In 2022, Scotland welcomed 3.2 million international tourists – along with millions of visitors from other parts of the UK – to experience its eclectic mix of picturesque coastline, tranquil countryside, breathtaking remote islands and rolling hills.
The country has a vast number of sights and landmarks worth visiting, but its modest size means that it is fairly easy to explore; visitors can easily drive across it over a period of a few days, and several of its main cities are within a few hours of each other. Driving along rugged shores, beside pristine sands and through snow-capped mountains after skirting the edges of the lochs is surely one of the best ways to see the country.
To help you plan your Scottish road trip, whether you’re looking for a short route to get a taste of the countryside or want your whole driving holiday mapped out, here are some of the best routes in the country.
North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 route starts and ends at Inverness Castle
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Billed as the country’s ultimate road trip, this 516-mile route contains some of Scotland’s most amazing coastal scenery, including a wealth of charming fishing villages, rugged coastline and long stretches of golden sand. It starts and ends at Inverness Castle, and runs through towns and villages such as Ullapool, John O’Groats and Dingwall over a (recommended) period of between five and seven days.
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The 500’s destinations offer a variety of things to see and do as you cross the countryside of Inverness-shire, Sutherland and Caithness. Whisky distilleries, trout fishing, canoeing and castle visits are just some of the activities, while the unspoilt landscapes of Sandwood Bay and Smoo Cave add to a plethora of dramatic cliffs, towering mountains and nature areas such as Beinn Eighe.
South West Coastal 300
The South West Coastal 300 route starts in the town of Dumfries
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The South West Coastal 300 is a route that aims to take in the majority of one of Scotland’s less-explored regions, extending for 300 miles (as the name suggests) though Ayrshire and the Dumfries and Gallowshire region. While it is possible to start anywhere, many trips begin in the town of Dumfries, head south to the coast and then eventually on to towns including Kirkcudbright, Stranraer…
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