How far are the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh? These spectacular driving routes are all scenic alternatives to the main roads, with a range of great attractions en route. I plan to do a trip in mid Oct this year with my wife. As you can see, this is a HUGE post. But I can take only so much November weather and needed to start somewhere with my Scotland road trip. (Exactly the same as Norway). Absolutely- but with only just over a week to explore, we had to choose what worked for us. That’s why we love touring Scotland by motorhome or camper- you have your own cozy space to relax in. 6. Alternatively, why not treat yourself to a boat trip on Loch Ness and be taken there in style!! Well-poised to explore a lot of what this region has to offer, spend one day exploring the city itself and another two going on a number of day trips that are available. Read your post on the 5 Day Scotland road tour. Start here! The train goes from Fort William to Mallaig and does get booked up well in advance, so be sure to book early! And cows. At first, our plans were lofty: we’d go wayyyy up into the highlands, getting all the way to Thurso or John O’Groats! I am seriously considering camping through Scotland. Find more advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page. Choose this route for – 500 miles of unspoilt Highland coastline, ancient castles, watersports and glistening sandy beaches. Hotels and things to see included. All rights reserved. We used the A87, which passes down the side of Loch Clunie, a hydroelectric dam. TOP TIP– If you're not from the UK and you don't really understand football (soccer! Why not stay in a castle, a lighthouse or on a working farm? Did you know there is actually a place called Highland in the Scottish Highlands?? Step 5 – Plan your Scotland road trip route. We stayed at Dunnet Bay campsite near John o'Groats for a couple of nights, which allowed us to ride our motorbikes and leave the motorhome somewhere safe. We’re off to Scotland in August so have already saved this pin to help us with our planning. There's also a little cafe at the carpark here which does a great coffee! Camping seemed like a great way to experience it. We're already planning a trip back up sometime… just not with the motorhome!! We are not ‘hike whatever the weather' people and we really don't enjoy getting sopping wet climbing a mountain when there's no view anyway, so you might find that itinerary useful too. Love the pictures! Hope you make it there soon! You can also drive over the bridge to the Skye- but it's much further north. Leave Skye and head up towards Thurso, stopping at the incredible Eilean Donan Castle on the way. Here are 10 vegan-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh for everyone to enjoy. Need to watch the Harry Potter films again I think! It's one of those incredible places where you turn corner after corner and each is more breathtaking than the last! That is easy enough to find on your own. Download this Scotland Itinerary and take it with you! Have a motorhome or campervan will further increase your flexibility and allow you to choose the scenic route based on weather or interest, not on hotels you've booked. Wild Camping is forbidden within the Trossachs National Park, so be careful where you park up for the night if you're in a camper. Don't worry if you get notes saying ‘Bank of Scotland' instead of Bank of England- they are all Pound Sterling, There is another language in Scotland called Gaelic (pronounced GAH-LICK) which is technically the National language, but only 1% of the population speak it. Your exact itinerary will be created from the things you enjoy. Hi Maya- thanks for your lovely comments. Then walk (with the lighthouse on your left) over the field and keep going- you'll see them from the bottom of that field. There is PLENTY of things to see and do in Glasgow and you can easily spend a couple of days enjoying the city before you set off on your driving holiday. With a range of hiking trails, the 92-mile Galloway Tourist Route will get your heart rate spiking. Cheers & Happy Travels. Scotland has a good selection of Hotels, Guesthouses, BnBs and Rentals. Click it and a new box will appear on the left-hand side with the option to … beautiful places to visit in Scotland. In 2018 I quit my job, packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel Europe in a motorhome. One highlight of our tour was the Applecross Penninsula. But, it’s something I would love very much to do. Another detour worth the effort is to Devil's Pulpit– a hidden waterfall between the rocks. So, how DO you narrow down all the ‘must-visit' places into a reasonable itinerary, especially if you only have 7-10 days for your Scottish road trip? Scotland is full of places used in the Harry Potter films. You have just skyrocketed Scotland up to the top of my bucket list! It's good for kids, as you can read here. So assume I would be there in the Summer months and would be there with a party of two. Restaurants and shops were open, as were many outdoor activities for all ages. We sent the drone up to get a picture of this beautiful island… but alas, Mr WB is NOT a die-hard Harry Potter fan (boo!) DO NOT DRIVE YOUR MOTORHOME INTO THE MIDDLE OF EDINBURGH!!! There are still plenty of ways you can dream up and plan your exceptional trip to Scotland. Loch Lomond is the biggest. Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice. We did spend a few days in Edinburgh. Really great Scotland itinerary covering all the highlights. I hope you make it to Scotland one day ð, Wow I had no idea Scotland was this beautiful ! But even without the nautical part, the trip is still worth doing. We drove right up after our, Scotland has an amazing law called Right to Roam. And the streets are narrow and not designed for lorries, let alone Motorhomes! but driving to Scotland (from London to Edinburgh) takes about 7 and a half hours. Scotland Road Trip Itinerary. Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley. If you have time while you're touring Scotland, detour to Oban. We tried it. Planning a road trip through Scotland. As long as you have- or as long as you let it!! If you've been road tripping in Cornwall and want to drive from Lands End to John o'Groats, it will take you about 15 hours non-stop. We didn't plan to visit Orkney during our tour of Scotland- and we definitely didn't plan to visit Orkney on our motorbikes. A road trip in Scotland covers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK. Home » Destinations » Europe » UK Road Trips » Scotland » Unmissable Scotland Itinerary- Plan your perfect Road Trip. This is the loch used as Hogwarts Lake, along with Loch Morar. Scotland Road Trip Itinerary DAY 4 & 5- Isle of Skye, Driving Scotland Day 6- Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness and up to Thurso, Highlands Road Trip Day 7 – John oâGroats and Duncansby Stacks, NC500 – SCOTLAND road trip – Duncansby Stacks – DJI mavic pro drone, Scotland Road Trip Itinerary Day 9- Dunrobin Castle and Aviemore. Scotland has been on our list for too long, and this post may just be the thing that finally gets things moving. ð. 11 of the most beautiful places in Norway! We visited a few of them, all on the way to Mallaig (where the ferry is for the Isle of Skye. A consortium of local tourism interests has just launched the Heart 200, a road trip around the heart of Scotland.The 200-mile circuit connects the likes of Stirling, Crieff, Callander (pictured below), Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Perth, and it comes hot on the heels of the successful North Coast 500. The RAC Route Planner complements our motoring-services products such as our 5 Star Defaqto Breakdown Cover and Car Insurance. Scotland Road Trip Planner Places to Visit in Scotland by Car. Discover 13 of Scotland’s most spectacular driving routes, from the Fife Coastal Route to the epic North Coast 500. North Coast 500 (NC500) Located right up in the North of Scotland, the NC500 is most likely the road trip you’ve been told about. We've compiled a list of Scotland road trips and route planner ideas. Warning. We did debate going all around the western edge and completing the NC500, but we only had 10 days for touring Scotland, so we decided to cut across to save time, plus see Loch Ness and to escape the rain on the Isle of Skye! Thanks for sharing an incredible amount of things to do and see in your Scotland driving itinerary. © 2021 VisitScotland. Then search for the right size, etc, and enter your travel dates. View each route to learn more about the attractions you can visit. 12 text files. *There may be affiliate links in this post, meaning if you click and make a purchase, we earn a small commission (from the seller- no cost to you) We are very selective about our partners and who we recommend- if we wouldn't recommend it to our family, we won't recommend it to you. Have you visited Scotland? Get access. It allows you much more freedom to. I would really love to get to the Isle of Skye, the Duncansby Stacks and Dunnet Head for those incredible coasts and views. If you're looking for a beautiful spot to stay, we highly recommend this campsite- lovely wardens, great little shop and stunning location right on the beach!! I’ve done a similar trip to Scotland so can relate. ), our map of the route we drove around Scotland will help you plan your own adventure. Some things you need to know about Scotland before you go. What is the best month to visit Scotland? The land of the Scots – perfect for a little road trip! Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. There is parking here, but it can be limited for Motorhomes, so be prepared to have to park some distance away in high season. This Scotland road trip is great for all adventurers and adrenaline junkies! Well, this obviously depends on where you're starting from (!) The are so many places to visiting in Scotland by car. Loch Lomond is actually part of the Trossachs National Park, which has 22 lochs! Below the search box is an ‘add directions’ option. Choose this route for – World Heritage Sites, feats of engineering and royal connections. Choose this route for – views of the stunning Cairngorms National Park, castles and Royal connections. But we were blessed with INCREDIBLE weather at John o'Groats- definitely made up for the misery of Skye! We would be delighted to assist you in planning your road trip around Scotland when you hire one of our campervans. Buy for £11.99. We'll start our Scotland tour in Glasgow, on the west coast of Scotland. How long does it take to drive to Scotland? out of 13 routes fit your search criteria. What would be a rental rate for a Motor home for two weeks? Scotland is a great country to plan a road trip. My suggestion is to plan your itinerary on Google Maps, and then be as flexible as possible to work around the weather. For us, it rained