Top Things to Do in Whitley Bay Beach

Whitley Bay Beach

Whitley Bay beach is one of the most popular beaches here to take a relaxed coastal walk. This two mile long beach is filled with golden sand and offers a stunning view of the famous St Mary’s lighthouse. Whitley bay beach offers multiple seating areas and has a promenade behind with some greenery for a picnic with a view. A walk here is for all seasons, but do remember to carry your wind cheater as it can be cold like anywhere else in the Northern coast of England.

St Mary’s Light House

St Mary’s lighthouse is one of the best lighthouses in the world or at least in my world from all my travels. The lighthouse painted in white with some red cottages beside it offers nostalgic vibe whenever I go, and offers a breath-taking view standing tall in the middle of the sea. The natural drama around it is pretty scenic with some rocks at the beach and even the pathway in the sea. You have to check the tidal heights to make sure you can walk to the lighthouse, as the path is covered by water during high tide.

I feel that St Mary’s lighthouse can be a photographers playground, to capture this lighthouse scene in varying seasons and light. Sunrise here looks stunning as much as the red sky during sunset.

Apart from sea gulls, there is another major attraction here not to miss- the napping seals on the cove. In the warm days, March onwards, you will see seals resting on the cove very close by. They land on the rocks during the high tide and can be seen when you get to the lighthouse during the low tide time.

Go with a zoom lens for some stunning photography and even videography. The seals here reminded me of San Diego La Jolla coves and seals during my visit, but the best part is that we could even shoot a footage of seals trying to get to the sea moving slowly with their bellies.

Spanish City

Spanish city is another architecture crown in Whitley bay, very beautiful with it’s white dome that almost reminds you of mosques instantly. You will see this elegant white dome far from the Whitley Bay beach, but when close to it you will see how astonishing the design is with statues and towers.

Go inside and you will find it hard to decide what is best- the interior or exterior This hall hosted a concert hall, restaurants, ball rooms and gardens inside in the past, which is easily seen from the posh interiors. Today, it hosts a classic fish and chips restaurant and a traditional tea room which can offer that ultimate English Tea experience. Since I have been here, it is on my list to go for an afternoon tea here, in the English way.

Longsands Beach, Tynemouth

Longsands Beach is closer to the Spanish city and located in Tynemouth which is a walk from Whitley Bay or you can take a metro. Being a sandy beach and with more waves, this beach is very popular among surfers and surf lessons are available here for beginners.

The beach has a stunning view of the coast line and is a perfect spot to enjoy the waves and the sandy wind. It is popular among families and you will also see lots of locals walking their dogs here.

Seaton Delaval Hall

Seaton Delaval Hall just a bit on the entrance to the coast is a symmetrical stunning architecture like a palace. It is a majestic country house that is really eye-catchy that you would be instantly proud of the architects. It looks pretty old now with some ruins inside due to some fire accident, but from the outside, it looks really grand. You can take a tour inside and enjoy the details and the beauty of this splendid architecture. It is particularly attractive during spring, with daffodils bloomed all around it.

What To Do in Whitley Bay Beach: Itinerary List

• Whitley Bay Beach
• St Mary’s Lighthouse
• Seaton Delaval Hall
• Long Sands Beach
• Spanish City
• Tynemouth Priory and Castle
• Cullercoats Beach
• Tynemouth Park
• Tynemouth Market
• Water Sports at Culler Coat Bay- Kayaking, SUP, Coast-eering
• Stephenson Railway Museum
• Adventure Gold
• Blue Reef Aquarium

Riverside Pods, Llandovery Review

We found this stunning glamping site in the south of Wales, while planning a road trip around the South of the UK. It was recommended to me by one of my travel community friends from Wales. As I had never glamped before and was a big item on my list, I decided to find glamping sites for my road trip, as they are convenient exclusive accommodations and a safer option for the Covid19 pandemic time. Getting too excited seeing the pictures, I contacted the river side pods team on their Instagram to organize my stay. The owners are very friendly and welcoming. We worked out their availability and changed our itinerary to accommodate a stay in Riverside pods, to fulfil that adrenaline rush I got seeing their Instagram posts. Everything about Riverside pods was as perfect as a I imagined with lovely hospitality throughout. I give them a 5 star rating and wish them best of luck, before I deep dive into why. Thanks Riverside pods!

Location Review

Llandovery is a little cute village very close to the left side of the Brecon Beacons national park. The town is a perfect base for visiting South Wales, with an hour drive to Pembrokeshire and Brecon Beacons national park. The pods are situated in a well established camping site ERWLON.

Nearby towns: Llangadog, llandeilo, Brecon

Facilities: Dog friendly glamping pods just by the riverside, with its own ensuite bathroom and kitchen. The facilities are modern with TV, a nice sofa bed and dining facilities. Each pod has hot water for showering and a heated floor. They also provide camping fire pits as an add-on which is a lot of fun. The glamping pod overlooks rolling hills and waking up here was like a dream. The campsite is open 24 hours and there is a dedicated reception. Additional bedding can be requested as well, so 4 people can easily sleep in these pods.

READ: Best Scenic Drives in the UK for your UK Road Trip Bucket list

Review Star:

How to Get to Riverside Pods?

Direction: The Riverside Pods site is easily spotted on Google Maps. Once you get to the ERWLON campsite entrance, which is marked on the road, you will notice the reception building. The team provides an information leaflet with all details you could need for your stay. You just need to ring the reception for organizing your arrival time and they have a professional system to check you in.

Glamp site location: As the name suggests, these pods are by the river and are located in a dedicated area at the end of the campsite with not much noise. Though you pass through caravans and other facilities when you enter, the glamping site has its own secluded area.

Check-in Experience

The campsite manager was very warm and welcoming and flexible with our arrival time. As they live on the site, it is easy to reach out to them if there is an issue. The owners of the riverside pods are also available to interact on social media etc. The glamping pods have a personal touch to them and the room was very clean. I also loved that there were some yummy Welsh cakes to welcome us to Wales!

Our Glamping Experience in River Side Pods

Meeting our Riverside Pod: Otter Den

We were a group of 4, and we stayed in two pods. I stayed in Otter Den, so I shall review this pod. The pods are all similar. My first impression was pretty much as I expected, I loved the setting and the river sound was very evident as we approached.

The patio is gorgeous with the stunning river view. As it was raining when we arrived (what a surprise for southern UK :p), my initial attempt at sitting outside failed miserably as everything was soaking wet, but hey I had some great moments in the following, drier, days. A perfect setting to sip a coffee and write or read a book isn’t it?

This is the first view of the interior of the pod, gorgeous! I loved the purple theme, maybe something to ask the owners when you book if you are into colours! My friends had orange colour. The underfloor heating was too cozy for the weather and I put on the kettle as soon as I finished my mandatory photo shoot.

The kitchen is as well equipped as a typical studio, I have to say it brought my student studio memories back. There are all essentials you would need to cook – salt, pepper and oil. Toaster, kettle, cutlery, pans, gas hob, fridge and microwave!

There is a good sized double mattress with Egyptian cotton line. The bed has a spring mattress with underbed storage. I particularly love the bed window, which has a nice view as the day light changes. Note that the wadrobe has a blind for this window for bed time.

Spending an evening in riverside pods

On our first day, we decided to cook at the pod as we were too late to find somewhere to eat. We poured ourselves a warm English tea while cooking a beef fry with spinach. There is a co-op nearby for buying ingredients if needed.

It was a memorable evening eating some home cooked food and watching TV. The pod also had cards which reminded me of some of my best card-playing buddies in Holland. How I wished I could play cards in groups, we could not gather and play in groups as we were still under covid pandemic restrictions with no two households allowed in one room.

Fire Pit Experience in Riverside Pods

After dinner, we embarked on some playing with fire initiatives, with the fire pits to keep us warm. The campsite manager had given us a fantastic training as well as a set of instructions on how to light the fire pit, which was a successful mission, added with some of our own gimmicks! Read on!

We set the pot with the wood chunks and lit it up carefully. Initially, it was just like the genie emerging from Aladdin’s lamp filled with smoke.

As we blew the smoke away and applied our very own fire strategies, we succeeded to get the flames and enjoyed this warmth. The moment the fire came up we were transported to a Hobbit setting.

It was time for our very own night art technique to write our location with light onto our photo. Marc and I had once done this shot during our road trip to Tromso in winter, a road trip explicitly done with a mission of chasing Northern lights. We introduced this to our friends from Romania this time and tried to get a WALES printed photo. Though it was hard to take this shot, our friend Kris had perfected the art in a few attempts and here is the final outcome of my picture.

Now that we all have left our light marks in the land of Wales, it was bed time for the road trippers who have been driving between 4-5 hours in South of England for 10 days.

Sleeping Review

Sleeping here was great, the bed was smooth and rooms were dark. Don’t forget to spot the bed window blind provided in the cabinet. There was the sound of the river flowing that could disturb someone, but hey, we are here for that ultimate camping experience. If you don’t like the sound, here is my best hack for soundproofing your ears while sleeping.

Waking up in Riverside pods

Waking up in the riverside pods was like waking up to a dream. I have pictured this moment many, many times in my life, opening a door right to the view of a meadow with river flowing in front of you.

These are the moments that make you dream of being a writer living in a countryside setting like this – so peaceful and tranquil.

Erwlon Campsite Facilities

Apart from the well equipped pod itself, there is sufficient parking space outside the pod and the campsite also provides bike storage upon request. Everything you could need for a perfect camping holiday is available.

Where to Eat Nearby Riverside Pods

Llandovery town is walking distance from the riverside pods and has all the amenities you would need for your stay.

Groceries, butchers and bakers: Co-operative, Spar, Matthews Family Butchers, La Patisserie
Pubs, Restaurants & Tea Rooms: The Castle Hotel, The Bear, Kings Head, White Hall Inn,
Pengawse Tea Rooms, Old Printing Office Café
Take-Away: Indian Lounge, Mayflower Chinese, Llandovery Kebab House, The Three Horse
Shoes Fish & Chips
Doctors/Hospital/Pharmacy: Llanfair Surgery (01550 720648), Llandovery Hospital (no A&E,
01550 722200), A.R & H Davies Pharmacy (01550 720269)
Post Office: Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:50
Fuel Station: Murco (not 24 hrs)
ATM: Lloyds Bank, Broad Street, Llandovery

Things To Do Nearby Riverside Pods

Recommended by Riverside Pods Team

Welsh Countryside

• Brecon Baecons National Park
• Llyn Brianne
• Y Garn Goch
• Brechfa Forest

Welsh Coastlines

• Cefn Sidan
• Pendine
• Ferryside
• Llansteffan
• Scott’s Bay
• Morfa Bychan
• Telpyn Poin

Other Attractions to cover by road

• Red Kite Feeding Station
• Dolaucothi Goldmines
• Llansteffan Castle
• Aberglasney Gardens,
• National Botanic Garden of Wales
• Dinefwr Park
• Dryslwyn Castle

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Located in the South western tip of the UK, it is harder to explore all corners of Cornwall by public transport from main cities like London, but definitely worth a visit so as some of the major places are still easily covered. No wonder many movies and books are set in this land of stories, since I visited here I have not stopped thinking of what life was like here back then. I hope you enjoy this road trip itinerary to Cornwall and embark on your Cornish adventures.

