Explore Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Getting to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs by car...

(and general information for driving in the UK)

How To Get Here...

From the South:

Each you are coming from the east side of the country then it may be quicker to take the A1/A66 and then onto the M74 to the M8 (Glasgow). If you are coming more from the west side of the country, then the M6 all the way up to the M74 then M8 to Glasgow. We prefer the M6 even if we are coming from the South East, because it is a straight run through without any traffic lights and the M6 Toll road has made a huge difference to the flow of traffic in rush hour.

From the North

If you are coming from the east (Aberdeen), then the A90/M90 down to Dundee, then Perth, then Stirling, then Glasgow (on the M80) is a quick road straight down. If you are coming from Inverness, you may prefer the very scenic route, which would be to come via Fort William, through Glencoe and across to Crianlarich and then 5 miles to Tyndrum where you can choose to keep heading east to Callander (30 miles) or south along the east side of Loch Lomond (15 miles)

From the East

The quickest route from Edinburgh to Callander and the Trossachs will be via the M9 to Stirling and then joining the A811 to the Trossachs or the A84 to Callander. Loch Lomond is best reached via the M9 then M8 to Glasgow, heading for the Erskine Bridge turn off which will take you to Balloch and Loch Lomond and then further onto Argyll.

From the West

Well, you can't get much further west and then you hit the sea! If you are coming to Glasgow or Loch Lomond from one of the Scottish Islands then you will be more than familiar with the ferry services, but just in case, link through to CalMac ferries at www.calmac.co.uk

Car Hire - You will find many car hire companies all offering different deals. We suggest you shop aroun and find the package that suits you best. Some car hire companies will not hire cars to people over 75 years old, but others such as Avis and Hertz do. So do not be put off by some one company saying No!, as there sure to be others that do.

Car Journeys - There is probably no better way to see Scotland than by car. You can get to all the special little places that you cannot reach by Public Transport.  It is very easy to hire cars here. Do your homework before arriving to find the best deals.

Cost of fuel - You will find our fuel here very expensive compared to many parts of the world, but what you can see with a full tank of fuel is incredible. Remember that distances from one place to another are small compared to other parts of the world. Scotland is a small country in world terms. Pitlochry to Inverness is 80 miles (look on the map opposite to see these two locations) this will give you a sense of scale of the distances between places in Scotland.

Motorways and dual carriageways - There are a network of motorways and dual carriageways. The M74 from the English boarder takes you to Glasgow. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen are all connected by a motorway and dual carriageway network.

Speed limits - Scotland in common with Britain drive on the left hand side of the road. Maximum speed on motorways and dual carriageways is 70 miles per hour, other roads 60 miles per hour, in towns 40, 30 and occasionally 20 miles per hour. Watch out for the speed cameras!

For those of you who plan to bring your own car, or hire a car we provide some approximate travel times to allow you to plan your trip. Our times are based on you driving between the towns at a moderate speed without stopping, and assuming no major hold ups. Please remember to add on time for your own schedule of stops on route.

• Glasgow centre to Stirling - 45 to 60 mins
• Edinburgh centre to Stirling - 45 to 60 mins
• Edinburgh centre to St Andrews - 70 to 90 mins
• Stirling to Callander and the Trossachs - 20 to 30mins
• Stirling to St Andrews - 100 to 125mins
• Edinburgh to Perth, north over the Forth Bridge - 45 to 60 mins
• Perth to Pitlochry - 30 to 40 mins
• Pitlochry to Inverness - 90 to 110 mins
• Pitlochry to St Andrews (via Perth and Dundee) - 90 to 110mins
• Pitlochry to Oban (via Aberfeldy) - 135 to 160 mins
• Stirling to Oban - 105 to 130 mins
• Oban to Inverness - 150 to 180 mins

Driving on the left
In Scotland, as elsewhere in the UK, driving is always on the left-hand side of the road.

Driving licence and insurance
Holders of overseas driving licences are permitted to drive motor vehicles for up to 12 months in the UK. Visitors bringing their own cars from overseas should ensure they possess green-card insurance and bring their car registration documents with them.

Traffic Congestion
We do not suffer as much as our southern counterparts with severe traffic in rush hour, however major roads (M8, M80, M77) are likely to get a bit congested between 7am and 9am and between 4pm and 7pm. 

Country/Rural Roads

Scotland affords some of the most scenic views in Scotland and taking to the road can be a really pleasurable experience - if you take your time and don't try to make any dangerous manouvres! Scotland is renowned for its rural road and single tracks and even those with the greatest knowledge about the twists and turns need to take it easy - especially with so much deer and sheep about! Remember to look out for passing places.

Roundabouts
Roundabouts are a standard feature of the Scottish road system. Visitors from North America may be less familiar with their use while those from other European countries should be aware that the priority system for traffic may differ from that used in their home countries.

The rules for using roundabouts here are simple: give way to all vehicles coming from your right and always turn left on entering the roundabout.

Seatbelts and child restraints
It is compulsory for drivers and passengers (in both front and rear seats) to wear seat belts. All children under 12 who are under 135 cm (4ft 5in) tall must use a child seat appropriate for their weight; most children reach 135cm around the age of nine. If hiring a car, child seats can be ordered when you make your booking.

Drinking and driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is taken very seriously in Scotland and heavy penalties are imposed on those found to be above the legal blood/alcohol limit. Since the factors that govern when you reach this limit vary enormously between individuals and are impossible to assess with any accuracy, it is safer not to drink alcohol at all if you know you have to drive.

Using mobile (cell) phones while driving
Be aware that it is illegal to use a hand-held phone, or similar device, when driving. Drivers still risk prosecution for failure to have proper control if they use hands-free phones when driving. If caught using your mobile phone whilst driving, the minimum penalty is £60 and 3 points on your license. Relax, put the phone away - you're on holiday!