Exciting West Coast Scotland Road Trip

The Best West Coast Scotland Road Trip 2023:

Do you love being outdoors surrounded by nature? Do you enjoy the liberation of a road trip?  If you answered yes to both of these questions then you will fall in love with this West Coast Scotland road trip. They say ‘West is Best’ after all… or is that only applicable to the US or Western Australia. The UK is beautiful and this magical part genuinely blew us away – get ready to write your own fairy tale.

Scotland’s beauty is indescribable, from the spectacular lochs (lakes) to the soaring munros, (mountains) the scenery will take your breath away. If we learnt anything from this particular trip, it’s that the weather can change dramatically in Scotland and you can have many seasons in one day (just like Melbourne).

West Coast Scotland Road Trip Climate and Camping

There are definitely microclimates, but we truly believe it’s beautiful no matter the weather. That being said, we spent 8 days in Scotland and it rained once and only when we were in Glasgow. However, this is not normal and we feel very lucky we experienced a West Coast Scotland road trip like this.

We were on a budget and decided to make the most out of Scotland’s wild camping law and try something new. Since 2003 the Land Reform Act means that you can ‘pretty much’ camp anywhere in Scotland. There are exceptions to this, including in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park from March 1^st to the 30^th September.

Also, there are signs that direct ‘no overnight stays’ and it’s important to respect the rule, so that everyone can enjoy this privilege in years to come. We found this post extremely useful for learning about how to Wild Camp respectfully.

However, wild camping is certainly not for everyone, you can still discover the freedom of a touring holiday and book one of these caravan parks in Scotland now. You can experience the best of Scotland’s beauty with facilities!

How to get to the West Coast of Scotland

Airports: Glasgow International Airport (GLA) and Prestwick airport (PIK)

Train Station: Glasgow Central Station

Coach: great connections to the rest of the UK on National Express and Megabus with low fares.

When to visit the West Coast of Scotland

It is said that the best time for a West Coast Scotland road trip is spring or autumn. Therefore the months of April, May, September and October would be ideal. There are fewer crowds and fewer midges. Midges can be a nuisance and might disrupt your West Coast Scotland road trip (especially if you are camping).

You can see The Scottish Midge Forecast that goes live in the Spring and summer to plan accordingly.

Therefore, if you can avoid the summer months when they are out in full force, you probably should. However, if you need to go in the summer ‘peak’ months you’ll find more things open and you’ll have very long days – as if you are heading north, you will have more daylight hours.

How to get around the West Coast of Scotland

There is the option of public transport but it is recommended that you hire a car, campervan or motorhome for your West Coast Scotland road trip. As always, you get to see more and have more flexibility. It’s important to understand that there are a lot of single-lane roads, especially on Skye.

So make sure your vehicle is not too big – otherwise you might miss out on some special West Coast Scotland road trip spots!

Useful Tips for West Coast Scotland Road Trip

Currency: British Pound Sterling £ (there are different bank notes to the rest of the UK).

Tip: carry some cash with you. You have to pay for parking in most places and although some machines accepted cards there were still some that only accepted coins. Also, there were some campsites that only accepted cash.

Accommodation: there’s a range to suit every budget, from free wild camping, to cheap campsites, (£13 for two) hostels (£15pp), B&Bs (from £40 for two) and hotels (from £100 for two).

Driving: don’t drink and drive. If you’re from the rest of the UK or abroad, it’s useful to know that Scotland has it’s own driving rules, so whilst in England it is fine to have one ‘cheeky pint’ you could be over the limit if you do that in Scotland. Most locals do not risk it and you shouldn’t either.

Useful apps for a West Coast Scotland Road Trip

Useful apps for a West Coast Scotland Road Trip

• Wiki camps: for campsites, reviews and pricing and some wild camp spots. You can get a free trial for 14 days.
• Maps me: for when you have no signal- Scotland is rural. Remember to download the map for Scotland before you go so you can use it offline or alternatively use Google offline maps.
• Tri Count– to split your costs with your travel buddies fairly.

For other useful travel apps consider this post!

Essentials for a West Coast Scotland Road Trip

• Hiking shoes
• Rain coat
• Smidge or Jungle Spray
• Tick remover

Food and Drink you must try:

• Tablet (a less soft fudge)
• Shortbread
• Iron Bru
• Scotch Whisky
• Tennent’s Beer

Where to go for a West Coast Scotland Road Trip:

1. Glasgow

Known as Scotland’s biggest city, there’s something to keep everyone entertained. From a tasty brunch at Singl-end in Merchant City, surrounded by the impressive architecture, to the museums, galleries, large green parks and lively nightlife. Of course, there are so many things to do in the city, so these are just a few of the best.

We stayed at Euro Hostel, which is located on the river. It is central, cheap and had everything we needed for our stay. Importantly, the hostel validated our parking from the Jamaica St Car Park nearby, so it was cheaper.