READ: Best Scenic Drives in the UK

2 Days Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary

Cornwall is located in the South West coast of England, and the homeland of the Cornish people. Surrounded by Atlantic Ocean and English channel, Cornwall is very famous for its coastal scenery. Cornwall has a rich history with its own kingdom and dynasty, which makes it a very unqiue English county amongst others. Cornwall was a mining centre in the middle ages with copper and tin mining making a large part of its economy apart from fishing, which declined by 1990s. Today, Cornwall is famous for its tourism, which caught up after the railway operations began with the main station at Penzance.

Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary Map

JOURNEY OVERVIEW:

We drove to Cornwall from Bath/Bristol area and stayed in Newquay as our base while we explored the different parts of Cornwall. If you are not a full time traveler, you can easily do this taking one or two days off from work, closer to a weekend with a bank holiday. I would totally recommend having a rental car or camper van to explore the corners of Cornwall. You could also visit for a long time and explore the coastal walks if you have more time. The itinerary covers all the top landmarks to explore in Cornwall, even if it’s a weekend road trip from London or other main cities by car or a long holiday here which included more coastal walks etc. I honestly think I could spend here months happily- the setting of this place demands it, mixed with the landscape and historical vibe.

Top Places to Stay in Cornwall

Some of the top places to stay in Cornwall include the major harbor cities – St Ives, Padstow, Penzance, Newquay, Truro and Falmouth. The options here are plenty ranging from cottages, holiday rentals, Airbnbs, hotels and hostels. During my search for accommodation here, I was very convinced to stay in the Cornish cottages seeing the unique experiences, but there are plenty of beach hotels and Airbnbs to aim for as well that suits your style. For camper vanners, there are multiple campgrounds as well.

Top Tips for Driving in Cornwall

Driving in Cornwall is straight forward unlike elsewhere in England, which can be confusing for internationals not used to complex round about. However, the roads are really like the extreme countryside of England, very narrow and with less visibility of incoming traffic with elevated roads like in mountain ranges. If you are renting, I would advise to get small vehicles to Cornwall and to reduce driving time to avoid road fatigue as it is not a very flat ride. If you are a good driver, but not used to England, Cornwall is not tricky when it comes to complicated rules. So go for coastal road tripping if you would like to

Day 1: South East Coast

1. Perranporth Beach

Perranporth beach is one of the finest and longest beaches in Cornwall, filled with golden sand along the Atlantic ocean. The vast beach is exotic with its cove like rocks, sand dunes and surfs which attract youngsters, tourists as well as families.

The beach is so big that you can enjoy a nice beach walk along the coast watching the stunning sea scenery and waves. The beach is very family friendly that pets and kids will particularly enjoy playing at the beach.

Tips: There are multiple cafes and bars in Perranporth beach for a drink or a bite, especially filled during holiday seasons. There is also a big parking lot near the beach including some benches for those who would like to stay on the land and watch the sea.

2. St Ives

St Ives is one of the well known and celebrated fishing harbor towns in Cornwall, being a popular setting for so many movies and stories set in Cornwall. No wonder it wins one of the top holiday destinations in England regularly, this fishing town feels like a dream in its first sight.

This quaint town of fishing cottages, and harbor, and attractive coastal activities like boat tours and even a scenic railway, this Cornish town definitely has the soul of the Cornwall experience that anyone dreams of. At the moment, I was feeling like a character in a book or a movie while I enjoyed seafood here and watched the harbor.

3. Cape of Cornwall

Cape Cornwall is one of the two capes of England, well located in a coastal route from St Ives. Cape is one of the iconic historic landmarks of Cornwall with the mine here a memorial to the mining history of this area. Being located in the southern coastal tip closer to Lands End, the landscape here is one of the best in Cornwall and not to miss.

Tip: If you are by car, there is a parking closer to the coast and then you can take a coastal walk from there. The road here is narrow, so be careful and go only with a small vehicle.

4. Land’s End

Land’s End is in the western south end of England and a geographic landmark that attracts many tourists around the year.

Apart from the sign post here, which is any traveler’s dream, Land’s End is a big tourist complex nowadays with lots of fun attractions, holiday stays and a large shopping complex.

READ: Two weeks Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

As we visited during the covid pandemic, everything was closed, however Lands End overall seemed to have a playful atmosphere, and a fun place to hang out with family and friends.

The Lands End cliffs here is a stunning view and the coastal walks the prettiest. Walking here reminded me of the John O Groats experience, which is the northern most tip of UK and a must add to a Scotland road trip itinerary.

5. Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno is a sandy beach with turquoise water near Penzance, which is a beach paradise and one of the best in Cornwall. This beach is surrounded by stunning cliffs with a grand view and you will be mesmerized by the waves. It is perfect for swimming and surfing, but make sure you check weather conditions and tide times.

I was awestruck to see this beach, as you would not believe you are in England when you are here. The turquoise water, soft white sands and outstanding natural beauty here is very unique to this beach and a must addition to your Cornwall road trip itinerary and to your UK bucket list.

Just around the corner is the Minack theatre, granite cliff made open theatre is known as one of the best in the world for the epic view from here.

Tips: About 200 m behind the beach, there is a pay and display car park and there is also a public toilet here. There is a steep step down to get here, which is easily done by a healthy person.

6. Mousehole

Mousehole harbor is a pretty little town near Penzance, which is very picturesque. Parking spaces and shops are limited compared to other places, but it is unique and especially famous among writers. It is a typical Cornish village with beautiful views, perfect for a scenic walk and enjoying a cream tea. It is very close to Penzance and it is about a three mile walk here.

Tip: Best route to walk to Penzance to Mousehole is via Newlyn, which gives you a glimpse of the fishing industry here while also enjoying the coasts.

7. Penzance

Penzance is one of the major cities in Cornwall with the railway station from the rest of England, and a popular Cornish harbor town with a range of activities. Popular beaches like Porthcurno, Praa sands and long rocky beach are nearby as well as the Minack theatre with the granite cliffs. St Michael’s mount is a spectacular tidal island here, visited by a granite causeway, only accessible during low tide. The town also has some of the best seafood restaurants and fish market.

Tip: Don’t miss walking through the Chapel street which is in the middle of the Penzance Centre and is filled with restaurants, galleries and boutiques. And of course, there is a church here, named St Marys church.

Day 2: North East Coast

8- Carnewas and Bedruthan’s Steps

Located in the north west coast path between Newquay and Padstow, Carnewas mine and Bedruthan steps offer one of the epic coastal sceneries in Cornwall, with a grand view of the Atlantic ocean. The beach here is just like Porthcurno with turquoise water and the Bedruthan steps reminds heavily of the Scotland’s Duncansby stacks. Bedruthan steps have a cliff top campsite and a car park, and is a popular destination on the Cornish coast.

Tip: Being in the open, the view here is completely weather dependant. It is best to hike around here on a sunny day. For enjoying the weather, it is best to go here on a sunny day like everywhere else in this area. I am mentioning this particularly for it being one of the best south west coastal views not to miss during Cornwall visit.

9- Padstow

Padstow is another popular fishing port on the north Cornish coast, with many attractions nearby, making it a strong candidate for Staycations. The town is filled with fisherman’s cottages and merchant’s houses, and epic holiday resorts making it a tourist hub. Some of the top beaches here include St George’s cove and Hawker’s cove that is walkable distance and there is also beached of Rock, which can be accessed by a ferry ride. Padstow harbor is bustling, with many shops and cafes around. We even saw some paddle boarders enjoying in the water. Padstow is very famous for the seafood restaurant by Rick Stein, who is a famous chef. I found the goodies pretty costly but enjoyed a stroll in the Rick Stein branded shops here.

10- Polzeath Beach

Another gem in the North Cornwall, Polzeath beach is another long sandy beach especially famous for surf lessons. This is also a family friendly beach, one of the most safest, where you can take your kids and pets. There is also parking at this beach, making it super accessible.

11- Port Isaac

This quaint fishing town is very well celebrated among tourists too, very popular as the film Doctor Martin was shot here. Houses here are clear depiction of Cornish white-washed architecture and the winding streets giving it a pretty vintage look. The village is down the coast and there is a car park at the top of the hill for visitors. When we visited, it was pouring when we reached here, so we could not stop and explore unfortunately.

12- Tintagel

Tintagel is one of the most historic and dramatic Cornwall coastal area to visit. Crowned with a castle, a stunning bridge and an outstanding cave, this British heritage site is also another place well celebrated by artists and writers.

The coastal scenery here is unmatched and the coastal walk here is highly recommended. During our visit, the weather was not safe and the tides high, so we could not go to the castle or take the alk, you shiuld have seen my disappointment face that day as I have been dreaming of walking that bridge from so long. Nevertheless, look at the coastal scenery here! Just Vow!

Even though, we could not walk around much, we did enjoy exploring the sorroundings. The view is too good from all angles.

I sat down and admired the coast for sometime, and reliving this dreamy Cornwall trip, as it was time to bid bye to Cornwall and move northwards to North Devon. I told myself that I am returning Tintagel, with plenty of time to snatch that good weather to go on that dreamy coastal walk and cross the Tintagel bridge.

Pin this Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary

Wildlife Encounter Experience in Scotland

Scotland will fill your heart giving you the opportunity to see animals native to Scotland in the wild very closely.  Though I have seen many highland pictures with Scottish cows and sheep, a two-week road trip in the Scottish highlands uncovered many other animals found in Scotland during my visit. The wildlife discovery was very refreshing for an animal lover like me whose affection for them was pretty much devoted to the stuffed animals I carry as zoos make me really sick and I don’t enjoy it at all as I keep pondering how cruel it is to lock animals down.

Top Tips: When you visit it is really worth it to bring a decent camera and a set of binoculars. For spotting and tracking dolphins and salmon, you need to be patient and plan ahead, but for the majority of animals here you are guaranteed to see a lot of them during your journey in the NC500 route and nearby islands.

READ: A Complete Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

Here are all the animals that I had the pleasure to meet with and say Hello to!

Wild Animals in Scotland: Swimmers

Dolphins in Chanonry Point, Inverness

Chanonry Point in Inverness is one of the best places to watch dolphins, as they come very close to the shore and swim near you for a very long time. The trick is to go one hour after the low tide time to maximize your chances to catch the dolphins. Note that the car park here gets filled up quickly but it is highly recommended to go early and spend one or two hours there waiting for the dolphins. I would also recommend taking a tripod to get nice shots as it is pretty windy there. Words can not describe how exciting it was to watch the dolphins swim in the sea only about 10 feet from the shore and it is definitely my top wild animal to be found in Scotland.

