The coronavirus may have cancelled your travel plans abroad, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have an epic road trip holiday. A road trip in Scotland is a fantastic destination. There are plenty of incredible routes to choose from. To help you make your choice, check out these top five ideas.
North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is one of the best routes to take if you’re planning a road trip in Scotland. It’s a famous touring route which spans 500 miles across the North Highlands. There are plenty of great attractions on the way, including:
Loch ness
You simply can’t do a Scottish road trip without experiencing the beauties of Loch ness lake. It’s around 23 miles long and 240 metres deep, part of Great Glen. The watershed consists of several different rivers, such as the Enrick and the Oich.
Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle is a beautiful red sandstone building, set against the River Ness. Visitors can access the viewpoint at the north tower, for some truly amazing views. Legend has it that King Malcom II constructed Inverness Castle in 1057. The castle was later destroyed and rebuilt.
Culloden Battlefield
You won’t want to miss the Culloden Battlefield grounds and museum. Here you can experience the exciting ‘battle immersion theatre’, and learn the real story of the 1745 rising.
Angus Coastal
The Angus Coastal Route is a great option to explore the true beauty of Scotland. Along this route there’s plenty to see:
House of Dun
Stop off and explore this stunning Georgian house and it’s lush woodland and gardens. The house took 13 years to build, designed with stunning details, including the impressive plasterwork of the saloon.
V & A Dundee
Don’t miss this epic design museum, here you can explore the history of Scottish design, and learn plenty of new things.
Galloway Tourist
The Galloway tourist route is a 92-mile trip of beauty and adventure. So what excitement does this route have to offer?
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Here you’ll find a great observatory, in the heart of the beautiful Galloway forest park. In the dome, visitors can view the night sky using two large telescopes. Depending on what time of year you visit, there may be guest speakers or special events.
Dumfries museum: For your museum fix, why not stop off on the way to learn all about the history of Dumfries? Come and marvel at the Solway wildlife, prehistoric animal footprints, and the weapons of the past!
Deeside Tourist
If you’re a fan of National parks, you’ll certainly want to check out the Deeside Tourist Route. There’s lots to see, including:
Cairngorms National Park
In this gorgeous park you’ll find distilleries and castles, wildlife watching, cycling routes, and even watersports. Whether you’re looking for horse riding, or simply to explore the lush greenery, you’ll have a relaxing time here! Cairngorms National Park is certainly one of the best places to visit in Scotland.
Scone Palace
The beautiful Scone Palace was once the crowning place of Charles II and Robert the Bruce. Here you can take a stroll down Long Galley; it was here that King Charles II walked to his coronation back in 1661.
South West Coastal 300
Looking to escape from the city and get some peace and quiet? With 300 miles of lush Scottish landscape to explore, let’s take a look at what you can do:
Sweetheart Abbey
Marvel at this beautiful historic church, and catch a glimpse of the stone effigy of Lady Dervorguilla. Wander the grounds to your heart’s content, relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere.
Whithorn
Here at Whithorn, you’ll find the famous Christian monument, ‘the Latinus stone.’ Whithorn is a critical site to the heritage of Scotland; historians still debate the findings at the Whithorn site today.
Road Trip Checklist:
Once you’ve chosen the your route it’s time to get started on your road trip checklist:
Maintenance check: Ensure that you have your car serviced before you take a road trip. You won’t want to set off until you know that your vehicle is in the perfect working order. It’s important that your tyres are the correct pressure, and that you replace them at a tyre shop if necessary.
Plan your route: Once you’ve chosen a route, you should plan your stop-offs, activities and hotels. Planning your route beforehand can help you to ensure that you make the most of your road trip!
Download some handy apps: There are plenty of apps that can help you to have a great road trip, including Roadtrippers, Waze, and Gasbuddy.