EDINBURGH TO GLENCOE
First, head for Stirling, around an hour’s drive north of Edinburgh and the perfect place for a pit stop. Stretch your legs and snap some selfies at the city’s magnificent castle, set high up on a hill and overlooking stunning views. Then it’s back on the road to reach Glencoe, two hours’ drive away in the remote Scottish Highlands, where you might recognise the wild, towering peaks from the Harry Potter movies and Skyfall.
Route highlight
Skiing. We’re not even joking. Glencoe Mountain Resort lies in a natural bowl with plenty of gentle slopes and chairlifts, making it a great place to learn to ski or snowboard, or even just to go sledging in a major way (sledging’s free, and you don’t need to bring your own). The season usually runs for half the year, from October to the end of April – but if you visit in summer, there’s still lots to do, including mountain biking, tubing and riding the chairlifts for higher-altitude hikes.
Eat & sleep
After a day spent bombing around the slopes, you’ll be hankering for crackling log fires, a massive dose of carbs and maybe a whisky to wash it all down. Make a beeline for Kingshouse Hotel (from £120 per night; Kingshousehotel.co.uk), just a couple of miles away on the West Highland Way. We love its dramatic setting, at the foot of Buchaille Etive Mòr. The restaurant has enormous glass windows – ideal for spotting the local deer – and a menu featuring dishes like grilled langoustine and Hebridian mac and cheese using Isle of Mull cheddar. The following day, circle back to Edinburgh via Loch Ness – with your phone charged and ready to snap a pic, just in case you spot Nessy.