My 7 Favorite Beautiful Scenic Drives in Scotland
Scotland is an amazing country for road trips.
There is so much gorgeous scenery along with some charming towns and villages.
So in this post I want to talk about some of my favorite scenic drives in Scotland.
And these routes are absolutely stunning!
Fort William through Glen Coe and the Rannoch Moor viewpoint
This is definitely an iconic scenic drive in Scotland.
Follow the A82 from Fort William along Loch Linnhe.
This part is fine — meaning the scenery is lovely just not spectacular.
But once you start heading east and hit North Ballachulish and go over the Loch Leven Bridge, the scenery turns up a bit.
As you drive further east, you’ll enter the village of Glen Coe and the visitor center.
And this is where the stunning scenery of Glen Coe makes your jaw drop.
Keep driving through this valley (glen) and you’ll agree that this is one beautiful scenic drive in Scotland not to be missed.
There are a couple of places to pull off to snap some pics.
And there are even parking areas where you can get out on a trail.
Just know that this is a super popular and thus busy destination especially on a good weather weekend.
As you come out of the narrow valley, be sure to stop and take in the beauty of Rannoch Moor.
The moor is not as dramatic as the peaks of Glen Coe, but it’s a surreal place of boggy, peaty land with wee lochans dotting it.
I love it!
Road to the Isles — Fort William to Mallaig
Another of my favorite beautiful scenic drives in Scotland that I’ve not driven completely but have been along this road via car part way.
I have taken the train from Fort William to Mallaig which can be another option.
The scenery along the A830 is gorgeous!
You start off along Loch Eil then as you come into Glenfinnan you get glimpses of Loch Shiel.
The next loch is Loch Eilt then a wee bit of Loch Ailort.
Yes, lots of lochs!
As you head further north and west you come to the sea loch, Loch Nan Uamh.
There are peaks inland to admire as well.
When you get to Morar you’ll definitely want to stop and walk along a beach.
The beaches along the Morar River, the Sands of Morar, are lovely.
But park and make the short walk to Camusdarach Beach which is simply stunning.
You may get some views over to the Isles of Eigg and Rum and north to Skye.
Making your way further north to Mallaig just enjoy the scenery.
Mallaig is the end of the line, but a fabulous place to stop for meal.
This is truly one of the most scenic drive in Scotland — and it’s not too long!
Balmoral or Ballater to Grantown-on-Spey via Tomintoul
I made this beautiful scenic drive in Scotland in 2023.
It was August but the weather was a bit dreich.
However, this drive is one of my favorites and it is magnificent.
At that time of year, the heather is in bloom so it makes the landscape pop.
This route takes you through the eastern part of Cairngorms National Park and through the mountains.
You’ll pass Lecht Ski Center so you’re at some elevation — at least by Scotland standards.
When you get to Tomintoul be sure to stop at the art installation that is just a wee bit past the town.
You can’t miss the parking area.
The art is cool and the views are spectacular.
Further along you’ll see part of the Glenlivet Estate.
This is a stunning drive, but one I’d recommend only in decent or good weather.
While my day was overcast and misty, it wasn’t horrible (as you can see from the images below).
This drive may not be possible in winter and if it’s one of those sideways rainy days, it may not be worth it as you won’t get the views.
Pitlochry to Braemar via Glenshee
One of the recent drives in Scotland I made was from the village of Blair Atholl — just north of Pitlochry — to Braemar.
I was fortunate to make this drive in August on a warm, sunny day.
And I was wowed by it.
As you begin out of Pitlochry, the scenery is beautiful.
In August the heather is in bloom.
When you drive even further toward Braemar, you’ll begin to get into the Glenshee valley which is magnificent.
Seriously.
As I got closer to this glen (valley) I was blown away.
I know it was because the heather was in full bloom and the sun was shining.
But this drive is now a favorite of mine.
The first part is just outside Cairngorms National Park.
Then as you get into Glenshee and then onto Braemar, you are within the park boundaries.
The drive from Pitlochry to Braemar is definitely one of the most scenic drives in Scotland.
Inverness to Gairloch to Ullapool to Lochinver
Ok.
This is a very specific drive.
And it’s part of the North Coast 500.
The piece from Inverness to Garve is not part of the North Coast 500.
And it’s an ok drive.
However, once you hit Garve and head toward Gairloch, the scenery is turned up a notch or 2.
The first glimpse of Loch Maree is breathtaking.
This inland loch is the 4th largest fresh water loch in Scotland.
It’s then onto Gairloch, Poolewe, Altbea and First Coast.
This piece of the route is dazzling.
I just love it!
You then hit Gruinard Bay and skirt along Little Loch Broom.
As you come to Corrieshallach Gorge, you’ll turn left onto the A835 toward Ullapool and along Loch Broom.
More impressive scenery!
Around Ardmair the road takes you inland but don’t worry, the landscape is amazing.
As you come to the village of Elphin you get into the Assynt region of these northern Highlands which is one of the most awesome parts of the North Coast 500.
Continuing north, you’ll take a left near Ardvreck Castle (ruins but definitely worthy of a stop as the location is mystical) to reach the lovely village of Lochinver.
I am such a fan of this route.
It’s an incredibly scenic drive in Scotland — especially for those wanting to get away from the crowds.
Lochinver to Ullapool via the “wee road”
So this is a tough one to explain because it’s really a wee road with a lot of single track.
But I made this drive in August of 2023 upon recommendations from the B&B owner at Davar Guesthouse and some other guests there.
It was amazing!
Again, make this drive on a decent to good weather day.
You drive south out of Lochinver toward Inverkirkaig.
There is some driving through valleys where you are surrounded by hills and some lower peaks.
It’s really beautiful.
You’ll drive along the water (the sea) as you come into Inverkirkaig.
Then you come back inland and along some inland lochs.
You’ll head back toward the sea as you drive south and then back inland again toward the settlement of Rhegreanoch.
Yup.
A bit back and forth between being along the sea and being inland.
Once again you skirt along some inlands lochs that are surrounded by peaks.
It’s just beautiful!
Continue driving south to Badnagyle where you make a sharp left.
It’s here that you’ll drive along Loch Bad a’ Ghaill and Loch Lurgainn and where you’ll gaze upon one of the northern Highlands most iconic peaks, Stac Pollaidh.
Be sure to stop as there are a few good spots for photos.
The road will take you back to the A835 around Drumrunie, just a bit north of Ullapool.
This route is the northern Highlands at its best and one of the most scenic drives in Scotland
Isle of Mull
Yes.
This is intentionally vague.
Because I would argue that any drive on Mull will classify as a scenic drive in Scotland.
Driving from the ferry port at Craignure to Dervaig?
Beautiful!
The short drive from Dervaig to Tobermory?
Gorgeous!
Driving from Dervaig all the way to Fionnphort to catch the ferry to Iona?
Stunning!
And I took the inland route in both directions through the mountains.
There are so many beautiful scenic drives on the Isle of Mull.
Heck there are so many scenic drives in Scotland.
The thing to remember with Mull is that the roads are single track.
There is only a small stretch of road that is 2 lanes.
So be prepared.
But the scenery is worth it.
So there are 7 gorgeous scenic drives in Scotland.
There are many many more.
But I wanted to share my top ones that really wowed me.
I might say that if you go south of Edinburgh and Glasgow you’ll find some awesome routes there as well.
As an honorable mention I’d offer up the drive through the valley where Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve is.
It’s a beautiful drive.
Do you have a favorite scenic drive in Scotland?
Let me know by posting it in the comments or sending me an email at lynne@wanderyourway.com
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