Scotland's Finest Scenic Routes

My personal favourites.

Scenic routes that are an absolute delight with landscapes that are awe inspiring, off the charts or just.....very pretty. In essence these are routes for cars, but rest assured, travelers on foot or on a bike will find them very gratifying as well.

West of Invergarry (about 8 km) there is a turn off from the A87 for Kinlochourn. From there the narrow road follows the wooded shore of Loch Garry and reaches the tiny hamlet of Inchlaggan after 7,2 km. After Inchlaggan the road still leads through wooded terrain but, as you get closer to Loch Poulary, everything changes dramatically. More space, less trees and in the distance you'll notice faintly some mountaintops. You are going to love this! Wide open vista's and a road that weaves from left to right heading for Loch Guoich and the bridge.

After the bridge the landscape is even more stunning and feels even more lonely. Just get out of the car and experience the silence. It's magic! You're in the 'wilds' of Knoydart now. Good to know there is a wonderful B&B and Tearoom (Lochhournhead B&B) at the very end of this route. Once there you might consider leaving the car at the car park and go for a brisk walk. So many trails are just waiting to be discovered. You could even 'jump' on the famous Cape Wrath Trail. (only for diehards!)

A fine scenic route crossing the very heart of the Borders. Start from delightful Moffat on the A708 direction Selkirk. This is a wonderful 27 km drive. Halfway along St Mary's Loch at Cappercleugh you turn left on a very nice and stunningly bleak drive towards Tweedsmuir (19 km). Before you get to Tweedsmuir you'll pass the Megget reservoir and the equally impressive Talla Reservoir.

The south of Scotland has so much to offer. This is an area often neglected as the world famous Scottish Highlands are always calling from afar. Yes, it's true that I'm very much a lowland fan (although I love the Highlands as well!) and so I feel this "Just Another Borders Route", starting out from Langholm, is a much needed enticing example of what the region has to offer the discerning traveler. You might be in for a surprise! Whatever you do....don't rush it! Enjoy!

The turning is signposted off the A82 between Glencoe and Bridge of Orchy. This may be a short drive (only 20 km), but it would be such a shame if you were to miss out on this more than stunning experience. Winding through heather-covered moorland following the river Etive with small waterfalls and deep forest with many a bend uncovering even more beauty, this drive will leave you breathless. For some more detailed info: https://www.ontheluce.com/glen-etive-road-scotland/

This very pretty single track route starts out from Roy Bridge and runs up Glen Roy to 'finish' at Turret Bridge. The route takes you through the Nature Reserve and the views are outstanding. Personally I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. More than worth it!

You can get a lot farther if you're up for it, but it is not a through road! Eventually you have to return to Roybridge

Ardnamurchan (Àird nam Murchan) translated as "Headland of the Great Seas", feels truly as the end of the known world and very much off the grid.

The peninsula with it's narrow winding roads, some ruined castles, and wide open skies has a sense of utter remoteness. A great place to get away and 'loose' oneself.

• Start from Corran. The ferry takes you in a few minutes to Ardgour.
• From Ardgour follow the A861 south to Inversanda. Once there turn left on the B8043 if you like stretches of utter remoteness, or continue on the A861 for more wooded scenery, villages and great coastal routes (Strontian, Salen, Acharacle). THIS scenic trail however turns left!
• Follow the B8043 untill you get to the A884. Turn left for Lochaline and the ferry (Plus code: G6PF+GJ Morvern, Oban) to Mull, another treasure!

This route is a must: From pleasant Ullapool to 'far away' Kylesku runs the Quintessential Assynt Route. There is absolutely nothing official about it. This route originated from my very own 'memory vault'. Skirting small lochans, winding around low lying hills the route enters and leaves (after a stroll with coffee and a pastry maybe) the town of Lochinver to continue, seemingly with wild abandon, towards the bridge at Kylesku.....and that's by no means the end of it.

• From Ullapool take the A835 north to Drumrunie. At Drumrunie turn left for "Achiltibuie And The Summer Isles".
• The road soon follows the shores of Loch Lurgainn and Loch Ad a' Ghaill. Shortly thereafter turn right for Lochinver.
• Roughly 19 wonderful km to Lochinver. After Lochinver follow the A837. Soon you'll get to the turn off for Drumbeg (A869). You'll love it!
• At Drumbeg the A869 continues on and finally connects with the A894. Turn left for Kylesku.

After Kylesku this great route continues al the way to Durness and the far north. Why not do the same! 

The Bealach na Ba ("Pass of the cattle") is the highest pass in Scotland and a great drive in its own right. The route (with passing places!) starts at Tornapress and, after many hairpins, finishes at the most delightfull village of Applecross. The only option than is to turn back or, much better, to continue along the coast to the picturesque village of Shieldaig (total: 57 km)

I've done this route quite a few times and it is a fantastic drive along one of the most dramatic roads on mainland UK with terrific views (if there's no fog!) across much of Wester Ross, the Isle of Skye, and the Islands of Rum and the Outer Hebrides.

A serious warning: If you have a caravan in tow, or are driving a large motorhome, or are an inexperienced driver, you should definitely NOT attempt it! There is a warning sign at the beginning of the road at Tornapress and you might want to think twice at this point! This is not scaremongering, this is FACT.

For a wide open rather bleak landscape and a 'roaring silence' this route is out of this world!

• Just 7,6 km past Brora, travelling on the A9, you reach Lothbeg and the sign for Glen Loth. Turn left and follow this road all the way (15,5 km) until just past Kildonan station. Left on the A897 and after 12 km you'll get to Kinbrace:
• Either continue on the A897 or turn left on the B871.
• A897: After 12,5 km you arrive in Forsinard and the magnificent Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve. Another 21 km and you turn either right (A836) for Thurso or turn left for Bettyhill, Tongue and Durness.
• B871: A beautiful 25 km to Syre and another 18 km on the B873 to Altnaharra. From there follow the sign for Hope (33,5 km), where you connect to the A838.

And than there are.....

.....the other routes & trails. Details are to be found at: https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/tours/driving-road-trips/routes/planner/overview/

North Coast 500 (805 km)

Angus Coastal Route (109 km)

Argyll Coastal Route (208 km)

Borders Historic Route (143 km)

Clyde Sea Lochs Trail (104 km)

Clyde Valley Tourist Route (61 km)

Deeside Tourist Route (174 km)

Fife Coastal Route (124 km)

Forth Valley Tourist Route (69 km)

Galloway Tourist Route (148 km)

Highland Tourist Route (187 km)

Moray Firth Route (128 km)

North East 250 (402 km)

North and West Highlands (254 km)

Perthshire Tourist Route (69 km)

Snowroads (144 km) (no snow from March-November!) 

South West Coastal 300 (482 km)