by Anna Hann
posted on 24 October 2024
There are so many great road trips in Scotland it can be hard to decide which to take. The country boasts the famous North Coast 500 and the South West Coastal 300, but if you want something shorter, with manageable distances and spectacular scenery in between, look no further than the gorgeous Edinburgh to Inverness route.
The route from Edinburgh to Inverness
The route from Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, to Inverness is a scenic drive through the heart of the country, encompassing castles, cities, and the formidable Scottish Highlands. If you have just one day, driving without stopping would take around four hours and cover a distance of 155 miles. But the joy of the journey comes in pacing yourself and enjoying the sights and scenery as you go.
It’s a simple route. The A9 takes you from Edinburgh to Inverness via pretty towns and cities. But you can make it your own by taking detours, perhaps looping west to Loch Lomond National Park first or continuing down the Great Glen to Fort William once you reach Inverness. There’s no perfect route – it all depends on how much time you have to dedicate to the trip and what your unmissable highlights are, whether that is the chance to spot Nessie lurking in Loch Ness or you want to take a ride on the famous Harry Potter train out of Fort William.
A four-day Edinburgh to Inverness drive
Plan an easygoing Edinburgh to Inverness road trip that allows you enough time to explore some stunning scenery on the journey and at least a few stops—we recommend Perth, Pitlochry, and Aviemore as a minimum.
Day 1: Edinburgh to Perth
Whether you arrive in Edinburgh by public transport or road (perhaps after driving the epic London to Edinburgh road trip) or flying in from afar and collecting a rental car on arrival, make sure you factor in enough time to explore the city properly before venturing into the Highlands.
Perhaps you’ll want to start your trip in style with a fancy champagne afternoon tea at one of the city’s famous hotels, like The Balmoral. Or maybe you’d rather get out exploring, choosing a guided tour so you can check off all of the city’s best landmarks. Edinburgh Castle is an unmissable highlight, as is a walk along the Royal Mile. Spending enough time getting to know Edinburgh is well worth it.
Driving from Edinburgh to Perth will take around an hour if you drive directly without stopping. You’ll leave Edinburgh on the A90, which quickly becomes the M90. You’ll cross the Firth of Forth on the Queensferry Crossing, an iconic three-tower bridge and continue north to Perth. You might want to call at Loch Leven to look at the Prison Island where Mary Queen of Scots famously escaped from Lochleven Castle.
Day 2: Perth to Pitlochry
When you arrive in Perth, orientate yourself with the city by following the River Tay Public Art Trail, a two-and-a-half-mile long route beginning and ending in Perth city centre and dotted with sculptures. Fancy more art? Head inside the Perth Art Gallery to see works by Scottish artists. Following a multi-million pound redevelopment in 2024, the Perth Museum majestically displays the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scotland, free for visitors to see. Those interested in the history of Scotland should check out Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish kings, including King Robert the Bruce.
When you’re ready to leave Perth, take the A9 north out of the city. It’s only a 27-mile drive to Pitlochry, which sits close to the River Tummel and is a springboard to Perthshire and the Highlands.
Day 3: Pitlochry to Aviemore
Pitlochry offers outdoor adventures galore, with well-marked hiking routes striking out from the town. For more beautiful scenery, head to Queen’s View, which overlooks Loch Tummel from a viewing platform and across to Schiehallion, one of Scotland’s famous hills.
If you plan to spend the night, stop for a whisky tasting at Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry at the foothills of the Grampian Mountains and one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.
The next leg of the road trip takes you back on the A9, routing north to Aviemore. The road takes you into the Cairngorms National Park. Before you reach Aviemore, visit Badenoch, The Storylands, just south of Aviemore. This is a collection of traditional Scottish communities and the imposing Ruthven Barracks, built by George I’s government in the early 1700s and perched on a hilltop.
Day 4: Aviemore to Inverness
If you’re keen to make the most of the outdoor activities around Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park, Glenmore Campsite could be the ideal base for your stay. It’s in a stunning spot in a pine forest with direct access to the beaches of Loch Morlich.
The final leg of the journey is a 30-mile drive north on the A9 to Inverness. There’s lots to do here, both in the city and the wider area, with Loch Ness and the mysterious Urquhart Castle on the doorstep of Inverness. Visit Loch Ness to learn more about its world-famous resident, the Loch Ness Monster -perhaps you’ll catch a sighting! It’s a bucket-list location for many visitors to Scotland, and even if you’re not into the myths and legends that surround it, the loch is still a beautiful place for a walk or a boat trip to see the ruins of Urquhart Castle, once one of Scotland’s largest castles.
