take the
Scotland Essentials Road Trip
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You’re finally taking on that Scotland road trip. You want to see it all. You want to feel the full Scotland experience but only have a limited amount of time. The ‘Scotland Essentials’ road trip combines all major highlights of the country. Be sure to keep your camera and hiking boots within reach and ready to go, because this tour will continue to amaze around every bend!
Scotland’s vivid city life, breathtaking scenery, and historic castles are all readily available when taking this road trip. And for you whisky lovers out there, of course you can visit a distillery or two along the road.
But most importantly, to stay away from mass tourism, all our secret spots are clearly marked on the map. Making this tour the perfect all-you-need-to-see route while still enjoying the quiet vastness of wild nature.
If you don’t want to rush things, a minimum of 7 days is enough to enjoy the round trip. None of Scotland’s most famous Bens, Glens, and Lochs will be left out. Once you have finished this tour, you will truly be able to say: ‘I have seen Scotland.’ Get packing and go!
Beautiful roads, historic castles, great hikes and a dram of whisky
minimum of 7 days
miles: 661 / KM: 1064
some of the
HIGHLIGHTS
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OF THIS ROAD TRIP
Aviemore
Glengoyne Whisky distillery > Loch Lomond
Isle of Skye > Neist Point
Aberfeldy
Glen Coe > Ben Nevis
Eilean Donan Castle > secret scenic road
Edinburgh
Harry Potter Bridge > Mallaig
Glen Affric > Loch Ness
Starting at Edinburgh, the Essentials road trip takes a total of 661miles (1064 km). The route leads from Edinburgh towards Falkirk and takes you further west on the Northern side of the Central Belt. The road then quickly takes you out of this most densely populated area of Scotland to get you in the right mood for the vast empty areas ahead. You will leave the highway behind and enter the undulating hills just north of the Central Belt. Heading North West, the route continues to ‘bonny’ Loch Lomond, where the Highlands will reveal themselves.
Right before you get to the loch though, there is a perfect whisky tour available at Glengoyne Distillery. To get a truly amazing view over Loch Lomond and into the Highlands, a quick hike up Conic Hill is highly recommended. On this route, some of the most spectacular short hikes can be walked. If you wish to learn more about these hikes, read our blog '6 Best short hikes in Scotland'.
route _ PART 1
Once you leave Loch Lomond behind it is only a short drive towards Glen Coe: the most recognizable and impressive glen in the whole country. Driving through this massive landscape of dead volcanoes, it just never fails to impress! Good to know: along the entire route from the south side of Loch Lomond to Fort William, lots of parts of the West Highland Way can be hiked. A well hidden but beautiful and easy to reach part of the Way can be walked right behind the Artisan Cafe near Tyndrum - a church built into a cafe. A short walk will get you to river Fillan, where you can pick up the West Highland Way. It also happens to be one of the best places to enjoy a quiet picnic!
route _ PART 2
The A82 continues straight into Glen Coe. Just enjoy this ride! At the car park near Altnafeadh you can choose to get out and walk the Devil's Staircase. This is another part of the West Highland Way - offering a perfect view into Glen Coe. And for those of you who want to learn more about the history of Glen Coe and how it was created over millions of years, a stop at the Glen Coe visitor Center should not be left out.
At the end of Glen Coe you will have reached the sea arms of the West coast, along which the routes further brings you to Fort William. This historic town marks the end of the famous West Highland Way and is a perfect gateway into the Highlands. Located in the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, a wide variety of day trips can be enjoyed from here. A short into Glen Nevis is really worthwhile. After Fort William, the route then continues west towards the coast, passing the Glenfinnan monument (Harry Potter bridge) along the way and heading out to Mallaig.
Boarding the ferry at Mallaig, you will enter the majestic Isle of Skye. The Scotland Essentials roadtrip brings you to all the famous landmarks and provides ample opportunity to fully enjoy the island. Driving round clockwise you will pass the Cuillin Mountains, the Fairy Pools, Talisker Distillery, Neist Point, the Quiraing Hills and Old Man of Storr - each one as unique and impressive as the next! There is SO much to see on this amazing island. And don't forget to relax a bit in the islands main town, Portree. Find our Skye shortlist here!
route _ PART 3
Once you are back on the mainland, taking the bridge across this time, you will soon pass Eilean Donan castle. An amazingly well rebuilt old fortress to protect against the Viking raids - and head to one of our personal favourites: Glen Affric. Its natural beauty and untouched wildlife is unmatched in the country. A stop there at the Dog Falls car park provides a great starting point to get to the view point and to visit the narrow crevice near the Dog Falls.
route _ PART 4
After getting lost in the wide stretches of ancient woodland and finding your way back out again, the route brings you to the shores of Loch Ness. Undoubtedly the most famous loch in Scotland, it also boasts a long history which is marked by several ruins and castles along the shores. Following the shore northbound you will enter the Highland capital of Inverness. If needed, you can enjoy a bit of civilization before heading back out into the Highlands again. Oh and, for all Outlander fans - the Battle of Culloden was just outside Inverness!
Although the road trip is heading back south towards Edinburgh again, there are still loads of beautiful places to visit along this final stretch. Driving along Cairngorm National Park you will pass the loveliest of mountain towns such as Aviemore and Aberfeldy. If you do have some time left, a stay close to Aviemore is a brilliant spot to explore Cairngorms National Park from.
By the time you have headed across the Forth bridge into Edinburgh again you could probably do with a few days off to catch your breath again whilst enjoying this beautiful capital city.
