INV · United Kingdom
The natural start for the North Coast 500 and for Wester Ross. Bealach na Ba is under three hours away and everything between is worth driving.
Great roads in range
13
First road from the terminal
Drumochter Pass, about 1 hr 25 min
Best months
April, May and 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 16 May 2026
Ranked
01 · Applecross, Scottish Highlands
Britain's highest road climbs via hairpins to a wild moonscape pass above Applecross.
About 2 hr from the airport · 11.5 mi · Rating 9.9 / 10
Frequently closed by snow and ice from November to March
02 · Wester Ross, Scotland
A lochside single track with views straight across to Skye and the Cuillins.
About 2 hr 12 min from the airport · 15.5 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Occasional storm closures but lower and gentler than Bealach na Ba
03 · Glen Coe, Scottish Highlands
A sweeping run through Rannoch Moor beneath the brooding Buachaille Etive Mor.
About 2 hr 34 min from the airport · 18.6 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Snow and wind can close Rannoch Moor sections in winter
04 · Sutherland, Scotland
A remote NC500 highlight of sea lochs, switchbacks and empty moorland roads.
About 2 hr 2 min from the airport · 28 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Exposed to high winds and occasional snow
05 · Kintail, Scottish Highlands
A fast sweeping glen road beneath the jagged Five Sisters of Kintail ridge.
About 1 hr 32 min from the airport · 23.6 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10
Snow and wind common in the glen during winter
06 · Isle of Skye, Scotland
A high single track skirting the surreal landslipped pinnacles of the Trotternish ridge.
About 2 hr 41 min from the airport · 8.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
High winds and fog frequently affect the summit
07 · Wester Ross, Scotland
A narrow, twisting sea loch road with constant views over to the Applecross hills.
About 1 hr 51 min from the airport · 15.5 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Can be affected by winter storms
08 · Cairngorms, Scotland
Britain's highest classified road climbs a bleak ski pass above Glenshee.
About 1 hr 29 min from the airport · 9.9 mi · Rating 8.8 / 10
The highest main road in the UK, regularly closed by snow
09 · Argyll, Scotland
A dramatic zigzag climb through Glen Croe famous for its recurring landslides.
About 3 hr 14 min from the airport · 8.1 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Landslip prone, frequently closed after heavy rain
10 · Wester Ross, Scotland
A flowing highland road that skirts a spectacular hidden gorge and waterfall.
About 1 hr 36 min from the airport · 11.8 mi · Rating 8.7 / 10
Can be affected by winter snow showers
11 · Caithness, Scotland
Two tight hairpin descents drop the A9 into a dramatic cliffside river gorge.
About 1 hr 36 min from the airport · 3.7 mi · Rating 8.5 / 10
Steep hairpins can ice in winter
12 · Cairngorms, Scotland
Scotland's highest main road summit crossing wide open Cairngorm moorland.
About 1 hr 25 min from the airport · 20.5 mi · Rating 8.2 / 10
Snow and wind closures common in winter
13 · Ayrshire, Scotland
A coastal optical illusion road where cars appear to roll uphill on their own.
About 4 hr 59 min from the airport · 5 mi · Rating 8.2 / 10
Practical
A small fleet that sells out completely in July and August. Book months ahead or fly into Edinburgh and drive up.
April, May and 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.