11 Scotland Road Trip Tips to Know Before You Go

Posted: 5/23/2024 | Might twenty third, 2024

Scotland is a rugged and delightful nation that’s excellent for exploring on a street journey. The craggy coasts, placid lochs, and rolling hills make it a dream to find. There are numerous historic castles, iconic distilleries, and postcard-perfect islands at your fingertips.

I completely love Scotland. It’s stunningly lovely and I can by no means get sufficient of the numerous altering landscapes, Scotch distilleries, and heat, welcoming locals.

Having been to Scotland over a handful of occasions within the final decade, I feel taking a street journey is the easiest way to discover the nation. House to simply 5.5 million individuals, it’s a sparsely populated land, a lot of your driving right here might be out within the countryside. The nation is simply constructed for it.

However there are nonetheless a number of issues to remember earlier than you depart.

Listed here are 10 Scotland road-trip suggestions (plus my favourite routes) to assist make your drive higher, safer, and extra enjoyable (primarily based on my expertise no less than):

1. Get Journey Insurance coverage

I by no means go away house with out travel insurance. And I by no means lease a automotive with out complete insurance coverage both.

I do know, it’s an added expense. And likelihood is you gained’t even want it.

However what occurs if you happen to do want it and it’s not there? You’ll be paying out of pocket for harm. And that might price you 1000’s.

Scotland has numerous slender, rugged, or single-track roads (extra on these later) that may be tough to navigate. Tire and windshield harm is frequent. Throw within the ever-changing climate, and also you’ve received recipe for bother.

That’s why I strongly encourage you to take out automotive insurance coverage to your street journey. The peace of thoughts is price it.

Relating to renting a automotive, I like to recommend Discover Cars. Once you e book, it’s straightforward so as to add automotive insurance coverage onto your buy with the press of a button. The location makes it clear what is roofed and the way a lot it prices.

You should utilize the widget beneath to get a quote. It’s quick and free:

2. Lease the Proper Car

You basically have two selections relating to renting a automobile in Scotland — and selection will drastically affect your journey. Your choices are a automotive or a campervan.

A automotive might be cheaper and use much less gasoline, however you’ll have to seek out lodging every evening. A campervan/RV might be more cash and require extra gas, however you possibly can sleep contained in the automobile and thus lower your expenses on lodging. (It’s not my jam however to every their very own.)

Each choices make for a tremendous journey, so there isn’t a fallacious reply. Simply remember that handbook transmissions are the default in Scotland, so in order for you a automobile with automated transmission, you’ll have to specify that whereas reserving.
 

3. Be Able to Drive on the Left

Site visitors in Scotland flows on the left, identical to the remainder of the UK. That is the other of the US, Canada, and nearly all of Europe (solely Eire, the UK, Malta, and Cyprus drive on the left in Europe).

If you happen to lease a handbook automobile, you’ll be switching gears along with your left hand as a substitute of your proper, which has a little bit of a studying curve. (Personally, I choose an automated).

Previous habits die exhausting, so if you happen to’re used to driving on the right-hand facet of the street, drive cautiously. Driving on the left will be particularly difficult while you arrive at a roundabout (extra on that beneath) or in a metropolis. Take it gradual at first, till you modify.
 

4. Perceive Roundabouts

Roundabouts are a site visitors circles that function intersections, as a substitute of cease lights or cease indicators. They drive autos to decelerate with out stopping the stream of site visitors. Whereas they aren’t particularly frequent within the US, they’re extremely widespread in Europe (they cut back severe site visitors accidents by upwards of 90%).

Roundabouts are quite common in Scotland. And so they stream in the other way (clockwise) than do these within the US (counterclockwise). When approaching a roundabout, decelerate drastically and yield to site visitors within the roundabout till you might have a gap to enter the site visitors circle. All site visitors flows the identical course in a roundabout.

If there are a number of lanes, you’ll have to be on an outer lane when exiting. The inside lane of the roundabout is for vehicles not exiting instantly.

Once you’re able to exit the roundabout, sign so vehicles behind you understand you may be turning.

