Self-drive Tours in Scotland

Yes, getting about by car in Scotland is simple thanks to the country’s good road network.

The cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are connected to the Highlands via two main routes north. This means that you can easily combine city sightseeing with discovering Scotland’s more untouched regions.

To stay safe on your driving tour of Scotland, there are some rules and guidelines to be aware of:

• Remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road in Scotland, and the rest of the UK.
• Do not drink and drive as there are zero tolerance laws in Scotland.
• Wearing seatbelts is compulsory for the driver and any passengers.
• Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal, but you can use your phone if it’s fully hands-free.
• The maximum speed limit is 70 miles per hour (113 kilometres per hour). In residential areas the speed limit tends to be 20-30 miles per hour (32-48 kilometres per hour).
   

You can refer to this guide to driving in Scotland for more information.

There are plenty of scenic driving routes waiting for you in Scotland. Take the wheel and you’ll soon be soaking up incredible views, whether you stick to the mainland or opt for an island adventure.

Our local travel consultants have driven around the country and have added their favourite routes to each package. Here are some of their top road trip recommendations:

• North Coast 500, Northern Highlands
• Glen Coe, Central Highlands
• Trossachs National Park, Southern Highlands
• Deeside Tourist Route, Speyside
• Kilmartin Glen, Argyll
• Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye
• The Golden Road, Isle of Harris
   

You can get inspired for your journey by reading these blogs:

• 5 best Scottish road trips according to a local

• Itinerary ideas for 7-day Scotland road trips

• Best UK road trips: A local expert's view

Take the wheel on a self-drive tour of Scotland from Edinburgh or Glasgow and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views. After some time spent discovering the city sights, it’s time to explore Scotland’s captivating natural landscapes.

Imagine driving scenic Highland roads, strolling along golden beaches, and gazing out across island archipelagos. You’ll find some of Scotland’s most iconic views in these stunning locations:

• Cairngorms National Park
• Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
• Loch Ness
• Glen Coe
• Isle of Skye
• Orkney Islands
• Outer Hebrides
• Edinburgh
• Glenfinnan
   

Find out what you can expect in some of the most beautiful places in Scotland and check out the best Scottish beaches. Or start to plan your trip by checking out these recommended Scottish attractions.

The amount of time it takes to drive around Scotland depends on the sights and attractions you’d like to see along the way.

With 1 week in Scotland, you can experience some of the country’s most iconic places. For ease we recommend beginning your trip in Edinburgh before driving north to the Scottish Highlands.

When you leave Edinburgh behind, you could drive through the fishing villages of Fife and explore the Cairngorms National Park. You could visit the Isle of Skye and journey between Inverness and Fort William.

If you’ve got 2 weeks in Scotland, that’s even better. You’ll be able to see the top attractions at a more leisurely pace, or discover more beautiful scenery further afield.

2 weeks will give you time to combine sections of Scotland’s renowned North Coast 500 (NC500) road trip with even more gorgeous locations. You could add stays on Scottish islands like the Isle of Skye, the Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Isles.

Otherwise, simply spend longer exploring the mainland, taking in everything from Edinburgh Castle to the untouched landscapes of Scotland’s far north.

If you’re lucky enough to have 3 weeks in Scotland, then you can enjoy driving around Scotland at a relaxed pace. You could even seek out far-flung spots like the Shetland Islands. Alternatively, opt for a holiday package to Scotland and Ireland.

The North Coast 500 (also known as the NC500) is Scotland’s answer to Route 66 and is the ultimate Scottish road trip. This popular route takes in around 516 miles (830 kilometres) of scenic roads in the wild landscapes of northern Scotland.

Scotland’s far north has so much to offer you, so why not head to the Highlands and experience them for yourself? Soon you could be soaking up views of rugged mountains, towering sea cliffs, and incredible west coast sunsets.

Read this guide to the North Coast 500 for tips and advice on this iconic road trip. Get inspiration for your trip by browsing our range of self-drive tours including highlights of the North Coast 500.

At 516 miles (830 kilometres) long, the North Coast 500, or Scotland's Route 66, could be driven in 2-3 days without stopping. That said, this would certainly not give you enough time to savour the journey or see the best of the region.

