Now that spring has sprung, it is officially road trip season—and fortunately Scotland offers no shortage of scenic drives.
The best thing about a road trip is that it allows you to get off the beaten track, and as many will know, some of Scotland's most spectacular destinations are a little out of the way.
While the North Coast 500 is the most iconic route, there are plenty of others around the country that are just as picturesque. Being slightly lesser known, they also have the added bonus of likely being less busy.
From the historic and charming Scottish Borders to dramatic Highlands landscapes, every route offers something unique and so you are bound to find one that sounds perfect for you.
While all of that choice can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming. To help you decide, here is a roundup of five of the best lesser-known road trip routes across Scotland.
The Crerar450
Attempting to rival the North Coast 500, Crerar Hotels has created its own unique road trip route for those looking to avoid the traffic and overcrowding often found on many of the more popular routes.
Taking road-trippers on a 450-mile journey, passing by all seven of its Scottish hotels, you will get to see famous landmarks including the West Coast Islands, the Great Glen in the Highlands, Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms.
Beginning at Inveraray, the Crerar450 will take you to Oban, the Isle of Mull, Glencoe, Nairn, Inverurie and Ballater before heading back to the starting point. Along the way, Crerar Hotels recommends stopping off at one of its locations to sample some local cuisine and rejuvenate at its spa facilities.
According to Crerar, the trip is customisable, so you can adjust it to suit you own preferences.
South West Coastal 300 (SW300)
If 450 miles sounds a bit daunting, and you would rather a route that you can complete in a few days, then the South West Coastal 300 may be perfect—especially if it's a long weekend trip you're planning.
Taking you across 300 miles of quiet roads through Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire, the SW300 would suit those looking for a particularly laid back trip. Along the way, you will see beaches, rolling hills and glens, and plenty of quaint and charming villages and towns.
Among the highlights is The Mull of Galloway, which is Scotland’s most southerly point, where you can expect some one-of-a-kind views. Elsewhere, Caerlaverock Castle, Culzean Castle, and Galloway Forest Park are also must-sees.
The North East 250
According to the The North East 250 website, it "explores everything for which Scotland is famous".
This includes the whisky distilleries of Speyside, the UK’s largest national park The Cairngorms, Aberdeen, the charming seaside villages of the Moray Firth Coast, and the iconic castles of Royal Deeside. The route is designed to include the very best of Scotland’s rich heritage and culture, mixing countryside and coast.
The Kintyre 66
Taking travellers across the Kintyre peninsula in western Scotland, this route begins at the northern tip of Kennacraig in the fishing village of Tarbert. Along the way, you will pass by many Scottish hidden gems, including West Kintyre, Gigha, Machrihanish and Southend, East Kintyre and Skipness.
It is a much shorter route than the others, which may be exactly what you are looking for. It is also designed to be taken in slowly, though, giving you time to absorb some of the most gorgeous locales on the West Coast. The Kintyre 66 is a relatively new route, launching in 2020, but has already earned quite the reputation among those who enjoy island views, seafood, and whisky.
Borders Historic Route
Interestingly, this route technically doesn't start in Scotland. It begins in the English borders near Carlisle—though will take you all around the historic Scottish Borders and show you many of it highlights before ending in Edinburgh.
There are a number of different starting points depending on the route you follow, although all road trips will end in Edinburgh which means you can spend as little or as much time in the city as you’d like. Among the routes highlights are Lochcarron of Scotland—the world's leading manufacturer of tartan—Abbotsford House, Dalkeith Country Park and Edinburgh Castle.
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