Best driving roads in Scotland
Discussion
Hey all
Looking to do a 7 day tour of Scotland... I've already have routes in mind - primarily from a Top Gear write up they did a while back.
What are the best roads or routes in your opinion... or the top 3 routes people have actually driven?
I know every says NC500 route - but are there any hidden gems? In between - or through the heartland?
Looking to do a 7 day tour of Scotland... I've already have routes in mind - primarily from a Top Gear write up they did a while back.
What are the best roads or routes in your opinion... or the top 3 routes people have actually driven?
I know every says NC500 route - but are there any hidden gems? In between - or through the heartland?
don't do the official "nc500" route. You will miss some corking roads before you even get to inverness.
Depending on where you are travelling from, always stay to the west side of Scotland. North of Glasgow, head up to Tarbet at Loch lomond, then bear left. This will take you up the "rest and be thankful" road toward Inverarry. You can then decide if you want to head over to Oban or follow this road down to Lochgilphead and loop around to Oban. Both roads are fantastic.
From Oban, head north past FT William / Spean Bridge then bear left onto the A87 Invergarry - probably one of the best roads in Scotland. Stay on here until you pass Eileen donan Castle then head over to Lochcarron. Once past here you can access Applecross or continue Northwhere you cant really find a bad road.
I don't find the eastern side of Scotland that engaging so either double back down the western side or drop across to the cairngorms and come back via Glenshee etc. Some belting roads through there
Depending on where you are travelling from, always stay to the west side of Scotland. North of Glasgow, head up to Tarbet at Loch lomond, then bear left. This will take you up the "rest and be thankful" road toward Inverarry. You can then decide if you want to head over to Oban or follow this road down to Lochgilphead and loop around to Oban. Both roads are fantastic.
From Oban, head north past FT William / Spean Bridge then bear left onto the A87 Invergarry - probably one of the best roads in Scotland. Stay on here until you pass Eileen donan Castle then head over to Lochcarron. Once past here you can access Applecross or continue Northwhere you cant really find a bad road.
I don't find the eastern side of Scotland that engaging so either double back down the western side or drop across to the cairngorms and come back via Glenshee etc. Some belting roads through there
STe_rsv4 said:
don't do the official "nc500" route. You will miss some corking roads before you even get to inverness.
Depending on where you are travelling from, always stay to the west side of Scotland. North of Glasgow, head up to Tarbet at Loch lomond, then bear left. This will take you up the "rest and be thankful" road toward Inverarry. You can then decide if you want to head over to Oban or follow this road down to Lochgilphead and loop around to Oban. Both roads are fantastic.
From Oban, head north past FT William / Spean Bridge then bear left onto the A87 Invergarry - probably one of the best roads in Scotland. Stay on here until you pass Eileen donan Castle then head over to Lochcarron. Once past here you can access Applecross or continue Northwhere you cant really find a bad road.
I don't find the eastern side of Scotland that engaging so either double back down the western side or drop across to the cairngorms and come back via Glenshee etc. Some belting roads through there
If I've read that right, that route does miss out Glencoe though which I think would be a shame when you're so near it. Glencoe is a nice driving road (a bit straight in places though maybe) but often busy and maybe best enjoyed sedately whilst gawping at the scenery but well worth it all the same. Depending on where you are travelling from, always stay to the west side of Scotland. North of Glasgow, head up to Tarbet at Loch lomond, then bear left. This will take you up the "rest and be thankful" road toward Inverarry. You can then decide if you want to head over to Oban or follow this road down to Lochgilphead and loop around to Oban. Both roads are fantastic.
From Oban, head north past FT William / Spean Bridge then bear left onto the A87 Invergarry - probably one of the best roads in Scotland. Stay on here until you pass Eileen donan Castle then head over to Lochcarron. Once past here you can access Applecross or continue Northwhere you cant really find a bad road.
I don't find the eastern side of Scotland that engaging so either double back down the western side or drop across to the cairngorms and come back via Glenshee etc. Some belting roads through there
The roads around the Borders shouldn't be ruled out either. Scenery is less spectacular than the NW coast (only a bit though!) but the roads are quiet and fantastic. You have loads of options around here and it will depend if you're approaching Scotland from the West side of England or the East. If coming from the east, maybe cut across via Kielder and then roughly head for Glasgow or a little south of Glasgow but stay away from A roads. If approaching from the West maybe cut over toward Edinburgh from Moffat (superb road). Both options are a bit of a diversion but I guess that is the main point of the trip.
ETA. Assuming you're starting Manchester and not in a mad rush, you could really make an interesting route up by leaving the M6 at Penrith aand heading over Hartside/Alston into Northumberland then up to Kielder and through the borders then either aim yourself roughly in the direction of Loch Lomond or head into the highlands from Sterling direction.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Wednesday 25th January 10:57
Dr Jekyll said:
Don't completely neglect the Eastern side. The Cairngorms via Ballater and Tomintoul is a great alternative to the A9, I normally use that route one way and the A82 via Glencoe the other.
Yep, bloody brilliant road and if there is no skiing open, much quieter than the west coast. I did the back road off the Fishnish ferry to Lochaline, across to the Corran Ferry and on to Glencoe last week. It crosses the Morvern peninsular. It was spectacular. Mostly single track but its only really used by a few locals and those on the ferry so you get a block convoy of locals who regularly use it, including many trades, who were moving at a very indecent pace as they are all going one way and know it like the back of the hand.
