The Highlands in Scotland is one of the most beautiful and iconic parts of the country. As so much of this area is remote, wild, and untouched, one of the best ways to get around is by car. Certain areas (particularly rural ones) are so much better to get around with a car! So when I had a few random days off at the end of August, we thought we’d see summer off with a bang and take a spontaneous trip to the Scottish Highlands.

There’s a lot I wish I had known before the road trip. Here are my top 12 tips for planning a road trip to the Scottish Highlands!

1) Be very careful driving

When driving in Scotland, you’ll drive on the left. Drive slow, be extra careful on narrow roads, and drive defensively in bad weather. We were getting ready to leave the Falls of Falloch parking lot when a car took a bend too quick and flipped over. We didn’t see it flip but it happened literally about 50 feet from where we were. Luckily everyone was okay—no one was even bleeding! It was a miracle. But it was also a good reminder to drive really really  carefully. It’s better to be late getting to a destination, than to not get there alive at all. Driving on the left side of the road can also take a lot of getting used to—so be prepared that it might be a struggle.

2) Invest in a good road map/atlas for driving

You will definitely need to get an atlas for a road trip in the Scottish Highlands. There isn’t cellphone signal or service in a lot of areas, so you really shouldn’t rely on Google Maps or other apps for directions. Remember that a GPS/sat nav can always run out of batteries, and if you’re in a rural location you won’t be able to charge it up. And always stock up with plenty of snacks for the journey!

3) There are lots of pull over parking places on highways/roads in the Highlands

I was a little concerned about how easy it would be to take photos while on the road. The good news is that there are LOADS of lay-bys where you can pull over (safely) and get out for photo opportunities. The A82 highway from Alexandria to Fort William has so many places where you can park up so there’s no need to worry about missing out on those beautiful photos!

4) Think ahead and fill up with gas before you need to

There aren’t very frequent gas stations in the Scottish Highlands outside of towns and main villages—this is especially true if you’re going off main highways. You don’t want to be run out of gas and get stranded! So think ahead, and fill up at the first opportunity when you start to get low. Yes, you might pay a bit more for gas than you’d like, but it’s certainly easier than running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

5) Drive the A82 from Alexandria to Fort William

This is probably one of the most spectacular roads in the Highlands, in Scotland, and in the UK as a whole. The scenery is absolutely amazing on the A82, and should simply not be missed. Alexandria isn’t actually in the Highlands region, but it’s at the base of Loch Lomond and that area is stunning to drive along. It’s also one of the easier roads to drive on, as it is the main thoroughfare through the Highlands! You’ll also pass the “Welcome to the Highlands” sign on this road, which I just loved. And like I said, there’s plenty of places where you can pull over and take photos safely.

6) Have a rough idea of when/where you’ll be…

It’s always good to have a general idea of where you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing. In the Scottish Highlands, this is especially important since you may need to plan in advance for ferry timings to get to other islands. Even if you don’t plan out your exact route, having a rough idea of where you’ll be when is certainly a smart idea.

 

7) …But don’t plan too much!

While I absolutely love planning, it’s so important to give yourself time and room to be spontaneous! One of the best things about a road trip is seeing a sign or a turnoff and taking it with no idea what it’ll bring—that absolute freedom that comes with your own transportation. So have a general idea of where you’ll go, but be open to suggestions and new discoveries!

8) Know the rules if you’re wild camping

Wild camping is legal everywhere (within reason) in Scotland (go here for more information). However, on the banks of Loch Lomond National Park, there is a “Camping Management Zone,” and if you’re camping between 1 March and 30 September, you’ll need to purchase a permit to camp in certain areas. (Check out their website here!) These areas are well-marked, sign-posted, and permits are very easy to get. If you decide to camp there last-minute and you don’t have a permit, you can buy one online on your phone!

As always, respect the land and follow the rules when camping. Leave no trace, pack in everything you bring out, and don’t litter. Don’t wild camp too close to towns, houses, or general settlements. Do any toilet business away from water.

9) Get out of the car!

There are a lot of great walks through the Scottish Highlands—I couldn’t possibly name all of them. But one of the best things to do is get out of the car and enjoy the scenery first hand. One of my favorite walks is the Lost Valley walk in Glencoe. It was just amazing, and only took about 2.5 hours round-trip! A lot of the A82 follows the West Highland Way, a long-distance walking trail—you can certainly join it for an hour or so and stretch your legs. Ben Nevis is a real trek that will take an entire day, but you can walk around the area for a shorter amount of time too. I also loved walking out to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Make sure you take advantage of those beautiful views up close and personal!

10) Bring spare change for parking lots

A lot of parking lots around the Highlands are more rural (obviously). This means that they won’t take credit card payments—some will, but a lot won’t. Make sure to bring lots of spare change for parking lots, including smaller change (50p, 20p, and 10p coins).

11) Bring LOTS of layers and waterproof, warm clothes

The weather in the Highlands can be seriously unpredictable. Most likely, it’ll change several times in a day—or even in an hour! So bring lots of layers and warm, waterproof clothes. Scotland can be chilly and it’s definitely a damp cold that shouldn’t be underestimated. And that’s just in summer, winter is a whole different beast. So pack proper clothing and be prepared!

12) Designate a driver if you’re going to whisky distilleries

Scotland is famous for its whisky (in Scotland, it’s generally “whisky” without the e!). If you’re planning on going to any distilleries for tastings, make sure to designate a driver. It’s much better to just have one person miss out on distilleries for a day, then to drive drunk and face the consequences. Decide before you go who will be the sober driver—and that means the non-DD gets their tastings! 😉

My road trip to the Scottish Highlands was one of the most spectacular trips I’ve ever taken. It was simply incredible, and like something out of a dream. I hope these tips help you in planning your own Scottish road trip!

Have you ever been on a road trip through the Highlands? What were your favorite moments or top tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Check out my other Scotland posts:

Seeing The Hogwarts Express At The Glenfinnan Viaduct In Scotland

Scottish Highlands Road Trip: What To See In Glencoe

Visiting The Scottish Border Abbeys In One Day: Jedburgh, Kelso, Dryburgh, And Melrose

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