Easy 3-Day Driving Tour of Scottish Highlands
See Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Castles, Coast, and Whisky Trail
May 23, 2009
The Highlands of Scotland can be toured in a comfortable three days, skirting around major cities, but visiting some small, quaint towns of great interest, and areas of scenic beauty. Here is a recommended loop, test-driven by the author. Travel is based on a 9 -5 day, but obviously this varies according to time spent along the way.
Overall Plan of 3-Day Scottish Highlands Self-Drive Tour
This tour starts at Glasgow and finishes at Edinburgh (or vice versa), two Scottish entry-points that have air, rail and coach connections with the rest of Britain.
Day One of Scottish Highlands Tour
Pick up hire car (or use own vehicle) in Glasgow and take the A82 out of town. Twenty miles from the city, the route skirts beautiful Loch Lomond. Make the conservation village of Luss a morning tea break.
Visit Luss and Loch Lomond
As traffic is restricted in the town, park in the large parking lot beside the loch and walk back into the village. Enjoy the beautifully tended cottage gardens and walk the pier out into Loch Lomond.
Continue to Tarbet, and take the A83 to the left.
Dine at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar
Continue 11 miles to Clachan at the head of Loch Fyne, where the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is a great place to lunch. This is the original of the restaurant chain, but remains in the hands of the employees. The seafood menu is far more extensive than oysters.
Visit Inverary and Inverary Castle
Inverary is a pretty town beside Loch Fyne and deserves more than a flying visit. The Inverary Jail or Inverary Castle and colourful gardens are recommended sites.
At Inverary , takes the A819 to Cladich and Loch Awe. Watch for the ruined Kilchurn castle across the loch. From Loch Awe, it is approximately 22 miles on the A85 to the first overnight stop, Oban.
Visit Oban in the Argyll and Bute Region of Scotland
This town is a popular seaside resort and has lots of interesting crooked streets, and banks of houses perched on the steep upper slopes. There are many beautiful, substantial old homes, some converted to gorgeous B and Bs.
Day Two of the Scottish Highlands Tour
Leave Oban on the A85, switching to the A828 at Connel. Thirty-two miles out of Oban, the road meets the A82 and heads for Fort William.
See Loch Ness and the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie
From Fort William, remain with the A82 as it skirts the 20 mile stretch of famous Loch Ness. Fort Augustus has labeled itself Gateway to Loch Ness, and Drumnadrochit houses the Official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition, a high-tech look at the loch and Nessie sightings.
See Inverness and Cawdor Castle of Macbeth Fame
At Inverness, on the Moray Firth, take the A96 in the direction of Nairn. Make another detour to see Cawdor Castle (well sign-posted), made famous by Shakespeare’s MacBeth, the Thane of Cawdor.
Romantics will b e disillusioned to learn that the castle didn’t exist during MacBeth’s time and Shakespeare’s story was largely fiction.
If the motorist wishes to go a little further than the seaside town of Nairn to find accommodation for the night, Forres, just 10 miles further, is a delightful old place, in the heart of whisky country, with two distilleries nearby.
Day Three of the Scottish Highlands Tour
Take the A96 to Elgin, and from there, the A941 for 13 miles to Dufftown. Dufftown is home to the world famous Glen Fiddich whiskey distillery. The town is, understandably, very touristy but worth a visit.
Visit Glen Fiddich Distillery
The distillery tour is fascinating but takes an hour. Even the distillery café and gift shop provide an experience. The visitor can try a nip of 30 year old GlenFiddich for just 75 pounds, or perhaps goggle at a bottle of 50 year old whiskey and its price tag of 5000 GBP!
From Dufftown,take the A920, where it will meet the A96 at Huntly and then into Aberdeen outskirts.
Visit Stonehaven
From Aberdeen take the A90 for 15 miles and turn onto the loop that leads to the sprawling seaside town of Stonehaven. Head for the cute harbor, with its pile of its lobster pots and beached fishing boats. The Boat House on the old pier near the Tolbooth Museum is a great place for lunch.
From Stonehaven, it’s less than a 2 hour drive to Edinburgh with Dundee and Perth on the way, if time permits.
Days 1 and 2 of this suggested tour involves no more than 2 hours of actual driving each day, allowing ample time for sightseeing. Day 3 takes 4 hours, so budget their sightseeing time. The tour offers the best of Scotland – lochs, rural landscapes, seaside towns and tourist attractions.
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