SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS: 5 EPIC ROAD TRIPS
The Ultimate Best Road Trips In ScotlandWho doesn’t love an incredible road trip?!
Now, some of you already know how much I appreciate immersing myself in nature and digging into the culture of the places I visit. Well, the fact that I’ve been living in Scotland for four years has often allowed me to escape the chaos of the city and run off to the far highlands to breathe the freezing air of wild Northern Scotland.
The scenic landscapes are highlighted by the uncontaminated surrounding as if those charming spots were so remote that the man didn’t have the chance to ruin them yet.
But nature is not the only remarkable thing there: incredible castles narrating fascinating tales lost in time, happened in a land full of myths and beliefs, once inhabited by clans.
A road trip to this remote area, nowadays scarcely populated, is a mystic experience that you can’t absolutely miss.
Keep reading to discover the 5 best routes to take for an EPIC road trip that will take you back in time!
Best period: from May to October
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
ROAD TRIP
The Scenic Route: Isle of Skye
Ahh, the Isle of Skye… definitely one of the most spectacular places in Scotland. If you are seeking breathtaking landscapes, this road trip is for you. In fact, it’s not a coincidence this route is chosen by most photographers! Its picturesque colourful villages seem ripped out of a postcard and inserted in incredible landscapes. Sometimes, when the Northern lights appear during the winter months, this stunning sight is coloured green, red and blue, creating a unique splendour. I must say, when we went to Skye the road trip was one of things we enjoyed the most. Driving surrounded by those wild views… was a priceless experience.
If you’re starting your road trip from Inverness, it takes about 2 hours and a half to reach the isle, while if you choose Edinburgh as a departure point, it’s gonna take you about 6 hours.
It’s really up to you what to choose; however, I’d highly suggest you visit both Edinburgh and Inverness anyways, as they are magnificent cities, and the route to reach Skye is wonderful in any case!
Once arrived on the Isle, you can’t absolutely miss the “Old Man of Storr“, a large pinnacle of rocks that constitutes one of the most famous walks and most photographed spots on the island. It is not far from Portree (the main town, where we slept for 4 nights).
The hike is pretty easy, and the views from the top are 100% worth the steep climbs.
The legend says that the Old Man of Storr was a giant, and when he was buried his thumb was left on the ground. You can admire its “thumb” at the end of the hike!
As I said, one of the things I loved the most about this trip was driving in the wild landscapes. Skye is poorly populated, and for miles and miles we didn’t see a single house.
Take your time to drive around the Isle and admire the untouched nature. Our favourite part was the North of the island, where the views shift from volcanic landscapes of lava and ash to dramatic cliffs over the ocean. Definitely one of the best things to do in Skye!
From here, if you drive to the north end, you can reach Duntulm Castle. Built during the 14th/15th century, it was the seat of the chiefs of the clan MacDonald. Be aware of the warnings stating the instability of the path! Although the signs suggest you not proceed beyond the fence, if you decide to adventure yourself around the ruins be extra cautious! Part of the castle collapsed into the sea not so long ago.
In Dungevan, it’s possible to explore yet another castle, once home to the chiefs of the clan MacLeod for 800 years (!!!).
After so much history, head to the famous Fairy Pools. Situated at the feet of Black Cuillin, these natural pools are the perfect spot for taking pictures. The waterfalls contribute to the picturesque atmosphere of the site and, if you are brave enough, you can take a swim (the water is FREEZING and, I must admit, I didn’t have the courage!). The hike between the pools and the waterfalls is easy, and you can also climb to the top of Black Cuillin (it takes about 4 hours).
The pools are definitely worth a visit if you are on the island. However, do not expect to see the amazing huge waterfalls and pools you can admire from the pictures on the web. They are not big at all, and I was a bit disappointed to see that the main waterfall is actually very, very small. Moreover, the place is a very touristy one, so better to visit very early in the morning to avoid crowds.
