Glasgow to Wick Road Trip

If you’re coming up to Wick from Glasgow, you’ll travel through some wonderful places along the way. We suggest the following road trip, to help you make the most of your journey.

Suggested 4-day itinerary: Glasgow to Wick

This one-way driving itinerary includes 8 stops and less than 8 hours total driving time. We recommend 2 stops per day, taking 4 days to complete the trip. However, the choice is yours on how long you wish to spend in each place.

Please note, some of the attractions mentioned here have seasonal opening times, so please check before visiting.

Day 1

Glasgow to Balloch

After leaving Glasgow and travelling northwest along the A82, our first stop is the village of Balloch, on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is a great base for exploring the beautiful Loch Lomond area, with nearby attractions including Balloch Castle Country Park, Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre and Sweeney’s Cruise Co.

Balloch to Stirling

Next, head east along the A811 towards Stirling. This is our second stop, a historic city where you’ll find lots of great shops and places to eat and drink. Stirling has a long and turbulent history with links to iconic figures such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. Stirling Castle, the National Wallace Monument and Stirling Old Town Jail are all well worth a visit here.

Day 2

Stirling to Perth

From Stirling, we travel northeast to the city of Perth, along the A9. This city is full of culture, with lots of museums and galleries to discover. It was once the capital of Scotland and has many royal connections. Scone Palace, The Black Watch and Perth Art Gallery are some of the most popular attractions in the area.

Perth to Pitlochry

As we continue north on the A9, we reach Pitlochry, a lovely Perthshire town with Victorian architecture. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities, like walking, fishing, golfing and mountain biking. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and woodland walks from Queen’s View. Visit the Blair Athol Distillery for a guided whisky tour. Explore the magnificent 18th-century Blair Castle and Gardens.

Day 3

Pitlochry to Aviemore

Keep going north along the same road to the town of Aviemore. We are now in the Scottish Highlands and the scenery becomes more mountainous and rugged. Aviemore is situated within the Cairngorms National Park and is a popular resort for outdoor activities such as skiing in the winter and canoeing in the summer. The Cairngorm Funicular Railway, which takes visitors to the top of the mountain is currently closed, but due to reopen in early 2023. Here you can take in panoramic views from over 3,500 feet!

Aviemore to Inverness

As we continue up the A9 we come to Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands. This is a wonderful, compact yet vibrant city, with so much to see and do. A great place for restaurant dining, a trip to the theatre, shopping and live music. There are several nearby historic attractions, such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and the Clava Cairns. Plus you’re only a short distance from the famous Loch Ness, where you can take a boat cruise and hunt for Nessie!

Day 4

Inverness to Tain

After leaving Inverness, we head north to the small town of Tain. A picturesue and historic place with its own museum. Whisky lovers have the choice of two distilleries to visit in the area; Glenmorangie Distillery and Balblair Distillery. The beautiful Mermaid of the North statue is also not far from the town, in the village of Ballintore.

Tain to Wick

Finally, drive along the scenic east coast from Tain to your final destination. Wick is a friendly town in the fair north of Scotland with dramatic coastal scenery. Close to John O’Groats, the most northerly village on the UK mainland, and Dunnet Head, the most northerly point. View our see and do guide for an ever-growing list of things to do during your visit, including local walks, beautiful beaches, arts and culture and hidden gems.

We’d love to welcome you to Mackays Hotel for your stay in Wick. We offer cosy hotel rooms and self-catering accommodation, in the heart of the town. See our latest special offers here and please don’t hestitate to contact us if you need any help in planning your visit.