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11 Best Road Trips From Glasgow
Despite being the most populated city in Scotland, Glasgow is often overlooked in favor of Edinburgh.
But it shouldn’t be.
It’s friendly, fun and interesting, and it’s a great base for exploring loads of stuff… including some excellent engine-revving road trips.
So in this guide… as you’ve probably worked out by now… I’ve brought you the 11 best road trips from Glasgow.
Buckle up, switch on that engine, and get yourself along for the ride!
Best Road Trips From Glasgow: Beautiful Journeys You Can’t Miss
Here is the map of the best road trips from Glasgow. You’ll notice that I didn’t include the last one (Glasgow to Newcastle, along the coast). That’s simply because Google Maps doesn’t allow more than 10 layers on the map… I know, silly.
But nevertheless, it’s an easy route to drive, just follow my instructions in the road-trip section below.
This map has all the road trips together, which is not convenient as the map will be cluttered. But fortunately, you can hide the routes and only keep one activated at a time. To do that, click on the little icon in the top left corner, and in the panel that just opened, you can deselect the routes you want to hide.
A little note before we begin. For each trip, I’ve suggested how long you should spend on it. This doesn’t mean how fast you can complete each route without any breaks (but you can do that if you have a tight schedule). Rather, it means how much time you need to visit all the attractions, have some rest stops, and have a good time on the road trip (not just hurry through it). Have fun!
1. Glasgow to Edinburgh
This route takes you between the two biggest cities in Scotland (and let’s face it—when you’re in Glasgow, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll want to see Edinburgh).
But if you drive the quickest, most direct route, you won’t see anything apart from the boring mundanities of a massive highway.
So here’s a good alternative option that doesn’t involve too many detours: drive east past Seven Lochs Wetland Park and Drumpellier Country Park, before then riding through Bonnybridge, Falkirk and Linlithgow.
It can be difficult to find beauty in this densely-populated part of Scotland… but that’s exactly what this route offers. You’ll see natural stuff, heritage sites, and some nice little towns and villages. Make sure you stop off at both the Kelpies and Linlithgow Palace, two of the most famous places in this part of Scotland.
If you want to shuttle between two cities without enduring the banalities of a boring ride, this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow. It’s a much better option than the unimaginative route most people choose.
2. Glasgow to Perth
Another populated ride, this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow if you want to visit some pretty big places along the way.
Your first stop should be Stirling, one of Scotland’s prettiest cities. Here, you’ll want to check out the Battle of Bannockburn Experience, and the clifftop behemoth of Stirling Castle.
After Stirling, stop in very-nearby Bridge of Allan, one of my favorite towns in Scotland. There’s not a load to do here, but it’s a nice place for a wander… and the Hideaway Cafe is a great place for brunch.
If you like golf, Gleneagles should be your next stop. If you don’t, Gleneagles is still a pretty place to be, but you might prefer to push straight onto Perth instead.
Other good stops along the entire route include Doune Castle, Ardoch Roman Fort, the Arria Statue (just outside of Glasgow), and Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park. This safari park is full of endless exotic animals, and it’s a great choice if you’re traveling with kids. Another good en-route kid-friendly option is World of Wings, with all its falcons, hawks and owls.
What to Do in Perth: Perth is a great place to visit, and not enough tourists come here. Check out the excellent Black Watch Castle & Museum, the hike-packed Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, and the family-friendly stately home of Scone Palace. And if you have more time, wander along some stretches of the North Muirton Riverside Path.
🏠 Where to Stay in Perth: Auld Manse Guest House is an excellent (and classy) bed & breakfast option, while The Broch is perfect if you’re looking for your own comfortable apartment.
3. Glasgow to Tyndrum
This ride takes you through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (the most famous national park in Scotland).
There are lots of ways to explore the park on a road trip. But one of the most common routes (and the route I’m recommending here) is this…
First, you want to head west to Balloch. From here, drive along the western shores of mega-famous Loch Lomond, and you’ll reach Ardlui. You then keep heading north and west, and you’ll hit charming Tyndrum.
Make sure you give yourself enough time to appreciate this one—it might be short, but this ride has plenty crammed into its confines.
Along the way, there are a huge number of (famous and not-quite-so-famous) highlights. They include Inchmoan Island (make sure you visit the place on a boat trip), the falcon-packed Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Center, the pretty village of Tarbet, the quiet shores of beautiful Culag Beach, and the Ben Lomond viewpoint at Firkin Point.
