I had a conference in Glasgow so decided while “in the area” to do a whole bunch of travel and go see some sites I’ve been wanting to explore in Scotland. Of course, I ended up doing more driving around the Highlands than I did getting to Scotland! My key itinerary was to see Loch Ness and to see the “Hogwarts Express” (The Jacobite Steam Train) crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
I drove up to Scotland on Friday night and staying with some friends in Galashiels. Saturday morning I drove to Perth to attend the Perth Beer Festival with a group of friends. I then stayed over Saturday night in Perth. Then my road trip proper began!
Day One- Sunday
1. A-B Perth to The Hermitage
16 miles / 30 mins
I began my little road trip my driving from Perth to The Hermitage (PH8 0JR). This was to short hike around some waterfalls at Tay Forest Park (with paid for parking at the Hermitage). It was a nice walk with pretty views. I didn't follow a specific trial but walked 3.32km in 1h. After the walk, I nipped into Dunkeld for a little wander around and a coffee.
2. B-C The Hermitage to Drumnadrochit
114 miles / 2h20
I next undertook a beautiful drive around Cairngorms National Park and around some of Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit.
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| Image Credit: Cairngorms National Park Authority |
3. C Drumnadrochit to Urquhart Castle
2 miles / 4 mins
I was planning to maybe go on a boat tour of Loch Ness but they had finished for the day because it was May so was not peak season. Instead, I mooched around the town, went in a few Nessie gift shops and went on a hike.
The hike was The Craigmonie Walk, with views of Loch Ness in the very distance. It is a nice wooded uphill walk with some good views. The walk was 3.74km and took me 54 mins (including from the car park). There was free parking (Drumnadrochit Car Park, IV63 6TX) with free toilets and a free drinking water refill point.
Following the hike, I drove a short way to Urquhart Castle, where I walked up the road to get a view of the castle against Loch Ness for free, without paying entry to the castle.
4. C-D Urquhart Castle to Lochside Hostel
8 miles / 14 mins
Finally, I drove from the Castle to the Lochside Hostel. I cannot recommend this hostel enough! £17/night, free parking, £3.50 breakfast, free unlimited coffee and tea at all hours, board games and a kitchen. It had its own entry into Loch Ness with a stoney beach and decking overlooking the water. It was really beautiful! I finished the day drinking a cider on the beach front, dipping my toes in Loch Ness and keeping an eye out for any monsters that might want a nibble!
Day Two- Bank Holiday Monday
5. D-E Lochside Hostel to Ben Nevis Viewpoint
31 miles / 47 mins
I kicked off the day by driving from the hostel to Ben Nevis Viewpoint to try and get some beautiful views. Unfortunately it was a misty day so I couldn’t see anything!
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| Image Credit: Walkhighlands |
6. E-F Ben Nevis Viewpoint to Bridge View, Glenfinnan
24 miles / 40 mins
Next up was the Glenfinnan Viaduct aka the Hogwarts Express bridge! Don’t forget to look up the timetable to see when the “Hogwarts Express” (Jacobite steam train) crosses the bridge, though there will be a lot of tourists. After I saw the train crossing, I waked the Glenfinnan Trail, which was 7km, taking 1h50.
7. F-G-H Glenfinnan to Falls of Falloch to Inveruglas Pyramid to Loch Lomond Shores to Glasgow
128 miles / 3h6
En route to Glasgow I stopped off at the Falls of Falloch for a very quick walk from a free car park to see a waterfall. And also to Inveruglas Pyramid for nice views across Loch Lomund. I was also planning to hire a kayak at Loch Lomond Shores near Balloch but it seemed quite expensive and you didn’t really get full reign of the loch. The car park was free, however.
Summary
Overall, in just two days I travelled 323 miles and about 8h of driving but I got to cross a whole bunch of to dos of the list! I’d definitely recommend some Scottish exploration.
