Plan the perfect road trip with Budget Car Rentals to uncover the best of Scotland’s iconic landscapes, historic sites, and hidden gems.
A sense of timelessness pervaded the atmosphere as I stood in front of one of the oldest cathedrals in Scotland, on a wet cold morning. While the towering spires dominated the grey skies, the Glasgow Cathedral, built in the Scottish Gothic style with colourful stained-glass windows and soaring arches left me feeling spellbound. In the lower crypt of this medieval cathedral was the tomb of St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, who founded the city called Glas Gu, or the “dear green place.” The cathedral stood where the patron saint initially built a small church. I was on a road trip in Scotland with my family and the vibrant city of Glasgow was my first port of halt.
Hiring a car from Budget Car Rentals, our itinerary included the stunning Loch Lomond, the verdant Trossachs National Park and historic Edinburgh as we navigated through glens and stopped by castles and distilleries. I knew hiring a car from Budget Car Rentals for a Scotland road trip would be the best choice. Not only do they offer the convenience of a pickup center at Glasgow airport, but they also provide a variety of reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles. This ensures you have the ideal ride for navigating Scotland’s scenic routes, making the journey hassle-free and enjoyable.
Glasgow (3 nights)
I began my Scottish adventure with a walking tour in Glasgow at the 18th century St George’s Square, admiring the architecture of the City Chambers and losing myself in the atmospheric vibes. We headed towards the banks of the River Clyde where you can get a glimpse of the shipbuilding industry at The Riverside Museum. Glasgow is also a haven for art and architecture enthusiasts with institutions like Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, and The Lighthouse. among others. Don’t miss the Necropolis behind the Glasgow Cathedral. A visit to Glasgow is not complete without a distillery visit and we were at The Clyde Distillery for whisky tasting. And finally, we went pottering around the colourful Buchanan Street, a shopping paradise with boutiques, souvenir shops, and retail chains.
Loch Lomond and Luss (2 nights)
After a couple of days in Glasgow, we went driving towards the heart of Scotland. There may be no monsters in Loch Lomond, one of the largest freshwater lochs in Scotland but its breathtaking beauty has stirred many poets and writers. We drove from Glasgow towards Balloch, a charming town along the loch and after a quiet lunch in one of the quaint inns, we decided to go on a cruise. The rains had just abated for a while and we lost ourselves in the picture postcard scenery. Adventure enthusiasts were kayaking and canoeing along the loch, heading towards the islands while we cruised along.
Several villages around Loch Lomond are straight out of a fairy tale, but none of them is prettier than Luss, located along the western shore of the loch. The picturesque hamlet is known for its conservation as the pretty houses and the scenic landscapes are straight out of a Victorian novel. We ambled along the lanes, visited the Luss Parish Church, took in the views of the tranquil pier, and had some hot chocolate in one of the cafes nestled in a charming cottage. We returned to Balloch and strolled around Balloch Castle and Country Park and soaked in the sunset views
The weather cleared as we polished off a sumptuous breakfast and headed towards Balmaha, another picturesque village on the eastern shores of the Loch. While some hikers scaled Conic Hill for sweeping views, we went on a boat ride to the historic Inchcailoch Island and picnicked on its shores.
Trossachs National Park (2 nights)
We were back on the road, heading to the verdant Trossachs National Park, which unfolds a green tapestry of lochs, hills, glens, and forests and is dubbed as the “Highlands in Miniature.” We first stopped for a cruise on the Loch Katrine, on the historic Sir Walter Scott steamship, hemmed in by Ben Lomond, Scotland’s towering Munro. Our next halt was Bracklinn Falls, one of the spectacular waterfalls nestled in a wooded gorge, located near the town of Callander.
Trossachs beckons outdoor enthusiasts and trekkers and we went for long hikes, foraging in the woods and losing ourselves in the mesmerising landscapes surrounded by glens and peaks. If you are feeling a tad adventurous, then you can attempt scaling the Ben A’an for sweeping views.
We spent a couple of days in the Trossachs driving through lochs, villages and forests and explored the Queen Elizabeth Forest Path looking for wildlife and birds. The highlight of the trip was the Doune Castle, a medieval fortress that featured in the Monty Python series, Outlander and even Game of Thrones.
Edinburgh (3 nights)
Finally, we had to leave the enchanting vistas of Trossachs and journey towards the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. A couple of days is not enough to explore Edinburgh, as we immersed ourselves in the rich history and culture. We explored the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the National Monument of Scotland. We pottered around The Royal Mile , stopping by at charming cafes, climbed Arthur’s Seat , strolled around the Old Town and visited the Princess Garden Streets. In the afternoon we went on a whisky tour, tasting the quintessential spirit of Scotland in the many distilleries around the town. As the sun came down, we got spooked on a haunted tour, as we revisited the ghosts of the past on the underground vaults and followed it up with a pub crawl, savouring Scottish cuisine and live music.
Finally, our road trip ended as we dropped off our car at the Budget Car Rentals at the Edinburgh airport before boarding our flight back home. With excellent deals, a wide selection of cars, and highly convenient pick-up and drop-off services, choosing Budget for our Scottish road trip was ideal, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
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