Motorhome Routes Around Scotland: 5 Popular Holiday Routes You Don’t Want to Miss
Made the smart decision to hire a motorhome for your upcoming holiday around Scotland? Half your work is done. Now, if only you can decide amongst the many amazing motorhome routes that are available to tour the wonders of Scotland!
Can’t decide on a route? Our team at Freedom Motorhomes are here to help and share our knowledge and experiences. We’ve rounded up 5 of the most popular holiday routes in Scotland with a breakdown of what you can expect from each route so you can decide what is the best for your needs.
Read on to learn more about each amazing route.
The NC500 (500 miles)
Short for the North Coast 500, the NC500 is easily one of the most popular self-drive routes in Scotland – note that heading in an anti-clockwise direction is a particular favourite for many. And you’re not necessarily obliged to stick to the original route, we recommend heading up from Glasgow to capture the majestic scenery of Glen Coe on the way North, to then pick up the route at Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness.
A varied route of more than 500 miles, running mostly along the coast around Northern Scotland, with stunning seaside views and adventures to tranquil vistas of the mountainous region of Assynt, Sutherland, there is so much the NC500 has to offer!
Here are just some of the many highlights you can look forward to on this route:
Archaeological wonders like the Clava Cairns at Inverness or Smoo Cave at Durness
Fairy-tale like castles to explore such as Dunrobin Castle on the East coast
Unspoilt natural coastal landscapes perfect for dolphin or whale watching
Mist shrouded mountainous regions with spectacular viewpoints
And many more.
Recommended time to set aside: 7-10 days
SWC300 (300 miles)
Short on time for your holiday but still want to experience the diverse landscape that Scotland has to offer? The SWC300, also known as the South West Coastal 300 is a more condensed alternative compared to the NC500 – perfect for travellers looking for plenty to do on a short trip.
From admiring the beautiful coastal views to trekking through nature reserves, there’s plenty to do for the nature lover, to the adventure seeker in you.
Here are even more exciting spots along the route you cannot miss:
Galloway Forest Park – A UNESCO designated Biosphere that is a fascinating place to explore for nature lovers and astronomy fans alike, often referred to as the Highlands of the Lowlands
Historic Castles, Stately Homes, and Abbeys – There are plenty of sites like Dundrennan Abbey and Culzean Castle for fans of history and architecture
Galloway Alpacas – Say hi to the adorable alpacas at the farm
Recommended time to set aside: 5-6 days
North East 250 (250 miles)
Explored the NC500 before? The North East 250 is a more recently introduced road trip route launched in 2017 that offers yet another rewarding (and less crowded) experience you might want to consider.
Wondering what this new route has to offer? Here are just some of the many highlights:
Drop by Balmoral Castle Estate, the summer holiday residence of the Royal family
Dine, shop, and explore idyllic picturesque towns like Ballater, Aberlour, and Speyside.
Pay a trip to the popular whisky distilleries of Speyside, particularly the Glenfiddich Distillery
Go on an exciting wildlife sighting boat trip along the Moray Firth, a favourite for spotting the resident Bottlenose Dolphins
Recommended time to set aside: 3-5 days
Argyll Coastal Route (129 miles)
Prefer a shorter drive around coastal roads? Then the Argyll Coastal Route is definitely up your alley. Even though it is a short and relaxing route, this road trip along Scotland’s western coastline still has plenty to offer.
Here are some highlights you cannot afford to miss:
Immerse in the natural beauty of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Check out the Loch Fyne Oyster bar & Restaurant for some unforgettable tasty treats
Visit the Inveraray jail to see how life would have been for criminals in times gone past
Detour to Easdale Island for an exhilarating Seafari Adventure
Indulge in more fresh seafood in the seatown of Oban while admiring the harbour, another Oban favourite is a short 1-hour boat trip to go and visit the seals out by the fish farm
Recommended time to set aside: 3-4 days
The Outer Hebrides and Skye
If you are a fan of idyllic island life, a self-drive adventure to the remote Outer Hebrides (also known as the Outer or Western Isles) and the popular Isle of Skye is not to be missed.
Easily accessed with Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, you can explore these islands to your heart’s content in the comfort of your luxury motorhome. Skye can even be accessed using the free bridge.
Wondering which islands apart from the must-visit Isle of Skye, you might want to explore? Here are some of our favourites:
Barra – Gorgeous white sandy beaches and seal spotting viewpoints!
Eriskay – Haven for wildlife watching enthusiasts with its diverse population of wildlife
North Uist – Historical monuments and sites perfect for a trip back in time
Harris – Everything in one island from exploring maritime history, visiting local distilleries to enjoying the many picturesque beaches. It’s rumoured that photos of Luskentyre beach have been used by Caribbean tourist boards!
And many more
Recommended time to set aside: 4 – 10 days depending on how many islands you want to explore.
Looking for A Luxury Motorhome Hire for Your Road Trip Around Scotland?
Look no further! Freedom Motorhomes offers a wide variety of motorhome hires for all your holiday needs. Head over to check out our availability and book your motorhome hire today!
