Heart 200 itinerary: A 200 mile road trip around the Heart of Scotland 2022

Filled with mythology, fairytales and unbelievable beauty, the historical lands of Scotland are just waiting for you to get lost in. Whether you are in the mood for ancient castles, beautiful bridges or soaring mountains, the central belt of Scotland has it all. Known as the Heart 200 Road Trip, this epic route takes you on a tour of some of the most iconic parts of Scotland.

From the quaint towns of Pitlochry and Dunblane, along the iconic banks of Loch Lomond or over the rolling hills of Perthshire, this road trip will be one to remember. Pick up your campervan at Bunk Campers Edinburgh Depot and make your way north into the Scottish Highlands, ready to start your own Heart 200 Road Trip adventure.

Day One – Collect and Explore

Pick up your van nice and early from the Broxburn branch, just outside of Edinburgh and head to the gateway to the north, the beautiful lands of Stirling. Soak up the culture in Stirling, as you read, learn and live the history around this small city. The first stop is at the ancient Church of the Holy Rude, where you can admire the stunning views of Stirling Castle and the surrounding lowlands.

Visit the famous Wallace Monument and learn what life was like 800 years ago in this part of the country. Views from the top of the monument are like no other, so don’t miss out!

Day Two – Into the Heart of Scotland

As you head North out of Stirling, you will quickly notice how wild the countryside becomes. The flat lowlands are long gone and soon you will be immersed in soaring mountains and twisting glens.

Dunblane – The next stop is at the culturally significant town of Dunblane, the old connection between the north and south of the country. This small town once had a huge part in the trading of wares and livestock around Scotland, hence a large number of beautiful streets and magnificent buildings. Admire the ancient Dunblane Cathedral and visit the local museum for a fascinating trip through time.

Comrie – The quaint town of Comrie is the perfect place to park up and stretch your legs in the Scottish countryside. Pack up a picnic and head out on one of the many walking trails that surround the town of Comrie.

Day Three – Castles, Waterfalls and Adrenaline Galore!

As you head along the northern boundary of the Heart 200, it is time for some of the most breathtaking scenery (and activities) on the route. Ancient castles, crashing waterfalls and epic adventure sports await!

Blair Castle – The grand gardens of Blair Castle are a must-visit on your trip through Pitlochry. Stroll through the expansive gardens and explore inside the castle itself as you gear up for the day ahead. This castle dates back 700 years and has been home to politicians, soldiers, agriculturalists, and even entrepreneurs.

Falls of Bruar – Behind the grand buildings of the House of Bruar Restaurant and Shops is a local treasure that you must visit, it is time to chase your first waterfall. The Falls of Bruar has been recognised for its beauty for over 200 years, featuring in the famous Scottish Poets work “The Humble Petition of Bruar Water”.

Highland Fling Bungee Jump – End the day with an adrenaline rush and one of the most unique views in the highlands of Scotlands. Suspended 40m above a river, with views of the mountains in front and the sun setting behind, this is the perfect place for a bungee jump. For those who aren’t brave enough to take the leap, there is always the Highland Swing option, where you can experience a swing of a lifetime in the same gorge.

Day Four – The Banks of Loch Lomond

A slight detour from the official route today, but one that you should not miss out on. It is time for the beauty of Loch Lomond, and the twisting, turning and jaw-dropping drive along its banks.

Inveruglus Pyramid – The best view of Loch Lomond can be found halfway down the western shore at the Inveruglus visitor centre. The outcrop of land at this centre is home to one of the areas newest visitor attractions, the Inveruglus Pyramid. This 15m tall viewing platform offers fantastic views of the southern end of Loch Lomond, the perfect spot for a picnic lunch or a sunset to remember.

Luss Beach – The cute, cobbled streets of the lochside town of Luss is the perfect spot to stretch your legs and breath in the fresh air around the Trossachs national park. Take a walk along the pier for a view over the water of Loch Lomond and stop by the local cafe for coffee and cake.

Day Five – Fairytales and the Final Stop

Since it is your last day of this epic road trip, it is time for a special place to round it off. This sight on the southern boundary of the Heart 200 is an up and coming tourist attraction in Scotland and it straight out of a fairytale.

The Devils Pulpit – Now it has to be said that the walk down into this area is steep, slippery and quite dangerous, so it is not suitable for everyone. However, it is still an area that can (and should) be admired from above. The Devils Pulpit was made famous when it was used as a filming location for the hit TV show, Outlander.

This 100-foot ravine in the middle of a field, hidden by a small patch of forest is like nothing you have ever seen before. As you descend the steep and slippery steps, you leave behind the green countryside of Scotland behind and enter a different world, where the water runs red and the walls are coated in deep green moss.

From here, it is time to head back to Edinburgh to drop off the van. The road trip may be over, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the end of your Scotland adventure. Why not head into the capital and explore the beautiful streets of Edinburgh to round off your trip?

How to book?

For more information on campervan hire in Scotland and booking, simply use Bunk Campers’ online booking engine, email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 2890 813057.

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Author bio

Gemma and Campbell are two Scots on the run from a 9-5 lifestyle.

After years of planning, they finally quit their jobs and set out to find their place in this beautiful world.

Currently in Scotland, they have spent the majority of the last 12 months touring the rugged Australian coastlines in their own campervan, which shows just how much they love adventure travel. They love promoting this kind of travel to their fellow wanderlusters on their blog highlands2hammocks.co.uk.