The Mealt falls in the Isle of Skye also is another location to see dolphins as it turned out. While we were at the waterfall, we spotted dolphins swimming but not as close as in Chanonry point. The final location we were hoping to see them was on a boat tour we took from the Isle of Mull as they had seen lots of them near the Isle of Staffa even the day before, however unfortunate weather conditions meant that they had moved on.

Seals in Treshnish Islands, Isle of Mull

Watching grey seals swimming in the sea was a such cute experience. You can see plenty of them on a boat trip from the Isle of Mull to the nearby islands. These grey seals are animals native to Scotland.

Salmons in Rogie Falls

The story of a salmons life cycle is a great life story on its own. They are born upstream in freshwater before swimming out to sea, when it is time for them to breed they swim thousands of kilometers back to where they were born. In the waterfall areas, you can and watch them jump constantly trying, again and again, to escape the river to get to their breeding location. Pitlochry dam is a great spot for this but it was closed when we went there due to Covid. The other famous location is Rogie Falls where we were lucky to watch the salmon jump. I kept tracking a salmon for quite a while and managed to get a clip of one actually succeeding to get to the top of the waterfall. Vow, Salmon has a lot of lessons to teach us about persistence and sacrifice. Do not miss watching this wild animal in Scotland on your trip.

Jellyfish at Achmelvich Beach

Jellyfish are everywhere on all the beaches so you will spot them easily if you look into the sea. I had never seen these big jellyfish before and in varying colors, so adding them in here for those who have not seen many.

Wild Animals in Scotland: Walkers

Stags on NC500 Route

You can spot stags in many places on the NC500 route, including Applecross, Torridon, Glencoe, and Fort William area. In Applecross, the stags were resting in a forest and I almost could not distinguish between their antlers and the tree branches. The amazing art of camouflage in play! Stags are widely found native wild animals in Scotland and don’t forget to interact with them if they are close by. Most of them were very tame.

Another joyful experience was finding a stag in a car park while we were on the road in Torridon, we found many other travelers around and feeding it. Though I love animals I have never had the opportunity to feed one before as I never had a pet. This was an amazing experience to see one very close, very tame, and friendly. See you never know when you come across a stag in this area. 

Deers in Glencoe and Fort William Area

Deer are relatively easy wild animals to find in Scotland if you kept an eye for them even (especially) when you are on the road. We spotted many of them crossing the roads and in the wild or mountains while we were driving especially in the Glencoe and Fort William area. You will also find these animals native to Scotland grazing in some private properties. I am sharing all pictures with places I spotted them. The Harry Potter Viaduct in Glenfinnan is actually located in a deer garden, so we were lucky to see one just before the viaduct too!

Sheeps in Scottish Highlands, and Sanna Bay

Sheep might be a familiar animal for many, but it was still a great experience to stroll around them and enjoy the diverse ones you come across on the roads, mountains, etc. A highlight of my trip included watching early morning traffic of sheep on the road guided by the sheepdog. It made me so happy to watch this and I was jumping out of excitement as I fondly recalled the nursery rhyme “Ba Ba Black Sheep”. These native animals rule the Scottish highlands and the roads many times.

Another most diverse wild animal experience in Scotland we had watching a duo of sheep, one white and one brown. These two spotted in the Sanna Bay area, we’re like best friends and they always moved around together. What an amazing duo, telling the message of diversity very loudly. This duo is my friend’s most favorite moment from the trip. 

Wild Goats in Isle of Kerrera, Scotland

Goats are also familiar domestic animals for most of us, but we spotted a Scottish wild goat very unique with this stellar beard in the Isle of Kerrera. While this one was seen resting over a rock, look at the other one inside the cave. This was also a very enjoyable moment.

Scottish Highland Cow/Coo in Ullapool and Torridon Area

Highland cows or Coos are special native Scottish animals. For me, they always looked grumpy and a bit not so friendly when I went near them. You can see them in the NC500 route especially in Ullapool and Torridon area.

Cows in Isle of Kerrera

Scotland’s cows are also very cute animals to be found in Scotland and come in various colors too. Here are some of my favorite shots including a calf we came across in the Isle of Kerrera. 

Horses in Scottish Mountains

You will see a lot of charming horses during a Scotland road trip too, most of them grazing with amazing backdrops of mountains. 

Wild Animals in Scotland: Flyers

Golden Eagle on Isle of Mull and around Duntulm Castle

Golden Eagle is spotted a lot in the northern hemisphere and you will be able to see them in Scotland. Golden Eagles are very unique, have a stylish shape, and look amazing when they stretch out feathers when they fly. 

We saw them flying around Duntulm Castle, the northern tip of Isle of Skye, and resting on a rock in the Isle of Mull.

Shags on the Isle of Mull

Shags rule the Scottish islands in my opinion, these animals are native to Scotland everywhere and actively trying to catch fish. You can see them swimming, walking and flying around all the time. Their long beaks make them very distinguished. I personally loved watching them dive while we were on a boat trip on the Isle of Mull. The first picture is more or less a little Shag island in the middle of the sea.

Pelican in Isle of Skye

This was a capture of the moment and a lucky one, as we got into habit of clicking any bird we see after we spotted the Eagle flying first in Isle of Skye. We believe it is a Pelican from a Google search, but would love to be corrected if any bird experts know better.

Kittiewake in Duncansby Stacks

The most romantic birds we saw in this area the Kittiwakes. It would have been Puffins if we were early enough to see them before they left Scotland.  You will see lots of Kittiewakes in the coves of Scotland. We saw a lot of them nesting in the Duncasby Stacks near John O Groats.

Starling at John’O Groats Coast

John O Groats coast has many starlings nesting in groups. I really love their polka dotted feathers.

Sparrows in Scottish Highlands

We also spotted many sparrows in many places and here are a few of my favourite shots!

Canadian Geese at Camas Nan Geall The Bay

On the way to Sanna bay we passed by Camas nan Geall where we came across a flock of Canadian Geese enjoying the sunshine and going for a swim.  

Dragon Flies at Dragonfly Trail

From the Glenfinnan visitor center there is a short walk called the Dragonfly trail which true to it’s name had lots of Dragonflies darting about for us to see. Here is a cute little one. 

Seagull, Scotland

We can’t finish a wildlife post not showing seagulls. They are the most common but still amusing. Here is a seagull taking off shot somewhere in Scotland.

Where to see the wild animals in Scotland I spotted during my trip?

For being familiar with the locations, I would recommend taking  a closer look at the  downloadable itinerary map on the road trip itinerary post to spot the locations. We saw the all wild animals in Scotland mentioned along the route covering NC500, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull and other islands. All the exact places are specified for all the listed animals found in Scotland along with their picture.

Pin This Post for Planning Your Scotland Exploration

Hitting the Scottish highlands has always been a dream bucket list item. I planned this 2 week Scotland road trip itinerary to the cover Scottish Highlands and nearby islands in August 2020, during covid lockdown restrictions. This ultimate Scottish highland road trip itinerary covers all the major parts of the Scottish highlands and North Coast 500 (NC500) in a week and some of the top islands and mountain regions in the mainland for another week.

Scotland Road Trip Planner

Planning this road trip was one of the most tedious itinerary planning I have ever done- largely because it is long, almost every stop throughout any route you pick is amazing and I wanted to see them all. To achieve this, I narrowed down the road trip route to take first and then came up with a complete itinerary plan, as shared below, with each itinerary item color-coded per day after reading many many blogs and consulting with travelers in my social media travel community. I am so grateful for everyone’s suggestions, as it was so helpful to make sure I covered as many classic bucket list items for a Scottish road trip.

Scotland Road Trip Planner: Top Things to Note

Scotland is part of the UK and vast but has got its main cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee in the South or Central lowlands. The northern highlands and islands which are very scenic are pretty remote.  The weather changes heavily and is extreme sometimes, hence careful planning is needed in terms of when to visit, where to stay, and even for driving if you are traveling internationally. Some of the top tips for a Scotland Road Trip to cover the Scottish Highlands are stated below.

Best Time to Visit Scotland especially for a Scenic Road Trip

The best time of the year for a road trip in Scotland aimed mainly at enjoying the scenery of highlands and enjoying the lochs will be the late Spring/Summertime between May and September. Late April will still be muddy and rainy and late may is the best. June, July, and August are the best time to visit but the busiest which makes finding parking lots and accommodations hard. Due to the popularity, it is much better to plan this trip thoroughly.

Autumn is pretty with the fall colors and winter is famous amongst tourists as well for stargazing and aurora chasing. Winter is best to avoid crowds and the scenery is pretty snowy. Your plan should really depend on which seasonal view are you aiming for. Ask me?  I plan to visit once in every season since I went there  

Driving in Scotland

As everywhere in the UK, driving is on the left-hand side of the road here and roads have roundabouts. If you are an international, you definitely want to learn about navigating roundabouts. Also, I would suggest for you be with an experienced driver and are narrow and can be challenging. You do want to take all the scenic routes for the best experience. If you are renting a car, make sure you take insurance.

When you are in Scottish highlands, the best accommodations to explore are the Bed&Breakfasts here to experience the local life. There are some amazing B&B’s to try available on all major booking sites, but for budget travelers, Airbnb comes with many B&B options too to stay with locals. Another experience not to miss here is to actually stay in a castle. There are luxurious to budget-friendly options for that. 

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The Ultimate Scottish Highlands Road Trip Itinerary: Overview

We planned our Scottish highland road trip itinerary dividing into two-week blocks. We covered the Northern Highlands and North Coast 500 route during our first week and then did the islands and the northern mainland around Fort William in the second week. Dividing this way helped us find accommodations easier and cheaper as we planned everything around two main cities together. Week 1 was mainly around the city of Inverness and Week 2 was around Fort Williams and Oban. 

I will add all these here, so that you can decide the leg of the journey and move it around based on accommodation, where you would like to stay more, how long is your duration, etc. High-level destinations are covered and the length is below.

• Week 1: Scottish Highlands & NC500
  • 2 days: Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, Lochness
  • 5 days:  North Coast 500 (NC500) – Isle of Skye
• Weekend:
  • 2 days: Isle of Skye
• Week 2: Scottish Highlands and Islands
  • 3 days: Fort William
  • 2 days: Oban, Isle of Mull, Staffa
• Weekend:
  • 2 days:Isle of Kerrera, Loch Lomond National Park

The following route map shows the high-level view of the road trip route we took over the two weeks. Note that I have visited Loch Lomond and Edinburgh in an earlier separate road trip, so this Scottish highland road trip itinerary starts to the north of the main Scottish cities locations mainly around Inverness and Scottish highlands.

