Scotland is a beautiful country with countless wonders to offer locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re a fellow Scot looking to explore somewhere new in your home country, or you’re a tourist looking to see what Scotland has to offer – there’s something for everyone.
So, here are a few of our top tips to help you have the perfect Scottish road trip.
Location, location, location
Up and down the expanse of this wonderful country is an endless list of places for you to visit. Whether you want to be at one with nature, or you want to live it up in one of our many large cities, there’s something for everyone.
Scotland has many road trip routes, and the most famous amongst them is the North Coast 500, known more commonly as the NC 500. This route is perfect for those looking to take a Scottish road trip as it’s one big round trip starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
With many, many stop-offs on the way in all sorts of places, you’ll see a lot of what Scotland has to offer in one trip.
Packing for the weather
Scotland is well known for its unpredictable weather patterns, with us Scots often joking that it’s not at all surprising to experience all four seasons in one day. So, when you’re packing for your trip, make sure you pack a little bit of everything.
If you’re visiting in the summer, this doesn’t mean there’s not a chance you might need a heavy jumper or your umbrella. Similarly, vising in the autumn or winter doesn’t mean you’re going to get the cold wind and rain either; you might be lucky enough to experience a heatwave.
So, make sure you pack properly and always be prepared!
Familiarise yourself with the area
If you’re not used to driving in Scotland, then it’s probably a good idea to familiarise yourself with the areas you’re visiting so you don’t get lost. Of course, you can always use a satnav if you need to, but Scotland is well-known for having lots of little backroads and shortcuts, so it can be easy to veer off the suggested track and get yourself lost.
Plus, getting familiar with the locations ahead of time will let you plan your trip better, making sure you don’t miss out on anything you would really want to see or do while you’re here.
Prepare your car for the journey
Lastly, make sure you prepare your car for the trip some of these road trips can be quite long, so you’ll be doing a lot of driving. We’re also known for having quite a lot of rocky terrain the further north you head, as well as a lot of country roads. Combine that with the (sometimes) bad weather, and you’re in for a real drive.
So, it’s a good idea to have your car serviced ahead of a long drive like a road trip, just to make sure everything is working as it should. The last thing you want is to have your car break down somewhere in the highlands if you don’t know the area well!
You might also want to consider buying or making up a car emergency kit in case you do break down, so you’re not left completely at a loss. This kit should include things like an ice scraper and de-icer (if you’re travelling during winter), a map, some fuel, torch, blankets and warm clothes, some water, and non-perishable snacks with long shelf life, a first-aid kit, some tools, jumper cables, etc.
Scotland is one of the best places for a road trip. There’s a never-ending list of things to see and do, as well as a rich culture to immerse yourself in. So, why not plan your perfect Scottish road trip today?
Source: ArticleCube