We recommend allowing yourself at least 1 week, so there’s time for you to appreciate the epic scenery and visit the top sights. For instance, you could see filming locations for The Crown along the way. Delve into this guide to Scotland's Route 66 for itinerary recommendations and ideas for things to see and do along the way.

Scotland has strict drinking and driving laws, with an almost zero tolerance policy. The legal blood alcohol limit for driving is up to 50 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood. This low level means that we recommend not drinking any alcohol at all before driving.

Please check the Scottish Government’s advice for more information about the legal alcohol limit for driving in Scotland.

When in Scotland, and the rest of the United Kingdom, you should drive on the left-hand side of the road. This means that you’ll be using a right-hand drive car, and changing gears with your left hand.

It’s also possible to rent an automatic car for ease of use, which we recommend if it’s your first time driving in the UK.

If you can, take advantage of our two-driver allowance. That way, you can both take breaks to enjoy the scenery as well as drive on some of the most stunning routes in the world.

Exploring by car is one of the best ways to discover Scotland at your own pace. But how do you know when you need an international driving licence (often referred to as an international driving permit or IDP)?

You don’t need an IDP if your national driving licence is valid and recognised in the UK. In this case you’ll be able to drive any small vehicle (including our rental cars) that’s listed on your licence.

If you’re visiting from the below places, and you have a valid driving licence, then you don’t need an IDP as your national licence will suffice:

• USA
• Canada
• European Union or EEA
• Australia
• Malaysia
• China
• India
   

If your country’s driving licence is not recognised in the UK, then you can apply for an IDP. Please check your government’s website for up-to-date information on whether or not you need an IDP to drive in the UK.

If you have a valid driving licence in the USA then you can drive any small vehicle (including all of our rental cars) in Scotland. Your US licence will also be valid in the rest of the UK.

It’s worth remembering that cars in the UK are right-hand drive, with the gear stick on your left-hand side. You’ll also be driving on the left-hand side of the road throughout your time in the UK.

Read this guide to driving in Scotland for more advice. Here you’ll find out how to get around Scotland by car, along with information on local driving laws.

When you rent a car for your self-drive tour of Scotland with Nordic Visitor, there are some requirements that you should be aware of.

To rent a car in Scotland, you must hold a valid and full driving licence for a minimum period of 4 years. This reduces to 1 year if you are over 23 years of age.

Drivers aged 23 or 24 can take a self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor, subject to a young driver surcharge of £25 per day. You can hire vehicles in our rental car groups A, B, C or F.

The minimum age to rent a car in Scotland is 21. So if you're aged 21 or 22, we would be delighted to arrange your tour and provide you with information on how you can arrange your own car rental with specific suppliers who can cater to those aged 21 and 22.

If you are aged 80 or above, you can rent a car in Scotland so long as you provide medical proof that you are fit to drive. Please note this should be issued no earlier than 4 weeks before your travel date. You can hire vehicles in our rental car groups A, B or C.

Learn more about vehicle groups and car rental in Scotland on our travel guide.

Alternatively, you could leave the driving to a local expert when you pick one of our privately guided trips or guided small group tours of Scotland.

When you’re planning your driving vacation, factors such as insurance and mileage can come to mind. We’ve got you covered, though, as all the car hire essentials are included in our Scottish self-drive tour packages. Read our rental information for the terms, conditions and full details.

In short, you receive a collision damage waiver (CDW), unlimited mileage and authorisation for 2 drivers. We don’t cover your road trip music: that’s all up to you!

You can indeed drive to England from Scotland and vice versa. But as Ireland is separated from Scotland by the Irish Sea, you would need to take the ferry to drive to Northern Ireland.

That said, you can easily combine Scotland and Ireland self-drive holidays by taking a short flight. This is included in your Nordic Visitor package and you'll have a dedicated travel expert to arrange it for you.

You can fly from Scotland’s two largest airports, Edinburgh and Glasgow, to the Irish capital, Dublin. Your flight would take around 1 hour.

In Dublin you'd pick up your rental car and set off on your self-drive adventure around Ireland.

