When it comes to a breathtaking road trip planning in Scotland, the first association that comes to mind is to move on the wild side of the scenic North Coast 500. Fill the adventurous spirit of the utter voyage exploring the Scottish Highlands. This route will let you better experience the beautiful coastlines with long sandy beaches, countryside, lakes, charming towns, and centuries-old castles, breathing history. If your goal is to cover the entire NC500 and see the most impressive spots of the north Highlands of Scotland, then the estimated time of the Highland exploration by car will be from five to seven days. It depends on many factors, in particular, on the technical characteristics of the car, speed limit, number of necessary stops for rest, lunch, etc.
Some Things to Know about the Iconic Scottish Route
Before departure, it would be good to learn a little history about the creation of the legendary route of Caledonia. It appeared fairly recent, much later than, for example, the iconic Route 66 in the US or the Great Ocean Road in Australia. With a wealth of varied attractions and stunning scenery, the NC500 has been voted one of the best coastal routes for adventurous motorists. World-famous travel guides such as Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist guide of the UK. Since the initiative to transform North Coast 500 into a new tourism gem 8 years ago, many Scottish counties that suffered from a lack of tourism offerings have benefited greatly. Travelers, in turn, have begun to discover another exciting road adventure to have a fun vacation alone, with family, or friends. However, the NC500 itinerary is not exclusively for car enthusiasts. In 2015, a British long-distance cyclist conquered it, setting a record for overcoming it in 38 hours. Later he repeated his achievement, but this time the time to overcome was reduced by 10 hours.
The route’s impact on the country’s economy was enormous, with travelers reportedly spending £9 million on their visit in the first year. However, economic value is only one side of the coin. In contrast, experts insist that Scotland’s environment is being harmed by a large number of petrol-powered cars. Traffic boost has caused the deterioration of the road surface, the presence of traffic jams, as well as an almost doubling of the number of accidents due to speeding on certain sections of the road.
How to Make Your Adventure Safe and Sound
The peculiarities of the road force you to take a balanced approach to choosing the right car for Highlands since the comfort and safety of both the driver and all passengers largely depend on this. Consider renting a modern model, with a comfy interior, excellent technical characteristics, and high fuel efficiency.
If you are not a road scorcher and are still planning future road trips in your life, then count on a week-long voyage. A measured driving rhythm will let you savor all the local beauties and attractions.
The trail spans over 500 miles through six scenic Braveheart Country regions:
- Siorrachd Inbhir Nis
- an t-Eilean Dubh
- Ros an Ear
- Gallaibh
- Cataibh
- Ros an Iar.
A distinctive feature of the route is the large number of narrow, winding, and single-track roads. Be prepared for tight turns, blinder corners, and noticeable descents on mountain roads which will leave your foot glued to the brake pedal for a while.
Be extra cautious when driving past, as flocks of sheep casually chewing grass and deer suddenly jumping out are not uncommon in rural areas. Traffic on the road is very congested, which can cause a lot of cars, campervans, and caravans to pile up in certain places, creating traffic jams. Anyway, travellers should carefully prepare for the Scottish Highlands road trip to avoid problems.
Tips for the Highlands’ Route Pioneers
Catch some helpful tips on how to drive safely around the tricky Scottish route:
- Remember about left-hand driving. If there are no markings on the road, then just stay as far to the left as possible.
- Obey the speed limit. The Highlands roads are not a race track and you are not Schumacher.
- Although the maximum speed limit is 60mph, slow down when cornering.
- Drink-driving rules in Braveheart Country are extremely strict, so don’t even try to drive unless the alcohol has completely left your system.
- Be alert for oncoming traffic on single-track roads.
- Don’t be afraid of passing places! If you are closer to the passing place, give way to oncoming vehicles or act according to the situation.
Best Vehicle to Conquer the Top
If you haven’t yet experienced all the benefits of renting a large vehicle, then the Scotland Highlands is a great place to catch up. A reliable car on an unexplored route is the key to a hassle-free and safe trip. If you decide to conquer the road with friends or family, you may benefit from renting a comfortable modern minivan. Thanks to high fuel efficiency, you will save money, and the ability to travel with the whole company in a single vehicle without the need to rent two or three standard cars will give even more joy to your wallet. The interior of the 9- or 12-seater vans is thought out to the smallest detail to ensure maximum comfort for the driver and all passengers. Several rows of seats inside can be easily converted to increase cargo space for luggage or sports equipment. The most popular models for 9-seater car hire in Glasgow are Volkswagen Transporter and Ford Transit Passenger van. Other vehicle options for Scottish adventures include Mercedes Vito and Ford Tourneo. Large group vehicle hire in Glasgow is available for affordable prices for short or long periods. Glasgow 9-seater hire will make you love the roads no matter how thorny they are.