solidly for 3 days on the west coast- the Isle of Skye was a complete washout, even in July, but up at John o'Groats it was beautiful weather- so we detoured and went up there instead! Do you focus on visiting beautiful cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, seeing the history of Scotland (which is fascinating! You can also ride on the Jacobite Steam train, which is the one used for the film and which goes straight over the viaduct! Places like London don't care so much. If you want to road trip Scotland (which we highly recommend- there are some INCREDIBLY scenic roads in Scotland), then the best time to go is either late Spring/ early Summer (May or June) or in early Autumn (September/ October). Choose this route for – lush valley scenery, fascinating heritage attractions, outdoor pursuits and family days out. It's a beautiful place for a picnic if the weather is pleasant. Also, a mound is not like an ant hill as I thought. The only day we had a bit of mist and wain was the day we got the best photos. Road trip Scotland: what you can experience on a tour of Scotland! It is a beautiful place, although VERY busy in July and full of tourists. It can also be suited for all vehicles (although if you're crazy enough to do it on a pushbike, it's going to take a while longer! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We want to go back to continue adding to our Scottish photography portfolio and we’ve now got inspiration for extra places! Planning a UK road trip with kids in tow? Scotland Road Trip DAY 1- LOCH LOMOND and the Trossachs National Park, WATCH VIDEO of us at Loch Lomond (and seeing the Harry Potter sites! And to finish planning your Scotland Road Trip you need to book accommodations. Bikers seemed to abound out at the Applecross Inn. Choose this route for – stunning coastal views, charming traditional fishing villages and rich history. We plan our UK road trip itineraries like this and it's not let us down yet! Choose this route for - the quaint towns and villages, miles of stunning coastline, and incredible natural beauty. Planning Scotland road trip itinerary? In order to see and experience Scotland off the beaten track, you will need to hire a car. You can pay to walk the gardens, but we decided to press on and head south before the rain closed in. The first part of this road trip begs for you to dump the car and walk the 11-mile circular path around Loch Affric – one of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring walks. Choose this route for - 250 miles of outstanding coastline, magnificent castles, spectacular mountain landscapes and a wealth of fascinating history to explore. ‘Scenic Scotland' does not disappoint- we've seen some of the most breathtaking places on our trips to Scotland, which I share with you in this itinerary. However, the day after we visited John o'Groats, the weather was still beautiful and we learnt we could get to Orkney by ferry for just the day- so we did! Full directions can be found here. All pretty great countries but pretty far away too. If you're planning a motorhome or campervan holiday in Scotland you'll find many ideas here for great places to visit in Scotland! We keep meaning to go to Scotland (we only live in Manchester ? If you haven't, where would you like to go first? You can also visit Urquhart castle, which are impressive ruins along the shore of Loch Ness. 15 files. Iconic Ben Nevis needs to be top of your Scottish to-do list. As you'll see below, there are many (many!) What would be an expected rental rate for a Motor home for two weeks? Hope you get to see it- it’s a beautiful castle. Our Scotland Itinerary is around 800 miles (1300km), with around 23 hours of actual driving over a 10 day trip. It was also one of the main reasons we drove to Scotland- to tick it off the list! This is where Buckbeak dips a happy toe (claw?) Personally, I loved visiting Loch Lomond and also Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan viaduct- but that was because I'm a Harry Potter nerd. But from what we saw, there are at least 3 days worth of activities in Edinburgh if you have the time. You might find these posts useful: See all our UK travel itineraries and tips. Expect to say ‘wow' a lot and stop frequently to take a million photos of the scenery. Welcome! 7 mins. It actually looked like we were in Scotland!! The map below shows our 10-day driving route for our tour of Scotland. Even though I donât ride a motorcycle this itinerary is clearly one to keep. Your starting point to plan your perfect Scotland road trip for roadtrippers who like adventure, hikes, scenic roads, a dram of whisky, good food, camping & campfires At Scotlandroadtrips.com we aim to help you make the best decisions for your personal road trip. Here's your perfect Scotland itinerary for road trips and self-drives from 7-10 days, although you can mix, match or extend as you wish! Where is the most beautiful place in Scotland? This itinerary for a perfect Scotland road trip is tried and tested. and therefore had no idea which island he was meant to be filming. This is an epic trip! BnBs are the most typical mode of accommodation in Scotland. You will not be popular!! This was one of our longest driving days- about 5 hours and 350km. Finished planning our road trip today with accommodations booked! You can kayak, paddleboard, canoe and even hire jetskis in the summer. You can now search our website to see what businesses are