Don’t miss:

• The mural trail: you can do a self-guided tour of these ever-growing colourful creations or you can simply admire them as you walk around the city. This made us feel like we were in Melbourne or Orgosolo in Sardinia. We love street art and this really made Glasgow exciting.
• The Lighthouse: a free way to see the city from above by walking up a spiral staircase. Set in Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture.
• Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis: Dating back to the 13^th century, this medieval Cathedral is worth the walk. Behind the cathedral you’ll find the Necropolis, which is a Victorian Cemetery on a hill with panoramic views of the city.
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: there are over 8000 objects housed in this free museum that are of international significance. Next to it is one of Glasgow’s green parks, and you should consider combining your visit to enjoy this space.

2. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Known to be the largest lake by surface area in the UK, it’s a great place to discover the West Coast Scotland road trips natural beauty, close to the city of Glasgow. Of course, it is one of the most famous lochs in Scotland and is a popular place so there will likely be crowds.

Don’t miss:

• Balmaha: located on the east of Loch Lomond. This is a popular tourist spot to rent boats on the loch or to hike Conic Hill, which is a 4km track with fabulous views of the loch from above.
• Luss: a small village, where you can admire the loch’s shores. You do have to pay for parking here and in the summer months it can get very busy.
• Falls of Falloch: a beautiful waterfall that is easily accessible from the car park. There is a viewpoint to take pictures, or if you’re feeling brave (we weren’t), it is a popular swimming place for the locals.

3. Oban and the Isle of Mull

Read our full guide to the best things to do in Oban here.

On the way to Oban, stop at Kilchurn Castle, which is free to enter and explore. It is essentially ruins, but if you ask the landowner (there is a number to call on the gate) you can wild camp here. Yes, you can wild camp right next to a castle. Welcome to Scotland. If that’s not your vibe, carry on to the harbour town of Oban.

Most notably known as the ‘gateway to the islands’, there are still many things to do in Oban itself.

Don’t miss:

• McCaig’s Tower: better known as the Scottish Colosseum. It was commissioned as a memorial to the McCaig family and to provide work for the people of the town. What’s more, this place is the best way to see the islands on a clear day from above. You can park at the top, but we enjoyed the walk through the town.
• Walk around the harbour and down the promenade to soak up the fresh sea air and feel the wind whip through your hair.
• Oban Distillery : the town was actually built around this distillery, which was established in 1794 and you can go on a tour here to ‘see where the magic happens’. You will need to book in advance.

From Oban, you can reach the Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in just under 2 hours. The island is beautiful and you can see so much beautiful widlife including basking sharks. They also host Highland Games in July.

45-miles from Oban, you will find the shores of Loch Fyne via the wonderful Inveraray Castle. There are so many exciting places to visit – the list is endless.

4. Glencoe

Simply put, this part of Scotland is stunning, so driving on these roads through the rolling hills is an experience in itself. You will discover impressive lochs, majestic mountains, viewpoints and exciting hikes, so be prepared for lots of stops and keep your camera close.

Don’t miss:

• The Three Sisters (Bidean nam Bian Mountain): park at the free parking spot off the A82 for a fabulous view of the green valley, take some photos at the viewpoint, or walk one of the trails.
• A pint or classic pub food at The Clachaig Inn: named as one of the UK’s cosiest pubs by the Telegraph, we recommend actually sitting outside this 16^th century pub (if the weather allows) for unreal vistas.
• Hagrid’s Hut: check out the site where some of the scenes were filmed from the popular Harry Potter series. Sadly, there is no hut anymore and you have to imagine the scene yourself but the views here are worth the trip. Simply type ‘Site where Hagrid’s Hut was filmed’ and it will appear on Google Maps and take the grassy trail up.

5. Fort William – Ben Nevis

We arrived at Fort William with the ultimate goal to climb Ben Nevis. It is the tallest mountain in the UK at 1345m and can be challenging if you have not trained for it. However, the path up is mostly made of stony steps and we saw a range of people tackle the mountain. It is recommended to take 7-9 hours to go up and down.

We managed it in a 4 and half hours round trip – which is pretty fast. Therefore, we put this down to the fact that we could not stop for a break on the way up, as the midges were swarming around us, making it unbearable to stop.

The car park at the bottom by the visitor centre costs £6 for the day and there is useful information about the hike on a board outside. Remember if you’re new to hiking; take the ‘Tourist Track’ (Pony Track / Mountain Track) as there are several ways up Ben Nevis and it’s not recommended to do the others unless you’re an experienced climber!

Tip: to get the most out of this experience, make sure you check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. We planned our hike to leave at 10am as we checked the summit forecast and saw it would be clear at 1pm and we wanted to take in the scenery and incredible views. Remember to take lots of water and snacks and wear appropriate footwear.

Are you ready to join the other 125,000 people that climb Ben Nevis every year? Your legs might burn for the next few days, but if you are lucky enough to get a clear view, it’s worth it and even if you don’t, it’s still an achievement!

