Scotland Without Driving: The Best Ways to Explore the Highlands
You do not need to hire a car to enjoy Scotland. In fact, travelling without driving can make your holiday more relaxing….
You do not need to hire a car to enjoy Scotland. In fact, travelling without driving can make your holiday more relaxing. You can admire the scenery, enjoy the journey and spend more time exploring the places that interest you.
However, planning a trip around Scotland without a car takes a little thought. Trains and buses connect many popular destinations, but services can be limited in rural areas. Some of Scotland’s most beautiful places are also difficult to reach using public transport alone.
The good news is that you have several options. You can travel by train, use local buses, join organised excursions or book a private driver-guided tour. The best choice depends on your itinerary, budget and how much flexibility you want.
In this guide, we explain how to explore Scotland without driving, including the best transport options, places to visit and practical tips for planning your trip.
Can You Visit Scotland Without a Car?
Yes, you can explore Scotland without driving. Major cities, popular towns and several well-known tourist destinations have good public transport connections.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are excellent starting points. From there, you can travel by train or bus to destinations such as Stirling, Inverness, Fort William and other parts of the Highlands.
However, not every destination is equally accessible. Remote villages, secluded castles, scenic viewpoints and some Highland attractions may require additional planning.
For this reason, we recommend choosing your destinations before deciding how to travel between them. This helps you avoid spending too much time changing transport or waiting for infrequent services.
If you want to visit several places in one trip, consider combining public transport with a private tour or organised excursion.
Travel Around Scotland by Train
Trains are one of the most enjoyable ways to travel around Scotland without driving. They connect major cities and several Highland destinations, with beautiful scenery along many routes.
You can sit back, relax and enjoy the views while travelling between towns and cities.
Edinburgh to Inverness
The train journey from Edinburgh to Inverness is a useful option for visitors who want to explore the Highlands without a car.
Inverness is a convenient base for visiting Loch Ness, exploring the surrounding countryside and discovering Highland history. Once you arrive, you can use local transport or arrange an organised excursion to reach nearby attractions.
Glasgow to Fort William
The railway journey from Glasgow to Fort William passes through spectacular Highland scenery. It is a popular choice for travellers who want to experience mountains, lochs and dramatic landscapes without driving.
Fort William also provides access to the Glenfinnan area, Glencoe and other parts of the western Highlands, although reaching individual attractions may require additional transport.
The West Highland Line
The West Highland Line is famous for its scenic views. Parts of the route pass remote landscapes, mountain scenery and beautiful lochs.
It is a wonderful choice if you enjoy slow travel and want the journey itself to be part of your holiday.
Our tip: Check train timetables and book ahead when appropriate, especially during busy travel periods. Always check the full route, including any connections needed to reach your accommodation or planned attractions.
Use Buses to Reach More Destinations
Buses can help you reach places that are not directly served by train. They are particularly useful for travelling between towns, villages and some popular visitor destinations.
However, rural bus services may run less frequently than city services. Some routes have limited evening or Sunday services, so it is important to check the timetable before making plans.
Where can you travel by bus?
Depending on the route and season, buses can help you reach destinations around:
- Loch Lomond: Explore the national park, lakeside villages and walking routes.
- Fort William: Use the town as a base for exploring the western Highlands.
- Isle of Skye: Travel to selected towns and villages, including Portree, using available connections.
- Inverness: Reach some nearby towns and attractions using local and regional services.
Keep in mind that getting to a destination does not always mean you can easily explore the surrounding area. Attractions may be several miles apart, and walking along rural roads is not always practical.
Before booking accommodation, check how close it is to the bus stop or train station. Also, confirm how you will reach the places you want to visit each day.
Explore the Scottish Highlands with a Private Driver-Guide
If your dream holiday includes remote landscapes, historic castles, Highland villages and scenic viewpoints, a private driver-guided tour can be a convenient alternative to driving yourself.
Instead of navigating unfamiliar roads, you can relax while your driver-guide takes you between destinations. You can also spend less time organising transport connections and more time enjoying your trip.
A private tour can be particularly useful for couples, families and small groups who want to explore several locations in one day.
Depending on your chosen itinerary, a private driver-guide may help you visit places such as:
- Loch Ness and the surrounding Highland countryside.
- Glencoe and its dramatic mountain scenery.
- Historic sites such as Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns.
- Traditional villages and scenic stops that are difficult to combine using public transport alone.
- Selected locations around the Isle of Skye or other parts of Scotland.
The exact destinations depend on your itinerary, available time and starting point.
A private tour does not mean every attraction is automatically accessible. Some places involve uneven paths, steps or longer walks. Discuss your interests and mobility requirements before booking.
You can explore the options available through our private tours of Scotland or use our Scotland tour finder to start planning a trip around your interests.
Join Organised Day Trips from a Convenient Base
You do not need to change hotels every night to explore Scotland. Another option is to stay in a well-connected town and join organised day trips to nearby attractions.
This approach reduces the amount of luggage you need to move and makes your holiday easier to manage.
Stay in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is an excellent base for exploring the capital and taking selected day trips.
You can explore Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Old Town and the city’s museums on foot or by local transport. Organised excursions can help you visit other parts of Scotland without hiring a car.
However, reaching the Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh can involve long travel times. If you want to explore the Highlands in greater depth, consider spending several nights further north.
