Top 5 Unmissable Destinations in Scotland for your 2024 road trip

If a road trip around Scotland is a journey you’ll be embarking upon soon, or something you dream of doing in the future, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of our top 5 must-see destinations when embarking upon a Scotland road trip. So, to help you figure out what to do and where to go, here is our list –

Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital city and one that is steeped in history and it is impossible to visit Scotland without a few days in the city.  Edinburgh has seen much development to combine the historic buildings and winding streets with stunning modern designs.  Staying in the city core provides a wealth of things to see and do on foot, whereas the outskirts can easily be reached by the Edinburgh tramway or its excellent bus network connecting the port of Leith and out to the suburbs of Portobello and Musselburgh.

No trip is complete without checking out Edinburgh Castle, a spectacular fortress overlooking the city, listen out to the daily 1pm gun salute.  Wander along Princes Street Gardens underneath the castle with the Scott Monument (built for Sir Walter Scott, acclaimed author of Rob Roy and Ivanhoe) climb it if you can manage the 287 steps up (and down again). Whilst in this area, the Royal Palace, Great Hall and the National War Museum are all located just a short distance from each other. 

Edinburgh is most vibrant from July to late August, bustling with the Fringe Festival, the Military Tattoo and the Edinburgh Festival, mix in excellent dining, thriving theatres, outdoor concerts in the castle, and of course lively bars and clubs in the Cowgate.

You won’t be short of things to do in Edinburgh, with destinations including the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are all wonderful places to spend the day. And with the Bunk Campers campervan hire depot located just 10 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, you can pick up any of our 2 – 6 berth campervans and hit the open road to explore these places in no time.

Glasgow

There is an abundance of things to see and do in Glasgow and you can easily spend a couple of days around the city before you leave to escape the hustle and bustle of city life on your road trip. There is something for everyone across the varied part of the city, from the east end, southside, west end and north suburbs. 

Glasgow hosts a vast choice of museums offering free admission for all. Jump on a hop-on hop-off bus tour and make the most of the attractions on offer.  At the edge of Glasgow’s pretty west end sits Kelvingrove Art Gallery, a must-stop-off point, from here you have easy access to Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow University and a multitude of boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafés to enjoy the local delights.

Glasgow has a vibrant music scene, so check out who is in town before coming, across multiple venues from stadiums, indoor arenas, converted churches, and the iconic Barrowlands to small music venues such as King Tuts.

Glasgow’s riverfront along the Clyde has seen much development over the last two decades and the Glasgow Science Centre sits proud and is a great stop for families. Just a short walk along the river you’ll find the Riverside Museum, a transport history feast for the eyes both inside and outside the museum. Other honourable mentions include Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the recently reopened and refurbished Burrel Collection in Pollok Park, M&D’s Theme Park, and don’t forget to do some shopping along Buchanan Street in the city centre.

Cairngorms

Explore the beauty of Cairngorms National Park, the largest in the UK, and see everything this wonderful region in the Scottish Highlands has to offer. See how the Royal family live by visiting Balmoral Castle, and possibly even catch a ballroom art show.

You can become one with nature at Highland Wildlife Park, a 105-hectare safari park and zoo in the Scottish Highlands. Or head to Glenmore Forest Park, a designated national nature reserve filled with wildflowers, forests, and boating. After a long day, you can unwind at the Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre, a tour of a rural whisky-making facility that offers single malt and blended Scotch whiskies.

Within the town of Aviemore, there is plenty to see and do, local galleries, eateries and activities for all ages. Bring or hire a bike as this is a great area to explore on two wheels. Cairngorm Mountain also offers skiing and boarding in winter and a wide choice of hiking routes all year round.

Isle of Skye

Filled with glorious landscapes, medieval scenery, and indented coastlines, the Isle of Skye is only 50 miles long but is a little slice of heaven on Scotland’s west coast. The island is fragmented and you could easily spend a week just covering every corner of the island.  Before driving over the scenic bridge to Skye stop off at Eilean Donan Castle, as seen in countless films this wonderful sight sits alone at the confluence of three sea lochs.

Take a dip in the beautiful crystal-clear blue fairy pools, making for fantastic wild swimming locations. But you might want to bring something warm for after as the water isn’t exactly toasty…

Neist Point Lighthouse, the Old Man of Storr and Quiraing are all stunning viewpoint locations to take in the best views that Skye has to offer. We promise you the worst part about the Isle of Skye is having to leave!

Glencoe

A village on the west coast of Scotland, Glencoe is a beautiful spot and has even featured in James Bond – Skyfall and several Harry Potter movies. From here you can take in the spectacular Highland scenery and witness Scottish wildlife in its natural habitat.

Walkers can enjoy a feast of a multitude of the most challenging hill climbs with a choice of “Munros” to bag along with plenty of less challenging walks through Glen Coe valley.  If you want more adventures, you’ll find an array of sports at Glencoe Mountain Resort: skiing, snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking. 

And who could forget crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, from the Harry Potter films. Pay a visit to see the route the Hogwarts Express uses to bring its wizards back for another term!

Why Bunk Campers?

With depots located across the UK and Ireland, we are perfect for helping you embark on your road trip from our convenient hire locations.

We have a wide range of modern 2 – 6 berth motorhomes and campervans available for you to hire. Booking your motorhome holiday online is easy. Simply visit our website to enter your preferred dates, pick-up, and drop-off locations to obtain pricing. Or you can email us at [email protected]