Hit the road on a motoring break on route named ‘the best in Scotland’ by the AA

THE weather might not be playing ball right now for our days at the beach or weekends away in the countryside.

So why not hit the road and tour this gorgeous country of ours? There’s plenty of glorious sights to see, from the coasts to mountains, lochs to castles and everything in between.

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The only difficult part might be deciding which particular route is for you. Thankfully the AA have come up with their recommendations of the UK’s best road trips and you can’t really get better than their experts – after all they cover most of the country day in and day out.

Their RatedTrips.com is a round up of the UK’s top 10 road trips, ideal for a weekend break, taking your time to stop over somewhere on the way.

They’ve identified an epic Scottish adventure through highlands and glens as one of them, along with a gentle wander along some of England’s beautiful coastlines and a spectacular trip through Welsh mountains.

Take their recommended spectacular coast to coast trip across the Highlands from Inverewe Gardens at Poolewe to Inverness across some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes.

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It starts on the shores of Loch Ewe, part of the Wester Ross Protected Marine Area, and from there pass impressive crags and peaks, through breath-taking, sometimes bleak scenery.

Take the A832, turn right on to the A835 then left at Contin on the A834 to Strathpeffer, once Europe’s most northerly spa.

Strathpeffer’s redundant train station has been restored to house craft shops, and in a pavilion in the square, you can sample some of the mineral-rich waters from local springs.

There’s a golf course, as well as a network of paths in a pinewood and the southern hills are patrolled by sparrowhawks and kestrels, leading out to the commanding viewpoint summit of Knock Farril.

Book a stay at the town’s The Ben Wyvis Hotel.

Next day drive back to Contin, turn left on the A835, then turn right on the A832 and at Muir of Ord turn right on the A862 through Beauly.

Turn right on an unclassified road to Moniack and pass Moniack Castle. Turn right at a T-junction following the Rebeg sign, pass the start of the Reelig Glen forest walk, then continue over a bridge and uphill.

Take the first tarred road left, past a house called Kilninver, turn left at a T-junction and immediately first right, then right at a Give Way sign on to the A682 to Inverness – the capital of the Highlands.

The imposing red sandstone Inverness Castle dominates the town, which is in fact the local Sheriff Court!

Book a night at the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, the Rocpool Reserve Hotel and Restaurant or the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel.

See here for more AA RatedTrips.

So what are you waiting for – hop in the car, and get going!

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