National Tourist Routes

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Scotland has 12 National Tourist Routes, designed to provide the travelling holidaymaker with an alternative to the main trunk roads and motorways. Varying in length and as diverse as the Scottish landscape itself, these routes have been selected not only because they are attractive in their own right but also because they offer a variety of things to see and do on the way to your chosen destination. The National Tourist routes are well signposted and easy to follow.

Day by day trip details

Moray Coastal Route - 80miles/128km

The Moray Firth Route takes you in a semi-circle around three of the most beautiful inlets on the east coast of Britain - the Beauly, Cromarty and Dornoch Firths - as it heads north from the City of Inverness into the heart of the northern Highlands. On the way you can enjoy wonderful scenery (the Struie viewpoint over the Dornoch Firth will take your breath away), seals and clan history at Foulis Ferry, salmon leaping at Shin Falls, whisky being made at Glen Ord and Highland wine at Moniack Castle. You can walk to the Fyrish monument folly, visit Beauly Priory or learn about the archaeology of the north at Ferrycroft, Lairg - or you can enjoy shopping for crafts and woollens in the towns and villages along the route.

Highland Tourist Route - 118 miles/ 189 km

From Aberdeen take the Highland tourist route to Inverness. On the way you can visit the Grampian Transport Museum at Alford. Continue through the lovely valley of Upper Donside and on up the heather-clad slopes of the Lecht to Tomintoul in the fringes of the Cairngorms. Here you will find yourself at the heart of whisky country. Take a guided tour round one of the many distilleries and your passengers can enjoy a complimentary 'wee dram' - which should set them up for the last lap through Grantown-on-Spey, a popular salmon-fishing centre and then on to the city of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.

Argyll Coastal Route - 149miles/238km

From Tarbet on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond, climb steadily to a famous beauty spot that goes by the apt name of Rest and be Thankful. Descend to Inveraray and continue to follow the shores of Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead. Turning north, pass the lovely Crinan Canal and proceed to the bustling holiday town of Oban. Here there is an exceptionally fine view across the Firth of Lorn and the Sound of Mull to the Inner Hebrides. From Oban cross the impressive Connel Bridge and journey on up through Ballachulish to Fort William, which nestles at the foot of Ben Nevis.

Deeside Tourist Route - 107 miles/171 km

Follow the Deeside tourist route from the 'Fair City' of Perth all the way north to Aberdeen. The area around Blairgowrie has long been associated with soft-fruit-growing, and Blairgowrie itself is a popular touring base. Thereafter, the Highland landscape takes over as the route climbs 2182 feet (665 metres) on the A93, Britain's highest main road. Enjoy spectacular mountain views in every direction as you pass through Glen Shee before descending to Braemar. As you drive through Royal Deeside, you will pass Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the Royal Family since the days of Queen Victoria. Progress through the delightful villages of Ballater, Aboyne and Banchory before finally reaching Aberdeen, the Granite City.