Scotland Road Trip Week Maps

How to Use the Scotland Road Trip Route Map?

The screen arrow button on the top left shows you the different parts of the journey with a list of landmarks to cover. You can use the share button on the map to share the map with yourself.
You can also copy the map for your perusal by going large screen and then downloading it to your Google Maps and creating your personal copy including making updates.

Tip: View in large screen for better readability by clicking the full-screen button on the top right

Scotland Road Trip Map: Downloadable Map of Full Route Taken

Scotland Road Trip Itinerary Map: Downloadable Itinerary of Week 1

Scotland Road Trip Itinerary Map: Downloadable Itinerary of Week 2

Scottish Highlands Road Trip Itinerary: Week 1

Day 1: Inverness, Scotland

The journey started from England until Inverness for us, but you can also start from anywhere in the south of Scotland to start this journey. If you are flying internationally, you can fly to Glasgow/Edinburgh and get your rental vehicle there. This is not enough to fully see Cairngorms National Park, but we got a good afternoon exploring the main lochs here and a dinner at Aviemore. We aimed to reach Inverness this day as we found accommodations there. Another option is to stay in Aviemore and give more time to Cairngorms National Park and see Lochness before going to Inverness. Lochness needs a full day to enjoy it properly.

Top Experiences of Day-1 Scotland Road Trip

• Pitlochry : A cute village perfect for a staycation in Scotland famous for the Pitlochry Dam, and some old distilleries like the Blair Altholl Distillery. There are some nice nature walks, museums and many outdoor eateries to enjoy here making it perfect for a weekend staycation. 
• Cairngorms National Park: Cairngorms and Glenmore National forest is very famous among campers and outdoor lovers. We picked two fresh water Lochs for the day as we didnt intend to stay but wanted to add open water swimming to the road trip itinerary.
  • Loch Morlich is a water sport gem in Cairngorms very famous among families. We spent some time enjoying the scenery and watch folks kayaking etc. 
  • Loch Uaine is a hidden loch in this area which is actually very shallow and perfect for an outdoor swim. We enjoyed the walk through the forest to get here. We were too late here to actually try swimming, but totally recommend it for a swim or camping in a peaceful atmosphere.

Highlights of Day-1 Scotland Road Trip

• Pitlochry
• Loch Morlich

Where To Stay & Eat?

• Inverness
• Aviemore

Day 2: Fort Augustus, Scotland

We started the day in Inverness exploring major attractions in Inverness. One of the highlights was seeing dolphins from land in Chanonry point which is an unbeatable experience in Scotland not to miss.  After the dolphin-watching experience, we spent the afternoon taking a round trip drive around Lochness with stops in the Dores beach for a lunch picnic, and in Fort Augustus for a coffee. Lochness is also the best place to aim for a staycation as the Dores have water sports which reminded me of Europe and of course lots of outdoor excursions to take. The drive from Inverness to Fort Augustus is very scenic and our first encounter of the Scottish highlands is epic in this Scotland road trip. Unfortunately, Urquhart Castle was closed due to covid, so we just got a sneak peek. 

Top experiences of Day-2 Scotland Road Trip

• Inverness Castle : A castle with the city view and very unique structure.
• Inverness Chanonry Point: One of the top places in the world to see dolphins swim from the land.
• Fairy Glen: A waterfall walk 
• Lochness Drive: Best in this area with beaches, highlands and castles on the way. Don’t miss it!
• Fort Augustus: Has the canal staircase system, try to aim to watch how boats cross this staircase if you can.
• Urquhart Castle: A castle with a view. You can see it from both sides of the Lochness if you are taking a round trip.

Highlights of Day-1 Scotland Road Trip

• Land watching dolphins in Inverness and the drive around Lochness

READ: Dolphin Watching in Chanonry Point

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Inverness
• Lochness Towns

Day 3: Wick, Scotland

We started the Scotland Road Trip 500 along the North Coat 500 route from Inverness and covered up until Wick. You can see one of the best castles in Scotland, Dunrobin Castle on this route which is worth a stroll. Whaligoe steps are another landscape in this route to not miss.

READ: Best Castles to visit in Scotland

Top experiences of Day-3 Scotland Road Trip

• Rogie Falls: This waterfall river has a unique experience to offer in summer. You can watch Salmons jumping to get back to its birth place. 
• Black Rock Gorge: This gorge is on the way, but we missed it
• Durobin Castle: This is a giant castle with a stunning garden overlooking the sea. Dont miss it and it is worth paying for.
• Camster Cairns: We missed this too as we spent a lot of time at the castle
• Whaligoe Steps: These steps to get to the sea is very unique. The landscape is huge with coves around. Fisher women used to climb these a stairs up and down in the olden daya. I was done doing this once, it is pretty much a workout but the view ia amazing. There is a cave below where you can take boat tours. This was closed due to covid so we could not experience this.
• Wick: This little town is a perfect place to stay or eat in this route. It has a large super market.

Highlights of Day-3 Scotland Road Trip

• Whaligoe Cove Steps

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Wick
• John’O Groats

Day 4: John’O Groats, Scotland

We continued the journey along the North Coast 500 route from Wick until Tongue covering the Northern tip of mainland UK called John-O-Groats. You can take a ferry from here to the Orkney Islands which is very famous for its castles, wildlife tours in this area. The Orkney Islands are also one of the best places to see the Northern lights in winter. We skipped Orkney islands during this Scotland road trip, but you could plan a day into Orkney and even stay there.

Top experiences of Day-4 Scotland Road Trip

• Ebenezer Place: Smallest street in the world located in Wick
• Duncansby Stacks :  The stacks here is massive and gives a glimpse of the Game of Thrones like landmarks in Scotland. If you are lucky you can see puffins here in July/August time. We didnt see any but I had such a grand experience of sheep traffic here.
• Dunnet Head/John o Groats: Lovely small town with a picturesque view and very iconic landmark as this is the Northern tip of the UK. What not to miss here is the Fish and Chips truck, which is one of the best I have veer had in the UK
• Thurso: Thurso is a popular town in this route famous among surfers with high Surfing waves. There are many options for accommodation here.
• Dunreay Nuclear research centre: This is a landmark marked as a photo stop but we missed it.
• Coldbackie beach: This is the first sand beach we saw in the route, fully occupied by campers and some great seafood. We didnt have time to enjoy here but worth adding more time if you love beaches.

Highlights of Day-4 Scotland Road Trip

• Duncansby Stack

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Thurso
• Tongue
• Durness

Day 5: Smoo Cave, Durness in Sutherland, Highland, Scotland

We explored the North and East of the North Coast 500 this day. Smoo Cave is pretty unique and the drive around Lochinver is one of my most favorites in NC500.

Top Experiences of Day-5 Scotland Road Trip

• Smoo cave in Durness: A cave formation with a scenic view. Entry fee is 4 pounds and it is worth to pay.
• Choco Mountain: Very famous chocolate factory in the highlands and here you can taste their fresh produce. The hot chocolates and truffles here are not to miss. 
• Sango Sands beach: A very nice beach in this area with white sand, perfect for a picnic but cant be droven into. It is about 5 miles walk from the car park and hence we didnt make it. If you would like a beach day out, you could add more time here. Our main issue was not able to find accommodation around Durness.
• B869 drive: This route along clashnessie, Clachtoll, Achmelvich beaches is a must route not to miss in your NC500 roadtrip.
• Lochinver: One of the best routes in NC500 and the bridge here is stunning. The Peers restaurant here is famous or get a pie from Lochinver Larder. This village is one of the prettiest towns for a staycation in Scotland too.
• Loch Assynt drive by  Ardvreck castle: This is a nice scenic drive, castle not so sure

Highlights of Day-5 Scotland Road Trip

• Lochinver Drive

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Durness
• Lochinver
• Ullapool

Day 6: North Coast 500, Scotland

We covered the northwestern side of the North Coast 500 route this day. This was a very rainy day and hence we took it easy and covered little on the list, but here are the top stops planned for your reference.

Top Experiences of Day-6 Scotland Road Trip

• Ardessie Falls –  Located at Garve IV23 2QY on roadside as entering Ardessie village.
• Mellon Udrigle beach: White sand beach for a non-rainy day.
• Gairloch Charlestown: You can take whale watching boat tours from here.

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Ullapool
• Torridon

Day 7: Scenic Villages in Scotland

We covered the southwestern side of the North Coast 500 route this day, which is one of the best parts of the NC500 route. It covers some of the best scenic villages in Scotland and routes of NC500 that, if you don’t have time to go up North, you could just do this drive from Ullapool to experience a great portion of NC500. Beach Na Ba drive is splendid with great views of the Skye and nearby islands.

Top Experiences of Day-7 Scotland Road Trip

• Glen Torridon drive through to Shieldaig:  Torridon  is a picturesque village and this route is very scenic. This area is perfect for a staycation, and also to see wild animals native to Scotland.
• Baelach Na Ba Drive: One of the most prettiest and complex route to drive in the NC500. It is a very narrow route, so go via this route only if you have small sized vehicles. The view of Isle of Skye from here is amazing.
• Applecross: A tiny village by the coast, and charming. Dont forget to book the restaurant “Apple Inn” here beforehand.
• Ullapool: One of the bigger towns in the NC500, absolutely amazing for seafood. You will find lots of accommodation here and the harbour is very pretty.

READ: WILD ANIMALS IN SCOTLAND AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Highlights of Day-7 Scotland Road Trip

• Baelach Na Ba View

READ: Best scenic drives in the UK

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Apple Cross
• Torridon
• Ullapool

Scottish Highlands Road Trip Itinerary: Week 2

Day 8: Southern Route of NC500

We explored the southern route of NC500 enjoying the sun in Plockton and then drive up to the Isle of Skye in the evening. The Isle of Skye was so mystical when we got there but that view is amazing. 

Top Experiences of Day-8 Scotland Road Trip

• Plockton: One of the top scenic villages covered in many movies and famous for seafood.
• Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie: One of the best castles of Scotland located in the middle of a loch and has lots of history attached. It is worth paying to go in.
• Kyle of Lochalsh: A magical loch with lots of little island views and very mystical with a great view of Isle of Skye. Don’t forget to stop at the bridge to the Skye, the view is very good from the bridge. I have noted this place for a staycation too.
• Isle of skye – Portree: Capital city of Isle of Skye was pretty mystical and magical. This little town is like in the fairy tales with colored houses and a cute harbor. The shops here are so cute and attractive.
• Fairy Glen/Cullins: We took a drive to the Fairy Glen here, which is a bit of a walk and we were too late to get in the water pool but the drive in this area is very scenic and not to miss. You will get a great view of the Cullin Hills. 

