travel, Scotland, road trip
Scotland is one of the states of the United Kingdom. Regularly the question of the independence of this singular state arises. On the tourist map, to discover Scotland by car is, in our opinion the best solution to explore the country.
The Road trip is first and foremost the freedom to stop when you want, provided you drive the car or have an unusually docile driver. But it is also and above all the possibility to discover sublime landscapes and to take full eyes.
Scotland is undoubtedly a small country, but do not fall into the trap. The roads are winding, and the average hourly is closer to 80 km / h rather than 130 km / h that is obtained on the French motorways…
Road trip in Scotland, the land of highlands, sheep and whiskey
To consider a road trip in Scotland, the idea is to have at least five days and ideally a little more than ten days.
To save a little time the ideal is to leave Edinburgh, besides many companies serve this Scottish airport. Moreover, the capital of Scotland is a charming city that deserves the detours.
Roadtrip in Scotland from Edinburgh
From Edinburgh, the ideal is to leave immediately to the north and the Isle of Skye.
Just out of Edinburgh on the road to Stirling, stop at Loch Katrine. This is an excellent preamble to a road trip in Scotland, and especially it allows to decompress and acclimatize a little to driving on the left.
On the way, do not hesitate to go through the villages of Kinlochewe and Torridon. You will pass in the middle of what is called the highlands, a succession of valleys and mountains.
Beware of tourist faux pas. Indeed, Loch Ness lake attracts many curious. It is located near Inverness and is not of interest. One would instead think of a legend invented by the local tourist office to attract tourists.
Just before joining, Isle of Skye try to make a stop at Applecross, it’s a fantastic place, and the Applecross road is just incredibly beautiful and dangerous.
The must-sees of Isle of Skye (North West Scotland)
Dunvegan Castle is worth a visit. It is on the west coast of the island. For the worshipers of “TV series.” Because it is the castle of the MacLeod clan and it dates from the 13th century. But it was completely restored at the beginning of the 20th century. This feudal monument was built on a small rocky promontory, and a little away we can admire this castle which is reflected in the loch of Dunvegan. A loch sometimes refers to a lake and sometimes a kind of “fjord” or “cove,” in short a place protected from the swell of the North Atlantic.
One of the attractions of the Isle of Skye is “The Old Man of Storr” (A855 north of Portree, which takes an hour to reach the venue). It is a monolithic block more than 50 meters high. Apart from this geological curiosity, the place is extraordinary, and the view is splendid.
Another highlight of the Isle of Skye is the “Neist Point”, the famous westernmost point of the island. It is a step into the sea. This place is so beautiful and so perfect that one would think a place straight out of the imagination of a Hollywood filmmaker. Neist Point is a must on a road trip to Scotland. But we must recognize that this place is quite challenging to access.
If you are a fan of waterfalls, you absolutely must go to Kilt Rock. Between Portree and Saffrin, the Kilt Rock waterfall awaits you. A cascade of several tens of meters that ends its race directly in the ocean. It’s great. It’s almost like Iceland.
Destination South West Scotland
During your road trip in Scotland, do not forget to get up early in the morning to make the most of your days and avoid crowds and other crowds of visitors. ” The world belongs to those who get up early “.
Loch Lomond, from Rowardennan, is one of the most beautiful lakes in Scotland. You can admire this loch from Ben Lomon, a mountain that rises to 974 meters above sea level.
Eilean Donan Castle is another essential step to discover and be seduced by a magnificent castle. It is surrounded by water and can be reached only by a stone bridge and calling for a visit fee of ten euros.
To reach the south of Scottland, the crossing is via the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Eil, now famous for Harry Potter fans.
Once in the South of Scotland, be seduced by the city of Oban and its tower or the panorama of Glen Etive, or the fantastic mountainous landscape of Glencoe.
Return to Glasgow or Edinburgh (from south-west to south-east)
The city of Glasgow is not a point of the passage. Nevertheless, it can serve as a decompression chamber to party and reassure the participants on the road trip in need of civilization.
A bit further Finnich Glen Gorge offers a real photographic and geological interest. The wall of this natural gorge is wholly covered with green moss. The place is located not far from the village of Croftamie on the A809 (starting point just after the bridge).
Edinburgh, one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom, is, therefore, the starting point and the point of arrival during a road trip in Scotland.