If you want even more adventures, head to Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh and Sgurr na Banachdaich to experience more challenging trails, accompanied by stunning viewpoints!
One of our favourite stops in Skye was the Neist Point Lighthouse. It is about 1 hour drive from Protree and, although the single track road to get there is not the best (no road signals, lots of blind summits and sheeps in the way), it’s definitely worth the effort. The view from there is SPECTACULAR. The lighthouse is not in use anymore, but the cliffs overlooking the ocean will take your breath away, especially if you arrive there at sunset.
Organised tours in Skye:
If you don’t have the chance to take a road trip to the isle, then these tours might be for you. Check them out!
Editor’s note: The Isle of Skye’s tourism is significantly growing, often causing overcrowding. Try to avoid visiting in August to get the best out of this fantastic road trip!
Where to stay in Skye:
If you are not travelling with your campervan, you might want to have a look at these great accommodations.
For backpackers travelling on a budget, there are numerous choices of hostels. I usually use Agoda.com or Booking.com to find the best prices.
Suppose you want to experience the isle in total comfort. In that case, there is also plenty of choice for really nice hotels, like Spa Hotel – House of Juniper in Broadford or Sligachan Hotel, not far from Talisker Distillery and the fairy pools. The latter also has its own brewery, an award-winning whisky bar and restaurant, its own museum, and it’s pet friendly!!
The Historic Route: Aberdeen and Inverness
Although the driving time from city to city is only 2 hours and a half, I recommend at least 3 days to get the best out of your journey. You want enough time to experience this unique trip without rush!
Starting from Aberdeen, the first stop is the Gordon Highlanders Museum, where you can learn more about the fascinating history of the highlanders serving the British army.
To add some adventure to your road trip, stop at Cairngorms, the UK’s largest National Park. Here you can admire stunning scenic landscapes, hike or enjoy fantastic bike trails (especially if you’re lucky enough to catch some good weather!).
Then, continue your historic route: head to Cawdor Castle, home to the Cawdor family for over 600 hundred years. They are currently refurbishing it, so it will reopen in Spring 2022.
After, drive to the famous Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final Jacobite battle. If you close your eyes, you can still imagine the 1000 men fighting in an attempt to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne. The graves of the clans and the thought of all the people that died there in less than an hour are something I will not forget so easily. Next to this very suggestive site, you can find the Visitor Centre, where you can learn more about the Jacobite uprising. Find the tickets here.
For discounts on the main Highlands attractions, check this Sightseeing Pass!
Once arrived in Inverness, take a few hours to explore the city: it’s gorgeous. Here there are lots of typical bars and restaurants; I really enjoyed Hootananny, as they were holding a live bagpipes concert, with many people wearing the traditional kilt (!!!).
The last stop is probably one of my favourite Scottish spots: Urquhart Castle. It’s a 30 minutes drive from Inverness, and you can’t absolutely miss it. From the ruins, situated on the shore of Loch Ness, you can admire STUNNING landscapes and discover more than 1000 years of history.
Organised tours
There are many day tours to discover the Highlands and experience Scotland as a true Highlander. Check them out!
Where to stay in Inverness
Check out the map below to find your perfect stay!
The Harry Potter Route: Edinburgh and The Jacobite Train
The Harry Potter road trip can’t start anywhere else if not in Edinburgh: in fact, this is where JK Rowling wrote most of her novel!
Don’t miss a visit to The Elephant House, a very popular cafe recognised as the “birthplace” of Harry Potter.
After a few days of exploring the fantastic city of Edinburgh, head to Fort William (about 4 hours drive). Take a while to admire this picturesque small village on the shores of Loch Linnhe! From here, you can catch the famous Jacobite train (or the Hogwarts Express!) to Mallaig. This is truly a spectacular experience, as the train also allows you to admire breathtaking landscapes in the Scottish Highlands.
Book your ticket in advance; it sells out VERY quickly!!!