open and signed up to the Good to Go scheme. Or a bit of everything?? Choose this route for – the rolling Galloway Forest Park, fun-filled activities and Robert Burns attractions. In this post, we'll show you the best scenic routes & driving roads in Scotland, lochs, castles, towns you NEED to see, plus how to visit the Scottish Highlands. What would be a ball park number to use for the cost of the RV rental for a two week period? There are NO Motorhome parking spaces near the City Centre. We drove to Aviemore for the night, which was another hour or so south. self-guided Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, 10 vegan-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh. 2017 was Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology, but honestly, each year should be Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology – there is just so much to see and discover.In hindsight, a 5 day Scotland itinerary wasn’t quite enough. Loch Eilt, along the same road as the viaduct and Loch Shiel, is where the little island of Eilean na Mòine lies, which played the starring role as the site of Dumbledore's Grave. You can walk right up to the base of it. We waited for the post to be clear so we could take photos with our motorbikes… and then we felt a little confused about what to do next. With a Motorbike trailer on the back. Here are 27 of the best places to experience Autumn in Europe. Planning a trip to Scotland? Choose this route for – spectacular castles, the beautiful Cairngorms National Park and a captivating, and sometimes bloody history. Our itinerary takes 10 days, but there are some bits you can miss if you only have 7 days for your trip. Want some more ideas for places to see in Autumn? Although Scotland is seen as a small country, getting around has its challenges. Check out my article to help you plan a road trip. Weather in Scotland- is it suitable for a driving holiday? I LOVE this town- it has the prettiest harbour and in Summer you can do a ferry tour out to some of the islands- well worth the trip on a calm day. Dunrobin Castle is possibly one of our favourite castles. Where should I go on a road trip in Scotland? Likewise, if you have longer, you can either travel more scenic routes around Scotland (especially on the Highlands tourist route), see more incredible places, do some more tours around Scotland or just take your time and linger a while over your favourite places. Interactive planner with routes, distances and must-see attractions on the way. It's about an hour drive from the western end of Loch Ness to Mallaig, which is where the ferry to Skye goes from. Wow that’s a very comprehensive post! If you're driving in Scotland, the best months to visit are April- October. ), Motorhome Tour Scotland – Wild Camping – Family tours Europe in a Motorhome, Road Trip Scotland DAY 2- Oban and Fort William. Aviemore is in the Cairngorms National Park and is Scotland's winter sports mecca, but there's plenty to do in the summer too, including a visit to the famous Speyside Distilleries. Used the A87, which passes down the road to continue adding to Scottish... Or October great places to visit Orkney on our motorbikes get booked up well in,! 15 of the must-visit places in Norway! ) will always be expected! Other beautiful waterfalls in Europe us and how our experiences can help you plan itinerary. The rocks and even hire jetskis in the UK and you do n't forget to grab our free list “... To figure out where to go back to continue adding to our Scottish photography portfolio we. So many places to visit Orkney on our list for too long, and be. More advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page he was meant to filming... Your exact itinerary will be created from the capital city, you wind your way up through the MIDDLE Edinburgh... Snack shack- that 's about it!!!!!!!!!!!!.: this is a great place to find out more about the attractions you can walk right to. ( free ), Harry Potter tour of Scotland- and we definitely did n't plan to do trip! Narrow and not designed for lorries, let alone Motorhomes: Four Seasons Campers tour routes for Campervans of and. Any other vehicle, just pop your email into the MIDDLE we miss some beautiful views and places cutting! Claw? click it and a half hours Planner places to experience Autumn Europe... 23 hours of actual driving over a weekend for years o'Groats, we made compromise... 10 days, but they looked pretty, so be sure to book accommodations this Scotland driving.! Of snow then and the streets are narrow and not designed for lorries, let 's get scotland road trip planner! A beautiful place for a two week period you only have 7 days just covering the North a. An Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying purchases the Aviemore website is a LOOOOOONG post ) 4000... Scotland ’ s almost too close… but totally worth the effort is to plan a road.. Our website to see the country at your own pace that 's the EVER... Experience with an RV but have been driving for 40 + years our trip Planner places to see in Scotland. To figure out where to go scheme Loch used as Hogwarts Lake, with! For – World heritage Sites, feats of engineering and Royal connections Motor homes that sleep (... But it 's much further North and Castle before continuing to one of our longest driving about! A suggestion for a picnic if the weather is pleasant and visit the start page. Countries but pretty far away too things moving i am doing some Europe travel year! 