If you are considering the hike, we wrote a full guide to how to climb Ben Nevis. We would NOT recommend this hike in the winter or bad weather due to challenging and dangerous conditions

6. Glenfinnan Viaduct

Fight your way past the Harry Potter fans to see the ‘Hogwarts Express’. Aka the Jacobite Steam Train and unleash your inner child to watch the train glide over the viaduct.  Be sure to check the times the train crosses on the day you would like to go. It is seasonal and usually runs from the middle of July to the end of October, with the train crossings usually at 10:30am and 3pm.

There is a visitor centre car park, which costs £3.50, and then a community car park located next to it.  Both car parks get very busy near the times the train is passing through, so get there early to reserve a spot. We recommend an hour before.

Tip: there is a viewpoint up the hill near the visitor centre, but you will not be able to see the train clearly from here. Exit the parking on your right and turn right to walk along the main road, past the second car park until you get to a path towards the viaduct.

It is about a 10-minute walk, go under the viaduct, pass through a Harry Potter graffitied gate and find a spot you like on the hill with the other fans! If you are interested, then you can read our full guide on the Glennfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint for further and up to date information.

7. Isle of Skye

This island is a bucket-list destination, so our real thoughts were: is this going to live up to the hype? In our honest opinion you could visit Scotland just to come to the Isle of Skye.

It would be easy to spend a long time in this magical island. You can access it by a ferry crossing from Mallaig to Armadale, but if you choose this option make sure you book in advance.

Alternatively, you can drive the free bridge to the island – which is what we did as we went on this trip last minute. We spent 3 days in Skye and we loved it so much that we created a guide just about the island. Read our ‘Isle of Skye Itinerary – A Complete 3 Day Guide’ for all the details. This was one of our favourites stops on this West Coast Scotland road trip!

Don’t miss:

• Spar Cave
• Elgol
• Fairy Pools
• Cuillin Hills
• Talisker Distillery
• Coral Beach
• Neist Point Lighthouse
• The Fairy Glen
• Falls of Rha
• Quiraing
• Staffin Beach
• Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls Viewpoint
• Lealt Falls
• Old Man of Storr
• Portree

8. Loch Ness

One of the most famous places in the world and home to the mythological creature ‘Nessie’. Undeniably, Loch Ness brings in tourists from around the world to the Scottish highlands. We felt like it was one of those places we should visit and it was insanely beautiful. Impressively, the loch is 42km long and 300m deep, with extremely cold waters.

We found the drive towards Drumnadrochit village special, to understand just how grand this loch is. Of course, the allure was to look for Nessie, maybe one day we will cast our eyes on the iconic monster, but sadly we didn’t manage to this time… There’s always the next West Coast Scotland road trip!

Don’t miss:

• Drumnadrochit: a pretty village with pubs and affordable accommodation close to the castle.
• The 13^th century Urquhart Castle: you can pay to enter or just enjoy the ruins from the viewpoint by the road.
• A boat trip: there are many boat cruise companies and all will share their stories of when Nessie was last sighted!

9. Stirling

Often overlooked, the charming city of Stirling is a great place to stop before you return to Glasgow on your West Coast Scotland road trip. Most notably, there is the ‘Castle on the Hill’, which you can venture up to through the old town. However, we really enjoyed that the city was full of independent shops.

Consequently, start your day right at ‘The Burgh Coffeehouse’ for your morning coffee served by the friendly staff.

Don’t miss:

• Stirling Castle: the imposing castle on the hill is well worth a visit.
•  Stirling Old Town Jail: which is located just down the street.
• The Wallace Monument: for views of Stirling, the castle and the countryside. An important 75m structure  built to commemorate the Scottish hero William Wallace when he fought for independence in the 13^th century.
• Strolling around the old town and enjoying many unique photo spots.

10. Outer Hebrides

Another unmissable spot on your West Coast Scotland road trip is the beautiful islands – which include Lewis and Harris. You can expect to see Sites of Special Scientific Interest and wonderful wildlife.

You can reach here from Uig on the Isle of Skye or from Ullapool to reach Stornoway.

When are you booking your West Coast Scotland Road Trip?

We will be back soon to explore more of this enchanting country – so please let us know in the comments if we missed anything off this list of the best places for a West Coast Scotland road trip. Undoubtedly, there’s so much more we would like to see, do and explore in this magical part of the world. For example, high on our bucket list is the North Coast 500 and the Mull of Kintyre on Arran!

Normally, we enjoy creating day-by-day guides, but for this road trip it didn’t feel appropriate as the weather can change plans drastically. Therefore, this is more of an ideas guide as a way to customise your trip.

Therefore, our best tip would be to follow the good weather, even if it doesn’t seem logical. Truly, it could make or break your West Coast Scotland road trip adventure.

Do you love road trips as much as us?

Check out our road trip guides to Sardinia and New Zealand to keep the dream alive!

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