Cruising & Hiking - Road trip through Scotland

Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most idyllic regions in the United Kingdom. The landscape of "Caledonia," as locals still lovingly call it, connects directly to the rugged expanses of Scandinavia. Particularly in northern Scotland and along the west coast, you can feel the geographical proximity to Iceland and Norway. Craggy cliffs, ancient volcanic landscapes, and wide fjord bays leave no doubt about this. Many Scottish roads also wind through picturesque hills, rivers, and lake landscapes, making a trip to Scotland ideal for nature lovers. A road trip through Scotland by car passes by stunning natural regions like Loch Lomond, the Highlands, and the Isle of Skye. Beautiful sights and historic Scottish castles are an added bonus—perfect for stretching your legs on scenic hikes through Scotland. 

Trip to Scotland: Hadrian's wall

Most people starting a trip to Scotland by car begin at the Scottish Borders. From mainland Europe, you can best reach these borders by taking a ferry from Holland to Newcastle upon Tyne. After a scenic drive through Northumberland National Park, you can spot the remnants of the 117.4 km-long Hadrian’s Wall from afar. The legendary border fortification was once erected by the Romans to keep the "wild northern hordes" at bay. Along the Wall, there's the Hadrian's Wall Path, a captivating long-distance trail that offers an ideal leg-stretching opportunity after a long drive.

Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland National Park

 

After crossing from northern England into the Scottish Lowlands, it’s a great idea to start the road trip through Scotland along the west coast. A first natural highlight on the route is the Galloway Forest Park, west of the Scottish Borders, accessible via the A75. The park boasts numerous hiking and cycling trails like the Galloway Kite Trail, which is popular with families and couples alike. Here, early in your trip to Scotland, you can discover Scotland's beautiful landscapes and learn more about the local flora. Fishing is also permitted in the park.

Chatelherault Country Park

Continuing northeast on the A77 and A71, you reach the Chatelherault Country Park near Hamilton. The park's French name refers to James Hamilton, Duke of Châtelherault, who arranged the marriage of the legendary Queen Mary and her husband, King Francis II of France. In the Chatelherault Park, you’ll find royal monuments like Cadzow Castle, Duke's Monument, the Dukes Bridge, and the Dukes of Hamilton's Hunting Lodge. Additionally, the park features impressive oak trees in the Cadzow Oaks & Earthworks, estimated to be 700-800 years old.

Visitor Center at Chatelherault Country Park

 

From Hamilton to Glasgow is a short, 22-minute drive. With over 600,000 residents, Scotland's largest city is famous for its imposing architecture. For example, the University of Glasgow, with its Gothic architecture, inspired Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. Glasgow also houses works by the renowned Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, like the Queen’s Cross Church and the Willow Tearooms. Other important sites in Glasgow include the Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and the Glasgow Cathedral.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park 

Northwest of Glasgow, on the Clyde Fjord, is Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, covering 1,865 square kilometers, making it one of Scotland's largest national parks. Celebrated in folk songs and popular among nature lovers, this park captures the full beauty of Scotland’s lakeside landscapes, with many trip to Scotland itineraries including this stop. Besides the namesake Loch Lomond, there are many other lochs here, including Loch Long, Loch Katrine, and Loch Tay. In total, 22 park lakes and the green hills of Argyll Forest make this an ideal day trip stop during your road trip through Scotland.

Loch Lomond 

 

From Loch Lomond, a long-distance hiking trail continues to one of the most famous islands in the Scottish Hebrides. The island is also accessible by car via the Skye Bridge, following the north-west route of the A82 and the A87. Skye is home to impressive cultural monuments such as the Clach Ard standing stone near Portree and the rock formations of Fairy Glen. The Old Man of Storr, a roughly 48-meter-tall rock pillar on Skye's northeastern coast, is another iconic site.

The Scottish Highlands

The northern Highlands, along with the southern Lowlands, form the second major natural region of Scotland, an essential area for any trip to Scotland. This mountainous terrain is defined by a series of "Munros," which are mountains over 3,000 feet high. Among them is Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak at 1,345 meters, making the Highlands a paradise for mountain hikers. Whisky enthusiasts will also find a lot to love here, as regions like Speyside produce Scotland’s most important whiskies.

Dream road through the Highlands

 

Located in the central Highlands, Cairngorms National Park, at 3,800 square kilometers, is the largest national park in the United Kingdom. Situated along Scotland's northeastern coast near Aberdeen, the park is renowned for its rich wildlife, including red deer, reindeer, capercaillie, various eagles, and the increasingly rare Scottish wildcat. The Cairngorms are perfect for a wildlife safari, making them ideal for families on a trip to Scotland. A notable park highlight is the Scottish Pyramid, a symbol of Queen Victoria's love for Prince Albert. 

Loch Ness

The famous Loch Ness is located just northwest of Cairngorms National Park, near Inverness. Along with myths and legends surrounding the Loch Ness Monster, this area offers beautiful coastal landscapes and one of Scotland’s most picturesque castle ruins. From Urquhart Castle, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and be the first to spot Nessie if she decides to make an appearance.

View of Loch Ness from Urquart Castle

 

A fitting conclusion to your road trip through Scotland is Scotland's capital, Edinburgh. The city is brimming with historic sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the National Museums of Scotland. Edinburgh's Old Town boasts one of the best-preserved Gothic cityscapes in Europe, which led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995