Scotland is home to some of the UK’s best scenery. Vast barren moors, jagged snow-capped mountains, and a rugged wind-swept coast. The best way to see this scenery is by exploring it by car. Luckily Scotland is also home to some of the best driving roads in Europe. Here we take you through some of the best roads around this magical country. The most popular pick-up points for car hire in Scotland are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness or Aberdeen.
Glencoe and Rannoch Moor
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The A82 is a road of superlatives. Starting in Tyndrum and winding its way north to Fort William, this road really comes to life through Rannoch Moor and Glencoe. If you’ve seen the James Bond film Skyfall, you’re bound to recognise this area. Rannoch Moor is a huge, mystical place, stretching to the horizon from the base of Glencoe’s towering rocky peaks. But the real jewel is the valley itself. Mountains rise vertically a kilometre above you in sheer rocky cliffs, as the road twists and turns around rocky outcrops and over mountain streams. It truly is a remarkable place to travel through.
Ballater to Glenshee
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Twisting its way through forests and moors, the A93 shows the best of this remote and wild landscape. The area could be taken straight out of Middle Earth. Following the River Dee, the road winds past Balmoral Castle, home of the Queen, and you can see why she’d choose to spend her time in such a majestic spot.
Ullapool to Lochinver
Photo credit: Public Domain Pictures
The north west of Scotland houses its most remote, rugged and breathtaking landscape. Mile after mile of wide open countryside, bisected by a road of countless sweeping bends with views to distant mountains. Driving really doesn’t get much better than this. The road sweeps alongside Loch Assynt, hugging the shoreline and giving spectacular views of Ardvreck Castle, before opening out again for the run down to the coast, and the beautiful seaside village of Lochinver.
Fort William to Skye
Photo credit: Pixabay
If mountain scenery is what you look for in a road trip, then this route is for you. From the foot of Ben Nevis - the UK’s highest peak - to the Cuillin of Skye - the most inaccessible and jagged British mountain range - this trip will show you the best mountain vistas that the country has to offer. And while you’re on Skye, why not take in some of the most dramatic and wild coastline on the west coast with a trip to Neist Point lighthouse.