Take the high road
The North Coast 500 led the way back in 2015. Since then several other Scottish regions have come up with their own driving routes. Andrew Eames has got the lowdown on four of the best
The North Coast 500
This ambitious 500-mile circuit runs around the coastline of Scotland’s far north. Starting (and finishing) in Inverness, the NC 500 (northcoast500.com) can be completed in either direction, depending on whether you prefer to begin with the green east or the wild west.
It is signposted, although much of the time it runs along the only available road, sometimes single track but with passing places.
Its west coast section is all about dramatic beauty, from remote villages like Applecross (reached over a challenging mountain pass) to the lively fishing and ferry port of Ullapool.
Once upon a time these remote regions were far more populated than they are now. Migration, whether forced or otherwise, has changed all that, leaving lots of tumbledown croft houses.
The northwestern tip, Durness, has surprisingly fine white sand beaches at Balnakeil if you fancy an invigorating dip.
The northeastern tip, John o’Groats, is the windswept furthest point of the kingdom where tidal races meet, and where the cyclist end-to-enders (Land’s End to John o’Groats) celebrate their final arrival.
The eastern coast is altogether more fertile and more gentle, with timeless golf resorts as in the handsome town of Dornoch and elegantly appointed castles such as Dunrobin, which with its lavish ornamental gardens and opulent interiors feels much more like a fantasy French chateau.
Where to stay: Ullapool’s Ceilidh Place has long been the favourite gathering spot in town, with regular live music. It also has a bunkhouse as well as private rooms. Doubles from £132 a night. theceilidhplace.com
LONG HAUL
Mexico from £1,561pp: A week on all-inclusive at the five-star Hacienda at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, on the Caribbean coast, is based on travel from Heathrow on September 8, with 23kg baggage. bestattravel.co.uk
Maldives from £1,399pp: Save 43% on a week’s all-inclusive at the four-star+ Eriyadu Island Resort in North Male Atoll. Depart from Heathrow on selected dates in October, with transfers, book by August 31. bluebaytravel.co.uk
Barbados from £889pp: Fly from Gatwick on selected dates in November for a seven-night room-only break at the three-star Dover Beach Hotel in St Lawrence Gap. Includes 23kg luggage, book by August 21, 2022 at britishairways. com/barbados
Dubai from £1,242pp: A week’s all-inclusive at the five-star Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai hotel comes with flights from Manchester on September 21. onthebeach.co.uk
SHORT HAUL
Crete from £449pp: Jet away from Gatwick on September 25 for a sunshine week on all-inclusive at the five-star sea view Rimondi Grand Resort & Spa, near Rethymnon, thomascook.com
Tenerife from £538pp: Save £323pp on a seven-night B&B holiday at the five-star Mediterranean Palace Hotel in Playa de las Americas. Fly from Cardiff on August 31. loveholidays.com
Majorca from £578pp: Jet off from Birmingham on August 31 for a week’s half-board at the four-star Sol House The Studio – Calvia Beach hotel in Magaluf, with 15kg baggage and transfers. tui.co.uk
CRUISE
Mediterranean from £699pp: Depart from selected UK airports to Malta on September 29 for a seven-night round trip on Azura, calling at Athens, Kusadasi, Rhodes and Chania. pocruises.com
STAYCATION
Devon from £182pp: Save 10% on a week’s self-catering at four-star Horseford Snug near South Molton. Sleeps four, plus one dog (£20 supplement). Arrive on September 2, in time for the Taste East Devon food festival. holidaycottages.co.uk
Norfolk from £360: Save £110 on a four-night self-catering glamping stay at Godwick’s Shepherds Huts, near Fakenham. Ryland Retreat (sleeps two) with en-suite is available for arrival on August 22. premiercottages.co.uk
Mid-Wales from £390: A two-night Summer Explorer break for two people at the 17th-century Michelin Guide-listed Y Talbot inn at Tregaron, Ceredigion, includes dinner in the AA two rosette restaurant and breakfast. Available to September 30. rarebits.co.uk
Kent from £1,025: save £241 on a fournight bank holiday self-catering stay at five-star Vine Cottage (sleeps five) with private terrace in Broadstairs. For arrival on August 27. cottages.com
BUY OF THE WEEK
Rhodes from £486pp: a week’s all-inclusive at the five-star All Senses Nautica Blue Exclusive Resort & Spa in Fanes comes with flights from Birmingham on September 7. icelolly.com
*Prices correct at time of publication and based on two sharing unless stated otherwise.
The Heart 200
While the NC 500 sticks to the coast, the Heart 200 (heart200.scot) is entirely landlocked, and is much more accessible and less remote than its bigger cousin. It squiggles around central Scotland, linking the towns of and cities of Stirling, Crieff, Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Callander, along with a wide variety of landscapes, castles and distilleries.
It is not signposted, and there are plenty of alternative routes and short cuts along the way.
Its dramatically sited southern gateway is Stirling, rearing up on a rock out of Scotland’s Central Belt. Stirling is a natural location for a fortification, and most of the Stuart kings and queens grew up in its castle.
From here, you enter rolling, verdant heartlands, with cattle farms, spa hotels and golf courses such as at Gleneagles. To the west rise the Trossachs, a region of lochs and steep forests, threaded with walking and biking trails such as the Rob Roy Way. The village of Aberfoyle is the adventure gateway, and the nearby visitor centre
of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park has high wires and zip lines, osprey nests, walking trails and a great view across forested hills.
To the east is Perthshire’s aristocratic Big Tree Country, much loved by Queen Victoria, along the banks of the silvery River Tay. Its visitor capital is Pitlochry, a cheerful place stacked with hotels and opportunities to buy tweed and tartan, tea and cake.
And up the region’s centre run the heather-clad Ochil Hills, with the same feel as the West Highlands. Wild, rugged and remote, until you emerge on the northern side at Aberfeldy.
■■ Where to stay: Just outside the thriving village of Comrie is Comrie Croft, an enlightened social enterprise whose accommodation choices are an upmarket hostel or glamping in Nordicorigin Katas, cosy with wood-burning stoves scattered through the trees. Katas from £200 for two nights. comriecroft.com