The road from Glasgow to Inverness passes through some of the most iconic spots in the Scottish Highlands. Even though you could drive the entire journey in 4-5 hours non stop, you can spend at least two days on tour, including an overnight stop at Glencoe or Fort William. The total distance traveled from Glasgow to Inverness is 170 miles. Scotland is an ideal location for road travel. Winding roads take you through majestic mountain scenery, verdant valleys, fast-flowing rivers and stunning coasts, and past waterfalls and castle ruins.
A road trip is an excellent opportunity to discover everything Scotland offers and travel off the main route. The A82 is one of the best roads to drive in Scotland. Most people who plan a road vacation in the Scottish Highlands will end up on this road. However, they rarely devote nearly enough time to it to enjoy everything it has to offer
Glasgow, Scotland, GB
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Start early in Glasgow to avoid the multitude and get Scotland’s largest loch to yourself. Before driving through one of Scotland’s wildest places, Rannoch Moor, stop at the Falls of Falloch and Loch Tulla. The Falls of Falloch, for example, are a popular picnic site with benches. While seeing the falls requires only a short walk, this can be a practical halting point or brief leg-stretcher if traveling on the A82. Follow the walk through the trees from the parking park, with vistas of the River Falloch below. Move down a few steps to an area where you can explore the river’s edge, which can be magnificent when it has wet weather.
Like the rest of the Highlands, Loch Tulla Viewpoint is just spectacular. A lovely view of the loch and the surrounding landscape. You can take a few minutes here to appreciate how big and gorgeous the area is. It is ideal for a quick photo stop, as it has a vast parking area with plenty of room. Sometimes, a food truck sells burgers, hotdogs, and warm coffee or tea. There are no restrooms over there. It’s merely a brief pause with a stunning view, and the vistas are incredible, making the quick photo stop worthwhile. It is undeniably a pleasant area to spend time.
You should be aware that you can visit several areas where the Hogwarts Express voyage was recorded in Scotland. The Great Moor of Rannoch is one of them. Rannoch Moor is a vast, swampy area in the Highlands of Scotland near Glencoe in the Bridge of Orchy. If you wish to see the filming location for yourself, you can do so on a road trip across Scotland on your route to Glencoe or Fort William. Once you’ve arrived at the viewpoint, you can get out of your car and go around the grassland. Fortunately, a well-worn trail allows you to access the moor without getting wet. Glencoe is a must-see on any trip to Scotland, and the gorgeous shores of Loch Linnhe are only a short distance away. There are towering mountain peaks with hiking trails for all skill levels.
Fort William
Continue your travel north after a night in Fort William – or more, as there is plenty to do at Fort William. Drive through the narrow Great Glen towards Loch Ness, stopping for a gondola ride and a stroll at the Nevis Range. The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola is the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom, reaching 650 meters. It was initially erected on the north face of Aonach Mr, Britain’s eighth highest mountain, to take skiers to the slopes.
The Mountain Gondola has grown into a fantastic visitor attraction, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful ride while taking in the stunning sights and fresh mountain air. Climbers use it as a shortcut to the several challenging winter climbing routes on Aonach Mr, and hill hikers use it to access summer routes. Mountain bikers who ride the exciting and challenging downhill slopes during the summer utilize the Gondola for lifting, as do paragliders on their journey to the clouds. After lunch, spend the day seeing Urquhart Castle, taking a loch cruise, and seeking Nessie.
Inverness, Scotland, GB
The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s most incredible road trip, including 516 miles of spectacular coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, craggy highlands, lonely fishing communities, hidden gems, and an abundance of unique experiences. The route concludes at Inverness, the Highlands’ capital and an excellent starting point for a drive around the North Coast 500, the Aberdeenshire Coastal Path, or the Cairngorms National Park.
The North Coast 500 is one of the most beautiful road journeys in the world. Whether you want an action-packed getaway, a chance to relax or enjoy exploring more of the North Highlands’ breathtaking beauty, the NC500 has it all.
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is so titled because it is approximately 500 kilometers long. It is, in fact, an 830-kilometer (516-mile) picturesque road. This route follows the shoreline of the north Highlands. It follows the coastline, passing through steep mountain ranges, single-track roads, and tight turns. The loop begins and ends in Inverness, specifically at Inverness Castle. Begin in style before proceeding clockwise or anticlockwise. Anticlockwise will take you to Scotland’s and Britain’s northernmost point, and this gorgeous loop takes you through six regions: Inverness-shire, Black Isle, Caithness, Sutherland, Easter Ross, and Wester Ross. And this is the stuff that builds fantasies.
Traveling options from Glasgow to Inverness
While traveling from other regions of the UK is possible, one of the most popular routes is Glasgow to Inverness. Because of Inverness’s excess natural beauty and rich history, it’s no surprise that people come from all over the UK to walk along the River Ness and soak up as much Scottish culture as possible. Getting from Glasgow to Inverness is very simple and inexpensive, with numerous alternatives ranging from self-driving to flying or taking the railway.
Self-driving from Glasgow to Inverness is an excellent option because it is one of the easy-to-purchase methods to cover the 272km. The travel time between the two places is 3 hours and 2 minutes, but this time might be increased depending on the time of day and whether it is during a busy traffic period. Verify the weather conditions before you start your drive, as this could delay you. Driving also allows you to make the most of the scenic route, taking in as much of Scotland’s natural beauty as possible by stopping in spots that fascinate you along the way.
By train
The most common mode of transportation from Glasgow to Inverness is by train. Not only are up to 11 trains per day running from Glasgow Central to Inverness, but the entire trip time is only 3 hours and 15 minutes longer than driving between the two destinations. ScotRail operates these dependable services, so you won’t have to worry about cancellations or late departures. You can purchase tickets easily online or at Glasgow Central train station.
By plane
Flying from Glasgow to Inverness is also an excellent alternative if you must go to your destination swiftly. The travel time between Glasgow International Airport (GLA) and Inverness Airport (INV) is slightly more than an hour, but only a few non-stop flights are available. If you have to stop along the way, this will likely add hours to your total travel time, so be sure you book the correct flight.