Planning a road trip in Scotland is exciting, but also daunting. There are so many incredible places to see that some people aren’t sure where to fit into a one or two-week trip. As a holidaymaker in Scotland, it’s recommended that you do not rush around trying to see everything, but at the same time you do not want to miss the must-sees.
As we offer Scottish campervan hires and motorhome hires, we know a lot more about the benefits of travelling across our beautiful country by campervan. The biggest draw to driving around in your own hotel room is that you spend more of your time seeing everything Scotland has to offer without the hassle of booking accommodation and moving between hotels and B&Bs.
In addition, if you want to spend extra time in one place because you get there and really love it, then you can. Likewise, if you arrive somewhere and it’s busy with other people, you can simply drive on.
So, the question is, where should you go on an ultimate two-week road trip of Scotland? You could head to one or two of the already designed driving routes, such as the North Coast 500, the South West Coastal 300 or the North East 250. These all have their advantages, but we believe we have some better route ideas and options.
The best two-week road trip in Scotland
The route starts and finishes at the conveniently located Open Road Scotland HQ near Glasgow International Airport. It visits some of Scotland’s most famous attractions and also allows you to get off the beaten tourist trail, should you choose to.
It is worth booking some overnight campsite options ahead of your trip if you are going in the busy holiday season (April to September).
This two-week plan has two options, depending on whether you want to visit the Island of Mull or the Island of Skye.
Plan A of two-week road trip in Scotland
This is the Isle of Skye version:
Day 1: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
Pick up campervan in Paisley, close to Glasgow International Airport
Drive to: Loch Lomond
Highlights include: The stunning national park, the UK’s largest area of freshwater (Loch Lomond), numerous other lochs, Ben Lomond, the gateway to the Highlands at Balloch, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
Day 2: Glen Coe
The drive north on the A82 is a highlight in itself with the views growing taller and more dramatic. Take your time to pull into laybys to enjoy the views.
Highlights: A drive through superb Highlands scenery, the fabulous mountains and valley of Glen Coe, numerous mountains, picturesque lochs, such as Linnhe and Leven, the historic village of Kinlochleven.
Day 3: Fort William
It’s worth spending another day in the area, visiting attractions around the outdoors coastal town of Fort William.
Highlights: The UK’s highest mountain of Ben Nevis; Nevis Range Mountain Centre; Glenfinnan Viaduct (aka the Harry Potter Bridge).
Day 4: Ferry to Skye
Drive the A830 road from Fort William west to beautiful Arisaig and then to Mallaig. CalMac operates vehicle and passenger ferries to Skye.
Day 5: Tour around Skye
The island is famous for its dramatic mountains, the Cuillin, and also has a wonderful coastline.
Other highlights include: The Fairy Pools (go early morning or late evening to avoid the crowds), the Quiraing walk, Talisker Distillery, the castles of Clan MacDonald and Clan MacLeod both with grounds & gardens.
Day 6: Skye to Torridon/Kinlochewe
Depart Skye via the bridge and drive the winding road north along the coastline to reach Torridon.
Highlights: Village of Plockton, Strathcarron scenery, Alpine-style Bealach na ba road on the Applecross Peninsula (engage low gear and take your time); the road through Glen Torridon, coastal views.
Plan B of two-week road trip in Scotland
This is the Isle of Mull version:
Day 2 & 3 Oban & Mull
At Tyndrum on the A82, take the A85 west to the coastal town of Oban where there are CalMac ferries to Mull.
Highlights: Tobermory, the main town on Mull, as well as stunning coast and beaches, sea wildlife spotted from the land, wildlife boat trips, visit the small island of Iona.
Day 4 Ferry to Oban
Drive the A828 coastal road north to Ballachuilish and then to Glen Coe. Drive the A872 via Glen Coe.
Highlights: A drive through superb scenery that grows in height as you head north, the fabulous mountains and valley of Glen Coe, numerous lochs, such as Linnhe and Leven, as well as the historic village of Kinlochleven.
Day 5: Fort William
It’s worth spending another day in the area, visiting attractions around the outdoors coastal town of Fort William.
Highlights: The UK’s highest mountain of Ben Nevis; Nevis Range Mountain Centre; Glenfinnan Viaduct (aka the Harry Potter Bridge).
Day 6: Torridon
There are several different routes to reach Torridon and all will take a while. Enjoy the drive through stunning scenery.
Highlights: Alpine-style Bealach na ba road on the Applecross Peninsula (engage low gear and take your time); the road through Glen Torridon, coastal views.
Both plan A & B
Day 7: Loch Ness
Drive east to reach Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness before heading to the northern Scottish city of Inverness.
Loch Ness is a must see and while it is often busy with tourists, it offers rewarding views over the dramatic waters.
Highlights: Walk a section of the Great Glen Way, visit Urquhart Castle, the tourist magnet of the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition, or take a circular drive or bike ride around Loch Ness.
Day 8: Inverness
Inverness is a historic settlement located on the River Ness and the Moray Firth.
Highlights include: The Moray Firth is a famous place to spot bottlenose dolphins, The Caledonian Canal (walking, cycling, kayaking), Inverness Castle, Inverness Cathedral, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Ness Islands.
Days 9 & 10: Aviemore
The outdoors town is located in the Cairngorms National Park. It has a great vibe with plenty of outdoors stores and guides on hand to take you into the hills and mountains.
Highlights: Loch Morlich for watersports, Loch an Eilein walk, Rothiemurchus outdoor activities, Cairngorm Mountain, Speyside Way, Laggan Wolftrax mountain bike trails; free-range reindeer.
Days 11 & 12: Perthshire
Drive south on the A9 and visit attractions in Perthshire. You could choose to stay overnight at one of many different places such as Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Dunkeld, Perth.
Highlights include: Walks amid beautiful rolling hills and mountains; outdoor activities such as canyoning, gorge walking, zorbing; distilleries including Dalwhinnie, Glenturret, Eradour, Blair Atholl; the Scottish Crannog Centre; Big Tree Country; Bruar Falls; Schiehallion.
Days 13 & 14: Stirling & Glasgow
Stirling and Glasgow are both great cities to visit. Park up and take a stroll. Stirling has a castle, the Old Town Jail and the Wallace Monument, to name a few highlights
Glasgow is the home of the historic buildings designed by acclaimed Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, such as the Willow Tearooms; many fabulous and contemporary murals; Tennent’s Brewery Tour, many free museums, the Necropolis; and the rivers Kelvin & Clyde for walking and cycling, city bike hire.
Also see the Heart 200 driving route for highlights on Day 13 &14.
This route is a just a suggestion and it’s possible to stay for longer or shorter durations in each of the place.
Book a campervan hire
Open Road Scotland has a range of campervans and motorhomes to hire in Scotland. Please get in touch to find out more.