Scotland is a rugged and beautiful country that is perfect for exploring via a road trip. Its rugged coastlines, tranquil lochs and rolling hills make it a dream to explore. There are countless historic castles, iconic distilleries and postcard-perfect islands within your reach.
I love Scotland. It is breathtakingly beautiful and I can never get enough of the countless changing landscapes, Scottish distilleries and warm, hospitable locals.
Having been to Scotland more than a few times over the past decade, I think a road trip is the best way to explore the country. It is a sparsely populated country with a population of just 5.5 million, so you will be doing a lot of driving in the countryside here. The country is just made for it.
1. Get travel insurance
I never leave home without travel insurance. And I never rent a car without comprehensive insurance either.
I know it’s an extra expense. And you probably don’t even need it.
But what happens if you need it and it’s not there? You’ll have to pay for the damage out of pocket. And that could cost you thousands.
Scotland has a lot of narrow, bumpy or single-lane roads (more on that later) that can be difficult to navigate. Tire and windshield damage are common. Add to that the ever-changing weather and you’re asking for trouble.
That’s why I highly recommend getting car insurance for your road trip. The peace of mind is worth it.
When it comes to renting a car, I recommend Discover Cars. When you book, you can easily add car insurance to your purchase with the click of a button. The website makes it clear what is covered and how much it costs.
2. Rent the right vehicle
When it comes to renting a vehicle in Scotland, you essentially have two options – and the choice will drastically affect your trip. You have the choice of a car or a campervan.
A car is cheaper and uses less petrol, but you will need to find somewhere to stay each night. A campervan costs more and uses more petrol, but you can sleep in the vehicle, saving you money on accommodation. (Not my thing, but to each their own.)
Both options make for a fantastic trip, so there is no wrong answer. Just remember that manual transmissions are standard in Scotland, so if you want an automatic vehicle, you will need to specify this when booking.
3. Be prepared to drive on the left
Traffic in Scotland flows on the left, just like the rest of the UK. This is the opposite of the US, Canada, and most of Europe (only Ireland, the UK, Malta, and Cyprus drive on the left in Europe).
If you rent a manual vehicle, you will be changing gears with your left hand rather than your right, which requires a bit of a learning curve. (Personally, I prefer an automatic vehicle.)
Old habits die hard, so if you are used to driving on the right side of the road, drive carefully. Driving on the left can be especially tricky when you come to a roundabout (more on that below) or into a city. Drive slowly at first until you get used to it.
4. Understanding roundabouts
Roundabouts are traffic circles that serve as intersections instead of traffic lights or stop signs. They force vehicles to slow down without interrupting the flow of traffic. Although they aren’t particularly common in the US, they are incredibly popular in Europe (they reduce serious traffic accidents by as much as 90%).
Roundabouts are very common in Scotland. And they run in the opposite direction (clockwise) to those in the US (anticlockwise). When approaching a roundabout, slow down drastically and let the traffic in the roundabout ease off until you have an opening to enter the roundabout. In a roundabout, all traffic flows in the same direction.
If there are multiple lanes, you must stay in the outside lane when exiting. The inside lane of the roundabout is for cars that are not leaving immediately.
When you are ready to exit the roundabout, signal so the cars behind you know you are about to turn.
If you don’t feel comfortable arriving at a roundabout, just drive slowly and signal your intention. They are much easier to manage than you think!
5. Know the speed limits
Posted speed limits in Scotland are in miles. While this is helpful for Americans like me, travelers from countries that use kilometers should be especially mindful.
6. Allow time for scenic stops
I know many travelers like to plan their routes and itineraries really precisely. If you only have a few days, it can be tempting to plan everything down to the last detail (I used to do this a lot). However, there is plenty of variety to explore in Scotland, from quaint towns to scenic views to short hikes.
You’ll want to stop every few minutes to enjoy a view, a mountain, a lake, or an abandoned castle. The scenery is so beautiful that even the average sights are Instagram-worthy, so build some buffer time into your itinerary so you have the time in case you want to stop or take a little detour. I highly recommend doing this. Sometimes the best parts of a trip are the ones you discover by accident. And you definitely don’t want to rush from sight to sight, so plan for a distraction.
7. Download the right apps
I know when you go on a road trip, it’s all about leaving your phone away so you can enjoy the local culture and stunning views. However, there are many apps that can help you save money, stay safe, and save time. Anyone taking a road trip through Scotland should have the following apps downloaded on their phone:
Met Weather – This is the best weather app for the UK. Conditions can change drastically in Scotland, so plan accordingly.
Google Maps – The best app for looking up directions. Be sure to download your maps so you can use them offline.
Park4Night – A helpful app for finding parking for your RV or camper (free ones too).
Flush – A helpful app for finding public toilets.
Petrol Prices – An app for searching and comparing nearby petrol prices when you need to fill up.
8. Take a paper map
When I go on a road trip, I always take a paper map. I know Google Maps is easy and free, and mobile data coverage in Scotland is generally reliable. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. You never know when your phone will die, if your signal will be lost (which is likely if you’re driving through remote areas), or if an emergency will arise.
Get some peace of mind: take a paper road map with you and just leave it in the glove compartment. You probably won’t need it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you had it (they make lovely souvenirs after a trip too).
9. Understand how to drive on single-lane roads
Once you leave the cities, you may come across single-lane roads. These are essentially two-lane roads that only have room for one vehicle. This means that if there is oncoming traffic, you have no room to pass each other.
Fortunately, these roads usually have overtaking zones built in at regular intervals so that cars can stop to make room. Take advantage of these when you see traffic coming so you can easily pass each other.
Also, drive slowly around corners on single-lane roads. This is where accidents can happen because you can’t see oncoming traffic (that you are sharing a lane with), so drive slowly and always be ready to stop.
Finally, remember that many single-lane roads are a bit bumpy. A tire can easily blow out, especially if you pull over to the side to make room for passing vehicles, so make sure you have a spare tire and that your tires are insured, just to be safe.
10. Don't rush
Although Scotland isn’t huge, there’s still plenty to see and do here. It might be tempting to rush so you can cram more into your itinerary, but I strongly advise against it. Quality, not quantity, is key. I’ve done countless road trips around the world, and slower is always better. mer better. This means driving less and spending more time at each stop. If you do this, you can soak up much more of Scotland’s unique culture.
Plus, you’ll likely be driving on a lot of smaller, winding roads here, often surrounded by roaming farm animals that you’ll need to watch out for. This means you’ll need to slow down for safety and really concentrate on the drive. Admire the sights, leave room for spontaneous detours, and forget about rushing from one sight to another. You won’t regret it!
