A Self-drive holiday in Scotland is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful country. This little nation is simple to tour with a car, offering stunning mountain scenery of the highlands to the unspoiled beauty of the islands, the gentle hills of the borders and the culture of the towns.
Driving tours of Scotland offer fantastic opportunities to get off the beaten path and avoid the crowds that congregate at the most popular attractions. The roads are generally well-maintained. Along the way, there are quaint rural pubs where you can take a break, as well as abandoned castles and historic kirks (churches), windswept beaches, where you can stroll and quiet glens where you may escape the hustle-bustle of the city.
Best scenic routes in Scotland:
There are many scenic and breathtaking routes to enjoy self-drive holidays in Scotland. Whether you decide to spend a few days floating around or weeks touring the entire country, the possibilities are infinite for you. You can check the Scotland self-drive vacation packages with airfare for a convenient holiday experience.
If you’re accustomed to driving on the right side of the road then driving in Scotland may seem difficult, but it’s really worthwhile. Before you embark on your self-drive holidays in Scotland, read this blog and get to know the most scenic driving routes and the best hotels for self-drive holidays in Scotland.
1. The Argyll Coastal Route:
The Argyll Coastal Route, which begins just north of Glasgow, is like exploring the picturesque Scotland of yore.
It runs from Tarbet to Fort William along a coastal fringe that is bordered on one side by serene bays and fjord-like inlets and high mountains on the other. Along the way, you’ll see famous castles, the forested banks of Loch Lomond and amazing wildlife sightings.
You can extend your trip by deviating from the main road and exploring Scotland’s ‘Secret Coast.’ The route is along the road that leads to Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute. It is a part of Argyll that is still mostly unexplored and has miles of breathtaking natural beauty. Shearings self-drive holidays in Scotland will get you breathtaking views of the Highlands, the picturesque glens and the verdant woodlands.
The best way to have a great Scottish holiday is to book in advance your stay at MGM Muthu Fort William Hotel and avail of their super saver ‘Drive Away Offer.’ Nestled in the shadow of Ben Nevis, with views stretching along Loch Linnhe, the Muthu Fort William Hotel in the Scottish Highlands is the best hotel to ensure an enjoyable, relaxed and carefree stay.
2. North Coast 500:
Scotland’s North Coast 500, an equivalent of Route 66 in America has quickly become one of the most recognisable driving routes in the entire globe. From Inverness to John O’Groats in the northeast, along rocky coastline overlooking the North Sea to Durness, then down the west coast into the interior at the Applecross peninsula, it travels in a broad loop around the entire northern tip of Scotland.
The Scottish Highlands are known for their untamed environment and the North Coast 500 does not fall short when it comes to breathtaking sceneries. With a 5 day self-drive tour Scotland, discover the limitless views of the Atlantic, the alluring islands dotting the horizon, the mystifying Smoo Cave, the beautiful white sands of uninhabited beaches like Balnakeil and dizzying heights along the single-track routes through the mountains.
Numerous historical structures and other attractions are positioned against this magnificent natural setting. You’ll pass Dunrobin Castle’s French-style chateaux, a plethora of prehistoric standing stones, the distillery Glenmorangie and Old Pulteney, and the occasional free-ranging Highland coo along the route.
You can check the Muthu Newton Hotel’s Special Drive Away Offer for the best self-drive holiday experience. This hotel is situated on 21 acres of established parkland and gardens, bordering the Nairn Golf Course and is only 15 minutes by car from the Inverness airport.
3. North East 250:
The North East 250, which captures everything that makes self-drive holidays in Scotland so alluring, is Scotland’s best-kept automotive secret. If you take a 7-day self-drive tour Scotland package, this circular route will take you through the enthralling locales of Speyside, the Cairngorms, Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, the East Coast and the Moray Coast. The path, which crosses the Malt Whisky Trail, gives travellers the chance to visit some of the most renowned distilleries in the world, including Glenlivet. Along the way, dozens of Munros—mountains higher than 3,000 feet —can be seen.