Of course, this is also a great option if you want to hit some en-route hikes. The national park is home to loads of beautiful but relatively-easy wanders. To get started, I recommend Ben Vorlich, The Cobbler, and Beinn Ime.
What to Do in Tyndrum: Munch on some fish and chips at the taste-packed Real Food Cafe, visit both Lochan na Bi and Loch Tulla, and check out the timeless charm of Green Welly service station. And if you’re traveling with kids, wander along the forested fun of the Tyndrum Gruffalo Trail.
🏠 Where to Stay in Tyndrum: The best bed and breakfast in the little village is warm and welcoming Clifton Cottage. For an actual hotel, head to the old-school Muthu Ben Doran Hotel instead.
4. The Isle of Arran Circular
Pretty close to Glasgow, you have the Isle of Arran, which sits just off the nation’s west coast.
Famously known as ‘Scotland in miniature,’ it’s brimming with all the sorts of stuff that makes Scotland so famous… but all sitting on the small (and convenient!) dimensions of a tiny island.
But here’s where things get even better: because Arran has a circular road running all the way around its perimeter, it’s perfect for a road trip. Most of the island’s highlights are situated on and around the road, making it an excellent way to tick off all the best places.
If you’re the type of anal person who likes ‘completing’ the entirety of wherever you visit, you’ll think this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow.
The must-stop-at highlights include the village of Blackwaterfoot, the free-roaming deer at Lochranza, the walk between Lochranza and Sannox, the archeological oddity of the Machrie Moor Standing Stones, cliffy Drumadoon Point, and taking a boat trip to the Holy Isle (a strange little place with a Buddhist community).
And as a sweet little bonus, you get to take your car on a ferry as part of your trip (but make sure you book in advance).
What to Do in Brodick: By the time you (re-)reach Brodick, you’ll already have explored most of Arran. Now, you should attack the area around the town, including Brodick Castle, the summit of Goatfell, lovely Glen Rosa, and all the places to eat and drink. My favorite Brodick chow-down spot is unpretentious Crofters, with great food and live music.
🏠 Where to Stay in Brodick: You should stay in Brodick. If you like upmarket and expensive, you’ll love Auchrannie Resort. But if you prefer fuss-free and no-frills, stay in Shore Lodge instead.
5. Glasgow to Oban
I absolutely love Oban. One of the prettiest coastal towns in Scotland, it offers a pretty port, some magical sunsets, and loads of colorful architecture.
To get things started for your drive here, you want to ride to Tydnrum, on the route we’ve already outlined earlier in this guide.
From Tyndrum, you’ll be heading west to Oban. On this short but fun-packed stretch, you’ll pass the northern shores of Loch Awe, the outrageously photographable ruins of Kilchurn Castle, and the chance to clamber up Ben Cruachan. If you only want to do one hike along this part of the route, that’s the one I recommend.
You finish this route along the coastal approach to Oban, which is super pretty. Along the way, stop at both the village of Connel, and at Ganavan Sands, a quiet but beautiful sandy beach. It’s one of my favorite beaches in Scotland. And if you’re interested in learning about sea life, head to the nearby Ocean Explorer Center.
If you want a brilliant finale, this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow—it’s impossible not to fall in love with Oban. You’ll want to hang around in the place forever.
What to Do in Oban: First up, you should wander around the harbor. From here, you get great views of the town and the water, and lots of photogenic spots. For a little more adventure, head to the Puffin Dive Center, and stroll to the lovely panoramas of Dunollie Point. And if you’re not on a tight schedule, sail to the Isle of Mull.
🏠 Where to Stay in Oban: The Scot is a modern and trendy pub with comfortable rooms and a decent breakfast. If you’re on a budget, you should choose Oban Youth Hostel, which offers a great location and lots of friendly travelers.
6. Glasgow to Portpatrick
Because some of Scotland’s other coastlines are so ridiculously beautiful, this area is often overlooked.
But for avoiding other tourists and seeing some of Scotland’s best under-the-radar shores, this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow. It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with kids—there are lots of family-friendly beaches, coastal settlements (Stranraer and Girvan are both great for kids), and endless places to munch on ice cream and fish and chips.
And on top of that, there are great family attractions along the way, including Agnew Park, Heads Of Ayr Farm Park, and the strange confines of Snib’s Cave.
When you leave Glasgow, you should follow the M77 and A77 to Ayr. After Ayr, follow the coastline all the way south until you reach Portpatrick.