READ: Best Scottish Highland Towns to Visit in Summer

Highlights of Day-8 Scotland Road Trip

• Enjoying the fresh seafood at Plockton and Isle of Skye

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Plockton
• Kyle of Lochalsh
• Isle of Skye

Day 9: Portree Outing, Scotland

We explored the Isle of Skye taking a round of Skye which is pretty doable in a day. We only hiked the Old Man of Storr and Quaring and missed Elgol from the list. We could not make it as it was too far from the North and we only had a day. You need a day here ideally to take a boat trip to the most scenic loch in this area.

Top Experiences of Day-9 Scotland Road Trip

• Portree: The weather was better and we have been exploring Portree briefly again, this time not so mystical. Don’t miss visiting the Cafe Ariba in Portree, nice food and great view of the harbor. Portree is easily one of the top Scottish villages for a staycation.
• Old Man of Storr: We hiked up the Old Man of Storr, which is very near to Portree. The view is great on the top so be prepared to hike up for two hours
• Quarring: Most famous amongst the tourists for an easy hike!
• Uig: A harbor town in the Skye you can visit if you take a round in the Skye with pretty view.

Highlights of Day-9 Scotland Road Trip

• Old Man of Storr

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Portree
• Elgol

Day 10: Sanna Bay, Scotland

We explored the Sanna Bay the whole day driving from Fort William and back. This is a pretty beach, warm enough to try swimming and some great wildlife experience in this route. Mallaig was on the list too, but we could not make it. Another way to get to Mallaig is to catch the Harry Potter Jacobite train from Fort William.

Top Experiences of Day-10 Scotland Road Trip

• Fort William
• Sanna Bay
• Mallaig

Highlights of Day-10 Scotland Road Trip

• Swimming in Sanna Bay Beach

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Fort William
• Mallaig

Day 11: Glencoe Region, Scotland

We explored the Glencoe region and Fort William area this day. Glen Etive where the James Bond movie Skyfall is shot is marvelous.

Top Experiences of Day-11 Scotland Road Trip

• Glencoe Valley
• Glen Etive
• Kinlochleven
• Ben Nevis

Highlights of Day-11 Scotland Road Trip

• Glen Etive Valley

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Fort William Region

Day 12: Glenfinnan, Scotland

This was a Harry Potter day exploring Glenfinnan and catching the Jacobite train. We headed off to Oban from here, which is the ferry capital city in this area from where you can catch ferries to almost any island.

Top Experiences of Day-12 Scotland Road Trip

• Glenfinnan
• Neptune’s Staircase
• Oban

Highlights of Day-12 Scotland Road Trip

• Watching the Jacobite Train

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Oban
• Fort William Region

Day 13: Tobermory, Scotland

We took a ferry to the Isle of Mull and also took a boat tour to Staffa and Fingals Cave.

Top Experiences of Day-13 Scotland Road Trip

• Isle of Mull- Tobermory
• Staffa
• Fingals Cave

Highlights of Day-13 Scotland Road Trip

• Staffa and Fingals Cave

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Oban
• Isle of Mull

Day 14: Isle of Kerrera, Scotland

We explored the Isle of Kerrera taking a ferry from Oban and then headed to the Inveraray area for the night as we were going to return to England the next day.

Top Experiences of Day-14 Scotland Road Trip

• Isle of Kerrera, Tea Garden, Oban

Highlights of Day-14 Scotland Road Trip

• Gylen Castle

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Oban
• Glasgow

Day 15: Inveraray, Scotland

We explored Inveraray which was a surprise visit for me as I had no clue how charming it was. We just had gone to see the castle. We stopped by the Falls in Loch Lomond and then took the famous Ballach route back to England. It was fun to see the village Luss which I have been to before on our way as well as say Hello to Edinburgh. 

Top Experiences of Day-15 Scotland Road Trip

• Inveraray Castle
• Inveraray Town
• Loch Lomond Falls of Falloch
• Balloch

READ: Best castles to visit in Scotland

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Loch Lomond
• Inveraray
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

READ: Best Scottish Highland Towns for a Staycation

Inveraray Village

That brings us to the end of this Scotland road trip exploring the Scottish highlands, NC500, and islands nearby.

Final Thoughts on 2 Week Scotland Road Trip

This epic Scotland road trip was a true mix of diverse experiences with scenic drives, mountains, lochs, wildlife spotting, island hopping, castles whatnot. I would go as far as singing “those were the best days of my life”. Hope you enjoyed it!  The plan worked very well for me covering all the highlights in these areas, landscapes, castles, islands, wildlife hunting you name it. As I traveled during the Covid situation, I was definitely nervous about this travel plan including being on the remote route in the middle of nowhere for long periods of time. But everything came together very well, including the journey, the stays, and the food options. I am thrilled to share my itinerary here and subscribe to my blog for upcoming journey highlights, tips, guides, etc.

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Pin This Scotland Road Trip Itinerary to Plan Your Scottish Adventures

Road Trip to Castles in Scotland

All the below castles listed were visited during a two weeks road trip to the Scottish highlands covering the north of Scotland, NC500, and islands. Here is the full Scotland road trip itinerary that shows the route taken to visit the best castles to visit during your Scotland road trip adventures.

1- Inveraray Castle, Scotland

This iconic castle is located in one of my favorite Scottish highland towns, Inveraray in Argyll. The Inveraray Castle exterior is amazing and I love the greenish color that blends well with the garden. We visited during Covid19 the time, so we did not go inside the castle due to restrictions. The Entry fee is £12.50 for an adult if you buy the ticket on the spot, but you can save a pound if you book online.

Inveraray Castle gardens are sometimes mentioned as the best garden in Scotland. I do wish to go back again and see the garden and interiors for myself. For now, I managed to get a shot climbing upon the gate of the castle

2- Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most visited castles in Scotland and is famous for its strength as it survived many attacks. It has a remarkable place in Scotland’s history which you can find out in this amazing Netflix documentary which I found very interesting. Find details about visiting the castle here. While I was visiting I did not go inside the castle, I only admired it from the outside.

The castle square is pretty amazing with this spectacular view of old architecture. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our time here and did some fun yoga photoshoots not paying attention to the crowds staring at us.

Click Here for a Complete Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

3- Dunrobin Castle, NC500, Scotland

One of the major highlights of the NC500 East coast route is Dunrobin Castle and its garden, it is just spectacular and is known as a jewel of the highlands. Pictures will definitely speak for the jewel reference. Entry to the castle costs £11  for adults, but note that they open the garden free for the public at 5 pm.

Dunrobin Castle Garden is definitely one of the prettiest I have been to with amazing layouts, flowers, and berries. The back gate of the garden opens to the sea. 

This castle, garden, and their pictures deserve a blog on its own. I am sharing only a few. here and I feel like a spring visit here would be outstanding.

4- Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

Yet another famous castle on the west coast of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle, is a half an hour drive from Kyle of Lochalsh, in a village called Dornie. There is an amazing viewpoint here. I was lucky to see the castle both during the daytime and nighttime. The Scottish flag flies high here and I loved the ambiance during my visit. I did not go inside, but you can plan your visit and find information here.

5- Balloch Castle, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

Balloch Castle in Loch Lomond is in a free country park and has an amazing walk here. There is a walled garden in the castle which is stunning.

6- Inverness Castle, Scotland

Inverness Castle is located just in the city overlooking the River Ness. The building is distinctive, pretty, and built out of red sandstone. The Inverness Castle Viewpoint offers amazing 360° views of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands.

7- Strome Castle, Loch Carron, Scotland

Strome Castle is a ruined little castle overlooking Loch Carron and I came across this castle as it popped up on my map while I was navigating to the accommodation in this area during my road trip but was a pleasant surprise.

Watching the sun setting upon the Isle of Skye from here is one of the best sunsets I have seen in my life. I would totally recommend going here for sunset if you stay somewhere around Loch Carron.

8- Gylen Castle, Isle of Kerrera, Scotland

The Isle of Kerrera, a tiny island near Oban, hosts Gylen castle in its south end from which you can see across to the Isle of Mull. You can take a 5 minutes Ferry from Oban to this island and it is a one-and-a-half-hour walk to the castle. Walking to this castle is a relaxing peaceful experience with just the noises of wildlife as a soundtrack.

9- Urquhart Castle, Lochness, Scotland

Urquhart Castle is one of the famous Scottish Castles along the banks of Loch Ness. You can see it from the opposite side when you drive southwards from Inverness towards Fort Augustus, another scenic town in Scotland. Unfortunately, we could not see the castle up close as it was closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions, during our visit.

10- Duntulm Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

In the north of Isle of Skye, Duntulm has this ruined castle. The coast here is very pretty, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, we could not enter the castle. This region has some of the amazing wild animals in Scotland and we were fortunate to see Golden Eagle flying over the castle during the trip.

Recommending all these castles to visit in Scotland for your Scotland Bucket List. If you have already been to Scotland, let me know your recommendations for more castles!

Planning a Trip to Scotland ?

If you want to plan a getaway to Scotland including these castles to visit in Scotland, here is the itinerary I followed pinned on a downloadable map. Don’t forget to pin for future references. Find pinnable images below.

Pin The Scottish Castles to Plan Your Visit

Planning a trip to Scotland?

Related Reading: Scotland Road trip itinerary I followed for a two-week road trip that covered all the scenic towns below.

Scenic Scottish Highland Towns to Visit and Explore in Scotland

1- Portree, Isle of Skye

Portree, the capital of Isle of Skye is a pretty romantic little town filled with cute houses and shops. The charming theme of this town catches your attention as soon as you enter. The colorful harbor is filled with boats including some old boats giving it an old setting look at the same time. This amazing Scottish town has some really cute shops making the shopping opportunity here very unique and it is a hub for other entertainment like music, theatre, movies, etc.

Staying at Portree offers many outdoor options to discover nearby. Skye is a heaven for mountaineers as with a wide range of mountains and trails to explore- Treshnish to the North which has the Old Man of Storr and the Cuillins in the Center and the South. 

2- Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Tobermory, one of the busiest towns on the Isle of Mull, is another picturesque Scottish village that has the Arctic ambiance as you see similar colored houses as you see in the bays of Sweden and Norway. Tobermory harbor is bigger and has so many types of colored houses that look like a lego themed island.

From Tobermory, you can catch boats and ferries to a series of islands in the sea formed by volcano lava and hunt for some sea wildlife. Whales, dolphins, sharks, seals, puffins; the list goes on depending on the time you visit. We saw some seals and birds during our journey but were not lucky to see whales or dolphins, which we saw earlier during the trip in Inverness. If you love animals like me, you can read this blog on wildlife spotted in Scotland and where to see them.

3- Oban

Oban is a pretty and relatively one of the largest Scottish highland towns in the southwest of Scotland but in my opinion, one of the top Scotland towns to visit and stay at. It is an amazing busy town with lots of nice architecture and is known as a seafood capital for food lovers out there. What makes it the best spot to stay at is it being a ferry hub to catch a ride to most of the islands around here. It is a 45 minutes ferry ride from Oban to Mull and a 5 minutes ride to the Isle of Kerrera. If you don’t know about Scottish islands, here is a good start. 

