IMAGES: ALAMY; GETTY
CLASSIC CAR TOURS
ROLL THROUGH SCO T L AND IN A HIGHL AND C L A S S IC
T HE DRI V E Scotland offers some of Europe’s most epic landscapes — a soothing sweep of greens, purples and earthy browns that provide the perfect contrast to the energy of its cities. Start your road trip in Glasgow, soaking up its industrial and artistic heritage, before taking the A82 north, skirting the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, where eagles and ospreys wheel overhead. Luss, a picture-perfect village on the shores of the loch, is the ideal spot for lunch with a view, before a detour west to Inveraray Castle, one of the finest country piles in the land. Further north, beneath the brooding peak of Ben Nevis, is Fort
William, its stores and outfitters ideal for picking up supplies for hikes, cycles and watersports nearby. Then, head towards Mallaig for the ferry to the magnificent Isle of Skye, passing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct along the way, or take the sinuous A87 instead. A breathtaking drive, it winds past silent lochs, wide valleys and a scattering of ruined castles. Back on the mainland, head east across the heather-flushed
braes (hillsides) and pine forests of the Cairngorms National Park. This vast wilderness is the essence of Scotland: pebble- strewn rivers teeming with salmon, whisky distilleries and the rustle of a red stag on the moors. Take it slow and admire the scenery on the journey south to Edinburgh, Scotland’s handsome, lamplit capital, where royals, writers and rebels have shaped the streets for centuries.
THE V EHIC L E For undisputed British elegance, go for a sporty Jaguar — the classic E-type, or a more recent XK — or an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, or DB6 for retro glamour. A Range Rover Evoque makes a brilliant choice, too, as much for its ability to handle tricky terrain as for its uncompromised style and comfort.
HOW TO DO IT Spring and early autumn offer longer days with the warmest, calmest weather; popular routes can often become busy with traffic in the summer months. Scotland’s weather is unpredictable, however, so pack accordingly and take care on rural roads as many are subject to closure in adverse conditions. Amenities — including fuelling stations — are limited when on remote country roads, so consider the fuel efficiency of a vehicle. Super Car Hire Scotland offers a range of luxury British cars
for hire by the day, including the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Jaguar F type.
supercarhirescotland.co.uk
From top: Eilean Donan Castle lay in ruins for 200 years before being lovingly restored in the early 20th century; cruising in a vintage convertible evokes the age-old cliche of feeling ‘the wind in your hair’
SET ON A TIDAL ISL E T, THE 13 T H - C ENT URY E I L E AN DONAN CA S T LE RISES AGA INST A BROODING HIGHL AND BA C K DROP. FEW P L A C ES EMBODY SC O T L AND ’S RI CH HI S T ORY AND WI L D, CINEMAT IC BE AU TY QUI TE LIKE IT
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