11 minute read
Threesy does it
Scotland offers some spectacular drives, particularly this time of year. Here are three routes to take your breath away...
Threesy does it
Route 1: Glasgow to Glencoe
Distance: 92 miles
Driving time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Recommended travel time:
1 Day
Known for: This slow transition from metropolitan to rural Scotland makes this one of the most scenic road trips. Glencoe’s spectacular scenery means it has been used in various films and TV shows, including: Mary Queen of Scots, Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, and Skyfall.
The route
The start of your journey will begin in the bustling city of Glasgow, which is a good place to fuel up before your journey gets underway. Your drive will then take you out of Glasgow, over the Erskine Bridge and onto the A82 towards Loch Lomond. The A82 is the main road along the western side of the legendary Loch, and offers plenty of viewing points where you can park up and appreciate the sights.
At the southern tip of Loch Lomond, you’ll find Balloch Castle and Country Park, a hugely popular tourist attraction and a perfect stop for the first leg of your journey. Although the castle is closed to the public, the 200-acre country park is a great place to stretch your legs, have a picnic and admire the views.
There are a few places to park up if you want to admire the Loch in all its glory, with several places in Luss to stop for coffee, too. If it’s just a scenic spot you’re looking for, you could park up at the popular Firkin Point, a stunning stop-off with panoramic views of the Loch just over 15 miles along the A82. You’ll find another great viewpoint at the Inveruglas Pyramid, an innovative structure built in 2015 as part of Scotland’s Scenic Routes project. The Pyramid is made up of 31 steps which, from the top, offer pictureperfect views of the Loch.
Glencoe
Falls of Falloch
Further along the A82, you may want to stop off for a short walk to the Falls of Falloch. You’ll find a signposted car park just south of the waterfall; the walk from the car park is estimated to take around 20 minutes, giving you a good opportunity to stretch your legs.
Further along your drive, you’ll pass Pulpit Rock, an unusual looking rock which is viewable from the road. If you want to explore more Scottish legends along your drive, you could also take a small detour to The Lochan of the Lost Sword, a small loch which is said to be the resting place for a number of ancient Scottish swords belonging to figures such as Robert the Bruce.
Your journey will continue north, where you’ll pass Lochan na h-Achlaise on your left and the larger Loch Ba on your right; you can stop off at Loch Ba viewpoint for the best view of the water and rolling Scottish mountains. There’s also another viewpoint further along your route at Rannoch Moor Viewpoint, which has a marked car park.
As you near Glencoe, there are plenty of car parks dotted along your drive. Glencoe Valley Viewpoint has a spacious car park on the side of the road and is a wonderful place to take some pictures of the Scottish mountain backdrop and winding waterfalls. Your journey will finish in Glencoe, known as one of the most beautiful glens in Scottish Highlands.
Route 2: North Coast 500
Distance: 516 miles
Inverness Castle
Driving time:
5 Days
Recommended travel time:
1 Week +
Known for: One of the most famous driving routes in the UK, the Scottish North Coast 500 is a must for any road trip list. The route begins at Inverness Castle and – as the name suggests – promises around 500 miles of beautiful beaches, scenic spots, castles and distilleries.
The route
Your journey will begin at Inverness Castle, which in itself is a great place to visit. From the castle, you’ll drive north along the east coast along the A9 across the Cromarty Bridge. Around 37.5 miles into your journey, you’ll come across Glenmorangie Distillery, arguably one of the most famous distilleries along the North Coast 500 route.
There are a few other distilleries along your road trip which are well worth a visit, too. Clynelish Distillery, Old Pulteney Distillery, and Wolfburn Distillery are all within easy reach of the road, and would make a great stop for anybody interested in knowing more about Scotch Whiskey.
Around 17.5 miles from Glenmorangie Distillery, you’ll find Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, which is a perfect spot for any Scottish >>
history enthusiasts. Dunrobin Castle is the largest great house in the Northern Highlands, boasting beautiful gardens and stunning coastal views. There are a few other castles dotted along your journey too, such as the Dunbeath Castle and Gardens on the east coast of Caithness, as well as the nearby Castle and Gardens of Mey.
Your drive willfollow the A9 along the east coast, breaking off onto the A99 at Latheron. The A99 is a straightforward drive which will lead you to the legendary John O’Groats, a village famous for its north-eastern tip which, together with Cornwall’s Land’s End, forms the longest distance on mainland Britain.