Stay in Inverness
Inverness is a practical base for visitors who want to discover the Highlands.
You can explore the city, visit the River Ness and arrange excursions to Loch Ness and other nearby attractions. It is also a useful starting point for a longer Highland itinerary.
For a more personalised experience, consider our Inverness Private Day Tour, which includes Culloden, Clava and Loch Ness.
Stay in Fort William
Fort William is a good option for travellers interested in mountain scenery and the western Highlands.
You can enjoy views of Ben Nevis, explore the town and plan selected excursions into the surrounding area. Some attractions require advance transport arrangements, so check the available options before you book.
Our tip: Choose a base that matches your main interests. A well-planned stay in one or two locations can be more enjoyable than rushing across Scotland every day.
Visit the Isle of Skye Without Driving
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations, thanks to its dramatic coastline, mountain scenery and picturesque villages.
You can visit Skye without driving, but you need to plan carefully. Public transport connects some communities, yet many famous landscapes and walking areas are spread across the island.
Portree is a useful base because it offers accommodation, places to eat and connections to selected bus routes. However, you should not assume that every attraction can be reached easily from the town.
You could consider three approaches:
Use public transport: Check the routes and timetables for the specific places you want to visit. Allow plenty of time between connections.
Join an organised excursion: A day trip can help you visit several locations without arranging every connection yourself.
Book a private tour: A tailored itinerary can make it easier to combine your preferred scenery, villages and historic sites, subject to the agreed route and schedule.
If Skye is a priority, allow enough time to appreciate the island rather than treating it as a quick stop between other destinations.
Experience Scotland’s History Without a Car
Scotland has a rich history, from medieval castles and royal residences to ancient sites and important battlefields.
Many historic attractions are located in cities or towns, making them relatively easy to visit without driving. Others sit in rural areas and require more planning.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s best-known historic attractions. It stands above the city and offers views across Edinburgh.
You can reach the castle from the city centre on foot, although the approach includes an uphill walk.
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is another excellent choice for history lovers. Stirling is connected to major Scottish cities by train, and the castle can be reached from the town centre with some walking.
Check access arrangements and allow enough time for the uphill approach.
Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns
Near Inverness, Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns offer different perspectives on Scotland’s past.
Culloden is associated with the Battle of Culloden in 1746, while Clava Cairns is an ancient prehistoric site.
Both are worthwhile additions to a Highland itinerary. However, travelling between them by public transport may require careful planning. A private day tour can make visiting both locations and Loch Ness more straightforward.
Practical Tips for Travelling Around Scotland Without Driving
A little preparation can make a big difference to your holiday.
Check timetables before booking accommodation
Look at the transport connections for the exact dates you plan to travel. Do not assume that services operate as frequently in rural areas as they do in cities.
Allow extra time for connections
Delays or missed connections can affect the rest of your day. Avoid planning several tightly timed journeys, particularly when travelling between rural destinations.
Travel with manageable luggage
If you are changing trains, using buses or walking to your accommodation, lighter luggage makes the journey easier.
Check seasonal services
Some routes and excursions operate differently depending on the season. Attractions may also have shorter opening hours during quieter months.
Book popular experiences in advance
Trains, accommodation and organised excursions can be busy during popular travel periods. Booking ahead helps you secure the options that suit your plans.
Think about walking distances
A destination may be close to a station on the map but still involve steep streets, uneven paths or a long walk. Check the route before deciding whether it suits your needs.
Keep your itinerary realistic
Scotland may look small on a map, but Highland journeys can take longer than expected. Focus on a few areas rather than trying to see everything in one trip.
Is a Private Scotland Tour Worth It If You Do Not Drive?
For some travellers, a private tour is one of the most convenient ways to explore Scotland without driving.
It can be particularly useful if you want to visit several attractions in one day, prefer not to rely on rural bus timetables or want an itinerary built around your interests.
A private driver-guided tour may suit:
- Couples looking for a relaxed and personalised holiday.
- Families who want to reduce the stress of changing transport.
- Small groups travelling together.
- Visitors interested in castles, history, scenery or local culture.
- Travellers who want to explore beyond the main cities.
You can discuss your preferred destinations, pace and sightseeing priorities when planning your route.
However, a private tour is not essential for every trip. If you mainly want to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow and other well-connected towns, public transport may be all you need.
The key is to choose the option that best suits your holiday rather than trying to use one transport method for everything.
To start planning, visit Book Scotland Tours or browse our private Scotland tours for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can reach several Highland towns by train or bus and join organised excursions to visit selected attractions. However, some remote areas are difficult to reach using public transport alone. A private driver-guide can make a multi-stop itinerary easier to organise.
Trains are useful for travelling between major cities and selected towns. Buses connect additional destinations, while organised excursions and private tours can help you explore places that are difficult to reach independently. Combining different transport options often works best.
Yes. You can travel to Inverness by public transport and arrange an excursion to Loch Ness. Check the departure point and itinerary carefully, as not every service visits the same attractions around the loch.
Yes, but you will need to plan ahead. Public transport connects selected towns and villages, while organised excursions can help you visit several popular locations. A private tour may offer more flexibility, depending on the itinerary.
Major cities and several popular towns are well connected. However, public transport can be limited in rural areas, particularly when you want to visit multiple attractions in one day. Planning your route around available services is essential.