Scotland Road Trip Routes: 7 Scenic Drives (& How to Plan Them)
Thinking of planning a road trip in Scotland? There are a number of scenic driving routes that showcase the natural beauty of the country; from stunning coastal routes to rugged mountains. If you’ve been thinking of packing up your car and hitting the open road, you’ll find that Scotland offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe.
The most famous route of all is of course the North Coast 500, also known as Scotland’s Route 66, that circles around the north of the country, through 6 regions including Black Isle, Caithness and Inverness-shire offering breath taking views of Scottish nature, pristine beaches, and charming fishing villages along the way.
If you’re looking for an alternative stunning backdrop to your road trip, however, you’ll find a number of scenic drives around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs with a number of these routes located near our Loch Lomond Lodges offering the ultimate destination for a tranquil retreat designed to cater to every taste and preference.
This guide will spotlight some of the best road trips in Scotland that work for a short 3-7 day break, including our recommendations for shorter drives in Loch Lomond through to lengthier routes beyond.
A82 Loch Lomond Road Trip
The A82 road trip follows along the shores of Loch Lomond, beginning at the park’s gateway marker just north of the Stoneymollan Roundabout in Balloch. Continuing north, the road leads towards Breadalbane and the northern reaches of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Along the way you’ll encounter us at Cameron House Resort, can visit Inchmurrin Island, discover the villages of Luss and Tarbet, take a picnic to Firkin Point and behold the stunning sight of The Falls of Falloch, one of Scotland’s scenic route viewpoints.
The Snow Roads
Starting from Blairgowrie, south of the Cairngorms National Park, and finishing up at Highland village of Grantown-on-Spey, The SnowRoads take you through the iconic Scottish towns of Braemar and Ballater. Covering 90 miles, the journey takes around 3-5 days to complete, passing through wild landscapes and historic treasures along the way.
There’s a number of itineraries you can consider depending on your interests. Enjoy five days of history and heritage, visiting locations such as Glenshee, Ballater and Braemer, or experience food, drink and culture highlights, from farming estates in Royal Deeside to the whisky stills of Speyside.
Edinburgh to Glencoe (Via Loch Lomond)
If you’re looking to take in the stunning loch itself, visiting interesting stop points along the way including Stirling, Balloch, Luss and Tarbet, consider driving from Edinburgh to Glencoe. This scenic route gives some lovely views over the distant mountains of the Southern Highlands and passes the villages of Kippen and Arnprior before heading to the Loch Lomond area. Explore Balloch and find us at Cameron House, visit Luss and Tarbet and continue on to Glencoe, passing scenic mountain ranges such as Beinn Dorain and The Black Mount along the way.
North East 250
Running through Aberdeenshire, Speyside and Moray, the North East 250 route offers a blend of picturesque landscapes, quaint towns and villages, and an abundance of rich Scottish culture.
Winding through Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, Speyside, the Cairngorms, the east and Moray coast, you can start this circular route at three main points, Aberdeen Airport, Ballindalloch or Glenshee. Discover Ballindalloch Castle and take a tour of whisky distilleries in Aberdeenshire, pass the coast featuring the cliffs of Portknockie and the renowned Bow Fiddle Rock and explore the iconic Cairngorms National Park.
Loch Lomond Scenic Route Viewpoints
The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park covers a vast area, making it difficult to find the best viewpoints. The Scenic Route Viewpoints cover four points of interest that together create a pleasant and convenient driving route.
- LookOut is a mirrored structure near the junction of Loch Voil and Loch Doine,
- Woven Sound at the Falls of Falloch is a creative sheltered space to view the famous waterfall,
- Faerie Hollow, Loch Lubnaig Beag, is located near the Highland Boundary Fault Line at a small picnic site,
- Finally, An Ceann Mòr, Inveruglas, also known as the Inveruglas Pyramid, provides jaw dropping views of the Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond.
North Coast 500
A 516-mile scenic route in the Scottish Highlands, North Coast 500 is considered one of the best road trips in the world. It circles the northern coast of Scotland, and you can tailor the trip to what you love.
From the dramatic cliffs of Cape Wrath to the sandy shores of Dunnet Head, the route showcases a variety of stunning landscapes. Along the way, you’ll encounter historic sites like Dunrobin Castle and Castle Sinclair, as well as prehistoric ruins. Have a look at the NC500 itineraries to plan your stops.
Glasgow to Falls of Falloch
If you’re looking for a mini trip that takes around 5 hours, head out from Glasgow to the Loch Lomond area with the Falls of Falloch as your ultimate destination. Along the way, visit Duck Bay Beach next to Duck Bay Marina to get stunning views of the Loch.
Pop into the Auchentullich Farm Shop and pass along to one of Scotland’s prettiest villages, Luss (our Guide to Luss should help to make the most of your time there). Finally, enjoy a short walk to the Falls of Falloch, check out Tarbet Pier and take a picnic to Firkin Point.
How to Plan a Scotland Road Trip
Scotland offers a variety of scenic routes, with the North Coast 500 being the most popular. If you’re short on time, consider shorter itineraries based on the routes suggested in this article. Then, plot your course on Google Maps. Add your desired destinations as pins and save the map as “Scotland Road Trip” for easy reference.
Once you have a general route, use Google Maps to find interesting stops along the way. Search for towns, viewpoints, historical sites, or restaurants and save them using the “star” function. This creates a list of potential pit stops for your trip.
Use Google Maps route mapping tool to create your final itinerary. Add all your chosen stops and check the estimated travel times between locations. This gives you a complete picture of your trip’s structure and timing.
Discover Your Next Adventure with Cameron House
Quietly nestled among 400 acres of sprawling grounds in the heart of Loch Lomond, Cameron Lodges offers self-catering accommodation for any group size at our 5-star resort. Pick from stylish suites, cosy cottages or luxurious lodges and enjoy time as a family, group or family in the great Scottish countryside with all the amenities you’d expect from home.
With a host of resort bars and restaurants, two golf courses and our own award-winning spa, you can kick back and unwind at Cameron Lodges – your home away from home.