From John O’Groats, follow the A836 westward across the northern coast of Scotland. This is a beautiful section of the drive; you’ll be able to see for miles across the Highlands as the road winds its way across the rural north. Eventually, you’ll break away from the A836 onto the A838, which will take you over the Kyle of Tongue Bridge, dip under Loch Eriboll, and continue on to Durness.
Here, there’s a fantastic scenic spot at Sango Bay Viewpoint, where you can park up and admire the sandy beach and turquoise water of Sango Sands. There are plenty of stunning beaches to take advantage of on your drive down the west coast, such as Clachtoll Beach in Sutherland, Mellon Udrigle Beach north of Gairloch, and Applecross Beach, which is at the southern end of your drive.
Your journey down the west coast will take you through some wonderful Scottish villages and towns, including Lockinver, Gairloch, Fearnbeg, Applecross and Strathcarron, all of which are a wonderful way to experience Scottish culture. The west coast drive may be slightly more difficult than the east coast roads, especially when taking into account the famous Applecross Road, which can prove to be quite challenging.
The last leg of your journey will be the southern stretch from the west to east coast, back to Inverness Castle. Loch Ness is just 13.2 miles away from the castle if you fancy one last adventure.
Loch Ness Sango Sands
Route 3: Edinburgh to the Angus coast
Distance: 149 miles
Driving time: 4 hours 30 mins
Recommended travel time:
1 Day
Known for: The Angus Coastal Route is known as one of Scotland's most scenic roads, famed for its stunning views and natural landscapes. The drive from Edinburgh to Dundee is also beautiful, and gives you the opportunity to visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle.
The route
Your route will begin in the beautiful capital of Edinburgh, home to Edinburgh Castle: a wonderful place to explore the history and culture of Scotland. The castle is over 900 years old and stands proudly on the imposing Castle Rock, although if you want to walk around the castle you may need to book in advance.
From Edinburgh, your route will follow the A90 towards The Queensferry Crossing, one of >>
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three famous bridges connecting Edinburgh to Fife. Your journey will take you northward along the east coast, where you’ll drive through Aberdour. This idyllic seaside village is a picture-perfect place to stretch your legs.
If you fancy a walk on the beach, the beautiful Silver Sands Beach is within easy reach of your route, or for those who enjoy castle visits, Aberdour Castle is a great place to explore some more Scottish history.
Your journey along the east coast is made up of A-roads, making the drive a reasonably straightforward one. Just over 30 miles from Aberdour, you’ll reach the characterful seaside town of Elie. Here, you might want to stop off at Elie Beach, a popular place for water sports, rock climbing and outdoor activities. If you’re feeling peckish after your visit to Elie, the small town of Anstruther is only 6 miles further along your route, and is famous for having the best fish and chips in all of Scotland.
Just 14 miles further into your journey, you’ll drive through St Andrews, famous for its prestigious university and multiple golf courses. For any golf enthusiasts, this is a wonderful place to stop and explore. You can take a tour through the British Golf Museum or visit The Old Course – also known as The Old Lady – which is considered to be the oldest golf course in the world. There’s also a beautiful beach nearby called West Sands Beach; the sand stretches for almost two miles, making it the perfect place for a seaside walk. St Andrews also boasts an 8-acre Botanic Garden, which is only a stone’s throw from the beach and close to the centre of town.
From St Andrews, your driving route will continue through Fife and across the Tay Road Bridge into the city of Dundee. This will mark the second leg of your journey between Dundee to Aberdeen, otherwise known as The Angus Coastal Route, one of Scotland’s most popular drives following the length of the A92.
From Dundee, there are plenty of scenic spots to park up and admire the view on your way to Aberdeen, such as St Cyrus Beach, a picturesque sandy beach which is only a short walk from the road. St Cyrus National Nature Reserve viewpoint is just a stone’s throw away from here, and offers panoramic views of the Angus coast. If you fancy exploring more of the coastline before your journey ends, try stopping off at Dunnottar Castle, a popular tourist attraction located a couple of miles south of Stonehaven. The medieval fortress sits on a rocky outcrop, and strikes an imposing figure on the rugged coastline. There are quite a few steps to climb to get the castle, although the climb is definitely worth it to see the beautiful views of the Angus coastline.
Please note parts of this journey may not be suitable for motorhomes, please check route before departing. This article was kindly supplied by Heritage Car Insurance, www heritagecarinsurance.co.uk
Edinburgh Castle Dunnottar Castle
St Andrews Dundee