If you happen to’re not comfy while you arrive at a roundabout, simply take it gradual and sign your intentions. They’re much simpler to deal with than you suppose!
 

5. Know the Velocity Limits

Posted velocity limits in Scotland are written in miles. Whereas that is useful for People like me, vacationers from international locations that use kilometers will need to pay further consideration.

Frequent velocity limits are:

• Constructed-up areas: 30 MPH
• Single roadways: 60 MPH
• Twin roadways: 70 MPH
• Highways: 70 MPH

These numbers are simply guides, nonetheless. All the time observe native signage to make sure security. When unsure, it’s all the time higher to go slower slightly than quicker till you confirm the velocity. I’d write down some frequent conversions so you possibly can have them useful if you happen to get confused.
 

6. Add in Time for Scenic Stops

I do know numerous vacationers like to actually plan out their routes and itineraries. Once you solely have a number of days, it may be tempting to plan every part to a T (I used to do that loads). Nevertheless, there are many diversions to discover in Scotland, from quaint cities to scenic vistas to brief hikes.

You’re going to need to pull over each couple of minutes for a vista, mountain, loch, or deserted fort. The panorama is so lovely that even the typical sights are Insta-worthy. For that motive, construct in buffer time in your itinerary in order that, if you happen to resolve to cease or take slightly diversion, you’ll have the time. I can’t advocate this sufficient. Typically, the very best components of a visit are those you stumble into. And also you positively don’t need to be dashing from sight to sight both, so plan to be diverted.
 

7. Obtain the Proper Apps

I do know, while you head out on a street journey, the purpose is to get away out of your telephone so you possibly can benefit from the native tradition and gorgeous views. Nevertheless, there are many apps on the market that may enable you lower your expenses, keep secure, and save time. Everybody road-tripping round Scotland ought to have the next apps downloaded to their telephone:

• Met Weather – That is the very best climate app for the UK. Situations can change drastically in Scotland, so plan accordingly.
• Google Maps – The most effective app for wanting up instructions. Be certain to obtain your maps so you might have them for offline use.
• Park4Night – A useful app for locating spots to park to your RV or campervan (together with free ones).
• Flush – A useful app for locating public restrooms.
• Petrol Prices – An app for locating and evaluating close by gasoline costs for when it’s worthwhile to refuel.

8. Deliver a Paper Map

At any time when I am going on a street journey, I all the time bring a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is simple and free, and cellular information protection in Scotland is mostly dependable. But it surely’s higher to be secure than sorry. You by no means know when your telephone goes to interrupt, in case your sign might be misplaced (prone to occur if you happen to’re driving by way of distant areas), or if there might be an emergency.

Give your self peace of thoughts: convey a paper street map, and simply go away it within the glove field. You seemingly gained’t want it, however if you happen to do, you’ll be glad you might have it (they make good souvenirs after a visit too).
 

9. Perceive The way to Drive on Single-Observe Roads

When you get out of the cities, you could encounter single-track roads. These are basically two-way roads that solely have area for one automobile. Because of this if you happen to encounter oncoming site visitors, there isn’t a room so that you can go each other.

Luckily, these roads normally have passing areas constructed into them at common intervals, permitting vehicles to tug over to make room. Benefit from these while you see site visitors coming, so that you could simply go each other.

Moreover, take it gradual round corners on single-track roads. Accidents can happen right here as a result of you possibly can’t see oncoming site visitors (with whom you’re sharing a lane). So, drive slowly, and all the time be ready to cease.

Lastly, remember that many single-track roads are a bit rugged. Blowing a tire can occur simply, particularly if you happen to’re pulling off to the facet to make room for passing autos. For that motive, ensure you have a spare tire and that you simply even have insurance coverage protection to your tires, simply to be secure.
 

10. Don’t Rush

Whereas Scotland isn’t big, there are nonetheless numerous issues see and do right here. It might be tempting to hurry, so you possibly can pack extra into your itinerary, however I strongly encourage you to not achieve this. High quality, not amount, is the secret. I’ve been on numerous street journeys around the globe, and slower is all the time higher. Meaning driving much less and spending extra time at every cease. Try this, and also you’ll be capable to soak in much more of Scotland’s distinctive tradition.

