A Short Scotland Road Trip of Castles, Lakes and Epic Wilds

Difficulty

600 km

Distance

7+

Recom. Days

General

Trip type

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Cora Harrison

Freelance writer for Indie Campers, currently trying to find herself in Indonesia but without much luck. Enjoys exploring weird and wonderful world cuisine — the less identifiable, the better.

Scotland Road Trip Itinerary: Edinburgh Round-Trip

Scotland road trip map itinerary
Snapshot of the road in Trossachs on the scotland road trip
Pick-up in
Edinburgh depot
1

Begin with the eclectic charms of Edinburgh

For history and mystery, panoramic views from craggy hill tops, and dimly lit pubs filled with the sound of impromptu ceilidhs, nowhere does it better than Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

Spread over seven hills, its dramatic cityscape made up of countless monuments, rich in legend and lore, is perfectly complemented by its cheeky sense of humour and full commitment to having fun. Begin your Scotland road trip as you mean to go on with a visit to Auld Reekie.

Street in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s best explored by strolling. Wander the refined elegance of the Georgian New Town and explore the ramshackle, hodge-podge of the medieval Old Town and the Royal Mile. Still got some energy? Power on up Arthur’s Seat for spectacular views. Or relax in Princes Street Gardens instead. 

When night falls, perhaps a ghost tour is in order? Or head to a traditional pub in Grassmarket, for a cocktail on George Street, or to the buzzing port district of Leith.

Visiting

Edinburgh

1

Recom. Days

Main route

15km

from Edinburgh depot

20min

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Edinburgh Castle

Historic fortress with views of the whole city

Real Mary King’s Close

17th-century subterranean labyrinth

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Queen’s official residence in Scotland

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Eat at

The Witchery

€€€€

Gothic dining in chic 16th-century building

Fhior

€€€€

Scandi-style cuisine by husband and wife duo

The Scran & Scallie

€€€

Gastro pub by two Michelin-starred chefs

Parking

Nicolson Square Car Park

€€€

Open 24/7, no height restrictions

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Stay at

Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

€€€

Bus ride from city center

2

The rustic delights of the Trossachs

Next up on your Scotland road trip, trade Edinburgh’s cobbled roads for winding trails through thick forest and along glinting lochs.

This is the Trossachs, known as the Highlands in miniature. A land beloved by Romantic poets and roamed by plucky Scottish outlaw and folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor — whose supposed grave can be visited in Balquhidder. Check out the epitaph: “MacGregor despite them.” Rob Roy’s very last middle finger to the authorities.

The Trossachs is home to three lochs — because why settle for one when you can have three? Go canoeing on Loch Venachar — or for a dip, if you’re brave. Snap an impressive photo of the glassy waters of Loch Achray. Or take a steam boat out on Loch Katrine.

Fed up of lochs? Pay a visit to the haunting ruins of Inchmahome Priory in the middle of the Lake of Menteith, with its stormy past including providing refuge to Mary Queen of Scots and King Robert the Bruce.

Visiting

Trossachs

1-2

Recom. Days

Main route

95 km

from Edinburgh

1h30min

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Loch Lomond

Britain’s largest lake, home to Ben Lomond mountain

Hamilton Toy Collection

Nostalgic collection including dolls and model trains

Ben A’an

Climb to the summit for beautiful views of the National Park.

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Eat at

Lake of Menteith Hotel and Restaurant

€€€

Loch views and regional dishes.

MHOR Fish

€€€

Upmarket fish and chip shop in Callander.

Venachar Lochside

€€

Lochside dining in Callander.

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Stay at

Cashel Campsite

€€€

Beautiful campsite on the shores of Loch Lomond.

3

Keep it wild with a visit to Fort William

People don’t come to Fort William for the normal urban pursuits of coffee drinking and perusing the shops. Your next Scotland road trip destination is the self-proclaimed outdoor capital of the UK and gateway to Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. 

And it’s not just about nature. Fort William and its surroundings have a dark history, the site of an enormous massacre in 1692, and there is undeniably something desolate and ghostly about this landscape.

One of the best ways to see the area is to hike part of the Great Glen Way. The whole track is 125 km, but you could try the stretch from Fort William to Gairlochy. Or if you’re up to it, attempt the Ben Nevis Summit. 

Not feeling it? Instead hop aboard The Jacobite, a steam train also known as the Hogwarts Express, and which travels to Mallaig and back. And at the end the day, finish off with some of the finest whisky in the world at the Ben Nevis distillery.

Visiting

Fort William

2

Recom. Days

Main route

150 km

from Trossachs

2h

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Glencoe

Picturesque glen, once the site of a bloody massacre.