During my two-week road trip to Scotland, I only took two island trips due to time limitations and covid restrictions, which made finding tickets more difficult. I have become an island fan from this experience and have marked Oban as a place to go back and explore further in the future. 

4- Torridon

I would call Torridon one of the most scenic Scottish Highland Towns in the NC500 route with amazing landscape and scenery. The picture says it all

If you do not have the budget or time to do the entire NC500 route just going to Torridon and around Applecross will give you a good taste of the scenery Scottish highlands towns has to offer. I also spotted many native wild animals in Scotland driving around here.

5- Plockton, Lochalsh

Plockton is my favorite village in Scotland that I could even see myself retiring here. It is frequently referred to as the “Jewel of the Highlands”. With a scenic Loch Carron view, some tiny islands, and stunning houses or cottages, it is a perfect setting for a staycation. Many many movies are shot here and I can see why. I would love to go back and stay there for a week reading some of my favorite books or maybe write one  

The seafood here is the most amazing I have ever had in my life, don’t miss the crab and the linguistics. Furthermore,  the restaurant I ate at, Plockton Hotel,  had one of the best services I have ever experienced. If you are looking for an authentic Scottish experience and a tranquil Scottish village to stay for a holiday, go to Plockton!  Kyle of Lochalsh, another amazing location, and the Eilean Doan Castle,  is very nearby and all the places around Loch Carron will provide you with amazing views of islands including Skye. 

6- Kinlochleven, Glencoe

Glencoe near Fort Williams is a popular outdoor destination among Scottish Villages with a mountain resort and has many famous walking trails. It is located in the banks of Loch Leven and a famous Glen, the road is actually passing through an old volcano. The drive via this region is definitely one of the scenic most for a reason. Kinlochleven is a small Scottish village at the end of Loch Leven at the foot of stunning mountains with epic scenery along the route.

7- Fort Augustus, Loch Ness

Fort Augustus is in the south of Loch Ness, one of the scenic Lochs in Scotland. This is a famous town with a Lock (read boat staircase) that lets boats in the canal  travel upstream. The shops here are very cute too and it is a romantic place to stop by or stay at. This Scotland town is very popular among cyclists and walkers. 

Invermoriston in a scenic little village near Fort Augustus that hosts Invermoriston falls and this very old bridge supporting the main road. On one side of the road there is a short walk to another old bridge where this picture was shot from, and the other has has a trail to a little summer house, as seen under the bridge in the picture above, which has a great view of the two bridges. Don’t miss this tiny Scotland village  walk if you visit.

8- Inveraray, Loch Lomond

Inveraray is a pretty town overlooking Loch Fyne with a lot of character making it so special and unique. I actually went there to see the famous Inveraray castle not knowing how splendid a town it was. With an epic black and white theme, this town is designed with careful planning and all the shops have a theme to them. The scenic loch view is breathtaking with a stunning bridge. This town also has a lot of history attached to it including a 19th century prison called the Inveraray Jail.

9- Pitlochry, Perthshire

Pitlochry is another one of the prettiest Scotland villages which actually has the charm of Europe to it. The cafes here reminded me of Italy and California. The village hosts multiple distilleries nearby including Blair Athol and Edradour and is very picturesque. There is also Pitlochry Dam which is well known for its Salmon ladder, specifically designed to allow Salmon to make their way past the dam, but it was closed to due to Covid restrictions during our visit, however we were lucky to still spot salmons jumping to escape during the trip at Rogie waterfalls.

10- Luss, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Luss is my most favorite Scottish village in Loch Lomond for its charming houses. The ambience of the shops and houses here is magical and you would love a walk through the village down to its pier here. 

The drive from Luss to Balloch is pretty scenic and the mountains here are great for a hike. I have been to Luss twice and I totally recommend it if you visit this area. Unfortunately I have lost some of my pictures taken in Luss, so you can find some better pictures here.

I hope you found the top ten towns to visit and explore in Scotland interesting. I would certainly recommend these places to be added onto your Scotland Bucket List. If you have already been there, let me know your ranking and do suggest places I missed out.

Planning a Trip to Scotland?

If you want to plan a getaway to Scotland including these places, here is the Scotland Road Trip itinerary I followed pinned on a downloadable map. You can easily find all the highlights around a location in the map. Don’t forget to pin for future reference!

Pin the Top Scottish Highland Towns!

Where to Watch Dolphins in Scotland

• Moray Firth, Inverness
• North Kessock Village, Inverness
• Spey Bey Dolphin centre, Inverness
• Chanonry Point, Inverness
• Cromarty Firth- watch from the Cromarty bridge
• Aberdeen Harbour
• Staffa / Isle of Mull
• Isle of Skye (Mealt Falls)

Dolphins can be seen from the Scotland mainland as well as by taking boat tours both in Moray Firth and in the islands of Scotland. I recommend the land experience if you don’t want to spend money on a boat tour. It is not only very budget-friendly but purely an extraordinary experience.

Dolphin Watching in Scotland from Land

Out of all the top places listed above, the locations near Inverness are where you can see the dolphins swimming from the land. The Black Isle sea around Moray Firth, the east coast of Scotland, has lots of bottlenose dolphins, where you can watch the dolphins swimming and playing just from the shore, 10 meters in front of you.

Dolphin watching Boat Tours in Moray Firth and Islands

Islands where you can see dolphins include Isle of Mull and Isle of Skye. In these regions, you can take boat tours to see dolphins swim in the sea. Moray Firth in Inverness also offers boat tours for dolphin watching.

• Dolphin Watching Trip in Moray Firth : Dolphin spirit is a famour tour in this area
• Dolphin & Whale Watching in Scottish Highlands
• Black Isle Day Tour

Best Time To See Dolphins in Scotland

The best time to see dolphins in Scotland is the summertime from the end of May until September, though dolphins are here throughout the year. Best time of the day to see dolphins are in the low tide time in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. It is best to check the tide time of the day you are visiting to increase your chances of seeing the dolphins.

Dolphin Watching in Inverness, Scotland

Inverness is a perfect base to plan your dolphin-watching adventure in Scotland. Located in the starting point of the famous North Coast 500 route, this town has a lot of attractions to offer like the Inverness castle and many scenic drives including around Loch Ness. Most of the land watching spots for dolphins are located in this area. Many of these locations are within 1-hour walking distance within the Inverness city center.

In Chanonry Point in Fortrose and in the North Kessock village, you will find lots of photographers and locals waiting for few hours at the beach around the tide time to capture the dolphins. Bring your binoculars and tripods during your trip.

Map of Inverness, City in Scottish Highlands

If you would like to get hold of a map of Inverness, you can download it from the 4umaps. com.

READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands

Dolphin Watching at Chanonry Point Inverness

Chanonry Point is one of the most popular spots in Inverness to see the dolphins swim from the land. Land watching dolphins is a prime activity here. Chanonry Point has a lighthouse and is popular for lots of sea activities for example kayaking, sailing, etc. You can also take your water sports equipment and head out into the sea to see the dolphins up close to here. It is perfect for families to take kids and pets here and they can play at the beach, watch the sea and ships while waiting for the dolphins. Chanonry Point is located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle and has its own car park. You should not miss the perfect chance to see the dolphins here – One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience.

Best Time to See Dolphins in Chanonry Point

Dolphins in Chanonry point appear around the rising tide time and the best time to see them is 1 hour after the low tide time. One can check the tide time for a given day on WillyWeather and time your visit to 1 hour afterward. I would recommend getting there early to make sure to get a parking spot, we were so lucky to have gotten the last spot.

Checking the Tide Times for Dolphin Watching

On the willyweather website, you can enter the region and find the tide times as in the screenshot below. Look for the low tide time in this area and then aim to get to Chanonry point around 1 hour after.

Planning and Reaching Chanonry Point

We checked the WillyWeather site before the night for the low tide time and reached the point at about 10 am when the low tide time was marked 9 am. We were traveling by car as we were on a road trip and initially when we arrived it was disheartening as all the parking spots were taken, but then a couple left and we managed to get a space.

Top Tip: Go early to secure a parking spot, this is a free experience in demand.

Public Transport to Chanonry Point: Dolphin Shuttle Bus

If you don’t want to be bothered about parking or are not visiting by car, or don’t want to walk far, you can take a Dolphin shuttle bus to Chanonry point.

Chanonry Point Coast: Lighthouse and Beach

Chanonry Point is a great place to hang out in Scotland with lots of water sports activities ongoing and a stunning lighthouse. We first roamed around the lighthouse, where you will also see lots of folks reading a book and having brunch. It is a great idea to grab a bite here by the sea.

READ: Best Scottish Towns and Villages

There are plenty of sea activities here with multiple ships and yachts sailing by and there were also folks enjoying a kayak here. A great way to keep entertained is by waiting for dolphins to arrive.

This below ship when emerged which reminded me of many stories including the Norwegian Vikings, Copenhagen, Portugal, and even India.

Chanonry Point Dolphin Watching Experience

After waiting for almost two hours, we started to see dolphins appear.

Vow, the excitement was real and almost felt like seeing the whales when they were far away, but as promised they came really close to the land in their pods. This is an unbeatable experience to see dolphins swim so close to you, playing and throwing salmon fish around. They were swimming close by for over 1 hour while we were there and we had to leave to see other attractions but trust me, I wished I could just watch them all day.

The weather was really bad and windy, and I still curse myself for not taking an action camera with me as getting stable footage was nearly impossible. Here is a simple video we compiled with all our footage. It is a bit long, but we have managed to catch the dolphins throwing the fish in this video.

Top Tips for Dolphin Watching in Scotland

• Check Tide Time: Check the tide time and go this is really important to go close to a time when dolphins appear.
• Photography: Carry a tripod, binocular and a zoom lens. Set your camera and be ready to click some amazing shots. GoPro or any other action camera will be great to get some action shots here both the dolphins when they arrive as well as the water sports etc.
• Be Patient: If you have gone in the specified time after checking for the time of low tide, there is a big chance you will see them. Going at the right time is important and then not giving up too. I saw lot of folks waiting for only half an hour before leaving and missing their chance to see which it is a shame.
• Dress appropriately: It can be pretty windy and cold, so it’s best to go all prepared in windcheaters etc. so that you can stay longer without being frustrated.
• Go with food or other things to do at the beach to not give up easily as you might end up waiting for 1-2 hours. Trust me it is worth it, so why not turn it into a picnic and plan a meal there.
• Bring your kids: If you got kids, they will be more than thrilled to have this experience. The big me, was jumping up and down watching the dolphins swim. I almost thought my kids are getting a treat in Scotland one day

Types of Dolphins in Scotland

Some of the popular Dolphin species to see in Scotland include:

• Bottlenose dolphin
• Orca (killer whale)
• Minke whale
• Risso’s dolphin
• Common dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins are the most popular native wild animals to see in Scotland, these are almost 5 meters in length and are grey in color. They are always found in groups called dolphin pods and are renowned for being playful. These dolphins are hence the fattest in the world as they have extra fat to help them survive the cold. Though the water is cold here and dolphins usually prefer warm water, they are here for the Scottish Atlantic salmon. The North sea area of Scotland is filled with Salmon. You can see dolphins out during the tidal times as the salmon fish gets caught in tide and dolphins pods come to catch them. The most exciting sight is to see the dolphins throw the fish in the water. And you can see all that just from the land in some of these spots.

