see on a SWC300 self-drive tour
The most effective a part of the SWC300 is the drive across the Mull of Galloway peninsula. Begin by exploring the southernmost level of Scotland.
Comply with the paths across the RSPB Nature Reserve and go to the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse – from the highest, you’ll be able to see the coast of Northern Eire, the Lake District and the Isle of Man.
Subsequent, cease at Logan Botanic Backyard the place there are vegetation from all around the world incl. uncommon South African species, Eucalyptus timber and large Gunnera vegetation. Even essentially the most unique vegetation do surprisingly effectively on the west coast of Scotland because of the Gulf Stream.
The picturesque harbour of Portpatrick affords the right backdrop for an early dinner and you probably have power left, I like to recommend an evening out on the Grape’s Bar in Stranraer.
Different highlights on the SWC300 embody Culzean Citadel on the coast and the Darkish Sky Park within the Galloway Hills.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve carried out the arduous be just right for you!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary strategies
- Routes and issues to see alongside the best way
- Suggestions, customs and far rather more!
How lengthy does it take to drive the SWC300?
Plan to spend a minimum of 4-5 days on the SWC300, two days inland and two to 3 days on the coast.
The realm is fascinating year-round, however arguably most stunning from April to September, when totally different sorts of flowers are blooming and the times are so long as could be.
Coronary heart 200 Scenic self- drive route
Really helpful by Campbell | Highlands2Hammocks
The Coronary heart 200 highway journey is one among Scotland’s most up and coming routes for guests to the bonnie lands. Not like the North Coast 500, this 200-mile route focuses on the center of the central belt of Scotland.
This driving route solely launched in the summertime of 2019 and is ready to change into extremely in style attributable to its ease of accessibility and extremely rated places en route.
All I can say is that if you wish to fall in love with Scotland’s fascinating historical past, then get in there quickly earlier than it will get busy!
There is probably not shoreline and seashores in Scotland’s centre, nonetheless, the huge quantity of historical past and unimaginable surroundings on supply is just unimaginable. How about exploring waterfalls and castles and studying about Scotland’s insane historical past?
Or taking a ship journey across the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, one among Scotland’s most well-known and delightful places within the centre.
Highlights of the Coronary heart 200
The highest sights and actions that I like to recommend alongside the Coronary heart 200 highway journey embody:
- exploring the magical Satan’s Pulpit
- Stirling Citadel
- Loch Lomond
- bungee leaping in Killiecrankie
- Dunblane’s golden submit field
- strolling the gorgeous Blair Citadel gardens.
What’s one of the simplest ways to self-drive the Coronary heart 200?
In the case of getting across the Coronary heart 200, a Campervan or automotive are the very best methods to do it. The highway journey takes you thru the remoted and quaint central areas of Scotland, that are tougher to achieve by public transport.
I hope these scenic drives in Scotland have impressed you to go to this stunning nation. Already been? The place did you want finest?
