To experience most of Scotland’s breathtaking beauty, exit the highway and follow the less-traveled route. These are 7 stunning beautiful routes to take in Scotland to get you started on where to go for a leisurely drive.
1. Argyll Coastal Route
- 129 miles / 208 km
- Tarbet (Loch Lomond) – Fort William
Inveraray, known for its fairytale castle, may be reached from the bonnie, bonnie banks of Lake Lomond by traveling through the picturesque splendor of the Western Highlands. On your way to Oban, explore the historic birthplace of the Scottish nation at Kilmartin Glen and take in the breathtaking coastline views.
Go to the pier for a delightful al fresco lunch of freshly caught delicacies; the town is recognized as the seafood capital of Scotland. After eating well, ascend Battery Hill to take in the views of Oban Bay from McCaig’s Tower.
To get to the stunning Castle Stalker, which is located on a tiny islet at the mouth of Loch Laich, take the West Coast route past Benderloch and Appin. It isn’t accessible to the general public, but it makes a great Instagram post.
Before reaching Fort William, take a scenic drive along the banks of Lake Leven to see why the stunning Glen Coe is referred to as the “Valley of Weeping.”
2. Borders Historic Route
- 89 miles / 143 km
- Scots Dyke (England/Scotland Border) – Edinburgh
See opulent homes, historic abbeys, and charming communities with a long history of textile manufacturing as you travel through the Scottish Borders’ rolling hills. Learn vivid tales of the lawless Border Reivers who plunder both sides of the Scottish and English Border before taking their loot to a location dubbed the Devil’s Beef Tub!
The famed author and patriot Sir Walter Scott was so moved by the Eildon Hills, located just south of Melrose, that he chose to have his beloved residence, Abbotsford, built in their shadow.
On the other hand, a little further north, at the National Mining Museum Scotland, learn about the daily lives of the miners who worked at the Lady Victoria Colliery.
Take a detour from your travels to explore Rosslyn Chapel, known for its intricate stone carvings and its eerie atmosphere. The Da Vinci Code, a best-seller by Dan Brown, featured it prominently. After that, stretch your legs in the lush Roslin Glen before continuing on to Edinburgh for the last stage of the journey.
3. Deeside Tourist Route
- 108 miles / 174 km
- Perth – Aberdeen
Visit Scone Palace first, one of Scotland’s grand mansions and the seat of the Earls of Mansfield. Anciently, the Scottish Kings were crowned in Scone. Together with the Scottish Crown Jewels, the renowned Coronation Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone) is on display in Edinburgh Castle.
To get to Braemar, known for its Highland Gathering, which is visited by members of the Royal Family, the journey continues through Glenshee, a major winter sports venue. The Balmoral Estate was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1852, and ever since, the Royal Family has taken annual vacations here, earning the region the name Royal Deeside.
This section of the road is part of the well-known “Castle Trail,” and you can stop along the way to see the lovely Crathes Castle and Gardens or Drum Castle, which features one of Scotland’s finest medieval banqueting halls.
The road ends at Aberdeen. This lovely city, known for its granite structures, has lovely parks and a charming seaside location.
- Explore more 10 Outstanding Nature Wonders in The Scottish Highlands That Will Make You Overwhelmed
4. Fife Coastal Route
- 77 miles / 124 km
- Kincardine – Newport on Tay
Reach Culross, a charming village from the 16th and 17th centuries that has a prominent role in the popular television series “Outlander,” by crossing the River Forth at Kincardine.
The Mercat Cross region serves as the backdrop for the made-up village of “Cranesmuir.” Claire’s herb gardens at Castle Leoch are located behind the spectacular mustard-colored Palace.
Scotland’s former capital was Dunfermline. The renowned Scottish hero Robert the Bruce is buried in this area, which also contains a royal palace and an abbey from the 12th century.
The East Neuk of Fife, which is dotted with lovely fishing villages like Anstruther, Crail, and Pittenweem, is where the next leg of the tour takes us. The old university town of Saint Andrews, which is renowned around the world as the birthplace of golf, is without a doubt the highlight of this drive.
The town of Newport on Tay, which is located on the other side of the silvery River Tay from Dundee, is where journeys come to an end.
5. Forth Valley Tourist Route
- 43 miles / 69 km
- Edinburgh – Stirling
From the heart of Edinburgh, travel to charming South Queensferry to admire the three bridges that cross the Forth Estuary. The massive Forth Rail Bridge, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for more than a century, is the oldest.
The “ship that never sailed” moniker refers to Blackness Castle, a medieval fortress with a distinctly nautical design. As the site of Black Jack Randall’s Fort William headquarters, it is another favorite filming location on Outlander Tours.
Outlander featured Linlithgow Palace as the ominous Wentworth Prison. This palace from the 15th century actually sits in a stunning location with a loch in the background. It was Mary, Queen of Scots’ birthplace and a favorite abode of the Stewart Kings and Queens.
Pause to explore The Kelpies are two enormous statues of horses’ heads that honor the significance of heavy horses in Scottish industry. The Falkirk Wheel, the only spinning boat lift in the world, is nearby. Boats may now travel coast to coast across Scotland thanks to this engineering marvel that links the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Scotland’s geographic center is the City of Stirling. Throughout Scotland’s wars for independence, it was crucial. The site of the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn is located on the outskirts. Learn more about this great Scottish victory over King Edward II of England’s troops at the award-winning visitor center.
The imposing Castle is perched above Stirling’s Old Town. The sumptuous Royal Palace, Chapel Royal, and Great Hall are all inside for you to explore. It was the site of grand banquets and pageants and is the greatest building to be found anywhere in Scotland. It was constructed for King James IV.
6. Highland Tourist Route
- 116 miles / 187 km
- Aberdeen to Inverness
The highlights of this travel between Scotland’s two northern cities are whisky, castles, and beautiful countryside. Leave Aberdeen’s granite metropolis behind and travel to Alford to see the Grampian Transport Museum. The varied collection of automobiles narrates the history of travel and transportation in Scotland’s North East.
Elegant Craigievar Castle, the pinnacle of what you’d imagine a Scottish castle to look like, is only a short drive from Alford, so much so that it is claimed to have served as the model for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
In order to reach isolated Corgarff Castle, the route then enters the Cairngorms National Park. After that, the road climbs more than 2,000 feet (610 m) across the eastern Cairngorm Mountains. This mountain road, which is Scotland’s second-highest in terms of elevation, largely follows the original military road that was built by hand following the Jacobite Rising in 1745.
Glenlivet Distillery is located in a solitary ravine not far from Tomintoul. This isolated area was perfect for producing whisky illegally. Distiller George Smith made the decision to go legal in 1824 and obtained the first local license; since then, Glenlivet has never looked back. Discover the history of George and his whisky on a visit to the distillery, and then take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how it is made.
The Thanes of Cawdor lived in Cawdor Castle for more than 600 years, and the final section of the journey passes through Grantown on Spey. Culloden Moor, the location of the 1746 Battle of Culloden between the Jacobite Army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Government Forces, lies close by. Now that the moor has been returned to its original state from that tragic day, the tourist center uses immersive audio-visual exhibits to tell the tale.
7. North Coast 500
- 500 miles / 805 km
- Inverness – Inverness
The North Coast 500 is without a doubt, the most popular tourist route and is regarded as the ideal road trip. This 500-mile (805-km) route delivers some of Europe’s best seaside scenery from beginning to end.
This breathtaking drive, often known as “Scotland’s Route 66,” passes by historic landscapes, mighty mountains, and majestic castles. You should do it because it’s on so many people’s bucket lists.
