6 can’t-miss drives across Scotland

Whether you want to see majestic mountains, rolling farmland, rugged Atlantic coastline, or romantic islands, a drive through Scotland’s landscapes offers scenery as diverse as it gets.

So what are you waiting for? If you're dreaming of embarking on a great Scottish road trip, our friends at VisitScotland have picked out a handful of the country’s best driving routes for you to explore, each packed full of spectacular sights and unmissable scenery…

Glasgow or Edinburgh to Glencoe

The Three Sisters landscape, Glencoe, Scotland. Credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

The route through Glencoe is one of the most famous driving roads in Scotland – and quite rightly so. Towering mountains loom overhead as you wind your way through this majestic glen. Stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre to find out how the glen was formed and discover its clan connections.

Coming from either Glasgow or Edinburgh are both great Glencoe driving routes. Travelling from Glasgow will take you along the banks of Loch Lomond or if you choose to travel from Edinburgh you’ll pass The Kelpies – famous horse sculptures created by Andy Scott – as well as Stirling Castle.

 

  • Distance: 92 miles from Glasgow/119 miles from Edinburgh
  • Departure and destination points: Glasgow or Edinburgh to Glencoe
  • Approximate time to drive: 2 hours 10 minutes from Glasgow/2 hours 50 minutes from Edinburgh

 

Why not extend your trip and travel on to Fort William, another great Glencoe drive? It only takes 30 minutes to drive from Glencoe to Fort William, where you can see Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, tour Ben Nevis Distillery and discover enthralling stories of the past at the West Highland Museum.

Glencoe

Glasgow to Inveraray, via the Rest and Be Thankful Pass

View from the Rest and Be Thankful Pass viewpoint, Scotland. Credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

The drive from Glasgow to Inveraray, hugging the shoreline of beautiful Loch Lomond, is another route packed with eye-catching scenery. You’ll pass the towering Arrochar Alps before reaching the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint in Glen Croe.

Pull off at the roadside viewpoint and picnic area to stretch your legs and soak up the stunning vistas. From here you can see the old military road which runs below the modern road that is used today. This was built by General Wade in 1750 following the Jacobite rebellion of 1745.

Carry on to Inveraray where you can visit Inveraray CastleInveraray Jail and the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar.

 

  • Distance: 64 miles
  • Departure and destination points: Glasgow to Inveraray
  • Approximate time to drive: 1 hour 30 minutes
Inveraray

Stornoway to Seilebost, Outer Hebrides

Seilebost beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland. Credit: VisitScotland/Richard Elliot

Another road trip option is to drive your car onto a ferry and set sail for Stornoway in the stunning Outer Hebrides. By joining the A859 you can head out of the town and admire the beautiful island landscapes around you as you travel down through the Isle of Lewis to the Isle of Harris.

Stop off at the Isle of Harris Distillery to learn how whisky is made before travelling on to Seilebost, where you can admire the breathtaking seascapes at Traigh Seilebost beach and the white sands of Luskentyre.

 

  • Distance: 46 miles
  • Departure and destination points: Stornoway to Seilebost
  • Approximate time to drive: 1 hour 10 minutes
Seilebost

Edinburgh to St Andrews, via the Neuk of Fife

St Andrews, view from East Sands, Fife, Scotland. Credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Alternatively, plan to drive across the Forth Road Bridge to Fife and follow the scenic coastal route around the East Neuk. Some of the quaint fishing villages you’ll pass include Elie, with its long stretch of golden sands, and Anstruther, where you can take a boat trip to the Isle of May.

Carry on to Kingsbarns Distillery, where you can learn how to make whisky and gin, before reaching St Andrews. Among the places you can visit in St Andrews is the British Golf Museum, where you can find out why the town is known as The Home of Golf. St Andrews Botanic Garden features beautiful glass houses teeming with exotic plants, or you can choose to wander amid the impressive remains of St Andrews Cathedral, once the biggest in Scotland.

 

  • Distance: 64 miles
  • Departure and destination points: Edinburgh to St Andrews
  • Approximate time to drive: 2 hours
St Andrews

Lochcarron to Applecross, via the Bealach Na Bà

Bealach Na Ba, the road to Applecross, Scotland. Credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Begin on the shores of Loch Carron before winding your way through beautiful countryside to the Bealach Na Bà (Pass of the Cattle), one of the most famous driving roads in Scotland.

Known as the Road to Applecross, the route reaches 2,053 ft (625.7 m) and offers stunning views out across the whole of Wester Ross, the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides. With its tight bends and single track road (with passing places) this road isn’t for the faint hearted but the views from the top are astonishing.

 

  • Distance: 17 miles
  • Departure and destination points: Lochcarron to Applecross
  • Approximate time to drive: 40 minutes
Applecross

Aberfoyle to Callander, via the Three Lochs Forest Drive

Loch Drunkie, Seen from Duke's Pass in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland. Credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Venture through the woodlands of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park on this quiet forest road. Stretching almost eight miles, the route is one-way, and takes you past three enchanting lochs – Lochan Reòidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray.

It’s easy to get to as the entrance to the Three Lochs Forest Drive is accessible from the A821 (known as the Duke’s Pass) just north of Aberfoyle. You can follow this forest road from Easter to October. There are several car parks along the route as well as picnic areas. If you fancy a walk, there are some delightful short trails too.

Paln to make it a day out with the kids and take advantage of the great facilities and attractions nearby, including the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre in Aberfoyle and Loch Katrine.

Note: The drive is only open to vehicles from March to October, though you can walk or cycle all year round. Driving the route can be done from 9am (entrance is allowed until 4pm, with the exit barrier locked daily at 5pm) and costs £2 per vehicle.

 

  • Distance: 20 miles
  • Departure and destination points: Aberfoyle/Callander
  • Approximate time to drive: 1 hour 15 minutes
Three Lochs Forest Drive
25 Aug 2021(last updated)