Scotland driving advice
 

I need help making the final plans for traveling via car in Scotland this June. My family (ages 50,49, 14 and 11) will be in Fintry and will spend the next night in Glencoe followed by the next night in Turnberry. We'd like to see castles, hike and see fun sites along the way. Any suggestions for routes and don't miss things?...I hope to spend no more than 8-9 hours in the car each of these days with many stops along the way.

I have used Frommer's Driving Guides for a few trips and have not been disappointed with his suggestions. Have a good trip.

Hi there. I live in Glasgow so may be able to help. I'm assuming you are staying in Fintry near Glasgow for the first night?

You can't do much worse the first day than drive up to Glencoe from Fintry on the A82 - this goes by Loch Lomond (loads of nice views, sports on the loch, boat tours, walks), up through some beautiful countryside on a very twisty road, stop in Tyndrum for lunch and possibly a short walk along a bit of the West Highland Way (but make sure you are dressed for it ie. waterproofs, walking shoes). The next part of the drive north takes you through Glencoe itself and it has to be seen to be believed. It is a beautiful place.

The next day for variation why not drive back down south via Oban (pick up the road at Ballachulish just north of Glencoe Village). There you get views out to sea, views of great mountains, and possibly even a glimpse of Castle Stalker.

You will come back past Loch Lomond, then take the A77 from Glasgow to Ayr. There is a coastal road from Ayr that takes you past Culzean Castle (say Cull-ain) and Turnberry isn't far from there. Culzean could be worth a visit the next day but I wouldn't try to pack in that on the same day!

Whichever way you decide to go enjoy, I know I am biased but the West Highlands are such a beautiful part of the country, and i'm sure your hotel will suggest other alternatives that you may wish to try.

Have a great trip.

OK - There are two Fintry's - one up in the northeast near Turriff and one down near glasgow. Which one is it?

I'll just assume you meant the southern Fintry -- is this itinerary set firm? if so you are sort of stuck. Fintry is between Glasgow and Stirling on the edge of the Trossachs. A really nice area. Glencoe is north of there and a glorious place -- but then you want to turn around and head way down south on the Ayrshire coast.

Any reason you are doing it in this order? Maybe if you lay out the full itinerary we can help (having just a small snapshot of part of a trip often leads to really incorrect advice.)

How long are you staying in Fintry? If it is a fe days it is a good base for several castle and walks. Stirling, Doune, Kilchurn and a few other castles are easy days trips from Fintry.

And down in Ayrshire you must visit Culzean Castle. It is magnificent, has lovely gardens, is right on the cliffside, and has a large country park for walks.

But IMHO - going in 2 days from Fintry up to Glencoe and then down to Turnberry is a LOT of to-ing anf fro-ing.

Glitterball and I were posting at the same time. that info is really good.

Your comment about not wanting to be in the car for more than 8 or 9 hours a day concerns me. Don't worry, these are not 9 hour drives - but even 2 or 3+ hours a day in the car is really tiring - you can't plan a UK driving trip in the UK like you might in the States. On the smaller roads you will be lucky to average 40 mph - more likely 30-35? And there are so many places to stop everywhere.

And I would not plan on any "hikes" unless you are taking the right gear - proper boots, waterprooofs etc. Easier country walks are fine, but even they usually require more than just Nike's/athletic shoes.

Couldn't agree more. I'm always amazed at how much people are prepared to pack in. Maybe us Scots just don't have any stamina :-)

And if it is Fintry up by Turrah then that's a marathon.

Thanks for the replies...it is the Fintry down south by Glasgow.

The car touring is part of the trip as we will do very little driving in the days before and after these.

I would like to take a nice trip from Fintry to Glencoe with frequent stops and that is why I estimate that we are talking 8-9 hours. The same is true from Glencoe down to Turnberry (8-10 hours with frequent stops).

Sounds like a lot of time on the road but the idea is to get out and see the country side, arriving at our destination by early evening