Planning a Scotland street journey? Searching for the very best and most lovely 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 neglect to seize your free information to the very best locations to see on a Scotland street journey that will help 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 street produces some new cause to say ‘Wow’.
In an excellent 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 have now to select and select our itineraries correctly, whether or not you’re going for a fast weekend break or an extended motorhome tour of Scotland.
With the intention to aid you take advantage of your Scottish street journey itinerary, listed below 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 way in which.
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 embrace a part of it in my 10-day Scotland Itinerary, which is a good possibility for individuals who need 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 possibly can both drive clockwise or anticlockwise across the loop. Most individuals go clockwise, which suggests you head west from Inverness in the direction of the Isle of Skye (you don’t truly 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 (ultimately) 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 slim!
Finest locations to see on the NC 500 self-drive tour
Highlights of the NC 500 embrace:
- Inverness- probably the most northerly metropolis within the UK
- Smoo Cave
- Corrieshalloch Gorge
- Clashnessie Falls
- Bealach Na Ba- the UK’s steepest street. Do NOT try this with a motorhome (or for those who’re a nervous driver!)
- Clachtoll Seashore
- Kylesku Bridge
- John o’Groats
- Dunrobin Fortress
- Whisky. Oh, and Scottish breakfasts.
How lengthy does it take to drive the NC500?
Ha- it relies upon how lengthy you cease to take pictures!! It’s 516 miles, however you’ll NOT be going fast- the street is sluggish and twisty.
Count on to cease usually for autos coming the opposite manner or for stray highland animals who commonly wander into the street.
You possibly can tour the NC500 in 4/5 days for those who drive a LOT and don’t cease to discover, however I like to recommend no less than a 7-day journey to actually 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. Should you don’t have your personal 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 yr.
Wild tenting in Scotland is allowed… with some frequent sense.
- Do NOT block entry or park on non-public property- motor autos 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 let you empty waste, even for those who’re not staying there.
- Don’t mild fires or BBQs until it’s secure and you’ll correctly supervise it.
Another suggestions for motorhomes embrace having the ability to reverse- you’ll have to do that so much!- and NOT travelling in convoys because it blocks the slim roads.
The place else are you able to keep on the NC500 driving route?
Should you choose one thing with an precise mattress and 4 partitions, there are PLENTY of resorts and B & Bs to get pleasure from alongside the route. I counsel reserving prematurely between June and October- it might get busy!
Finest time to drive the NC500?
As with every thing in Scotland, the climate actually does make a distinction. The very best 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 for those who can- the colleges are on vacation and in all places 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 laborious give you the results you want!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary solutions
- Routes and issues to see alongside the way in which
- Suggestions, customs and far far 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
- Outdated Man of Storr hike
- Dunvegan Fortress
- 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, nevertheless it’s effectively price spending 3 days in a street journey right here to actually see a few of the unimaginable sights.
Finest 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 yr is Autumn- it’s considered one of our favorite locations to get pleasure from Autumn in Europe– the colors of the altering foliage are spectacular.
Kintyre Peninsula Driving tour route
Beneficial by Susanne | Adventures round Scotland
The Kintyre Peninsula might be reached by automobile from Glasgow in approx 3 hours and takes you effectively off Scotland’s well-liked vacationer routes. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply there isn’t something price seeing, it simply that almost all vacationers don’t realise all that it has to supply.
Highlights of a Kintyre Peninsula street journey
Just a few highlights embrace:
- the fishing port of Tarbert which sits on the gateway to the peninsula. The city is residence to a vibrant harbour and historic fortress ruins which sit on a hilltop overlooking the encompassing space.
- One other close by fortress price visiting is Skipness which dates again to the thirteenth century. Though ruined, it’s substantial in measurement and the rooftop gives 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 residence 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 and not using a go to to the Mull of Kintyre made well-known within the track 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 additional time if you wish to mix it with an island-hopping day journey to the Isle of Gigha, probably the most southerly of the Hebridean islands which is a brief ferry journey from Kintyre.
To make sure sights are open, spring and summer time are the very best occasions to go to.
SWC300 (South West Coastal Scenic Driving route)
Beneficial by Kathi | Watch Me See
The south of Scotland is stuffed with hidden gems far off the crushed observe. Whereas most guests flock to the busy Highlands of Scotland, it’s price heading in the wrong way.
The South West Coastal 300 (SWC300) is a scenic drive across the south-west of Scotland. It passes by elements 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 crushed path will be rewarded with beautiful coastal surroundings, castles steeped in historical past, picturesque lighthouses, quirky artist cities, recent native produce and far more.
Issues to see on a SWC300 self-drive tour
The very best a part of the SWC300 is the drive across the Mull of Galloway peninsula. Begin by exploring the southernmost level of Scotland.
Observe 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 crops from all around the world incl. uncommon South African species, Eucalyptus bushes and large Gunnera crops. Even probably the most unique crops do surprisingly effectively on the west coast of Scotland due to the Gulf Stream.
The picturesque harbour of Portpatrick gives the proper backdrop for an early dinner and you probably have vitality left, I like to recommend an evening out on the Grape’s Bar in Stranraer.
Different highlights on the SWC300 embrace Culzean Fortress on the coast and the Darkish Sky Park within the Galloway Hills.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve carried out the laborious give you the results you want!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary solutions
- Routes and issues to see alongside the way in which
- Suggestions, customs and far far more!
How lengthy does it take to drive the SWC300?
Plan to spend no less than 4-5 days on the SWC300, two days inland and two to a few days on the coast.
The realm is fascinating year-round, however arguably most lovely from April to September, when totally different sorts of flowers are blooming and the times are so long as might be.
Coronary heart 200 Scenic self- drive route
Beneficial by Campbell | Highlands2Hammocks
The Coronary heart 200 street journey is considered one of Scotland’s most up and coming routes for guests to the bonnie lands. In contrast to the North Coast 500, this 200-mile route focuses on the guts of the central belt of Scotland.
This driving route solely launched in the summertime of 2019 and is about to change into extremely well-liked as a consequence of its ease of accessibility and extremely rated areas 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 might not be 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, considered one of Scotland’s most well-known and delightful areas within the centre.
Highlights of the Coronary heart 200
The highest sights and actions that I like to recommend alongside the Coronary heart 200 street journey embrace:
- exploring the magical Satan’s Pulpit
- Stirling Fortress
- Loch Lomond
- bungee leaping in Killiecrankie
- Dunblane’s golden put up field
- strolling the attractive Blair Fortress gardens.
What’s one of the best ways to self-drive the Coronary heart 200?
On the subject of getting across the Coronary heart 200, a Campervan or automobile are the very best methods to do it. The street journey takes you thru the remoted and quaint central areas of Scotland, that are harder to succeed in by public transport.
I hope these scenic drives in Scotland have impressed you to go to this lovely nation. Already been? The place did you want finest?
