Planning to get away from the stress of day-to-day life? đ How about considering a road trip in the Scottish Highlands? Whether it's just with your partner or with the whole family, imagine seeing majestic castles, quaint villages and towns, magnificent landscapes, and mystical lochs. Scotland offers that and so much more! If this is your first time going on a Scotland Highlands road trip, and you want more information on the best Scottish Highlands routes, weâve got you covered, because weâll share with you the best places to visit and other highlights youâll experience on a road trip in Scotland Highlands. We've checked out a great Highlands road trip itinerary. Ready to start planning?
Starting in the morning, the first day of your Highlands road trip itinerary will begin from Glasgow towards Oban. The destination for this day is the Trossachs National Park, a great place to go hiking and see castles and Scottish villages. Some of the castle ruins you can visit are Buchanan Castle and Kilchurn Castle. Travelling with the family? Check out Sea Life Loch Lomond! Itâs an aquarium where kids can learn more about sea life.
In Oban, you can take a break at the Oban Distillery and have a tour and sample of their whisky. Of course, thereâs more than whisky in Oban. Go on a history tour at the Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds, the Oban War & Peace Museum, as well as the Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel. After all the exploring, youâll probably be hungry, so head off to the harbour area where you can try the local seafood!
From Oban, youâll be taking a ferry to the Isle of Mull. You wonât regret visiting the island because thereâs so much to explore there. You can take your car, ride a bus, or rent a bicycle while youâre on the Isle of Mull. If youâre the adventurous type, youâd surely love to go on a hike! The prize is the breathtaking view of the island from the top.
If youâd rather have a relaxing day on the isle instead, the Tobermory Distillery is waiting for you. Itâs a great way to spend time in town and chat with the locals. Never worry about finding a place to eat while youâre there because there are plenty of restaurants, as well as shops if you want to buy some souvenirs.
From Oban, take the A85 eastward to Tyndrum and then to Glencoe on A82. This is the best Scottish Highlands road trip route if you want to see the majestic mountains of Scotland. While youâre on your way to the destination, do take your time so you can stop and savour the beauty of the place. Donât forget to take photos! You can even go on a detour to Glen Etive and onwards to Loch Etive. Observe the wildlife youâll see along the way. You might even find some of the landscapes familiar because theyâve been featured in James Bond and Harry Potter films.
In Fort William, go to the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre if you want to explore the area by hiking. Ben Nevis is actually the highest peak in the UK, and itâs going to take the whole day to reach it, so do plan your schedule while youâre in Fort Willam. You also have the option to see the Steall Waterfall and Lower Falls instead. Some of the top places to visit are also the Old Inverlochy Castle, Neptuneâs Staircase, and of course, the Ben Nevis Distillery to sample some whisky. Spend the night in Fort William and rest easy because the next day is full of adventure!
After a good nightâs rest in Fort William, head off to Glenfinnan so you can catch a ferry going to the Isle of Skye. While in Glenfinnan, check out the Glennfinnan Viaduct! Youâll recognise it from the Harry Potter movies, especially when thereâs a Jacobite steam train crossing. On the Isle of Skye, the first place youâd want to visit is the Fairy Pools. Theyâre a magnificent collection of waterfalls and rock pools from the River Brittle. Once you see how crystal-clear the water in the pools and how everything feels so pristine, youâll understand why itâs named that way.
Fairy Glen is another beautiful place youâd want to visit while at the Isle of Skye. Canât get enough of Scotlandâs natural beauty? Check out Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls and the Old Man of Storr, which is a stunning rock formation. You can then relax in Portree and grab a bite. If you feel you can do a bit more hiking, thereâs the Scorrybreac Trail, where you can see the loch and harbour from on top.
From Portree, you can drive to Coral Beach, where you can rest or walk along the beach. Donât forget to visit the Dunvegan Castle & Gardens while youâre on the Isle of Skye. Thereâs a seal colony that you can observe up close. Finally, Neist Point is the last stop. Thereâs a lighthouse there that you can visit. Donât miss the chance to go up the lighthouse lookout point while youâre there.
Inverness is known to be the Scottish Highlandsâ capital. The famous Loch Ness is also located there, so be sure to visit. You can even have a boat tour on the loch! Get to know Inverness and just explore the place. You may even want to just relax for the day. Itâs been quite an adventure on the Isle of Skye!
The next day, youâll be driving towards Cairngorms National Park. Along the way, visit the Culloden Battlefield and get to know the history of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. The next stop is the Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial ground. In Cairngorms National Park, thereâs so much to do and see! Thereâs another distillery there, the Tomatin Distillery. Visit old bridges and explore scenic towns. Thereâs even a reindeer centre where you can hike close to a reindeer herd and also pet and feed them.
From the Cairngorms National Park, the next destination is the Trossachs National Park. Itâs almost the end of the best Scottish highlands road trip, but donât worry. You can visit places you missed on your first day. After youâre done exploring the Trossachs National Park, head towards Glasgow and just see the city. You wonât run out of things to do while youâre there. It has theatres, abbeys, museums, and cathedrals that you can visit!
And thatâs the end of your Scottish Highlands road trip. While you may not be able to cover everything, whatâs most important is you get to experience the beauty of Scotland. For sure, youâd want to have another road trip again soon!
Here at Carmoola we love road trips! If you have more time for exploring why not check out our London to Scotland road trip which follows a path up the western coast of England. Have fun! đ đ