Even more National Tourist Routes

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Scotland has 12 National Tourist Routes, designed to provide the travelling holidaymaker with an alternative to the main trunk roads and motorways. Varying in length and as diverse as the Scottish landscape itself, these routes have been selected not only because they are attractive in their own right but also because they offer a variety of things to see and do on the way to your chosen destination. The National Tourist routes are well signposted and easy to follow.

Day by day trip details

Forth Valley Tourist Route - 39 miles/62 km

This short route from Edinburgh to Stirling takes in the attractive old burgh of South Queensferry, which is dominated by the mighty Forth road and rail bridges. Nearby are Dalmeny House and the elegant Hopetoun House, one of Scotland's finest Adams' mansions. Alternatively, take a trip on the Union Canal from Ratho or delve in to the Lothians clay mining heritage. You can also visit the bustling town of Falkirk, with its own impressive mansion, Callender House and feat of 21st-century engineering, the Falkirk Wheel. Harking back to an earlier age, the Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam railway will feed your nostalgia with trips on its steam trains between Bo'ness and Birkhill

Perthshire Tourist Route - 45 miles/ 72 km

The Perthshire Tourist Route begins just north of Dunblane and takes you to Ballinluig near Pitlochry. A very attractive alternative to the main A9, the route runs through fertile, rolling farmland before arriving at the pleasant hillside town of Crieff. Thereafter, the lush, cultivated landscape changes dramatically and gives way to the rugged splendour of the Sma' Glen with its connections to Ossian and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Descend from here to the holiday centre of Aberfeldy and skirt the fast flowing River Tay on the A827, rejoining the A9 near Pitlochry.

North & West Highlands Route - 140 miles/224 km

This route boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in Europe - wild mountains and lochs, foaming salmon rivers, rugged coastlines with mighty sea cliffs and secluded sandy bays, isolated crofts and large farms, small fishing villages and bustling towns. Starting at the thriving fishing village of Ullapool, the route winds its way north through magnificent mountain country, passing the picturesque villages of Achiltibuie, Lochinver and Kinlochbervie as it makes for Durness in the north-west corner of Scotland. From Durness, the route heads east through gradually softening scenery to John o'Groats, taking you from one end of Scotland's north coast to the other.

Galloway Tourist Route - 96miles/154km

This route, stretching from Gretna to Ayr, links the Robert Burns attractions in both Dumfries and Ayr. En route, it gives the visitor an introduction to the relatively unfamiliar countryside of the Galloway Forest Park and the industrial heritage of the Doon Valley. Seek out the Old Blacksmith's Shop at Gretna Green, the award-winning Robert Burns Centre and Bridge House Museum in Dumfries, or the Carsphain Heritage Centre. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of colourful Threave Gardens, or ponder over the bloody history of Threave Castle, ancient stronghold of the "Black Douglas". The Galloway Tourist Route connects with the Solway Coast Heritage Trail at Dalbeattie providing an opportunity to visit the abundance of castles, abbeys, gardens and harbours further west.