Road trip Scotland

CEON44

OK, so Im thinking of doing a road trip round Scotland in September. Just myself and my wife in the car. Both early sixties. Hoping to spend about 10 days and at this point have no idea where to go after I get off the ferry at Cairnryan. I dont mind spending just a day in one place then move on but also happy to spend a few days if the place is nice with things to do. Probably will just use B&B's, with maybe the odd night of luxury thrown in with a decent hotel. Dont really want to be tied too much to an itinery so happy to book as I go along. So, where do i go? Are there any preplanned routes out there? I would like to cover all the highlands, some of the islands like Skye and even pop into the big cities as well.

BigAl94

Have a read here https://www.off-the-path.com/en/road-trip-scotland/. Edinburgh well worth a couple of days before heading north, Glasgow less so. Premier Inns worth considering if trying to keep cost down especially if you plan and book in advance https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland.html?cid=KNC_Brn%7C_G_UK_UK_Eng_Enc_Brand%20Destinations_LO_Central%20Scotland_BM&mckv=s7nLU3l0O_dc%7Cpcrid%7C239614793401%7Ckword%7C%2Bpremier%20%2Binn%20%2Bscotland%7Cmatch%7Cb%7Cplid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C45341867672%7Cptaid%7Ckwd-302250794543%7C&gclid=CjwKCAjwsdfZBRAkEiwAh2z65m0OZ3S4QHV4CGO0AwPJrX0e6gfGCFAk_AYR_IZFl8Je1-4vNZPIrBoCQEYQAvD_BwE

NCC-1707

BigAl94 wrote: »

Have a read here https://www.off-the-path.com/en/road-trip-scotland/. Edinburgh well worth a couple of days before heading north, Glasgow less so. Premier Inns worth considering if trying to keep cost down especially if you plan and book in advance https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland.html?cid=KNC_Brn%7C_G_UK_UK_Eng_Enc_Brand%20Destinations_LO_Central%20Scotland_BM&mckv=s7nLU3l0O_dc%7Cpcrid%7C239614793401%7Ckword%7C%2Bpremier%20%2Binn%20%2Bscotland%7Cmatch%7Cb%7Cplid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C45341867672%7Cptaid%7Ckwd-302250794543%7C&gclid=CjwKCAjwsdfZBRAkEiwAh2z65m0OZ3S4QHV4CGO0AwPJrX0e6gfGCFAk_AYR_IZFl8Je1-4vNZPIrBoCQEYQAvD_BwE

...I beg to differ. The best thing about Edinburgh is it's transport links to Glasgow!

NCC-1707

Google the north coast 500 and see if that might be of interest?

Here's one link:-
https://www.northcoast500.com/explore-the-route/

fluffykins13

I'm from Scotland so know it quite well! I would recommend the east Neuk of Fife,particularly St Andrews and some of the nearby fishing villages, Crail and Anstruther. St Andrews is about 1hr 15mins drive from Edinburgh. Also recommend Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Would do a day each in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

daveyjp

Too many think Scotland can be done in a few days, it can't. Its large and there is loads to see so it is better to choose an area and spend time there.

However to do "all" the Highlands and a few Islands over ten days:

Day 1 Cairnryan to Oban
Day 2 Oban to Mull
Day 3 Mull to Mallaig via Fort William
Day 4 Mallaig to Skye (debate now whether Skye is an island, I don't feel it is any more)
Day 5 Skye to Gairloch
Day 6 Gairloch to Inverness
Day 7 Inverness to Pitlochry
Day 8 and 9 Pitlochry to Edinburgh
Day 10 Edinburgh to Cairnryan

Thats a lot of driving, but you get two islands, highlands north of Glasgow to Gairloch and the Cairngorms. Inverness and two nights in Edinburgh.

This year is the 35th anniversary of my first ever trip to Scotland. I have been going most years since then. I've not been to many places twice, but I am still going to somewhere I have never been, Speyside.

Thats how much there is to see and do.


Last minute B&Bs is a good idea. Lots of choice and usually great hospitality.

butterflymum

or, you could leave the car behind and "let the train take the strain".

See: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/combined-tickets-travel-passes/spirit-of-scotland

Granted, it would mean carrying your own luggage, but if doing so wouldn't be an issue (ie if you can manage with backpacks), then it is well worth considering (especially as some bus and boat journeys are included).

qwert_yuiop

If you're anyway vaguely fit, consider climbing Ben Nevis. It's a lot easier than slieve Donard. You can hire mountain bikes and use them on the trails.

Or hold on a few years and cycle over on Arlene's mighty big bridge. Take the high road.

motorguy

NCC-1707 wrote: »

...I beg to differ. The best thing about Edinburgh is it's transport links to Glasgow!

From a tourist perspective, Edinburgh is the better city.

To name but a few off the top of my head :-

• The castle
• The Royal Mile
• Royal Yacht Britannia
• The Parliament building
• Holyrood Palace
• National Museum of Scotland
• Princess Street Gardens
• Scotch Whisky Experience
• Edinburgh tours by open top bus
• Edinburgh ghost tours
• Greyfriars Bobby

And some great little theatres, comedy clubs and lots of bars and restaurants for evening time relaxation.

BigAl94

Totally agree, was in Glasgow for a long weekend late last year and whilst it's arguably better for shopping than Edinburgh, its a fairly depressing city with miserable bars and we struggled to find decent restaurants whereas in Edinburgh you're spoilt for choice.

qwert_yuiop

motorguy wrote: »

From a tourist perspective, Edinburgh is the better city.

To name but a few off the top of my head :-

• The castle
• The Royal Mile
• Royal Yacht Britannia
• The Parliament building
• Holyrood Palace
• National Museum of Scotland
• Princess Street Gardens
• Scotch Whisky Experience
• Edinburgh tours by open top bus
• Edinburgh ghost tours
• Greyfriars . Bobby

And some great little theatres, comedy clubs and lots of bars and restaurants for evening time relaxation.

And the weather's a lot better than in Glasgow, a bit like comparing burtonport and Belfast. Rainfall is unreal further north on the west side.