The 10 best drives in Scotland
Alison Campsie explores Scotland’s best roads to escape the everyday and watch the routine fade in the rear view mirror
Could there be anything more needed right now than a road trip? Escape the everyday and watch the routine fade in the rear view mirror as you take the high road, the low road, or any old road to a different place and some new experiences.
Scotland’s is coming into its finest right now as the seasons shift and mountains, woods and waters take on a different light. A favourite road to sample the changes is the A83 REST AND BE THANKFUL TO INVERARY and which offers that true pressure drop experience as the open road takes over.
Skirt the west side of Loch Lomond and head west at Tarbet and join the Rest and Be Thankful which climbs up more than 800 ft. Stop at the viewpoint, and let your breath be taken away.
More seasonal sensations can be found on the A821 ABERFOYLE TO CALLANDER road where you will cut through the glorious gold and russet Queen Elizabeth Forest and drop down from winding Duke’s Pass to Loch Venachar. If you need to find autumn, you’ll find it here.
Scotland has no shortage of big thrill drives, including the A82 through the PASS OF GLEN COE where you will be dwarfed by the mighty Three Sisters mountains which seem like they are in touching distance.
Another classic drive is the BEALACH NA BA over to Applecross in Wester Ross, an ascent that tests the nerve as the carriageway narrows and the bends tighten.
A little bit of paradise can be found on the backroad out of Lochinver in Highland. The B869 sits just off the main North Coast 500 route and takes you past Achmelvick, Clachtoll and Clashenssie beaches. Wiggle with care round this road, some of it which is single track, and feel transported by the pretty machair, the white sands and the gentle blue waters that swing into view as the road rides low by the shore.
Over on Islay, the A847 runs right down on the banks of LOCH
INDAAL. You’ll see the Bowmore distillery to the east and Paps of Jura behind you. Head on and you’ll pass Bruichladdich on your right before reaching pretty Port Charlotte and the finally Portnahaven, an understated charming place where the seals bob in the harbour.
Back on the mainland, and the A832 will transport you through a magical Highland landscape where GLEN DOCHERTY gives way to Beinn Eighe, Kinlochewe and mysterious Loch Maree, where the hotel is more than a worthy stop off.
Over east, and the A92 from STONEHAVEN TO MONTROSE offers a different angle with the road passing Dunnottar Castle and the old fishing village of Gourdon, where a layby gives a fine viewpoint over the never ending North Sea and a good spot for a chipper. Continue past Johnshaven and through St Cyrus, where the beach and nature reserve among the best you’ll get.
From Montrose, you can head west to Forfar and Blairgowrie and take the A93 up through stunning GLENSHEE AND THE CAIRNWELL PASS, which will deliver you into the heart of The Cairngorms as part of the new Snow Roads driving route.
The SOUTH WEST COAST 300 has also been set up to promote the road less travelled through Dumfries and Galloway, the Solway Coast to parts of Ayrshire with the B797 Mennock Pass taking you through a narrow valley all the way up to Wanlockhead, the country’s highest village.
It’s time to let some good times roll.