Planning a Scotland street journey? Searching for the most effective and most stunning scenic routes to drive in Scotland? Listed below are the most effective self-driving tour routes so that you can discover– with maps!
Do not forget to seize your free information to the most effective locations to see on a Scotland street journey that will help you plan your journey.
*We work arduous to make this the most effective motorhome weblog and street journey web site potential, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so in case you purchase by means of hyperlinks on this website we could earn a commission- at no further value to you. All opinions stay our personal.
In the event you discover this submit helpful, you too can deal with us to a espresso on the backside of this page- we promise to get pleasure from it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we would even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)
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 purpose to say ‘Wow’.
In an excellent world, we would 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, now we have to choose and select our itineraries properly, whether or not you are going for a fast weekend break or an extended motorhome tour of Scotland.
To be able to aid you benefit from your Scottish street journey itinerary, listed below are among the BEST scenic routes & drives in Scotland, together with a short 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 goals to showcase the most effective of the Highlands in a single unimaginable 516 mile loop. It has 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 depart it anyplace. We embrace a part of it in our 10-day Scotland Itinerary, which is a good possibility for many who wish to see as a lot of Scotland as potential in a restricted time.
From Inverness, you’ll be able to both drive clockwise or anticlockwise across the loop. Most individuals go clockwise, which suggests you head west from Inverness in direction of the Isle of Skye (you do not really go to Skye on this driving route, though you’ll be able to simply detour if you want.
Head by means of 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!
Finest locations to see on the NC 500 self-drive tour
Highlights of the NC 500 embrace:
- Inverness- essentially 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 in case you’re a nervous driver!)
- Clachtoll Seaside
- 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 photographs!! It is 516 miles, however you’ll NOT be going fast- the street is gradual and twisty.
Count on to cease typically for automobiles coming the opposite manner or for stray highland animals who often wander into the street.
You may tour the NC500 in 4/5 days in case you drive a LOT and do not cease to discover, however we suggest a minimum of a 7-day journey to essentially benefit from it.
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. If you do not have your individual there are many locations to rent a van for the journey.
The place to remain on the NC500 scenic drive
Wild tenting in Scotland is allowed… with some widespread sense.
- Do NOT block entry or park on non-public property- motor automobiles haven’t got 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 & bathroom. Many campsites will permit you to empty waste, even in case you’re not staying there.
- Do not gentle fires or BBQs except it’s protected and you may correctly supervise it.
Another ideas for motorhomes embrace with the ability to reverse- you may have to do that quite a bit!- and NOT travelling in convoys because it blocks the slender roads.
The place are you able to keep on the NC500 driving route?
There are a number of campsites alongside the route. If you would like extra information, listed below are 15 of the most effective NC500 motorhome campsites
In the event you favor one thing with an precise mattress and 4 partitions, there are PLENTY of inns and B & Bs to get pleasure from alongside the route. We propose reserving prematurely between June and October- it may get busy!
Finest time to drive the NC500?
As with all the things in Scotland, the climate actually does make a distinction. One of the best climate is between April-October… however that is additionally when this route is at its busiest.
We suggest avoiding July and August fully in case you can- the faculties are on vacation and all over the 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 have finished 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 way in which
- Ideas, customs and far way 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 is potential 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 essentially see among the unimaginable sights.
Finest time to go to the Isle of Skye?
We suggest avoiding June, July and August in Skye- too many individuals and too many midges. Our favorite time of 12 months is Autumn- it is one among our favorite locations to get pleasure from 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 automobile from Glasgow in approx 3 hours and takes you effectively off Scotland’s in style vacationer routes. Nonetheless, that does not imply there is not something price seeing, it simply that almost all vacationers do not realise all that it has to supply.
Highlights of a Kintyre Peninsula street journey
A number of 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 encircling space.
- One other close by fortress price visiting is Skipness which dates again to the thirteenth century. Though ruined, it’s substantial in dimension and the rooftop provides 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 primary settlement and was as soon as residence to 34 whisky distilleries. In the present day 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 no go to to the Mull of Kintyre made well-known within the tune 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 sights are open, spring and summer time are the most effective occasions to go to.
SWC300 (South West Coastal Scenic Driving route)
Really helpful by Kathi | Watch Me See
The south of Scotland is filled 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 means of components of Ayrshire, runs alongside the coast of Dumfries and Galloway and crosses into the Moffat and Galloway Hills.
Highway trippers who dare to enterprise off the crushed path will be rewarded with gorgeous coastal surroundings, castles steeped in historical past, picturesque lighthouses, quirky artist cities, recent native produce and way more.
Issues to see on a SWC300 self-drive tour
One of the 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 vegetation from everywhere in the world incl. uncommon South African species, Eucalyptus bushes and big Gunnera vegetation. Even essentially the most unique vegetation do surprisingly effectively on the west coast of Scotland due to the Gulf Stream.
The picturesque harbour of Portpatrick provides the right backdrop for an early dinner and when you have power left, I like to recommend an evening out on the Grape’s Bar in Stranraer.
Different highlights on the SWC300 embrace Culzean Citadel on the coast and the Darkish Sky Park within the Galloway Hills.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We have finished 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 way in which
- Ideas, customs and far way 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 a few days on the coast.
The world 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 street 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 guts of the central belt of Scotland.
This driving route solely launched in the summertime of 2019 and is about to turn out to be extremely in style attributable to its ease of accessibility and extremely rated areas en route.
All we are able to 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, nevertheless, 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 areas within the centre.
Highlights of the Coronary heart 200
The highest sights and actions that we suggest alongside the Coronary heart 200 street journey embrace:
- exploring the magical Satan’s Pulpit
- Stirling Citadel
- Loch Lomond
- bungee leaping in Killiecrankie
- Dunblane’s golden submit field
- strolling the attractive Blair Citadel gardens.
What’s one of the best ways to self-drive the Coronary heart 200?
In the case of getting across the Coronary heart 200, a Campervan or automobile are the most effective methods to do it. The street journey takes you thru the remoted and quaint central areas of Scotland, that are tougher to succeed in by public transport.
We hope these scenic drives in Scotland have impressed you to go to this stunning nation. Already been? The place did you want finest?
