Fabulous lakes and dark medieval ruins, romantic castles and picturesque landscapes, technological wonders and the Loch Ness monster… How can so many contrasts fit in such a small country?
Contrary to expectations, it all looks harmonious. You will see it for yourself if you go on a road trip through Scotland! All you need to do is hire a suitable car.
Jeep hire Edinburgh is a highly preferred option making it easy to ride on any road surface and feel confident in any situation. Do you want to get started? Then check the following places in Scotland where you should definitely keep your way in a hire car…
Linlithgow
We start from Edinburgh and immediately start with mysticism. Linlithgow has a haunted castle that you can’t drive past. Queens of the Stewart family once lived there: they adored this place for its tranquility and spectacular views of the wonderful lake.
So, you should quickly inspect the stone walls, climb the turret and appreciate the lovely rural landscapes from the window. You can look into the neighboring church of the XIV century and go further.
Falkirk
The Falkirk Wheel is a unique system of 11 locks with a boat lift. This superstructure connects two canals – one of them is placed 35 meters higher than the other. There are no analogues to this structure in any country in the world!
After a thorough inspection, you can look at the Kelpie sculptures – huge horse heads as high as a 10-storey building, which seem to float in the evenings thanks to the special lighting system.
Stirling
Let’s digress from technology to plunge into history. It’s convenient to explore the city of Stirling by car hire, stopping near interesting buildings. The atmospheric churches in the Gothic style, stone bridges and Stirling Castle welcome you to get acquainted. Tickets for the castle can be purchased online.
Already at the entrance to the city, you can see in the distance the Statue of William Wallace – a Scottish knight who became one of the most daring heroes of the First War of Scottish Independence. This is perhaps Sterling’s main attraction. It stands on a hill with a wonderful view of the city and the valley.
Loch Lomond
The coastline of Loch Lomond stretches for almost 150 km! Of course, not the entire road runs along it, but most of it allows you to admire the picturesque views. You’ll find something to see! The freshwater reservoir is surrounded by hundreds of hills and ancient castles. The whole landscape looks like it came off the cover of a Victorian novel.
The islets complement this picture: there are more than 30 of them on Loch Lomond. Some of them are inhabited by people. Want to enjoy the spectacle from the water? Then take part in a one-hour cruise, which can be ordered online.
Isle of Skye
The picturesque Isle of Skye is simply made to be enjoyed by car hire. You can get there by a bridge connecting the island with the mainland of Scotland. An obligatory part of the car route is the rock with the mythical name of “Old Man of Storr“, as well as the unusual Kilt Rock waterfall and the city of Portree.
On the way, visit the local beach, where you can have a picnic and watch fur seals. Only on the Isle of Skye can you enjoy the picturesque coastline, cliffs and neighborhood with cute sheep. Also, be sure to take a ride through the Kerang Valley, which is charming at any time of the year. For a hearty meal, go to the Three Chimneys Restaurant serving Skye specialties.
Loch Ness
At its core, Loch Ness is an ordinary lake. But how can you visit Scotland and not see this classic landmark? Perhaps you are lucky enough to meet a mysterious monster with a long neck and a small head.
If the acquaintance didn’t take place, the bitterness of disappointment can be appeased at the Urquhart castle – more precisely, in its wonderful medieval ruins on the shores of Lake Ness. The castle was once the largest citadel in Scotland. You can get to it by boat and explore Loch Ness during an exciting two-hour cruise.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is considered to be one of the best wildlife viewing spots in the UK. Leave your hire car at the entrance and enjoy the clean air, pine forests, mountain peaks, rivers, lakes and valleys. You can watch deer and other local inhabitants.
This national park is perfect for mountain fishing, hunting, and leisurely walks. In winter you may also try downhill skiing in Cairngorms. Prepare to spend at least 4 hours in this wpoonderful place.