With travel between Scotland and Ireland being so quick and easy, a combination tour is a great way to discover both Celtic countries in one trip. Get help from the experts, and let us plan an unforgettable journey to Scotland and Ireland for you.

Deciding when to go to Scotland depends on where you’d like to go and what you want to do on your trip. Scottish weather is often variable and can be described as “four seasons in a day”, so you can’t always rely on a clear forecast.

That said, from April to September, you can expect mild temperatures and the most sunshine, along with brighter, greener landscapes. Visit in August, and you can enjoy Scottish festivals such as the Fringe that bring the capital, Edinburgh, to life. Plus, there are plenty more things to do in Edinburgh year-round. 

Scotland is equally beautiful in autumn, from October to November, when you can appreciate the fiery autumnal foliage on the trees. If you’re more keen on brisk walks, frosted fields and snow-dusted mountains though, December to March are ideal.

If you decide to spend New Year or Christmas in Scotland, you can join in with special festive activities. Some of the most famous include Edinburgh’s Christmas Market and the Hogmanay street party.

Discover which of our tours suit you best by using our tour filters to choose packages by seasons or dates. Come rain or shine, you’ll enjoy all that Scotland has to offer.

Find out more about Scottish summer packages and winter breaks in Scotland by reading these helpful blogs:

• Best time to visit Scotland: your complete guide
• Summer in Scotland guide: what to do and where to go
• Scotland in winter: what to do and where to go
• Why you should spend next spring or autumn in Scotland
   

Yes, people do tip in Scotland. Below you’ll find a summary of standard tipping practices:

• Eating out: it’s normal to tip around 10% of the food bill when you get table service at a café or restaurant.
• Bars: tips aren’t expected when you are buying drinks, as you’ll usually order at the bar.
• Taxis: you can round the fare up to the nearest pound, or give a bigger tip if you feel it's appropriate for a longer journey.
• Hotels: it’s common to tip your concierge, porter and house-keeping staff depending on the level of service.

You can find out more about tipping in Scotland, along with other useful information, in our Scotland Travel Guide.

Absolutely, Scotland has a few luxury castle hotels dotted around the Highlands where you can spend the night.

Get in touch with us to fulfil your dream of staying in a Scottish castle or to add a special touch to your romantic break. Your local travel expert will let you know where you can add a castle stay to your itinerary and make the arrangements for you.

Perhaps you don’t want to stay in a castle, but you’d like to visit as many as you can during your trip. In this case, you’ll find your perfect Scottish getaway in our range of castle tours in Scotland.

We’d advise that you look over flights for timings and dates, but hold off on purchasing until you’ve booked your preferred tour. Once you’ve had a confirmation email from your personal travel consultant, you can then choose and pay for your flights.

Why? Once you’ve been introduced to your travel consultant, you’ll have all the information you need to make informed choices on timings. If you have any questions, you can always contact your consultant for advice.

Our Edinburgh-based experts have plenty of local knowledge to pass on to you, ensuring every attraction you visit is one you won’t forget. We carefully plan each tour package with this in mind, so you can be sure you’re seeing the best of Scotland.

That said, it’s easy to customise your tour package to suit you when you book online. For instance, you could extend your stay with extra nights, or treat yourself to an accommodation upgrade.

Plus, you can choose from handpicked excursions to add to your itinerary. Depending on the trip you go for, take your pick from optional activities such as afternoon tea, distillery tours and boat trips.

At this point, you might also like to book airport transfers to and from Edinburgh or Glasgow airports.

If there’s something specific you’d like to add to your trip, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. If you haven’t decided on how you’d like to explore, check out these expert-curated small group and private guided tours of Scotland.

In Scotland you could experience everything from glorious sunshine to rain, all in one day. As a result, it’s best to be prepared for every season when deciding what to pack for your trip.

So, no matter the season, we recommend that you bring:

• Walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm, insulated jacket
• Warm fleece or jumper
• Light base layers
• Warm hat, scarf and gloves
• Sunglasses
• Rucksack
• Reusable water bottle
• UK plug adapter

You might also like to bring an umbrella, handy for city sightseeing on a rainy day. And, birdwatchers, don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars. For more information, read our useful packing guide for Scotland, complete with advice on what to bring depending on the season.