11 Scotland Street Journey Tricks to Know Earlier than You Go

Posted: 5/23/2024 | Might twenty third, 2024

Scotland is a rugged and exquisite nation that’s good for exploring on a highway journey. The craggy coasts, placid lochs, and rolling hills make it a dream to find. There are numerous historic castles, iconic distilleries, and postcard-perfect islands at your fingertips.

I completely love Scotland. It’s stunningly stunning and I can by no means get sufficient of the numerous altering landscapes, Scotch distilleries, and heat, welcoming locals.

Having been to Scotland over a handful of instances within the final decade, I feel taking a highway journey is one of the best ways to discover the nation. Residence to only 5.5 million folks, it’s a sparsely populated land, a lot of your driving right here might be out within the countryside. The nation is simply constructed for it.

However there are nonetheless a couple of issues to remember earlier than you depart.

Listed here are 10 Scotland road-trip suggestions (plus my favourite routes) to assist make your drive higher, safer, and extra enjoyable (primarily based on my expertise no less than):

1. Get Journey Insurance coverage

I by no means depart dwelling with out journey insurance coverage. And I by no means hire a automotive with out complete insurance coverage both.

I do know, it’s an added expense. And likelihood is you gained’t even want it.

However what occurs in the event you do want it and it’s not there? You’ll be paying out of pocket for injury. And that would price you hundreds.

Scotland has a lot of slender, rugged, or single-track roads (extra on these later) that may be tough to navigate. Tire and windshield injury is frequent. Throw within the ever-changing climate, and also you’ve acquired recipe for hassle.

That’s why I strongly encourage you to take out automotive insurance coverage in your highway journey. The peace of thoughts is value it.

With regards to renting a automotive, I like to recommend Uncover Automobiles. While you guide, it’s straightforward so as to add automotive insurance coverage onto your buy with the press of a button. The positioning makes it clear what is roofed and the way a lot it prices.

You should use the widget under to get a quote. It’s quick and free:

2. Lease the Proper Car

You basically have two decisions in relation to renting a car in Scotland — and selection will drastically impression your journey. Your choices are a automotive or a campervan.

A automotive might be cheaper and use much less fuel, however you’ll have to seek out lodging every evening. A campervan/RV might be more cash and require extra gas, however you may sleep contained in the car and thus get monetary savings on lodging. (It’s not my jam however to every their very own.)

Each choices make for a tremendous journey, so there isn’t any incorrect reply. Simply remember the fact that guide transmissions are the default in Scotland, so in order for you a car with automated transmission, you’ll have to specify that whereas reserving.
 

3. Be Able to Drive on the Left

Visitors in Scotland flows on the left, identical to the remainder of the UK. That is the alternative of the US, Canada, and nearly all of Europe (solely Eire, the UK, Malta, and Cyprus drive on the left in Europe).

In case you hire a guide car, you’ll be switching gears along with your left hand as a substitute of your proper, which has a little bit of a studying curve. (Personally, I favor an automated).

Previous habits die onerous, so in the event you’re used to driving on the right-hand facet of the highway, drive cautiously. Driving on the left may be particularly difficult if you arrive at a roundabout (extra on that under) or in a metropolis. Take it sluggish at first, till you alter.
 

4. Perceive Roundabouts

Roundabouts are a visitors circles that function intersections, as a substitute of cease lights or cease indicators. They drive automobiles to decelerate with out stopping the stream of visitors. Whereas they aren’t particularly frequent within the US, they’re extremely standard in Europe (they cut back critical visitors accidents by upwards of 90%).

Roundabouts are quite common in Scotland. And so they stream in the other way (clockwise) than do these within the US (counterclockwise). When approaching a roundabout, decelerate drastically and yield to visitors within the roundabout till you have got a gap to enter the visitors circle. All visitors flows the identical path in a roundabout.

If there are a number of lanes, you’ll must be on an outer lane when exiting. The internal lane of the roundabout is for vehicles not exiting instantly.

While you’re able to exit the roundabout, sign so vehicles behind you already know you can be turning.

