Driving holidays to Islay

If you were in a rush getting to Islay, you could easily hop on a p[lane from Glasgow and be here in no time at all. You could leave in the morning and be eating pizza on the beach for lunch! But…who wants to rush? Especially when there are so many beautiful sights to see and memorable adventures to undertake on the road to Islay. So here’s an idea for a road trip from Edinburgh to Islay, and some of the amazing things to visit along the way. Driving holidays make the journey part of the experience – let’s enjoy Scotland from the road.

Start in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is such a glorious city, it’s the perfect start to any holiday. Enjoy the culture and stay in a beautiful location like Parliament House Hotel, just down from the city centre. A road trip from Edinburgh to Islay is perfectly enjoyable, but how about upgrading? Take your road journey to the next level with a Land Rover 4 x 4 from Nomadic Scotland to make this truly an experience to remember. This way, the travelling becomes part of the holiday, not just the bits in between. 

The next decision is whether to pass through Glasgow, or go via Stirling. Timewise it’s about the same to get to Loch Lomond, so the choice is yours!

The high road

Heading north on the M9 / M80 takes you towards the beautiful ancient city of Stirling, but not before you pass a couple of giant horse heads by the side of the road. No, really. These statues are called the Kelpies and are a good place to explore for a while. The nearby Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift in the world, is nearby and offers canal boat trips. 

The drive into Stirling is beautiful from any direction – keep an eye out for both Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Stirling used to be the capital city of Stirling, and has plenty of history to discover as a result. 

The road from here to Loch Lomond takes you through glorious Stirling countryside and charming towns and villages like Kippen and Balfron. There’s loads of opportunity to find somewhere and enjoy the scenic centre of Scotland. 

The low road

From Edinburgh, take the M8 towards Glasgow. This direct route will take you through the centre of Scotland’s largest city, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and enjoy everything it has to offer. A cultural highlight is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. 

Not only is Glasgow a haven for shoppers, it’s perfect for sports lovers too. Scotland’s two biggest football teams – and biggest rivals – Celtic FC and Rangers FC have stadiums in Glasgow. 

You could spend weeks and still not see everything, but when you’re ready, head out of the city on the A82 towards the southernmost tip of Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond to Kennacraig

The next leg of your journey takes about 2 hours, if you put your foot down. But we’re chilled and enjoying the ride, so who knows how long it will take in real life?! 

We’re going to travel up the western edge of the loch, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the gorgeous Ben Lomond. We’ll pass close to the Butter Bridge, a charming old stone bridge which makes for perfect photos to remember your journey by. The scenery around here is mindblowing – every turn reveals something extraordinary. An iconic attraction on the way is Inveraray Castle with its stunning gardens. 

Kennacraig to Islay

From the ferry port at Kennacraig, it’s an enjoyable ride over the waters to Islay. Perhaps, by now, you will be keen to spend some time under a roof again. So book a few nights in Islay Cottages and enjoy our luxurious accommodation. Find out more about all our cottages and Kilchoman House here. Keep your Land Rover handy though because Islay is an island that demands to be explored. And the good news about driving holidays to Islay? You can do this adventure all over again, just in reverse, and see all the bits you missed on the way over!