11 Scotland Highway Journey Tricks to Know Earlier than You Go

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

Scotland is a rugged and exquisite 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 instances within the final decade, I feel taking a street journey is one of the simplest ways to discover the nation. Dwelling to only 5.5 million folks, it’s a sparsely populated land, a lot of your driving right here can be out within the countryside. The nation is simply constructed for it.

However there are nonetheless a number of issues to bear in mind 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 (based mostly on my expertise at the very least):

1. Get Journey Insurance coverage

I by no means depart residence 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 should you do want it and it’s not there? You’ll be paying out of pocket for injury. And that might price you hundreds.

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

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

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

You need to use the widget under to get a quote. It’s quick and free:

2. Hire the Proper Automobile

You primarily have two selections with regards to renting a car in Scotland — and selection will drastically influence your journey. Your choices are a automotive or a campervan.

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

Each choices make for a tremendous journey, so there isn’t any unsuitable reply. Simply remember the fact that handbook transmissions are the default in Scotland, so if you need a car with computerized transmission, you’ll have to specify that whereas reserving.
 

3. Be Able to Drive on the Left

Visitors in Scotland flows on the left, similar to the remainder of the UK. That is the alternative of the US, Canada, and the vast majority of Europe (solely Eire, the UK, Malta, and Cyprus drive on the left in Europe).

For those who lease a handbook car, you’ll be switching gears together with your left hand as an alternative of your proper, which has a little bit of a studying curve. (Personally, I favor an computerized).

Outdated habits die onerous, so should you’re used to driving on the right-hand aspect of the street, drive cautiously. Driving on the left could be particularly difficult while you arrive at a roundabout (extra on that under) 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 an alternative of cease lights or cease indicators. They pressure automobiles to decelerate with out stopping the movement of site visitors. Whereas they aren’t particularly widespread within the US, they’re extremely fashionable in Europe (they cut back critical site visitors accidents by upwards of 90%).

Roundabouts are quite common in Scotland. And so they movement 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’ve gotten a gap to enter the site visitors circle. All site visitors flows the identical route 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.

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

For those who’re not snug 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 Pace Limits

Posted pace 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 additional consideration.

Frequent pace 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 comply with native signage to make sure security. When doubtful, it’s all the time higher to go slower fairly than quicker till you confirm the pace. I’d write down some widespread conversions so you possibly can have them helpful should you get confused.
 

6. Add in Time for Scenic Stops

I do know loads of vacationers like to essentially plan out their routes and itineraries. While you solely have a number of days, it may be tempting to plan every thing to a T (I used to do that lots). Nonetheless, 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 jiffy for a vista, mountain, loch, or deserted fortress. The panorama is so lovely that even the typical sights are Insta-worthy. For that cause, construct in buffer time in your itinerary in order that, should you resolve to cease or take a bit of diversion, you’ll have the time. I can’t advocate this sufficient. Typically, the most effective elements of a visit are those you stumble into. And also you positively don’t need to be speeding 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. Nonetheless, there are many apps on the market that may assist you to get monetary savings, 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 most effective climate app for the UK. Circumstances can change drastically in Scotland, so plan accordingly.
• Google Maps – One of the best app for wanting up instructions. Be sure that to obtain your maps so you’ve gotten them for offline use.
• Park4Night – A useful app for locating spots to park in 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 fuel costs for when it is advisable to refuel.

8. Carry a Paper Map

Each time I’m going on a street journey, I all the time bring a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is straightforward and free, and cell knowledge protection in Scotland is usually dependable. Nevertheless it’s higher to be secure than sorry. You by no means know when your telephone goes to interrupt, in case your sign can be misplaced (prone to occur should you’re driving by way of distant areas), or if there can be an emergency.

Give your self peace of thoughts: deliver a paper street map, and simply depart it within the glove field. You seemingly gained’t want it, however should you do, you’ll be glad you’ve gotten it (they make good souvenirs after a visit too).
 

9. Perceive Learn how to Drive on Single-Monitor Roads

When you get out of the cities, you could encounter single-track roads. These are primarily two-way roads that solely have house for one car. Which means should you encounter oncoming site visitors, there isn’t any room so that you can move each other.

Fortuitously, these roads normally have passing areas constructed into them at common intervals, permitting vehicles to drag over to make room. Reap the benefits of these while you see site visitors coming, in an effort to simply move 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 the fact that many single-track roads are a bit rugged. Blowing a tire can occur simply, particularly should you’re pulling off to the aspect to make room for passing automobiles. For that cause, be sure to have a spare tire and that you just even have insurance coverage protection in your tires, simply to be secure.
 

10. Don’t Rush

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

Moreover, likelihood is you’ll be driving on loads of 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 deal with the drive. Admire the sights, depart room for spontaneous detours, and neglect about speeding from sight to sight. You gained’t remorse it!
 

Steered Routes

There are a number of fashionable street journey routes in Scotland. They every supply various things to see and do, and every require completely different quantities of time to finish. To take advantage of your time, decide the route that most accurately fits your journey pursuits.

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

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

You’ll need at the very least 5 days, although seven days can be preferable. Simply remember the fact that it will probably 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 counsel 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 various to the North Coast 500, because it’s much less fashionable (and thus much less crowded). In style stops alongside this route embody the Inveraray Jail, the cairns of Kilmartin Glen, Glen Coe, and Ben Nevis.

Whilst you might simply drive the space in a single day, plan to spend at the very least three days. That will provide you with time to see the highlights with out speeding.

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

The route is simply 116 miles (187 kilometers), however at the very least 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, at the very least 5-7 days. Clearly, the size will rely in your itinerary, however that may be a stable begin.

For those who decide 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 number of the most scenic drives in Scotland embody the Argyll Coastal Route, the whole 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 simple. Simply use warning on single-track roads and in roundabouts — and keep in mind that it’s a must to drive on the left!

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

What’s the greatest month for a Scotland street journey?
Usually, April-October is the most effective 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 can be decrease and every thing can be much less busy.

Scotland is a good looking vacation spot and excellent for street journeys. With gorgeous surroundings, historic sights, plentiful climbing alternatives, and potential Loch Ness monster sightings, I feel renting a automotive to discover is one of the simplest ways to expertise the nation. Whether or not you need to uncover the rugged coast or weave in regards to the Highlands, having a automotive or campervan will make it each potential and reasonably priced. Simply comply with the ideas above and also you’ll you’ll want to have a tremendous time!

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