Moreover, likelihood is you’ll be driving on numerous smaller, winding roads right here, usually surrounded by ambling livestock to be careful for. Meaning, for security causes, you’ll have to decelerate and actually give attention to the drive. Admire the sights, go away room for spontaneous detours, and neglect about dashing from sight to sight. You gained’t remorse it!
 

Instructed Routes

There are a number of widespread street journey routes in Scotland. They every provide various things to see and do, and every require totally different quantities of time to finish. To benefit from your time, choose the route that most accurately fits your journey pursuits.

Right here’s a fast have a look at a number of of the very best street journey routes in Scotland:

North Coast 500 – That is in all probability the preferred street journey route within the nation. It loops across the northern tip of Scotland, normally beginning and ending in Inverness. Standard stops embrace Bealach na Bà, Cape Wrath, Smoo Cave, John o’ Groats, and Dunrobin Citadel.

You’ll need no less than 5 days, although seven days could be preferable. Simply remember that it may get busy in the summertime.

Edinburgh/Glasgow to Glen Coe – Glen Coe is a picturesque valley within the Highlands that’s each a Nationwide Scenic Space and Nationwide Nature Reserve. It’s a well-liked spot for photographers and hikers, and a must-visit location for anybody exploring the Highlands.

Glen Coe is simply 2-2.5 hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh, making it a simple day journey (although I recommend stopping in a single day, so you possibly can actually absorb the views). It’s additionally part of a number of street journey routes, together with the Argyll Coastal Route (listed subsequent).

Argyll Coastal Route – This route alongside the west coast of Scotland stretches for 129 miles (208 kilometers), from Loch Lomond to Fort Williams. It’s an important different to the North Coast 500, because it’s much less widespread (and thus much less crowded). Standard stops alongside this route embrace the Inveraray Jail, the cairns of Kilmartin Glen, Glen Coe, and Ben Nevis.

When you may simply drive the gap in a single day, plan to spend no less than three days. That will provide you with time to see the highlights with out dashing.

Highlands Vacationer Route – Chopping throughout the japanese facet of the nation, from Aberdeen to Inverness, this route is a well-liked alternative for historical past buffs, as there are quite a few fort and museum stops, in addition to the positioning of the final battle on British soil, the Battle of Culloden (1746).

The route is simply 116 miles (187 kilometers), however no less than three days are wanted to take all of it in.
 

Scotland Highway Journey FAQ

How lengthy do you want for a Scotland street journey?
Ideally, no less than 5-7 days. Clearly, the size will rely in your itinerary, however that may be a stable begin.

If you happen to choose a shorter route or simply need to do a weekend street journey to camp, three days will suffice.

What’s the most scenic drive in Scotland?
A few of the most scenic drives in Scotland embrace the Argyll Coastal Route, your complete North Coast 500, and the Highlands Vacationer Route.

Is driving in Scotland troublesome?
Whereas driving within the cities is usually a ache, when you get out into the countryside, it is extremely straightforward. Simply use warning on single-track roads and in roundabouts — and do not forget that you need to drive on the left!

Are you able to drive onto the Isle of Skye?
Yep! It’s linked to the mainland through a bridge.

What’s the greatest month for a Scotland street journey?
Usually, April-October is the very best time to go to. Personally, I just like the autumn, as you’ll get to see the altering leaves. It gained’t be as heat, however costs might be decrease and every part might be much less busy.

Scotland is an exquisite vacation spot and ideal for street journeys. With gorgeous surroundings, historic sights, plentiful mountain climbing alternatives, and doable Loch Ness monster sightings, I feel renting a automotive to discover is the easiest way to expertise the nation. Whether or not you need to uncover the rugged coast or weave concerning the Highlands, having a automotive or campervan will make it each doable and inexpensive. Simply observe the ideas above and also you’ll remember to have a tremendous time!

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