In case you’re not comfy if you arrive at a roundabout, simply take it sluggish and sign your intentions. They’re much simpler to deal with than you assume!
 

5. Know the Pace Limits

Posted velocity limits in Scotland are written in miles. Whereas that is useful for Individuals like me, vacationers from international locations that use kilometers will need to pay additional consideration.

Widespread velocity limits are:

• Constructed-up areas: 30 MPH
• Single roadways: 60 MPH
• Twin roadways: 70 MPH
• Highways: 70 MPH

These numbers are simply guides, nevertheless. At all times observe native signage to make sure security. When unsure, it’s at all times higher to go slower fairly than quicker till you confirm the velocity. I’d write down some frequent conversions so you may have them useful in the event you get confused.
 

6. Add in Time for Scenic Stops

I do know a whole lot of vacationers like to actually plan out their routes and itineraries. While you solely have a couple of days, it may be tempting to plan every part to a T (I used to do that loads). Nonetheless, there are many diversions to discover in Scotland, from quaint cities to scenic vistas to quick hikes.

You’re going to need to pull over each couple of minutes for a vista, mountain, loch, or deserted citadel. The panorama is so stunning that even the common sights are Insta-worthy. For that cause, construct in buffer time in your itinerary in order that, in the event you determine to cease or take a bit of diversion, you’ll have the time. I can’t advocate this sufficient. Generally, the perfect components of a visit are those you stumble into. And also you undoubtedly don’t need to be speeding from sight to sight both, so plan to be diverted.
 

7. Obtain the Proper Apps

I do know, if you head out on a highway journey, the purpose is to get away out of your cellphone so you may benefit from the native tradition and gorgeous views. Nonetheless, there are many apps on the market that may show you how to get monetary savings, keep protected, and save time. Everybody road-tripping round Scotland ought to have the next apps downloaded to their cellphone:

• Met Climate – That is the perfect climate app for the UK. Situations can change drastically in Scotland, so plan accordingly.
• Google Maps – The very best app for trying up instructions. Make sure that to obtain your maps so you have got them for offline use.
• Park4Night – A useful app for locating spots to park in your RV or campervan (together with free ones).
• Flush – A useful app for locating public restrooms.
• Petrol Costs – An app for locating and evaluating close by fuel costs for when you must refuel.

8. Deliver a Paper Map

Each time I am going on a highway journey, I at all times carry a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is straightforward and free, and cell information protection in Scotland is mostly dependable. Nevertheless it’s higher to be protected than sorry. You by no means know when your cellphone goes to interrupt, in case your sign might be misplaced (prone to occur in the event you’re driving via distant areas), or if there might be an emergency.

Give your self peace of thoughts: carry a paper highway map, and simply depart it within the glove field. You doubtless gained’t want it, however in the event you do, you’ll be glad you have got it (they make good souvenirs after a visit too).
 

9. Perceive Methods to Drive on Single-Observe Roads

When you get out of the cities, it’s possible you’ll encounter single-track roads. These are basically two-way roads that solely have house for one car. Which means that in the event you encounter oncoming visitors, there isn’t any room so that you can cross each other.

Luckily, these roads often have passing areas constructed into them at common intervals, permitting vehicles to tug over to make room. Benefit from these if you see visitors coming, to be able to simply cross each other.

Moreover, take it sluggish round corners on single-track roads. Accidents can happen right here as a result of you may’t see oncoming visitors (with whom you’re sharing a lane). So, drive slowly, and at all times be ready to cease.

Lastly, remember the fact that many single-track roads are a bit rugged. Blowing a tire can occur simply, particularly in the event you’re pulling off to the facet to make room for passing automobiles. For that cause, ensure you have a spare tire and that you simply even have insurance coverage protection in your tires, simply to be protected.
 

10. Don’t Rush

Whereas Scotland isn’t big, there are nonetheless a whole lot of issues see and do right here. It could be tempting to hurry, so you may pack extra into your itinerary, however I strongly encourage you to not achieve this. High quality, not amount, is the secret. I’ve been on numerous highway journeys around the globe, and slower is at all times higher. Which means driving much less and spending extra time at every cease. Do this, and also you’ll be capable of soak in much more of Scotland’s distinctive tradition.