You can play on top-notch golf courses along the route, including Braemar Golf Club, which is regarded as the highest course in the nation. Not to mention the castles – Braemar, Ballindalloch and Balmoral are just a few of the spectacular properties you can see on your trip; the North East is literally bursting at the seams with them.
The Banffshire shore, which has some of Scotland’s best beaches, is just off the route. Dine on recently caught seafood in charming fishing towns.
Muthu Alexandra Hotel Oban is the best hotel for self-drive holidays in Scotland. The Old Oban Baptist church and the lodgings of Bishop of Argyll & the Isles are next to the hotel, which boasts one of Scotland’s most breathtaking settings.
4. Snow Roads Scenic Route:
The Snow Roads Scenic Route, which spans 90 miles of snow-capped peaks, craggy glens, outdoor activities, cycling and delectable food and drink, is a distillation of the best features of the Cairngorms National Park. It can be best explored with a 10-day self-drive tour Scotland package.
The route, which traverses the eastern section of this amazing country, takes its name from Britain’s highest public road and features some of the wildest, most stunning Highland scenery imaginable. This is one of the slowest driving routes because of the steep climbs, blind summits and abrupt turns and twists. The leisurely pace gives you time to take in the breathtaking views from ‘Instagram-ready’ vantage points and enjoy the numerous sites along the way.
From whisky distilleries like Royal Lochnagar and fairytale castles like Corgarff to the gems of Royal Deeside and the winter sports paradise of Glenshee Ski Centre and The Lecht, the Snow Roads provide a lot of quick and convenient stops along the way.
You may even add a day or two to your trip to truly get out and discover this less-visited area of the Cairngorms National Park.
5. South West Coastal 300:
With a luxury self-drive tours Scotland package, you can enjoy driving the South West Coastal 300. Enjoy the more than 300 kilometres of peaceful roads that wind through the stunning scenery of south Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway.
Discover charmingly remote beaches, rocky clifftops, vibrant towns, villages and gently sloping hills that are purple with heather along the way. Enjoy picture-perfect landscapes like Sandyhills Bay, peruse handcrafted artwork in Kirkcudbright – a hub for the arts and explore the history of the Vikings, saints, and Iron Age at Whithorn-the country’s oldest known Christian site.
The South West Coastal 300 features the picturesque ruin of Sweetheart Abbey, lovely gardens and the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory on the edge of Galloway Forest Park, where you may see brilliant starry skies.
Muthu Royal Hotel Tyndrum, which is secluded in the mountain village of Tyndrum and boasts breathtaking vistas and four acres of protected gardens, is a haven for wildlife and flower lovers. This will be your most loved spot for a stay during your self-drive holidays in Scotland.
6. The Borders Historic Route:
Visiting Edinburgh? Continue on to Gretna Green and enter the Scottish Borders, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Navigate a stunning landscape dotted with massive ruins of abbeys, castles and country estates that recall a colourful and occasionally stormy past replete with intense battles, brave heroes and fair damsels.
Visit Scott’s cherished Abbotsford, observe the creation of genuine tartan and tweed at Lochcarron of Scotland and the Borders Textile Towerhouse, and stop at a unique independent craft brewery on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Summing up:
Your journey might vary in length when travelling around Scotland by car; trips can be as short or as long as you like. No matter where you would love to have your self-drive holidays in Scotland, you’re sure to have the best road trip. You could easily spend a week or two seeing a sizable portion of the country, or you might just spend a weekend exploring a particular location. Scotland’s itinerary of 21 days is sufficient to cover most of the routes.
Start planning your Scottish adventure trip with MGM Muthu Hotel’s special Self-drive Holiday Offer Now!
They will help you plan everything needed for a relaxing holiday where you can go out for a drive and explore Highlands or put your feet up in their bar lounge.
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