The Perfect London to Scotland Road Trip

Do you want to experience what the UK has to offer? Then a London to Scotland road trip is one of the best ways to do so! Visit Stonehenge, Bath, Loch Ness, Edinburgh and many more awesome places along the way. With a lot of wonderful destinations to see and activities to do, a Scotland road trip can be a bit intimidating to plan. But don’t worry because here are some of the best places to visit during your road trip around Scotland!

Stonehenge

The most amazing time to visit Stonehenge on Wiltshire Plain is during sunrise. You’ll definitely find it fascinating to see during dawn. If you’ve only been looking at Stonehenge in postcards and pictures, then it’s time to see the real thing! It’s amongst the most iconic places in Britain and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the Avebury stones because they’re also a must-see and should be a part of your London to Scotland road trip itinerary. And of course it you can time it at midsummer you will be in for a real treat!

Bath

If you’re someone who enjoys beautiful architecture, then Bath will make your day. Bath is a beautiful ancient spa town dating back to when the Romans occupied the place a long time ago. The Roman baths in Bath are also a heritage site and a top destination for many travellers. The baths’ waters come from mineral hot springs that pump out more than a million litres of water daily. Visit the Pump Room, Bath Assembly Rooms, Fashion Museum, and Bath Abbey as well. After your tour of Bath, you might want to stay in Bristol before heading north. 

Peak District

After a historical tour, how about a nature adventure next? If you check your Scotland road trip map, you’ll see that you’ll be driving north directly from Bath to the Peak District, it will be a 172-mile drive. Don’t worry, take time for plenty of stops along the way, so you can take a break from driving and stretch your legs. Some of the places you can go to are Cheltenham, the Cotswolds, Worcester, and Birmingham. The Cotswolds or Shakespeare country warrant some time if you have it.

At the Peak District National Park, start at the visitor centre located at Bakewell. While you’re at the Peak, it’s time to do some outdoor activities like fishing, canoeing, sailing, or just walking down lovely paths like the Tissington Trail, High Peak Trail, and Pennine Way. In case the weather isn’t so great during your trip, that doesn’t mean you can’t have the best Scotland road trip anymore. Visit Haddon Hall and Chatsworth House if you need to stay indoors. 

Loch Lomond

Now, let’s get to Scotland! The first stop are Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. There’s a lot to do while you’re there, be it on the shores or in the water. Try going on a Loch Lomond cruise! You’ll love it. You can continue your nature adventure when you reach the Trossachs National Park. If you’d rather relax and just enjoy the scenery of the lake, there are plenty of places along the shore that will be perfect for that. 

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skype is Scotland’s biggest island, so you can expect that you’ll have tons of options when it comes to leisure activities and sightseeing destinations. You can explore Dunvegan Caste and Portree, which is the capital of the Isle of Skye. While there, do visit the Fairy Pools located in Glen Brittle. If you can brave the cold waters of the pools, take a dip in the crystal clear waters. That will surely take away any aches from driving long distances. 

Loch Ness

When you’re in Scotland, it’s a must to visit Loch Ness. From Inverness, it’s only a short drive to get there. Loch Ness and Loch Lomond are two of the biggest Lakes in Scotland. It can go as deep as 230 metres, and it’s hard to see what’s below. Maybe that’s why the legend of the Loch Ness monster became so widespread. But if you really want to learn more about the legends and histories surrounding the loch, drop by Drumnadochit’s Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. After that, take a boat ride towards Urquhart Castle and be fascinated by the majestic views. 

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, and there’s so much to do, see, and experience while you’re there. Visit another UNESCO Heritage Site, the Edinburgh Old Town. Also, go to Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Scottish National Gallery to learn more about Scottish art and history. From Edinburgh Castle, you’re close to Arthur’s Seat, which is an ancient volcano in Holyrood Park. Check for festivals and other events happening during your road trip so you can time it perfectly to when you’ll arrive at Edinburgh.  If you go in August you will catch the famous Edinburgh Festival - expect it to be busy, but there will be plenty to do!

Takeaway

These are just some of the highlights of a London to Scotland road trip. Along the way, be sure to stop by and savour the moment if you see something wonderful and astounding. You can go for a two-week road trip to give you enough time to really experience the UK, from London to Edinburgh. If you have more time for the trip, the better! You’d surely want to see as much of the country as possible, and having this road trip is one of the best ways to do so.  And if you have time to explore Scotland itself, try a week long road trip around Scotland too! 

Here at Carmoola we love road trips! If you feel like something more adventurous then check out our blog on some of the best road trips in the USA. Happy Travelling! 😎 🚘