Moreover, likelihood is you’ll be driving on a whole lot of smaller, winding roads right here, typically surrounded by ambling livestock to be careful for. Which means, for security causes, you’ll have to decelerate and actually give attention to the drive. Admire the sights, depart room for spontaneous detours, and overlook about speeding from sight to sight. You gained’t remorse it!
 

Urged Routes

There are a couple of standard highway journey routes in Scotland. They every provide various things to see and do, and every require totally different quantities of time to finish. To take advantage of your time, choose the route that most closely fits your journey pursuits.

Right here’s a fast take a look at a couple of of the perfect highway journey routes in Scotland:

North Coast 500 – That is most likely the most well-liked highway journey route within the nation. It loops across the northern tip of Scotland, often beginning and ending in Inverness. Standard stops embody Bealach na Bà, Cape Wrath, Smoo Cave, John o’ Groats, and Dunrobin Fortress.

You’ll need no less than 5 days, although seven days can be preferable. Simply remember the fact that it could possibly get busy in the summertime.

Edinburgh/Glasgow to Glen Coe – Glen Coe is a picturesque valley within the Highlands that’s each a Nationwide Scenic Space and Nationwide Nature Reserve. It’s a preferred spot for photographers and hikers, and a must-visit location for anybody exploring the Highlands.

Glen Coe is simply 2-2.5 hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh, making it a simple day journey (although I counsel stopping in a single day, so you may actually absorb the views). It’s additionally part of a number of highway journey routes, together with the Argyll Coastal Route (listed subsequent).

Argyll Coastal Route – This route alongside the west coast of Scotland stretches for 129 miles (208 kilometers), from Loch Lomond to Fort Williams. It’s an incredible various to the North Coast 500, because it’s much less standard (and thus much less crowded). Standard stops alongside this route embody the Inveraray Jail, the cairns of Kilmartin Glen, Glen Coe, and Ben Nevis.

Whilst you might simply drive the gap in a single day, plan to spend no less than three days. That gives you time to see the highlights with out speeding.

Highlands Vacationer Route – Slicing throughout the japanese facet of the nation, from Aberdeen to Inverness, this route is a well-liked selection for historical past buffs, as there are quite a few citadel and museum stops, in addition to the positioning of the final battle on British soil, the Battle of Culloden (1746).

The route is simply 116 miles (187 kilometers), however no less than three days are wanted to take all of it in.
 

Scotland Street Journey FAQ

How lengthy do you want for a Scotland highway journey?
Ideally, no less than 5-7 days. Clearly, the size will rely in your itinerary, however that may be a strong begin.

In case you choose a shorter route or simply need to do a weekend highway journey to camp, three days will suffice.

What’s the most scenic drive in Scotland?
A few of the most scenic drives in Scotland embody the Argyll Coastal Route, all the North Coast 500, and the Highlands Vacationer Route.

Is driving in Scotland troublesome?
Whereas driving within the cities could be a ache, when you get out into the countryside, it is rather straightforward. Simply use warning on single-track roads and in roundabouts — and do not forget that it’s a must to drive on the left!

Are you able to drive onto the Isle of Skye?
Yep! It’s linked to the mainland by way of a bridge.

What’s the finest month for a Scotland highway journey?
Typically, April-October is the perfect time to go to. Personally, I just like the autumn, as you’ll get to see the altering leaves. It gained’t be as heat, however costs might be decrease and every part might be much less busy.

Scotland is a phenomenal vacation spot and ideal for highway journeys. With gorgeous surroundings, historic sights, plentiful mountain climbing alternatives, and doable Loch Ness monster sightings, I feel renting a automotive to discover is one of the best ways to expertise the nation. Whether or not you need to uncover the rugged coast or weave concerning the Highlands, having a automotive or campervan will make it each doable and inexpensive. Simply observe the guidelines above and also you’ll be sure you have a tremendous time!

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