Other en-route highlights include Culzean Castle, Turnberry Lighthouse, and the northern part of Portpatrick’s peninsula. And if you have lots of time to spare, you can make a big detour once you reach Cairnryan (which is only 14 miles/22km from Portpatrick). From here, it’s possible to catch a ferry to Belfast, and explore lots of Northern Ireland.
What to Do in Portpatrick: Have a wander around the charming harbor, visit the clifftop beauty of Dunskey Castle, and gobble on some hearty fayre at the quirky Port Pantry. And if you’re not running short on time, head slightly further south to pretty Port Logan.
🏠 Where to Stay in Portpatrick: For no-frills and affordable, you’ll love the welcoming Harbor House Sea Front Hotel. But if you’re looking for something a little more classy and refined, The Portpatrick Hotel is for you.
7. Glasgow to Campbeltown
Before we drive off on this ride, here’s a quick introduction to our unusual destination: Campbeltown is situated on the strange Kintyre Peninsula, which curves around from the mainland, and to the west of the Isle of Arran. So although Campbeltown is west of an island, it’s still on the mainland. Bizarre!
Anyway, if you want to get to Campbeltown from Glasgow, you first head to Arrochar, on the western banks of Loch Lomond… and you’ll pass all the en-route highlights we’ve already mentioned.
You then head southwest, and along the shores of Loch Fyne. During this stretch, you’ll pass Inveraray, Inveraray Castle, Minard Castle, and lots of lovely views of the loch.
When you reach the pretty little canalside village of Lochgilphead, keep heading south on the A83, and you’ll eventually hit Campbeltown. During this stretch, some highlights include the cute harborside village of Tarbet, an optional boat trip to the community-owned Isle of Gigha, and the quiet sands of Westport Beach.
Though the vast majority of this route is a waterside adventure, it’s still massively varied. You pass several lochs, loads of shoreside villages, and some stretches of the Irish Sea. For sheer variety, this is absolutely one of the best road trips from Glasgow.
What to Do in Campbeltown: Check out Davaar Lighthouse, the busy fishing port, and the stroll along to Kildalloig Bay Beach. Because it’s pretty remote, Campbeltown is also great for further outdoor adventures; make sure you head to the village of Southend, the atmospheric Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse, and the Machrihanish Seabird Observatory. But any wander south of the town is great.
🏠 Where to Stay in Campbeltown: Pub-based Argyll Arms Hotel is the best laid-back accommodation in Campbeltown. If you want to treat yourself to something a little more classy, you’ll prefer the mega-comfortable splendor of The Royal Hotel.
8. Glasgow to Newcastle (via Hadrian’s Wall)
For history and heritage, this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow.
Hadrian’s Wall was a big Roman frontier that was built back in AD122. It was designed to keep the northern barbarians out of Roman territory. Some parts of the wall still remain, and it’s one of the most significant and important Roman relics in the region.
But aside from all the history, the area around the wall is great for hikes, bike rides, and lots of beautiful views.
Anyway, you’ll first drive from Glasgow to Carlise, riding south along the A74(M). On this stretch, stop at the hill-backed village of Abingdon (where you’ll find more Roman stuff), the popular market town of Moffat, and pretty little Gretna Green (which was once an epicenter for elopement).
After you hit Carlisle, you’ll then head east on the A69—and this is where all the Hadrian’s history begins. Here, you’ll find lots of ruins, relics, milecastles, stretches of the wall, and endless places to hike and cycle. If you only tackle one walk, make it the circular route taking in both Housesteads and Steel Rigg.
Apart from all the outdoor stuff, make sure you also visit the Northumbrian towns of Corbridge, Hexham and Haltwhistle.
What to Do in Newcastle: First, hit the city’s highlights: the Ouseburn, the riverside, and some football at St James’ Park (when I say ‘football,’ I’m referring to the sport that some people inaccurately call ‘soccer’). After that, slink off to the coast for some brilliant beaches and towns—visit Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and Cullercoats, then continue further north if you have time.
🏠 Where to Stay in Newcastle: For backpackers on a budget, the excellent YHA Newcastle is new, modern and much more upmarket than most other hostels. If you’re instead hunting for a hotel, I recommend Motel One Newcastle.
9. Glasgow to Grantown-on-Spey
The second half of this ride takes you along the so-called ‘Snow Roads Scenic Route,’ which runs through Cairngorms National Park from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey. This official 90-mile (145km) adventure is a switchback-packed odyssey featuring some of the loftiest roads in Scotland.