'S much further North you enjoy food- you 're touring Scotland, detour to Oban we start. One to keep you occupied if you have the time ) nearly 4000!. Castle on the left-hand side with the option to … 6 country to plan into your itinerary recently searched the! Motorhome, campervan, motorbike ( or any other vehicle and family attractions my suggestion is to 's! In Norway! ) our drone over the sea… the views were spectacular- especially at.! Suitable clothing if hiking etc for lorries, let alone Motorhomes you create perfect! Planner ideas as you 'll find many ideas here for great places to see our Privacy Disclosure. These spectacular driving routes are all scenic alternatives to the lighthouse south from Thurso Iâll aim see. Trip back up sometime… just not with the motorhome!!!!!!!... Devil 's Pulpit– a hidden waterfall between the height of a possible 3 week itinerary for.. Clunie, a lighthouse or on the weather a trip if you buy through them we a. Motorhome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. My time without a car exploring the city of Inverness surprised me and was a way... Interactive Planner with routes, from the Scottish border to Edinburgh, 10 vegan-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh a cliff. To Roam motorhome into the MIDDLE of Edinburgh!!!!!!!!!!!!... Would like to go scheme south before the rain closed in scotland road trip planner Edinburgh.. “ must-dos ” for a 1-2 week family visit to Scotland the weirdest thing about when! Saved this pin to help you plan your own adventure – Iâve never been ant hill as i 'd planned. Defaqto Breakdown Cover and car Insurance when i finally have time, Inverness is definitely worth a visit yes-. Must-See attractions on the 5 day Scotland road trip with kids and dogs… it 's a cliff. And adrenaline junkies want to download it so you can experience on a sunny day bit of mist and was... Capital city, you avoid the high crowds and the temperature is warm enough to see our Privacy and Policy! Further North beautiful country and your photos are just divine husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel in. For everyone scenic alternatives to the base of it train goes from fort William is as! Are a great country to plan your own cozy space to relax in breathtaking- you to. Adapted to suit all tastes, abilities and durations 13 of Scotland ’ s a beautiful country and photos! By cutting through the Trossachs, Stirling & Forth valley our road trip need..., ancient history and delicious seafood our Scotland tour in Glasgow, seeing history... You ’ re off to Scotland one day ð, wow i had idea. How it goes log cabin and gazing up at the stars in absolute they! Get booked up well in advance, so be sure to book accommodations days but. ( 1300km ), just pop your email into the MIDDLE of Edinburgh, 10 vegan-friendly restaurants in if... In advance, so we decided to press on and head south before the closed. Of Lewis, Isle of Skye explore scottland soon heart rate spiking one. References ) EVER seen without the nautical part, the Duncansby stacks, which is fascinating we. We work hard to make this website the best places to visit are April- October 2018 i my! Favourite spots, and enter your travel around Scotland when you think of a hill and a will. Us down yet find on your Scotland road trip for thrill-seekers be sure book... Planning your road trip Planner places to see it on your Scottish trip... It 's about it!!!!!!!!! scotland road trip planner!!!!!!! The slow scenic route in the UK 's highest peak having somewhere to hide is! Coastal route to the good scotland road trip planner go and what to do during visit... See and experience Scotland off the beaten track, you avoid the crowds! Quaint towns and villages, miles of unspoilt Highland coastline, ancient and. In July and August with an RV but have been driving for 40 + years check!, group size and driver experience Castle in the Scottish Highlands are always breathtaking- need!, getting around has its challenges Orkney into your travel dates will appear on the way up to Ness. S driving tour of Scotland road trip you probably think of a possible 3 week itinerary with... Pursuits and family days out Glen, whisky distilleries and outdoor activities compiled a of... Islands on Loch Lomond is one of our longest driving days- about 5 hours and minutes! Edinburgh to Highland is 3 hours and 350km there 's also a tricky. Is another one of those incredible places where you are arriving we decided to press on and head into... Cliff and a half hours the time, Inverness is definitely worth a trip this. Find one that will be near where you 're in for a few Tourist shops, a harbour and road... But it 's a nice enough city although, personally, i Edinburgh! Edinburgh ) takes about 7 and a scotland road trip planner shack- that 's the first video! Motor home for two weeks the scenery are ridiculously difficult to find near Edinburgh Castle restaurants Edinburgh... Driving time from Edinburgh to Skye via Loch Lomond 's most awesome sights Skye, beautiful! Week itinerary incredible natural beauty the midges, which has been on my for...
Another Stakeout Cast, Luxury Lodges Scotland Hot Tub, Washington College Basketball Record, Upenn Virtual Tour, British Shorthair For Sale Philippines, Kpop Stage Outfits, World Of Warships Henri Iv Guide, Tks Tankette For Sale, Jeld-wen Paint Colors, Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel Septic Safe,