Neptune’s Staircase

Staircase of locks along the Caledonian Canal.

Inverlochy Castle

Castle ruins and site of two important battles.

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Eat at

Inverlochy Castle

€€€

Grand restaurant inside a castle.

Lime Tree An Ealdhain

€€€€

Rustic restaurant and art gallery.

Blas

€€€€

Modern cooking with a distillery in the cellar.

Parking

Viewforth Parking

€€

Short walk from center.

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Stay at

Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park

€€€

5 minutes from Fort William.

4

Inverness and its infamous lake-dwelling monster

Leaving Fort William behind, continue on your Scotland road trip, taking the A82 towards Inverness. This drive takes in some of the most spectacular scenery of your journey so far — by which we mean Loch Ness, of course.

Driving along the side of this vast body of murky water, pull over at one of the many viewpoints and gaze into those deep, dark, depths. Admit it. If you were going to spot a monster anywhere, it would be here.

And then there’s the capital of the Highlands itself. Inverness, sat where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, is a down-to-earth, cheerful city, and the perfect base for exploring nearby sites. Pop in to see its cathedral, peruse the Victorian Market, and visit Leakey’s Bookshop, a second-hand bookstore swiped straight from Harry Potter.

Then head off to see Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final Jacobite Rising. And literature lovers should also visit Cawdor castle with its ties to Shakespeare’s dark Scottish tragedy, Macbeth.

Visiting

Inverness

1-2

Recom. Days

Main route

115 km

from Fort William

1h45min

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Black Isle

Peninsula with charming villages and dolphins pods.

Clava Cairns

Ancient stone burial mounds over 4,000 years old.

Dalwhinnie

Small village famous for its whisky and distillery.

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Eat at

Boath House

€€€

Michelin-starred country house and restaurant.

Café 1

€€

Chilled-out bistro with international menu.

Mustard Seed

€€

Scottish and French cuisine with balcony.

Parking

Raining Stairs Parking

Free

Free parking close to center.

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Stay at

Bunchrew Caravan Park

€€€

Waterfront camping 15 minutes from city.

5

Adventures in Cairngorms and 'Snow Roads'

On the way back from Inverness to Edinburgh, the detour through Snow Road and will definitely be worth the visit. The trip through Cairngorms, one of Scotland's most picturesque national parks, offers unique nature and a range of fun activities.

Take left off to A938 towards Grantown-on-Spey. Make a pitstop at one of the many activity providers, like Craggan Outdoors , for some ultimate family fun. You can find an activity that fits your trip, with anything from 'foot golf', to kayaking, hiking and White Water rafting available in the area.

Snow Roads in Cairngorms in Scotland, seen in spring blossoms.

Next, head into on of the UK most spectacular drives 'Snow roads', Britons highest public road through the heart of the Cairngorms. The 90 mile drive is definitely worthwhile taking slow to experience the most of what the scenery has to offer. The trip takes you through iconic Cairnwell pass, castles, small whiskey distilleries and includes several viewpoints.

Along the way, you will experience wild Scottish nature and hidden gems such as the 300 ft deep Ailnack Gorge, Queen Victorias favourite spot - the Linn of Quoich and the majestic Glas Allt Waterfall. A few years back, art installations by award-winning architects was added along the route at Glenshee, Corgarff and Tomintoul. 

Visiting

Snow Roads

1-2

Recom. Days

Main route

75 km

from Inverness

1h 5min

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Burn O' Vat

Free

Circular walk that goes by a deep water gouged bowl that you can enter.

Ailnack Gorge

Free

Scotland's largest glacial melt water channel, a short hike from the village of Tomintoul

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Craggan Outdoors

€€€

Outdoor activities for adrenaline seekers or nature explorers, close to the highland village of Grantown-on-Spey.

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Stay at

Grantown Caravan Park

€€€

Cosy campsite in Grantown, with Wi-Fi and full facilities.

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Stay at

Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore

€€

Surrounded by nature, next to to the beaches of Loch Morlich. Electricity is available on site.

Braemar Caravan Park

€€€

High-quality caravan park with all facilities at a central location in Cairngorms National Park. Open all year.

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Eat at

The Clockhouse Restaurant

€€

Tasty local restaurant with lots of charm in the center of Tomintoul

The Bothy

€€€

Local restaurant with healthy scottish food with several vegan options.

Parking

Tomintoul Car Park

Free

A large car park in the center of Tomintoul village.

Glenmore Ski Lane Parking

Free

Loads of roadside parking between glenmore village and snow gates

Drop-off in
Edinburgh depot

260 km

from Inverness

3h15

drive