Scotland road trip

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Thinking of doing a road trip to Scotland this summer with the family, as we’ve never really done it before. Probably 4-5 days ago in total, from Manchester. Any suggestions on routes/places to visit/things to do? Thanks in advance!
 
Ric said:
Thinking of doing a road trip to Scotland this summer with the family, as we’ve never really done it before. Probably 4-5 days ago in total, from Manchester. Any suggestions on routes/places to visit/things to do? Thanks in advance!
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Realistically you want 2 days to get right up to the top and 2 days back again it's an absolute slog especially with kids mate. Absolutely breathtaking once you hit Loch Lomond.

Make sure you have adequate roadside recovery ;-)
 
Up the M80, Night in Stirling (Stirling Castle), A9 to Aviemore, A95 Whiskey trail, A941 to Elgin (Elgin Cathedral, and pop across to Lossiemouth for some great beaches and a bit of plane spotting at RAF base, also Duffus Castle nearby). Spey Bay for some dolphin watching, Accross to Portsoy fishing village, and then pick your way down towards Aberdeen and on to Edinburgh for the last big day.
 
You'll want to at least take in Glencoe if you want to see the Highlands. Plenty of big laybys around there with excellent views for those who don't want to stray too far from the car. You can take in the Loch Lomond area on the way too. The main town in the area isn't amazing (Fort William) but there are plenty of smaller villages to stay a night

This is all prime midge country though, so invest in some Smidge
 
Scotland is about two thirds the size of England and it takes about half a day to get from Manchester as far as the central belt.
(I do the trip down regularly to the Etihad)

You are not going to see the majority of Scotland in 4-5 days.
You will need to decide what kind of places you want to see and have a bit of luck with the weather.

The West Coast is the most scenically attractive part of Scotland in my view it's also got the slowest roads.
Personally for a relatively short trip I'd pick a spot on the West Coast and try short trips from there.
Lovely spots include the likes of Arisaig, Ardnamurchan, Plockton or you could try larger places like Obama or Fort William.

Edit Obama is an autocorrect, meant to be Oban
 
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Start booking hotels as soon as possible if you are thinking about the far north of the country, especially the north west. Be prepared for a shock at the prices, though.

The roads are narrow so don't overestimate how far you can travel in a day if you want to stop and take in the sights, etc.

The weather can be hit and miss. If it's sunny, it's one of the most stunning vistas the world has to offer. If it's wet, you won't see much of it.
 
Cityfan said:
Scotland is about two thirds the size of England and it takes about half a day to get from Manchester as far as the central belt.
(I do the trip down regularly to the Etihad)

You are not going to see the majority of Scotland in 4-5 days.
You will need to decide what kind of places you want to see and have a bit of luck with the weather.

The West Coast is the most scenically attractive part of Scotland in my view it's also got the slowest roads.
Personally for a relatively short trip I'd pick a spot on the West Coast and try short trips from there.
Lovely spots include the likes of Arisaig, Ardnamurchan, Plockton or you could try larger places like Obama or Fort William.
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Plockton is lovely. Lochalsh is also a good option if doing the West Coast.
 
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Gobshiight said:
This is all prime midge country though, so invest in some Smidge
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Spent a day climbing at Huntleys Cave once. The only time I've ever had to climb wearing a mosquito net. My hands were covered in bites, even using industrial strength DEET.

Ive since discovered that Avon Skin So Soft works an absolute treat against Scottish midges.
 
So much you could see, what do you like doing?

Midges can be a problem in some places from mid to late May onwards. Normally on the West coast April / May is the driest period, though this April has been pretty wet so far. Lots of gardens, castles, fine houses and scenery. Would suggest sticking to the southern part if you only have four or five days unless you want to spend most of your time driving
 
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Scenery is glorious and the people very friendly.
Would highly recommend the far north west but you'd need a couple of extra days at least - Knoydart, Torridon, Lochinver, Sandwood Bay,

If you've only got 4 or 5 days then I'd stay much lower down.
Mull is doable in a day from Mcr if you time the ferry from Oban right.
Wonderful scenery esp down the SW.
Stay in Tobermory/Balamory, go on a boat trip to Staffa/Iona, you likely won't see whales but you'll see puffins etc.
In the way home go via Glen Coe - out of your way but worth it.

Get smidge head net & repellant
 
Me and my wife did a trip up to Scotland just as covid restrictions were lifted slightly. We did 10 days though.

4 in Loch Lomand
3 in Oban/Isle of Mull
3 on the Isle of Skye
Back home (Stockport)

All areas really good but Oban and the Isle of Skye were particularly nice.

One of our favourite trips. Enjoy
 
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Be prepared to see literally some of the best beaches in the world and the most spectacular scenery imaginable in the Highlands. Camped virtually on the beach at Achmelvich Bay and simply could not believe that I was in the UK.

Slight downside (especially if with family) is that parts of the rugged west coast have some accessibility challenges (narrow mountain passes etc.). Worth it though!
 
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Dont assume that Scotland is just the Highlands and Islands. As has already been said 4-5 days is not a lot and you will spend two days travelling there and back. If you really only have 4-5 days, turn left at the border and head for Galloway and then up the Clyde Coast. If you want to take in Edinburgh turn right at the border and travel through Lothian.

If you want to head into the Highlands give yourselves more time or else just go as far as Loch Lomond area and that will give you an impression of what is beyond, if you enjoy walking then Ben Lomond is a good accessible walk giving spectacular views yet can also be 4 seasons on one walk. Stirling Castle is more visitor friendly than Edinburgh and gives a good sense of the history and why it was such a key strategic point. Bannockburn is close by with a good visitor centre. Or else head along the North Clyde Coast and around the Lochs - follow the A82 alongside Loch Lomond and then A83 down to Campbeltown and the Mull of Kintyre.
 
4-5 days you'll hardly touch the surface but if that is your plan you might want to consider Dumfries and Galloway, only just over the border but well worth a visit. The isles of Bute (which I haven't been to) and Arran are doable, Arran is great but if considerng any ferry trips you need to check out the state of play with calmac as they have well documented issues.

If you bypass Dumfried and Galloway and head straight up then once you get through Glasgow you can't go wrong. Loch Lomond, as has already been said isn't that far further on and is lovely but the further north you go the better it gets.

The East coast part of the NC500 from Inverness isn't much to write home about but once you hit the highlands going across the north coast is spectacular.
 
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