It passes through the hills and is brilliantly sweeping and undulating and mostly in good condition. It gave me the greatest smile for the whole journey home, and that including the schlep from Glencoe to Crainlarich and beyond, which isn't bad in itself.
It passes through the hills and is brilliantly sweeping and undulating and mostly in good condition. It gave me the greatest smile for the whole journey home, and that including the schlep from Glencoe to Crainlarich and beyond, which isn't bad in itself.
thanks everyone for your thoughts... yeh I've been researching quite a bit - read through an article by Top Gear which was useful too.
Yeh I done a few bits in Scotland - but not in the right car... probably some of the best roads in the world... quiet - decent tarmac, awesome views.
Anyway all useful - looking to do a 6 day tour... starting in Edinburgh fyi. Yeh I noticed full nc500 route isn't probably the best for a sports car - (not sure of single lane roads even if there are plenty of passing points.
Yeh I done a few bits in Scotland - but not in the right car... probably some of the best roads in the world... quiet - decent tarmac, awesome views.
Anyway all useful - looking to do a 6 day tour... starting in Edinburgh fyi. Yeh I noticed full nc500 route isn't probably the best for a sports car - (not sure of single lane roads even if there are plenty of passing points.
I second the recommendation for the A93 from Perth to Braemar over Glenshee, down to Crathie on Royal Deeside before climbing back over to Upper Donside and onto the A939 ultimately ending up in Nairn.
What time of year are you planning on going? Glenshee and the Lecht are the highest roads in Aberdeenshire so can be blocked for days at a time if we get a lot of fresh snow combined with strong winds.
What time of year are you planning on going? Glenshee and the Lecht are the highest roads in Aberdeenshire so can be blocked for days at a time if we get a lot of fresh snow combined with strong winds.
I think it may have been alluded to earlier in the thread but a favourite of mine is the old military roads. Best way to do it is Blairgowrie- Glenshee- Braemar- Lecht Ski Centre- Tomintoul- Grantown on Spey.
Variety of different roads, cambers, elevation changes etc and it’s usually very quiet so you can have a bit of ‘spirited’ driving. There are some single track roads but being that they’re quiet and there’s plenty of passing places, there shouldn’t be much of an issue for any car. I’m pretty sure Henry Catchpole said this was his favourite road! I’m fortunate enough have grown up in the area and have been absolutely spoilt for driving roads close to where I lived.
Variety of different roads, cambers, elevation changes etc and it’s usually very quiet so you can have a bit of ‘spirited’ driving. There are some single track roads but being that they’re quiet and there’s plenty of passing places, there shouldn’t be much of an issue for any car. I’m pretty sure Henry Catchpole said this was his favourite road! I’m fortunate enough have grown up in the area and have been absolutely spoilt for driving roads close to where I lived.
Snow and Rocks said:
I second the recommendation for the A93 from Perth to Braemar over Glenshee, down to Crathie on Royal Deeside before climbing back over to Upper Donside and onto the A939 ultimately ending up in Nairn.
What time of year are you planning on going? Glenshee and the Lecht are the highest roads in Aberdeenshire so can be blocked for days at a time if we get a lot of fresh snow combined with strong winds.
Around September - once everyone is done with the summer holsWhat time of year are you planning on going? Glenshee and the Lecht are the highest roads in Aberdeenshire so can be blocked for days at a time if we get a lot of fresh snow combined with strong winds.
AllyM1609 said:
I think it may have been alluded to earlier in the thread but a favourite of mine is the old military roads. Best way to do it is Blairgowrie- Glenshee- Braemar- Lecht Ski Centre- Tomintoul- Grantown on Spey.
Variety of different roads, cambers, elevation changes etc and it’s usually very quiet so you can have a bit of ‘spirited’ driving. There are some single track roads but being that they’re quiet and there’s plenty of passing places, there shouldn’t be much of an issue for any car. I’m pretty sure Henry Catchpole said this was his favourite road! I’m fortunate enough have grown up in the area and have been absolutely spoilt for driving roads close to where I lived.
Cool cool - thanks for the tip Variety of different roads, cambers, elevation changes etc and it’s usually very quiet so you can have a bit of ‘spirited’ driving. There are some single track roads but being that they’re quiet and there’s plenty of passing places, there shouldn’t be much of an issue for any car. I’m pretty sure Henry Catchpole said this was his favourite road! I’m fortunate enough have grown up in the area and have been absolutely spoilt for driving roads close to where I lived.
shuebc said:
Snow and Rocks said:
I second the recommendation for the A93 from Perth to Braemar over Glenshee, down to Crathie on Royal Deeside before climbing back over to Upper Donside and onto the A939 ultimately ending up in Nairn.
What time of year are you planning on going? Glenshee and the Lecht are the highest roads in Aberdeenshire so can be blocked for days at a time if we get a lot of fresh snow combined with strong winds.
Around September - once everyone is done with the summer holsWhat time of year are you planning on going? Glenshee and the Lecht are the highest roads in Aberdeenshire so can be blocked for days at a time if we get a lot of fresh snow combined with strong winds.
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