Scotland is famous for its stunning mountains, history-drenched hills and awe-inspiring lochs. Recently, driving routes such as the North Coast 500 (which starts and ends at Inverness Castle and traces the northern coast of Scotland) have increased in popularity, as visitors seek to experience the breathtaking beauty of the country for themselves. Unforunately, not all Scottish roads are equipped for the numbers of tourist cars and coaches now travelling along them, and this rise in popularity is causing problems for locals and visitors alike. Here’s how to make the most of Scotland without a car.
Take the Train
If you start in Glasgow or Edinburgh, it is possible to get trains to almost all parts of the Scottish mainland. Head to Inverness which is close to Loch Ness for some monstrously good fun, or try Aberdeen which is by the North Sea. It is easy to travel to smaller destinations on the train, too, such as Fort William, one of the best towns in Scotland to start a hike from.
Bike Around an Island
Bike hire is available in different locations all around Scotland. You can book a slot for your bike on a train, so it’s possible to travel with your bike. If you catch the ferry to one of the islands such as Mull or Arran, cycling around is a fantastic way to take in all of the scenery. It also provides you with some fairly intense exercise, especially on the more mountainous islands, so you will have an excuse to indulge in some tatty scones with haggis!
Hike From Glasgow
The long-distance hiking trail The West Highland Way officially starts within the boundaries of the city of Glasgow. Start in the town of Milngavie (easily reached from Glasgow by train or bus) and prepare yourself for an intense 150 kilometre trail that takes in a huge variety of landscapes. Whilst hiking the whole route is not for the faint-hearted, you can opt to do sections of the route as day hikes. If you don’t want to carry all your luggage, shuttle services are available to carry your bags as you walk.
Scotland is the perfect location to try out a car-free holiday for the first time. It is small, with decent public transport and fantastic cycling and hiking trails, and travelling without a car offers a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.