10 Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Scotland Road Trip
Planning a road trip through Scotland? You're in for a treat! With its stunning landscapes, historic castles, and charming villages, Scotland is a road tripper's paradise. To help you make the most of your journey, we’ve compiled ten essential tips that will ensure your trip is smooth and memorable. And don’t miss our most crucial tip at the end—reading through could save you time and stress on the road!
1. Don’t let your gas tank go under 1/4 tank
Scotland's remote and scenic routes are beautiful but can be sparse on fuel stations. Make it a habit to top off your tank when you can, especially before venturing into rural areas. Unlike the US, you will pump and then go inside to pay for your gas, especially when using an international credit card to pay. Unlike in some countries, many Scottish gas stations offer a decent selection of prepared foods, perfect for a quick and convenient lunch break. These are called meal deals and are usually about £4 .They include a main (like a sandwich), a snack (fruit, chips, candy) and a drink (bottle of water or soda).
2. Learn the Road Signs
Familiarize yourself with Scottish road signs and driving regulations. Knowing the signs will help you navigate more confidently and safely. We studied this official guide to learn the UK road signs. Many scenic routes in Scotland are single-track roads with passing places. Take your time, use the passing places courteously, and don’t feel pressured to rush. Enjoy the journey and the views!
3. Be a Friendly Driver
Scottish locals are known for their friendliness and courtesy. Emulate this by waving to thank other drivers when they let you pass or give way. It's a small gesture that goes a long way in maintaining road harmony. It’s also common to put your left blinker on to signal the person behind you that they are safe to pass. When on a one track road with passing places, flashing your lights to signal the other person can go is also common.
4. Download Google Maps for Offline Mode
Cell phone coverage is spotty in Scotland and sometimes you will be left without service. We highly recommend downloading Google Maps to use in offline mode.
5. Deciding your route
This can be one of the most difficult things to do because there’s so much to see in Scotland. Most people choose the popular NC 500 route, but since we visited during high season, we decided to avoid it. The route tends to get overcrowded, and the long drive times weren’t appealing. In fact, our friends who took the NC 500 mentioned it was packed with campervans, and they spent hours stuck in traffic due to the many one-lane roads.Don’t let that discourage you, though! If there’s a lot up there you want to see, go for it—just be prepared and give yourself extra time for traffic jams.
Most likely, you will be flying into Edinburgh airport and from there you need to decide if you go clockwise or counterclockwise. We went clockwise and highly recommend this route. The reason we suggest going west first, is it takes a bit longer to drive and there is more to see and do. It’s best to get the major things crossed off your Scotland bucket list first. In fact, we recommend you make a list of the top 5-10 things you want to see and do and try to stick to that list. We went from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then up to Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Speyside and back to Edinburgh to pick up another campervan. Then we headed northeast up the coast and then down through the Cairngorms and back to Edinburgh.
We know first hand that it’s easy to get side tracked, in fact we lost 3 days trying to get up to Isle of Skye because we got a late start and stopped so many times to see things along the way. Which brings us to the next tip…
6. Scotland Sacrifices
Scotland is brimming with breathtaking sights, and it’s tempting to stop frequently. However, to avoid missing your must-see destinations, prioritize your top attractions. This way, you can manage your time effectively and enjoy the highlights of your trip. We know first hand what it’s like to miss out on things because we took too much time at one place or another.
7. Prepare for Parking Fees
Many parking areas in Scotland require payment, and while most accept cards or app payments, occasionally you’ll need coins. We found most parking feel to be around £3 Keep some spare change handy to avoid any parking woes. Also, note that if you're in a campervan, you might need to park in designated areas and pay a different rate. We got a £100 ticket for parking our campervan in an undesignated spot. Often times these ticket prices will be reduced if you pay within 14 days.
8. Stay connected with WiFi
Hippocket WiFi was an essential tool during our van trip through Scotland. With spotty cell reception in many remote areas, having reliable portable WiFi ensured that we stayed connected and could navigate with ease. It allowed us to access the internet for directions, stream music, and keep in touch with loved ones, making it a crucial part of our journey. We really enjoyed using it to stream movies in our campervan at the end of a beautiful day driving around Scotland. We loved it so much we got a discount code to share with you! You can save 5% off your Hippocket Wifi rental with code EVANANDLEMON just click the link here and use our code at checkout!
9. Stock Up on Essentials
Before heading into remote areas, ensure you have all the essentials you might need—snacks, water, a first aid kit, power banks fully charged and warm/weather appropriate clothing like a rain jacket. The weather can change quickly, and it's best to be prepared. If your vehicle doesn’t have GPS, we highly recommend getting a phone mount for your car so you can safely navigate Scotland’s winding roads. To see a full list of Scotland Road Trip Essentials click here.
10. Double Your Google Maps Travel Time Estimates
Our most important tip: Whatever time Google Maps estimates for your journey, double it. The app often assumes you can travel at the speed limit, which is unrealistic on Scotland's winding, hilly roads. Many roads are single track with passing places, and it's often unsafe to drive at high speeds. Additionally, if you miss a turn, it can take miles to find a place to turn around. This tip is especially crucial if you’re driving a van or motorhome.
Following these tips will help you navigate Scotland's roads with confidence and make the most of your road trip. Enjoy the adventure, drive safely, and take in the incredible beauty that Scotland has to offer!
