A Scotland road trip is just like a Scottish party - absolutely epic.
And as the proud nation celebrates its patron saint - St Andrew - this week on November 30th, we've pulled together a list of our favourite ever Scottish routes so that you can enjoy the best of both!
St Andrew's Day is, of course, Scotland's national day - a time to truly celebrate the best of Scottish culture. A series of fantastic events will take place up and down the land.
And for us, there's one thing that Scotland has in abundance - and that's some of the best drivers' roads to be found anywhere on the planet.
Here's our pick of the bunch:
North Coast 500 (Inverness - John O’Groats - Inverness)
The North Coast 500 plots a clockwise course, beginning in the northern city of Inverness, before heading west to Applecross, and then north, hugging the coast, to Torridon and Ullapool. You'll take in some of the most northerly points in Scotland, including Caithness and John o' Groats, before heading south along the eastern shoreline back to Inverness.
It is, as you might be able to guess, around 500 miles long (516 miles, to be precise).
And when it was set up by the Scottish tourist board in 2015 it was billed as Scotland's answer to America's Route 66.
Most people take between 7 and 10 days to complete the North Coast 500, and there's plenty of stuff to see and visit - from white sandy beaches to towering mountains and remote, hidden fishing villages.
North East 250 (Aberdeen, Cairngorms, the east coast).
If the North Coast 500 is a bit of a stretch, there's a shorter version - the North East 250.
Launched officially in 2017, it's a 229 mile loop that begins at the so-called 'Devil's Elbow' - a double hairpin bend on the old road through Gleann Beag, just south of the village of Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park. From there, going in an anti-clockwise circle, you take in Ballater, Aberdeen, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Buckie, and then back to where you began. The route takes you through the heart of whisky country, with a pick of distilleries to visit - from Glenlivet and Tomintoul to Strathisla and Royal Lochnagar. There’s also a ‘North East 250 Passport’ scheme, where you can get a stamp from 20 participating businesses.
A82 (Glasgow to Inverness)
The A82 that stretches between Glasgow in the south and Inverness in the north is as varied as it is stunning.
If you begin in Glasgow, you'll take in the tight and twisty roads around Loch Lomond as the skyline is dominated by the mighty Ben Lomond mountain. From there you'll face dramatic barren moors before you reach Glencoe, arguably the most dramatic mountain pass in the whole of Britain. You might also want to take a detour to the famous Glen Etive road, a location you'd recognise from 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall.
One you pass through the mountaineers paradise that is Fort William, keep heading north through Loch Lochy before reaching Loch Ness - home of Blighty's most notorious mythical monster. And from Loch Ness, it's a short 30 minute drive to Inverness.
A85, A84, (Crianlarich to Stirling)
If you like your drives to be fast, swooping and flanked by banks of woodland, a trip through the Trossachs is what you crave. In between the trees you'll spot glistening lochs and desolate moors.
And when you get to Callander, you can make a detour to the A821 - aka the ‘Duke’s Pass’. You'll enjoy around 15 miles of grin-inducing twists and turns. And an early morning dawn raid might be your best bit, particularly if you want the place to yourself.
A836 (John O’Groats to Bonar Bridge)
Here's another bite-sized alternative to the North Coast 500. The route runs between John o' Groats in the north to Bonar bridge to the south. From John o' Groats, you'll head west towards Tongue, before then diverting south towards Lairg and Bonar Bridge.
The 20 miles between John O’Groats and Tongue will provide uninterrupted views across loch, land and sea. You might even spot snow-capped mountains on the horizon, which will retain the white stuff well into spring.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news:
-
Top 10 Christmas markets for electric vehicle drivers
- Rudolph the red-nosed (Ford) Ranger takes flight
- Czech-out the new Praga Bohema hypercar…
- The BMW ‘Batmobile’ is back!
- Abarth launches first ever electric model - the 500e
Where To Next?
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.
Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.