Not far from Fort William (about 30 minutes driving) is also Glencoe, used as a setting for Hagrid’s Hut in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The village is known for its waterfalls and trails, so it’s 100% worth visiting!
Organised tours
If you are without your own transportation but don’t want to miss out on this “magic” road trip, have a look at some of these organised tours with a ride on the Hogwarts Express included!
Where to stay in Fort William
The Outlander Route: Craig Na Dun, Culloden and Inverness
I’m not going to lie: Outlander is one of my favourite TV series, and I’ve watched it all at least three times! The stunning landscapes and the way it explains the Scottish traditions and history, made me fall in love with this country even more.
Therefore, I couldn’t help but add here one of my favourite road trips of all: the one that explores most of the locations used for the series!
I’d suggest taking a week, at least, to explore all the Scottish wanders with no rush.
One of the first stops is the fascinating Craig Na Dun, the standing stones in Clava Cairns. Situated near Inverness, the stone circles full of mysteries and past myths suggest that the sun has been central in the beliefs of his builders.
The next iconic site you absolutely can’t miss is Culloden Battlefield, famous for the Jacobite rising in 1746 when thousands of Jacobites were killed in combat. The field has a rich history, and it is one of the most significant for Scottish history. The spot repeatedly appears in the TV series, showing the infamous battle between the British army and Bonnie Prince’s Jacobite forces.
In the series, an important role is played by the fascinating Castle Leoch, the seat of clan Mackenzie. This is in reality called Doune Castle, in the Stirling district, historically occupied by relevant figures like Bonnie Prince and Mary Queen of Scots. The imposing castle has also been used as the set of Winterfell in Game of Thrones, and it definitely deserves a visit.
After, head towards the village of Blackness to admire Blackness Castle, used as the setting for Fort William, and end your road trip in Inverness, the place Claire and Frank chose for their honeymoon. Take a while here to wander around the stunning largest city of the Scottish Highlands!
Organised tours
If you want to make things easier or have limited time to explore the Outlander sceneries, have a look at these tours!
Again, a cheaper way to explore the highlands is the Northern Highlights Pass.
Where to stay in the Scottish Highlands
Check out Agoda.com or Booking.com to find the accommodation that best suits your needs.
The Loch Ness Route: Dores, Fort Augustus and Inverness
Begin your road trip in Dores village, on the east shore of Loch Ness. This small town offers some of the best views of the “loch”. It’s also home to the famous NessieHunter Steve Feltham, who dedicated his life to the hunt of the Scottish monster.
Next, stop at the picturesque village of Fort Augustus. I loved it! It’s a very characteristic town, and it offers stunning views of the southern part of Loch Ness. Also, take the chance to sip some delicious (!!!) whisky in its hometown… it will give you a break from the freezing temperatures.
If you want to take amazing pictures and take a step back in time, allow some time to explore Urquhart Castle, one of the most scenics in the Scottish Highlands: situated close to Inverness, on the shore of Loch Ness, this will leave you breathless. Check out some pictures Kris and I took during our trip below!
The last stop to conclude your scenic road trip is in Inverness. Stop here and unwind after the long journey (absolutely doable in one day!), try some authentic Scottish delicacies (Hootananny is one of my favourite in the town, and they often have live bagpipes concerts) and maybe spend the night in some relaxing accommodation!
Organised tours
As I mentioned, one day is enough for the Loch Ness road trip. If you can’t use your own car/campervan, there are plenty of day tours that will let you explore the beauties of Loch Ness and narrate its mysteries.
Check out some of them below!
Accommodations close to Loch Ness
If you want to stay in Inverness instead, have a look on Booking.com or Agoda.com to find the perfect accommodation on the mysterious Loch Ness!
Enjoy the ride!
Kikka
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Love this! Out lander fan here. I’m going for an holiday in Scotland soon, and was looking for some spots from the movie to visit. Culloden seems amazing, thank you!