Scotland is a beautiful part of the United Kingdom that offers travellers an opportunity to witness its vibrant culture and stunning landscape.
From vast mountain tops to deep blue lochs, there’s no better way to explore this incredible country than by road. People who are looking for an amazing road trip from London to Edinburgh should consider our ultimate journey. It begins in London – home of the Queen and Big Ben. Then continues through picturesque Midlands villages before crossing into Scotland. And finally, it ends in Edinburgh where you can sample some seriously delicious haggis!
Must-visit attractions in England
Before leaving England, it is worth noting that throughout your route you will drive past several notable sights such as:
- Stonehenge (ideally do not stop here unless you wish to spend half your time avoiding druids);
- Blenheim Palace and Gardens in Oxfordshire (a UNESCO World Heritage Site);
- Cambridge, which showcases Europe’s largest university.
Places to see in Scotland
Once you’re in Scotland the diverse landscape and herculean views of lochs, moors, and grasslands make driving through it a pleasure. Particular highlights include Dumfries (home to some interesting galleries) and within easy reach there’s Glasgow. It has many unique attractions bringing an injection of vibrancy to the journey such as Wild West Vistas and Rock n Roll Cafes. You can even take the high road from the capital via Loch Lomond – one of Scotland’s most iconic natural scenes. Its deep blue waters surrounded by mountain peaks make it a perfect photo opportunity!
As we continued our expedition further up North, we encountered more eye-catching countryside, megalithic sites that whisper thousands-year secrets, famous whisky distilleries where White Walkers come out to play at night (or so we heard), quaint hilltop villages like Aviemore which is known for winter sports but was still picturesque in summer months, etc.
Now let us take a moment to appreciate Scottish cuisine while we are here. What started as simple dishes borrowed over centuries from migrants around Europe quickly evolved into entire gastronomy with pies, haggis, and clootie dumplings, which all are staples of Scotland’s plentiful pantry.
Finally reaching our final destination Edinburgh felt like an accomplishment. Especially after 8 hours of navigating quaint villages, winding mountain roads, and inspiring rolling landscapes! After analysing the statistics of our trip from London to Edinburgh, the total distance of the route covered is 655 km / 407 mi, while the time spent will be about 8 hours.
Tips about what you can do in Scotland
Discovering Scotland can also be done through its beverages! The land of whisky offers many tasting opportunities from Highland scotches to the famous Isle of Islay drams. During our recent visit, we were lucky enough to sample our first nip from an old copper still.
Don’t keep good memories limited to just Edinburgh! On our way back we stayed the night on a cattle farm in Perthshire. It’s nestled between the Cairngorms and Strathmore Valley – what so described as ‘the perfect Scottish postcard’. Here, you can witness highland cows grazing while being treated with locally baked pies and freshly brewed ciders served from nearby pubs. All these elements were exactly why Scotland became one of the most beloved countries around me!
What could make the journey even more unforgettable? Well, for years we have been enchanted by the country’s wildlife-watching opportunities. Hire a 7 seater car and enjoy its majestic ospreys patrolling riversides or gentle red deer roaming through nature reserves. And remember the eternal charm of Nessie’s legend which further enhanced Scotland’s myths. Find a 7 seater car hire Edinburgh and try it by yourself. It provides exciting stories to dine out on later at dinner parties. In fact, our visits often involve some carefully planned ‘monster spotting’ breaks. There we’re hoping we’ll eventually find her lying lazily beneath murky river surfaces stretching deep into dark islands and misty forest. You might get fortunate enough to spot this friendly beast there! So, the price of 7 seater cars for hire, isn’t so costly after all, isn’t it?
Final note
In conclusion, nothing compares to the beauty found when travelling through Scotland by car! Despite its small size, this precious country has so much to offer:
- stunning landscapes;
- vast mountain views;
- world-class cuisine;
- vibrant nightlife;
- interesting traditions.
You may even be lucky enough to spot Nessie on the way.
The classic route from London to Edinburgh can feel intimidating at first glimpse due to its distance. But with proper planning estoppel, it can easily become the best road trip in the UK that presents an abundance of unforgettable sights! We hope our directions have given you a taste of what the ultimate Scottish road trip has in store!