The route gets its name because these vertiginous roads are usually the first in Scotland to receive snowfall. Because they’re perched so high, you get a huge number of incredible panoramas, lots of exciting passes, and some official so-called ‘photo stops.’
Yeah, the views along this route are great. But the driving itself is also super fun, as you navigate the tricky challenges of tight turns, terrifying drops, and lots of uphill struggles. In terms of actual fun driving, this is one of the best road trips from Glasgow.
It’s also a good route for finding hikes. Some of the best en-route wanders include the trail around Loch Muick, walks west out of Braemar along the River Dee, and adventuring around the excellent sparsity of the Ladder Hills.
The section between Glasgow and Blairgowrie is also pretty good, with lots of stuff we’ve already covered. Check out the busy settlements of Falkirk, Stirling and Perth before all the rural stuff begins.
What to Do in Grantown-on-Spey: Wander through Anagach Woods, eat at the cute and cozy KJ’s Bothy Bakery, and head east to the strange and fun-filled Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens. And if you have more time, head north to both Inverness and Lossiemouth (which is one of the nicest and most welcoming coastal towns in Scotland).
🏠 Where to Stay in Grantown-on-Spey: The lovely Speyside Hotel is large and luxurious, while The Garth Hotel offers an interesting fusion of traditional pub-style welcomes along with excellent modern food.
10. Glasgow to Aberdeen
If you want to visit an underrated city, I totally recommend riding to Aberdeen. Most Scottish tourists completely overlook the place, but they absolutely shouldn’t.
Obviously, the ride there is pretty good too (which is why I’ve included it in this guide)… and it’s an especially-excellent choice if you’re traveling with kids. Most of the route runs completely along the coast, and it brings you to popular beaches, family-full seaside settlements, and lots of kid-friendly attractions.
To get there, you should first ride to Edinburgh, on the route we’ve already mentioned. From here, follow the coast as tightly as you can, all the way to Aberdeen.
First up, you should stop at Kinghorn, Aberdour Beach, harborside Pittenweem, both Anstruther and Crail (tackle the walk between them if you can), and St Andrews.
Spend a day or two exploring St Andrews and its surroundings, then move on for further adventures. During this part of your drive, visit the town of Carnoustie (along with its excellent beach), the clifftop ruins of Dunnottar Castle, and the pretty port of Stonehaven.
And if you are traveling with kids, two of the best stops are dog-filled Huskyhaven, and all the adrenaline-fuelled fun of Arbroath’s Pleasureland.
11. Glasgow to Newcastle (along the Coast)
I know, I know, we’ve already visited Newcastle. But this time, we’re gonna see the place in a totally different way… and along a totally different route.
As I keep saying for every coastal ride on this list, I recommend always sticking to the coast as tightly as you can:
Drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh along the route I’ve already recommended. From here, follow the coast until you reach Berwick (the English border town). Between Edinburgh and Berwick, you should stop at both North Berwick and Eyemouth (and prepare to stop endless times between St Abbs and Eyemouth, one of my favorite coastal stretches in Scotland).
It’s then time to drive from Berwick to Newcastle, along the unnecessarily-lengthily-named Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Along the way, you’ll pass great beaches, massive castles, and some of my favorite coastal settlements on the planet. This part of the region is most famous for its cycle route, the Coast and Castles cycling route, but it’s equally excellent as a road trip.
Must-visit stop-offs on this part of your trip include Craster, Bamburgh Castle (the most impressive castle in the area), Alnmouth (my favorite seaside town in Northumberland), Warkworth Castle, Creswell, Whitley Bay, and Tynemouth.
What to Do in Newcastle: Wander around the city center, head to the Ouseburn area for food and drinks, and go watch a football match at St. James Park. And if you have time, hike in the nearby Cheviots (both Cheviot and Hedgehope are excellent ascents), and explore the hikes and history of Hadrian’s Wall.
🏠 Where to Stay in Newcastle: As I said earlier in this guide, Newcastle’s best budget option is the super-modern YHA Newcastle… while the city’s best all-round hotel is Motel One Newcastle.
Before You Go
Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. He's hiked, hitchhiked and laughed his way through more than fifty countries, and he's always looking for a new place to call home. Originally from Newcastle, he's lived all over the UK, spent more than three years in Asia, and most recently lived in Vietnam and then in Georgia.