Other Things to do in Inverness

Inverness city has a lot of Scottish attractions and landmarks that are worth a visit. Some of my top recommendations include:

• Inverness Cathedral
• Inverness Castle : one of the best castles in Scotland
• Ness Islands
• Ness Walk

Inverness is also a major location for those who are aiming for their ultimate Scottish highland experience, seeing as many lochs, driving the scenic NC500 route, or even chasing some of the top Harry Potter destinations. For those who cannot drive, here are some of the top guided tours in this area:

• Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream
• Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle
• Loch Ness, Whiskey and Outlander Tour

Pin this post to plan your dolphin watching adventures!

If you are considering a trip to Scotland, and want to see salmon leaping in their natural habitat, then this article has some great information for you on where to see salmon leaping in Scotland. We have compiled the best places in to see Salmon Leaping in Scotland that offer a chance to witness these beautiful creatures jump out of water while they migrate upstream, a unique experience not to miss in your wildlife bucket list. Salmon leaping Scotland was one of the most memorable experiences in a two week road trip to Scottish highlands, which was filled with many wildlife encounters.

Best Places to See Salmon Leaping in Scotland

Top places to see salmon leaping in Scotland are scattered around the country- both salmon ladders as well as open waters.

1. Rogie Falls: Rogie falls near Inverness in the North, is an ideal spot in a river to watch salmon leaping up waterfall against heavy and very high waterfall. This is perfect stop for an NC500 road trip, and the waterfall is very near to the car park.
2. Pitlochry Dam: Pitlochry dam has a salmon fish ladder and there is a viewing room here for visitors to watch salmon leaping through the fish pass upstream. Pitlochry is one of the scenic towns in Scotland perfect for a staycation too and can be a day trip from Loch Lomond or Edinburgh.
3. Falls of Shin: Falls of Shin in the North of Scotland has a viewing area too to watch the salmons jump against the waterfall. The salmons are visible here from March until Autumn. another spot to catch during a NC500 road trip. There is a visitor centre here with spots to grab food/coffee as well.
4. Glen Tanar: Glen Tanar in Cairngorms National Park is another spot for watching salmon leap, by the river Tanar. Glen Tanar estate offers so many other Scottish activities in this area making it a perfect staycation spot. Glen Tanar is the closest from the Aberdeen area.
5. Hermitage: The Hermit woodland walk in Dunkeld is perfect treat in autumn with grand leaf peeping view and the waterfall here is a top spot for seeing salmons leap. This is in the north of Edinburgh and worth a day trip from Edinburgh with other attractions like the Beatrix Potter Garden around.
6. Philiphaugh Salmon Viewing Centre: This dedicated salmon viewing centre is in Selkrik in south east of Scotland closer to England Scottish borders. In this salmon viewing area by River Ettrick, you can watch not just the Atlantic salmon jump, but also kingfisher, heron, dippers, goosander and otters in spring and autumn months.

READ: Best Scottish Towns and Villages in Scotland

When visiting Scotland in the salmon season, be sure to go and visit one of these amazing places near your destination. This is an experience that will make you feel all warm inside when it succeeds just like this fish did! Bring your camera for a cool photo opportunity with this special catch.

Best Time to See Salmon Leaping in Scotland

The best time to view the salmon leaping in Scotland is from October and November. This is when they are migrating upstream, which makes for some incredible viewing opportunities. There are places where you can see them through Fall to Spring- from September to April. The best time of day to see salmons is generally early morning or early evening.

Watching Salmon Leaping in Rogie Falls, Scotland

Rogie Falls is one of the most popular destinations in Scotland during salmon leaping season. Rogie Falls is a popular black water river with an iconic suspension bridge, offering a scenic walk through the Abernethy forest. The falls are located on the River Rogie, attracts hikers and fishermen alike as well to enjoy its rugged scenery amid rolling hillsides covered by pine trees – all while exploring these beautiful waters!

Rogie Falls is very close to Inverness, Loch Ness, Ullapool and the NC500 route. You can travel here from any of these places or route. The falls is seen from a suspension bridge which is pretty spot and is easily walkable from the main parking spot.

Top Tip: Try to go as early as possible to find a spot in the parking lot as it can be filled easily.

In the summer of 2020, we visited the Rogie Falls during a road trip covering NC500 and Scottish highlands.

How to get to Rogie Falls?

From the parking lot, the walk way is a marked forest footpath with rocky terrain. As you get close to the falls, it’s easy to spot and can be viewed from a suspension bridge that is easily walkable. s. Follow the path marked in red and green and enjoy this adventurous walk through the forest, with some downhill and uphill, not that tiring. Walking here in the midst of the pine before reaching the falls, was enjoyable. You will spot the suspension bridge from where you can see the Falls.

READ: Ultimate Scotland Road Trip Itinerary for two weeks

Public Transport: If you are not driving you can take a bus between Ullapool and Invernes

Watching Salmon Leaping

We had to keep looking at the waterfalls for a while when we spotted the salmon leaping up against the waterfall. It was incredible to watch salmon trying again and again to jump high to cross the waterfall. If someone told you “Dont Give Up”, here is an example. We started capturing a shot for a while and didn’t succeed. Having a Zoom camera helps a lot to get the shot and you need quick actions shots.

Salmon Leaping Footage from Rogie Falls

When my friends tried to snap their wildlife photography techniques, I took the clever approach of filming a long video. My battery had been killing me so bad that it actually paid off in the end when I captured one. I kept shooting one minute videos and erasing them until I actually caught a shot of salmon jumping and salmon succeeding. You should have seen me celebrating then

Final Thoughts on Watching Salmon Leaping in Scotland

Scotland is the perfect place to see salmon. You’ve seen salmon jumping in the rivers and streams of Scotland, but have you ever seen them leaping up waterfalls? If not, we encourage you to check out some of these best places. The experience is sure to be exhilarating for both children and adults alike!

Other Scotland Experiences Not To Miss

• Dolphin Watching in Inverness, Scotland
• Wild Animals in Scotland and Where to Find Them
• Best Castles in Scotland

Scenic Drives in UK: Scotland

1. Scottish Highlands: Fort William Area

The Fort Williams and Loch Ness region has some of the best scenic routes in the central Scotland with some really cool bucket list adventures to check off like seeing some of the best castles in Scotland. If you can’t make it to the North Coast 500, also known as the NC500, which is the northern most and remote area of Scotland, then this is the route to plan for capturing the Scottish highland beauty. This trip is very suitable for families with many outdoor adventures possible and lots of accommodation available for a perfect Scotland Road Trip itinerary.

Route: You can take the route A83 to A82 from Loch Lomond/Edinburgh to Glencoe if you are travelling from the South.

Duration: 3 days – 1 week

Top Spots/Drives:

• Fort Williams : A major outdoor town with lot of things to do in and around with plenty of accommodation.
• Glencoe: Amazing drive and many scenic walks in this area. Try taking a detour to Kinlochleven when here.
• Glen Etive Drive: Don’t miss this renowned route for the most epic scenic route in Scotland where some scenes from the James Bond movies were shot.
• Ben Nevis: The highest mountain peak in the UK near Glencoe with a mountain resort. You can even skii here during the winter.
• Glenfinnan: This is the Harry Potter destination where you can see the viaduct from the movies and even the Jacobite train. There are some really scenic places to visit here.
• Lochness Drive: A drive around Loch Ness is one of the best scenic drives in this area with lot of stunning stops. Urquhart castle is in this route. I recommend waiting for summer timer before embarking on this drive.

2. North Coast 500 or NC500

The North Coast 500 route is a 500 mile route covering the entire of Northern Scotland starting from Inverness and then North via a coastal route via unique picturesque mountains roads and passes. This is definitely in the top 5 best road trip routes in the world and should be on the driving bucket list of all road trip lovers. This is the most scenic account of the Scottish highlands and a must item on your Scotland road trip itinerary, however this is a difficult remote route and hence maybe not suitable for families.

Route: Start from Inverness to travel counter clockwise and cover the east first or start from Inverness via Ullapool to visit the west coast first. I personally think west is more scenic than east, so I would recommend trying to cover the east quicker and allow more time to cover the west.

Duration: 5-7 days

Top Spots/Drives:

Here is a quick list of top spots in this area that I have short listed from my experience. I shall just mention the main experience as there is a lot to cover during this trip.

• Inverness: Dolphin watching from the land, Inverness castle. You can drive to Loch Ness from here too.
• Dunrobin Castle: A stunning castle facing the sea, worth paying to get in.
• John O Groats: The northern tip of Scotland and very scenic. Don’t miss the Duncansby stacks. You can go to Orkney islands from here.
• Durness: This route on NC500 is very scenic.
• Lochinver: Another very scenic route.
• Ullapool: Coastal town famous for seafood
• Loch Carron/Apple Cross: A tiny village with a scenic drive. Don’t miss the Baelach Na Ba driving route here when you go.
• Kyle of Lochalsh: A stunning small town from where you can see all the islands including the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull, I wish to revisit this place one day for a staycation.
• Eilean Donan Castle: One of the best castles in Scotland.

3. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is the closest national park to the main cities of Scotland- Glasgow and Edinburgh. This region is very scenic and outdoorsy with lots of hills and glens perfect for hiking opportunities, along with great options for trying water sports and a perfect location for a staycation. I have been here multiple times and it is perfect to visit during both spring and summer and there are some other pretty scenic Scottish villages that are worth visiting in this area for example Luss. Some of the drives like taking a round of Balloch drive definitely fits in the classic Scottish drive route and as a result you will spot many convertibles and luxurious cars in this area.

