EDI · United Kingdom
The best value entry to Scotland, with Glencoe and the southern Highlands within two and a half hours and the Borders roads on the doorstep.
Great roads in range
14
First road from the terminal
Rest and Be Thankful, about 1 hr 51 min
Best months
April to September
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Drive times are estimates from the terminal to the start of each road, padded for mountain routing. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 21 April 2026
Ranked
01 · Applecross, Scottish Highlands
Britain's highest road climbs via hairpins to a wild moonscape pass above Applecross.
About 4 hr 26 min from the airport · 11.5 mi · Rating 9.9 / 10
Frequently closed by snow and ice from November to March
02 · Glen Coe, Scottish Highlands
A sweeping run through Rannoch Moor beneath the brooding Buachaille Etive Mor.
About 2 hr 12 min from the airport · 18.6 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Snow and wind can close Rannoch Moor sections in winter
03 · Lake District, England
England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.
About 3 hr 35 min from the airport · 3.1 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Ice and snow regularly close the summit in winter
04 · Lake District, England
A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.
About 3 hr 22 min from the airport · 4 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Ice and snow can close the summit in winter
05 · Wester Ross, Scotland
A lochside single track with views straight across to Skye and the Cuillins.
About 4 hr 36 min from the airport · 15.5 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Occasional storm closures but lower and gentler than Bealach na Ba
06 · Kintail, Scottish Highlands
A fast sweeping glen road beneath the jagged Five Sisters of Kintail ridge.
About 3 hr 17 min from the airport · 23.6 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10
Snow and wind common in the glen during winter
07 · North Pennines, England
A biker's classic with wide open views across the Eden Valley to the Lakeland fells.
About 2 hr 54 min from the airport · 8.1 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
One of England's first roads to close in snow
08 · Argyll, Scotland
A dramatic zigzag climb through Glen Croe famous for its recurring landslides.
About 1 hr 51 min from the airport · 8.1 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Landslip prone, frequently closed after heavy rain
09 · Lake District, England
Narrow single track linking Langdale to Duddon Valley over the ancient Three Shire Stone.
About 3 hr 32 min from the airport · 4 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Prone to ice and occasional winter closure
10 · Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland
A hair raising cliff edge single track with views across to the Mull of Kintyre.
About 3 hr 58 min from the airport · 8.1 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Very narrow, can be treacherous in wind and rain
11 · Yorkshire Dales, England
Tour de France famous climb past limestone potholes between two classic dale villages.
About 4 hr 5 min from the airport · 6.8 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Snow can close the pass for short periods in winter
12 · Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland
One of the world's great coast roads, hugging cliffs beneath nine dramatic glens.
About 4 hr 5 min from the airport · 29.8 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
13 · Cairngorms, Scotland
Britain's highest classified road climbs a bleak ski pass above Glenshee.
About 2 hr 26 min from the airport · 9.9 mi · Rating 8.8 / 10
The highest main road in the UK, regularly closed by snow
14 · Wester Ross, Scotland
A narrow, twisting sea loch road with constant views over to the Applecross hills.
About 4 hr 23 min from the airport · 15.5 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Can be affected by winter storms
Practical
Large fleets and competitive pricing. Take the western route out via Stirling rather than crossing the city.
April to September. Prices and availability move sharply either side of those months, so lock the car in before the flights if you want anything more interesting than a diesel hatchback.