Scotland is a beautiful country with so much to see, from bustling cities to tranquil lochs and historic castles. When I visited recently, I based myself in Dundee and used it as a starting point for trips to Inverness, St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. It was an adventure — but one that came with a lot of time spent in the car! In this post, I’ll share why I’d now recommend splitting your stay across a few locations to make the most of your Scottish adventure.
1️⃣ The Road Trip vs The Day Trip
At first, having one hotel in Dundee seemed practical. However, we found ourselves spending hours driving back and forth each day — for example, our day trip to Inverness meant being on the road for well over 6 hours in total. While the scenery was beautiful, the long drives meant less time to actually explore the places we’d come to see. Staying in multiple locations could have saved so much time, allowing us to focus on enjoying each destination rather than rushing to fit everything in before heading back.
2️⃣ Getting a Deeper Feel for Each Place
When you only visit a place for a few hours on a day trip, it’s hard to really soak up its atmosphere. By staying overnight, you can experience somewhere at different times of day — enjoying a quiet morning walk, a bustling afternoon, or a relaxed evening meal. I feel we missed out on some of the charm of places like Inverness and Edinburgh by not staying longer. Next time, I’d love to take my time and discover the hidden corners you only find when you’re not in a rush.
3️⃣ Reduced Travel Fatigue
Driving long distances every day soon takes its toll. After a while, those hours on the road start to feel tiring, and it can make it harder to really appreciate your surroundings. Slowing the pace down by staying in different places would definitely have made for a more relaxed, enjoyable trip. There’s so much to see in Scotland — no need to race through it!
4️⃣ Making the Most of Scotland’s Variety
One of the things I loved about Scotland was how varied it is. Each destination has its own unique character — from the historic streets of Edinburgh to the peaceful shores of Loch Ness. Staying in different locations would have given us the chance to fully enjoy that variety, without feeling like we were constantly retracing our steps.
Final Thoughts
Although having a single base worked for us this time, if I had the chance to do it all over, I’d pick a couple of spots to stay in. This way, I could spend more time enjoying Scotland itself, and less time on the road. It’s definitely something I’d recommend if you’re planning your own Scottish adventure!
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