Driving in Scotland is the most popular way to get around with motorways, A roads and winding lanes running through the country's bewitching landscapes.

Key destinations

• Big cities. The capital, Edinburgh, and biggest city, Glasgow, make for perfect starting points to any Scottish adventure. Both have pick-up locations at their airports, making collecting your keys a seamless experience.

• Edinburgh Airport is nine miles west of the city via the A90. If you're looking for something a little further afield, head north-west on the M9 to reach the wonders of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.

• Aberdeen Airport is the gateway to north east Scotland. Head south on the A96 for six miles for the city centre. Drive south-west for an hour along the A90 and A93 through the Cairngorms National Park and you'll arrive at Balmoral Castle for a royal experience.

• Inverness Airport is the best starting point for Loch Ness and the northern portion of the Highlands. Take your hire car on to the A96 south from the airport before picking up the B865 at the Raigmore Interchange. Keep travelling south along the A82 before arriving at Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness.

Driving in Scotland

Scotland – like the rest of the UK – drives on the left of the road. While most roads are large and easy to navigate, the further away from the cities you get, the smaller the roads become.

When you're heading up to the Highlands, take care along roads such as the mesmerising Ardgour to Glenfinnan A861 route as much of it is single track. This road clutches to the banks of the glassy Loch Eil, which flows from Loch Linnhe.

Navigating the Highlands means you'll come across many of these quaint winding lanes, so it's always advised to take things slow and admire the scenery along the way.

Keep your eyes peeled for speed limit changes and enjoy the diversity of the Scottish vistas along the way for a wonderful experience.

Scotland offers diverse landscapes, hidden gems, enchanting castles and adventure around every corner.

Visit Loch Lomond

Thanks to Scottish folklore, Loch Ness has received much fame through the years. But visitors are now gravitating towards Loch Lomond, and for good reason.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is an extremely popular holiday destination for solo travellers, couples and families alike.

There's an incredible amount to see and do in the area – from strolling along the shore of the loch, camping, cycling, hiking and climbing to a whole range of water activities, including cruises.

Hike the Highlands

The Highland region is a hiker's dream. Covering around 10,000 square miles in northern Scotland, you'll discover landscapes ranging from mountains to glens, ancient woodland, vast lochs and rivers. A surprising bonus to this region is its beautiful hidden beaches, too.

There are a number of walks to tackle around Glen Nevis, including the famous Ben Nevis route – the town of Fort William is the Glen Nevis gateway, so stop for a delicious lunch here before taking on the peaks.

If you're a movie fan, don't miss the chance to visit the Glenfinnan viaduct – as seen in the Harry Potter films - or simply explore the wonders of Glencoe. A portion of the Cairngorms is also in the Highlands – hire a car from Elgin to explore this glorious national park.

The Isle of Mull is south of the Highlands and is certainly worth adding on to your trip for its wealth of fascinating wildlife alone. Whether you book your car hire from Glasgow or Inverness to explore the Highlands, this Inner Hebridean island is a must-visit.

Explore Edinburgh

One of the UK's most famous cities, and Scotland's capital, Edinburgh is a renowned festival city with an incredible number of attractions including a wonderful castle with a fascinating history.

From world-class cuisine, a booming arts scene and vibrant nightlife, to a plethora of charming heritage sites to explore, Edinburgh is a city not to be missed.

Go on a road trip

While the Highland-based North Coast 500 has gained popularity in recent years, there are a number of other wonderful routes to drive in bonnie Scotland.

You'll truly be spoilt for choice no matter where you begin your journey. From Edinburgh you could drive the 64 miles to St Andrews via the East Neuk of Fife to take in wondrous coastal vistas.

Head a little further north to discover Dundee. From Edinburgh, or even Glasgow, head to Glencoe – both routes take less than three hours.

Aberfoyle to Callander - via the Three Lochs Forest Drive - is a peaceful woodland drive, taking in three lochs along the 20 mile route.

Get a ferry to the Orkney Islands

There are two points in Scotland at which you can catch a ferry over to the breathtaking archipelago of Orkney – Scrabster and Aberdeen.

Depending on which route you'd prefer to take you can collect your hire car either from Wick or Aberdeen. Wick is just a half an hour drive north along the A9 to Scrabster, so both options are convenient for your adventure.

These magical islands are home to prehistoric villages, gorgeous coastline and striking red sandstone cliffs.