Mar 01, 2016

a slow road trip in // scotland

photo: sunriseoversea

Scotland may not be the first destination that you think of when planning a road trip, but it's wild and untamed beauty is to be rivalled with that of Canada or New Zealand. Among towering mountains, sweeping glens, secluded beaches and moody lochs, you will also discover a wide array of fine dining establishments and contemporary luxury accommodation. Read on for our West Coast itinerary.

scotland's west coast

There are many routes to ponder when planning a Scottish road trip (including the newly established loop around the northern coast), but it is the west coast of Scotland that holds just the right balance of exhilarating adventure and unexpected luxury. Whether you are planning on hiking up some of the most unforgiving mountains in Europe, resting your head in an award-winning boutique hotel, or dining in one of the UK's finest gourmet restaurants, you will find something for everyone along the way.

glencoe

Start your journey by driving through the staggeringly beautiful scenery of Scotland's most beautiful glen. Take your time, as you will want to keep stopping to take photographs and admire the views. The glen is home to eight Munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet in height), a scattering of lochs and towering waterfalls, making it a favored spot for keen hikers.

As you exit the glen through a sweeping road that provides several spots to stop and admire the dramatic mountains to your left (occasionally accompanied with a traditional Scottish bagpiper), take a small detour off the A82 to circumnavigate Loch Leven. Shortly after passing through Kinlochleven, you will stumble across one of the best kept secrets in the west of Scotland. Lochleven Seafood Cafe may not look like much upon first glance, but stop here to sample delicious seafood, fresh out of the loch. Their shellfish specialties are not to be missed; in particular, the hot roasted shellfish platter that will set your standards high for the rest of your trip.

photo: sunriseoversea - click on the image to read their road trip stories.

the road to the isles

Pass by Fort William, only stopping to admire the sight of Ben Nevis towering above the small town, before turning left onto the Road to the Isles. The picturesque road takes in sweeping vistas, following a series of lochs and sea lochs almost continuously along the way. Stop off at Glenfinnan to view the iconic railway viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films. This is also a great location for potentially spotting stags rutting in the meadows just meters from the path.

As you continue along the road, try to keep your eyes on the road as you pass lochs filled with perfectly still water that appear like mirrors, reflecting the scenery above them. Once your reach Arisaig, take the long route the rest of the way to Mallaig, stopping to admire the scenery along the B8008 before you reach the ferry terminal.

the isle of skye

The Isle of Skye is the perfect destination for long, slow drives. From when you first disembark the ferry in Armadale, you are met with a selection of small one-lane roads that meander over hills, past sea lochs and into the midst of towering mountain ranges. These roads are designed to be taken at a slow pace, keeping your eye out for oncoming traffic at passing places, and pulling into lay-by's to stop and admire the majestic scenery that surrounds you.

Take a detour off the main road to drive down to Elgol and admire the view of the Cuillin mountains from the small harbour. From here, take a boat over to Loch Coruisk to view the jagged peaks of the mountain range up close, and to take the short walk around the loch to view the resident seal colony.

Further north, the largest town in Skye, Portree, is the perfect base for exploring the extraordinary sights of the Trotternish Peninsula. Take your time driving in a loop around the peninsula, stopping to climb up the Old Man of Storr, and to admire many other curious rock formations and tumbling waterfalls along the way. As you leave Uig, take a sharp left off the main road and drive up a steep and winding road to discover the Faerie Glen, a wonderful version of Skye in miniature with small tumbling hills and even a tiny loch.

Finish your journey in the north west of the island, at the iconic Three Chimneys restaurant. This Michelin-star establishment is as renowned for its beautiful location by the sea as it is for its inspirational nine-course tasting menu, which makes the most of fresh local ingredients. Adjacent to the restaurant, The House Over-by is the perfect place to rest your head for the night in luxury surroundings, complete with views over the shoreline.

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