Duration: 2-3 days

Top Spots/Drives:

• Three Lochs Forest drive: 7 mile scenic drive covering three lochs- Loch Drunkie, Lochan Reòidhte and Loch Achray.
• 26 miles Loop drive from Port of Menteith to Callander via Aberfoyle and Brig o’ Turk
• 22 miles along the A85 between Callander and Killin passing Loch Lubhnaig. You will pass the Glen Ogle viaduct and Falls of Dochart
• Balloch Drive: Take loop from Balloch, Firkin Point and Balamana also visiting Arrochar

4. Aberdeen

Submitted by Victoria from Guide Your Travel

The area around Aberdeen in Scotland is stunningly beautiful and the perfect place for a road trip. Before you head north from the city make sure to make the quick 30-minute drive south to the little fishing village Stonehaven and the nearby Dunnottar Castle. This clifftop castle is an impressive location and perfect for taking pictures. Craigievar Castle is also located close to Aberdeen and known for its pink exterior. Definitely add this incredible historic place to your itinerary for your Scotland road trip. There are some beautiful hiking trails nearby perfect for exploring the area. Drive further inland until you hit the Cairngorms National Park. This area is fantastic for hiking, biking or even camping during the summer. Admire the impressive mountain ranges and stop by Braemar, a beautiful little town.

Image by Nigel Scott from Pixabay

Once you’ve had enough of the mountains and rolling hills head north up the coast of Scotland and stop in Peterhead and Fraserburgh. These pretty coastal towns are just like you’d imagine Scotland to be and the best spot to get some fish and chips and enjoy the beautiful views. Elgin is also worth a stop before you finally reach Inverness. This is the largest city (or large town) in northern Scotland before you reach the Highlands. Visit here for traditional haggis, Scotland’s most famous dish and of course a whisky tasting. 

Duration: 3 days – 1 week

Top Spots:

• 30-minute drive south to the little fishing village Stonehaven and the nearby Dunnottar Castle
• Craigievar Castle
• Braemar, a beautiful little town
• Peterhead
• Fraserburgh
• Elgin

Scenic Drives in UK: Scottish Islands

5. Isle of Mull

Submitted by Anuradha from Country Hopping Couple 

If you are looking for an offbeat location and one that is packed with plenty of interesting adventures like seeing native wild animals in Scotland, Isle of Mull is the place to be. A compact island located on the western coast of Scotland, Isle of Mull makes for a fantastic road trip. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a longer holiday destination, there are an array of interesting things to do on Isle of Mull. The island is known for its exemplary landscape, pristine beaches, ample wildlife adventures and quaint villages.  

READ: Scenic Scottish Highland Towns to Visit in Summer

The easiest way to reach Isle of Mull is by taking a 45 minute ferry from Oban, which takes you to Craignure port. Begin your road trip from Craignure and drive to Ross of Mull, where you can dip your feet in the waters of Fionnphort. Next up, drive to Ben More, largest and only munro (Scottish mountain with a height over 3000 ft)  in Isle of Mull.  If you are a mountain lover, don’t miss the chance to hike up Ben More to enjoy the sweeping views of surrounding mountains and the coast. Calgary Bay, in the north west of Isle of Mull is home to powder sandy beach that is worth visiting. You can also take the 2 mile Sculpture trail in Calgary that takes you through woodlands.  Explore Tobermory, the capital town, known for colourful buildings on the promenade, buzzing cafes and a destination in itself with lot of happening things to do. Tobermory is one of the top scenic towns in Scotland you must visit.

Duration: 2-3 days

Top Spots:

• Ross of Mull
• Be More
• Calgary Bay
• Tobermory

6. Isle of Skye

Submitted by Rachel and Nico from the Average Lives

One of the best road trips in the UK is the magical natural wonderland that is the Isle of Skye. It is located on the West Coast of Scotland and is the most accessible Scottish Isle for a road trip. There are so many exciting things to see and do on Skye and to see the best of the best you should follow this Isle of Skye itinerary.

For your first day, you could begin in Portree, explore the harbour stock up on supplies and drive to hike up the Old Man of Storr, stopping at Bride’s Veil Waterfall viewpoint on the way. After the hike, you should go to the viewing platforms of Lealt Falls, Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls to see the mighty falls. Then you can hike the Quiraing, explore the Falls of Rha and hunt for fairies at The Fairy Glen. For day two, you could discover the west loop, swim in the cold clear waters at Coral Beach, step back in time at Dunvegan Castle, watch the sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse and then go on a Talisker Distillery tour. Finally, on day three, you could explore the magical Fairy Pools, Elgol and Spar Cave. Overall, this road trip is incredible, and you will discover how enchanting it is!

Duration: 2-3 days

Best time to Visit: The peak months are July and August, but to appreciate it without the crowds, mild weather and fewer midges, you should aim to go in October.

Top Spots:

• Portree
• Old Man of Storr
• Lealt Falls
• Mealt Falls
• Fairy Glen
• Fairy Pools
• Elgol
• Spar Cave

Scenic Drives in UK: England

7. Lake District National Park

The Lake District National Park is one of the top scenic drives in England and my most favourite. Every route is scenic here, so it is hard to pick just a few. There are so many hiking trails and scenic routes to experience. Driving regions around Keswick are very famous and a drive from here to Windermere is known to be very scenic. Below is a list of top stops and scenic routes to help plan your road trip. Almost all the routes in this area are going to be pretty scenic, so just start somewhere and let the roads and adventure unfold as you go.

Duration: 2-5 days

Top Spots to plan your route:

• Drive around Windermere lake and up North to Kirkstone Pass
• Drive to Ullswater
• Orrest Head walk
• Keswick
• Ambleside
• Buttermere
• Blencathra
• Highest peaks here: Skiddaw, Helvellyn
• Hardknott Pass A110 New Alpine Road

8. Cotswolds

Submitted by Joanna from The World In My Pocket

One of the most beautiful road trips that you can go on in England is to the Cotswolds. Here you will find some of the most beautiful villages in the entire country. The outstanding area of natural beauty of the Cotswolds is best explored by car, to give you freedom of stopping in as many villages as you want. A Cotswolds road trip can be as long as you want it to be, from a day trip from London, long weekend short stay or even a staycation for a week. You will never run of things to do and see in the Cotswolds.

There are several villages which should be visited as early as possible, due to their popularity with tourists. These are Castle Combe, Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter and Bibury. Some of them, such as Bibury and Lower Slaughter have very limited parking, another reason to visit either early in the morning or late in the evening.

It is highly recommended to stay overnight in one of the cute B&Bs or traditional small hotels in the villages. This way you can not only experience the warm hospitality but also the delicious locally sourced produce prepared in the tastiest meals by the local restaurants.

Some of the other villages that you can’t miss when you visit the Cotswolds are Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Painswick and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Duration: 2-5 days

Top Spots:

• Castle Combe
• Bourton-on-the-Water
• Lower Slaughter and
• Bibury

9. Devon

Submitted by Kat from Wandering Bird

Devon is one of the best places to visit in England. There’s so much to see and explore. If you only have a week or less, choose your Devon road trip route carefully and concentrate on either the north or south. 

Image by Roman Grac from Pixabay

North Devon is an unexpected treat, with some wonderful bays, beaches harbours to explore. You’ll find the best surfing waves here, as well as some quieter beaches with golden sand and play areas for kids. Don’t miss getting fish and chips from Squires in Braunton- it’s been voted best in the country.

South Devon is less wild, with plenty of coves and sandy beaches of its own. Dartmouth is worth the effort of getting there, as is the pretty harbour of Salcombe. Take a river cruise or rent a small boat for the day. Don’t miss the Dartmouth steam train. The route goes all the way up to Paignton and you can ride up and back in just a couple of hours. It allows for beautiful views across the river and the surrounding countryside.

In the centre, you’ll find Dartmoor- the largest National Park in the south of England. This is the best place for hiking and nature- you’ll see many of the wild ponies which roam the moor. This is a great place to take children- a lot of the moor is relatively flat and they can run, play (and chase ponies!) to their heart’s content.

Best time to visit Devon: Springtime, when the flowers are out- particularly the bluebells, or Autumn, as the leaves turn and the crowds from summer have gone home. 

Duration: 3-5 days

Top Spots:

• Dartmouth
• Dartmoor National Park

10. Cornwall

Editor’s pick

Cornwall county in the south west coast of England, is a popular destination for staycations and coastal road trips. The county is filled with attractions throughout and is also famous for family holidays with theme parks and wildlife experiences, amking it ideal for a road trip to Cornwall. The villages, castles and gardens here are famous for being the most beautiful places in England. Surfers, kayakers and beach lovers head out here in summer. If that is not enough Cornwall is also pretty popular amongst foodies, the Lost Gardens of Heligan is a mystery unveiled and finally Cornwall is also home to the Eden project, the world’s largest indoor rain forest, which is not to miss.

READ: A Perfect Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary

Image by topsy_toby98 from Pixabay

Duration: 3-8 days

Top Spots:

• Drive from St Ives to Sennen
• Drive from Newquay to Padstow
• Drive around Whitsand Bay -Cawsand and Kingsand villages
• The Roseland
• Boscastle to Bude
• Plymouth
• Penzance
• Minack Theatre
• Mevagissey
• St Nectan’s Glen
• Brown Willy

11. Brighton and Seven Sisters

Brighton is like the California of England. This southern city is pretty unique from rest of England with some quirky and colourful ambiance with an amazing coastline. The beaches and pier here really reminded me of California during my visit. One can easily do a road trip to Brighton from London and from there being in the south coast of England, you can either go west towards to Portsmouth or to the Seven sisters in the east. The seven sisters cliff in the south east of England is a pretty unique landscape and the coastal drive is very scenic and relaxing.

Duration: 2-5 days

Top Spots:

• Brighton pier
• Coastal drive from Brighton to South end on sea
• Nehaven
• Birling Gap
• Seven sisters

Scenic Drives in UK: Wales

12. Welsh Road Trip

Wales is a unique country to explore on it’s own just like Scotland is. Filled with mountains, national parks, castles and scenic routes, Wales also calls for a country wide road trip. Some top destinations and road trip can be done around Snowdonia, Pemborkshire Coast National Park, Swansea and Brecon Beacons National Park. Apart from these top destinations, here is the list of route or passes to aim for scenic drives in Wales.

Image by Roman Grac from Pixabay

Duration: 3-5 days

Top Spots:

• A4069 Black Mountain Pass
• The Abergwesyn Pass near Snowdonia
• Drive from Cardiff to Llandrillo
• Drive from Llandrillo to Llandudno
• Drive from Llandudno to Snowdonia
• Drive from Snowdonia to Aberdaron

Final Thoughts on Best Scenic Drives in UK

The United Kingdom has a lot to offer for road trips with signature views and cultural elements to explore. Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are dramatically different that you will notice the differences easily when you cross the borders. There are historic landmarks to see, cute villages to explore and coastal areas to discover throughout. The British countryside is very charming and different from the touristic London pictures you see mostly on media. There are tons of routes and passes to take in the country side of Britain. During your next visit to UK, don’t forget to embark on one of these scenic drives at least once to explore some of the unquie countryside charm of the UK. As we all still exploring, if you have your own recommendations, feel free to send me a message.- I’m always happy to grow the travel bucket.

Pin the Best Scenic Drives for your UK Road trips