We plan to do a 1 week rental car road trip from Glasgow down along the west coast in September 2025.
I am looking for suggestions for route, stop overs, and what to see.
In other words spacing of where to stay based on drive times and things to see/do.
Prefer small towns and beaches.
Thanks, Tom
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2479 posts
You are spoilt for choice! This is an area still undiscovered by the average tourist but has a lot to offer. A lot depends on what you are interested in - Castles and Stately homes (Culzean, Drumlanrig, Dumfries House...) ruined castles (Cardonness, McLellands Tower...) ruined abbeys (Glenluce, Sweetheart, Dundrennan...) Gardens (Threave Castle gardens, Castle Kennedy Gardens, Logan Botanic Gardens) lochs (Glen Trool is the equal of any in the Highlands) ancient remains (Cairn Holy, Drumtroddan Standing Stones) early Christian heritage(Whithorn , Isle of Whithorn, St Ninian's Cave) WW2 links (Garlieston for the Mulberry harbours) Museums (Gem Rock museum in Creetown) whisky distillery (Bladnock)...
There is the SWC300 which will give you ideas for an itinerary.
The Undiscovered Scotland website has loads of ideas of things to do and see on the way. Follow the links from the map page for
text pages with information and photos.
The Walk Highlands website is the place to go for ideas for walks.
If using google maps for driving times, it is recommended to add 25% to their times PLUS time for stops. Driving in this part of Scotland can be quite slow. This is the place to slow down and enjoy.
There are lots of attractive small towns along the way for overnight stops, or choose one place for several nights and make day trips from there.
Posted by
London
1435 posts
I used to enjoy a drive down to Dunure and Croy Shore quite often. There's a little ruined castle at Dunure (that you used to be able to clamber around willy-nilly) and the beach at Croy Shore is a good one. It used to be the case that you could take a car right on to the beach at Croy Shore and it's a great spot to watch the sunset looking out across the sea to Arran.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1711 posts
Caerlaverock castle is in the area I'd add that, possibly consider a day over to Arran.
Another place is Wigtown, Scotland's book town which is a very easy place to spend a day.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Sorry for the late reply!
Thank you all for the suggestions.
Looking forward to the trip.
Slainte, Tom
Posted by
Lake District, England
8882 posts
By the way the inside of Caerlaverock Castle is currently closed to visitors for Conservation work- you can still see the exterior and explore the grounds.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1899 posts
With a week for that area you might want to also head east. The four Borders Abbeys are very interesting and there are a couple of ruined castles (Tantallon, Dirleton) a bit north of the abbeys. St. Abbs is a pretty little fishing village.
We have visited Scotland multiple times - I am curious why you have chosen to focus on the southwestern part of Scotland.