There are plenty of historic locations to visit in and around Inverness, too, like the Culloden Battlefield, where the final battle of the Jacobite Rising took place. If you want to go even further back in Scotland’s history, visit the prehistoric Clava Cairns, the site of an ancient cemetery.
If you want to explore the city on foot, there are different routes you can take. One of the best is setting off from Inverness city centre on a two-hour circular walk through the city centre and along the banks of the River Ness.
Ready to explore Scotland your way? Find a vehicle that matches your travel style on Turo — whether it’s a family-friendly SUV, a sporty convertible for two, or a van for group adventures. Turo connects you with local hosts offering personalised rentals, giving you the freedom to explore Scotland’s hidden gems at your own pace. With easy pick-up options from hotels, airports, and other local hubs, you can skip rental queues and hit the road without delay. Explore car rental in Edinburgh on Turo.
Beyond Inverness
If you want to continue your road trip beyond Inverness, you have plenty of options. A popular route is following the Great Glen, driving southwest towards Fort William (sometimes you’ll see it signposted Ft William), and following the length of Loch Ness and Loch Lochy to the town.
Fort William is an excellent base if you want to hike Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland. Two different walking routes tackle this epic peak, one for beginners and one for more experienced hikers.
If you’d prefer something a little less strenuous than climbing Ben Nevis but want something just as scenic, you can board the Jacobite steam train, which was used as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies, from Fort William and take a route across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was also used as a location in the films.
Expert tips for planning your trip
The great thing about an Edinburgh to Inverness road trip is that it’s self-guided. You can decide on the route and timings that suit you best and tailor where you stop to match your interests.
Plan your route to your interests
It helps to use a mapping tool like Google Maps to plan the best route for you, whether you want to make sure you visit all the notable castles from Edinburgh Castle to Urquhart Castle or if prioritising incredible walks is top of your priority list.
Make it a circular trip
If you’re returning your car hire to Edinburgh, planning a circular road trip might make sense. Instead of retracing your route from Inverness to Edinburgh, continue beyond Inverness, heading southwest to Fort William, then routing south towards Loch Lomond in the glorious Trossachs National Park.
Driving tips for international visitors
International drivers should brush up on the road rules in Scotland, remembering that the country can sometimes experience inclement weather, even in the summer! If you’re planning a winter road trip, snow is possible, and it’s sensible to bring some extra supplies, including snacks, water, and blankets.
If you’ve flown into Scotland from a different time zone, allow some time in Edinburgh to adjust so that jet lag doesn’t ruin your trip. Plus, it’s a great excuse to give yourself a little extra time to get to know this world-famous city.
Petrol stations and EV chargers
Although Scotland is vast, and there are remote pockets where drivers have to be a little mindful about when to refuel, the Edinburgh to Inverness road trip shouldn’t cause any refuelling issues. The risk of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is minimal! There are plenty of places to charge if you rent an electric car, and an increasing number of hotels and campsites offer places to charge, too. Of course, you can always check Zapmap for the latest list of charging places, although most EVs have this feature built-in.
Best time to drive from Edinburgh to Inverness
The best time of year for the Edinburgh to Inverness road trip depends on what you want to get out of your journey. Winter is tempting for those who enjoy wrapping up warmly and experiencing a more rugged side of Scotland, perhaps even some winter sports in Aviemore. It’s also a quieter time of year to travel. Spring and summer attract bigger crowds, although pleasanter temperatures to explore the two cities of Edinburgh and Inverness and head out and about hiking through the Cairngorms.
The best cars for the journey
Book a car on Turo in Scotland, and you’ll choose from a wide selection of ideal vehicles for the Edinburgh to Inverness drive. You’ll find family SUVs, sports cars perfect for two, and vans for road trips or camping with friends.
On Turo, you’ll pick up your car from an Edinburgh local, then hit the road, ready to explore cities and history and visit remarkable castles on routes around Scotland.
Ready to go?
When you’re ready to book a road trip in Scotland, browse the cars available around your ideal pick-up point. Many hosts also offer to deliver their vehicles if you plan to set off from an airport, train station, or hotel.
If you’re an Edinburgh local, you can take advantage of guests visiting Scotland and host your car on Turo.
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