Stunning Scots road trip with magnificent mountains and serene lochs named one of best in UK – and it's not the NC500
DRIVING SWEET Stunning Scots road trip with magnificent mountains and serene lochs named one of best in UK – and it's not the NC500
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A STUNNING Scots road trip has been named one of the best in the UK - and it's not the NC500.
New research from Isuzu UK has uncovered the nation's most awe-inspiring, breathtaking and peaceful driving routes.
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The Scots trip came in a close second
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The Lake District trip took first place
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The survey was carried out by Isuzu
From the dramatic fells of the Lake District to the wild coasts of Wales and the highland passes of Scotland, the study highlights the UK's love affair with the open road.
And it proves just how many unforgettable journeys are waiting to be explored right on our doorstep.
Coming in a very close second place in the whole of the UK is the gorgeous Loch Lomond to Glencoe route.
The scenic route takes in the stunning Argyll Forest Park, Loch Tulla, and Loch Ba.
From magnificent mountains to serene waters, it can't fail to impress - which is perhaps why it was chosen as the backdrop for Bond movie Skyfall.
And it's also a haven for nature-lovers with herds of wild deer and birds of prey regularly spotted on the journey.
The jaw-dropping trip was only just pipped to the post by the Kendal to Keswick drive.
Following the A591, and stretching for 30 miles, it takes in some exceptional scenery, including views of Lakeland fells and the banks of Windermere.
The historic Coastal Way in Wales came in third place, followed by the winding road through Cheddar Gorge then the journey around the New Forest.
There was two a few more Scottish mentions in the top 20.
The North Coast 500: Scotland's Must-Visit Road Trip Beats the Grand Canyon
The now iconic NC500 made it into 11th place on the ranking. Taking in 500 miles round the coast of Scotland, the journey is a magnet for tourists.
And it's not hard to understand why as it includes secretive hill lochs, mist shrouded mountain peaks and beaches that wouldn't look out of place in the Med.
In 16th place is the Isle of Skye loop, which takes motorists round the popular holiday isle.
And in 18th place is The Hebridean Way. This is an island-hopping adventure which takes in 10 isles, six causeways and two ferries from Vatersay to the Butt of Lewis.
Rounding off the top 20 is the Glen Etive to Steall Falls route. This short hour-long trip ends at a stunning waterfall.
The research founds that on average Brits take seven road trips a year covering 93 miles per trip.
And 88 per cent consider car journeys as part of the holiday, with nine in ten wanting to go on more.
20 BEST DRIVES
HERE are the top 20 drives in the UK Kendal to Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria Loch Lomond to Glencoe, Scottish Highlands The Coastal Way in Wales Cheddar Gorge in Somerset The New Forest in Hampshire The Lake District Western Loop in Cumbria Snake Pass in the Pennines in Derbyshire Yorkshire Dales Circular in North Yorkshire The Cotswolds Romantic Road across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia, Wales North Coast 500 in Scotland Dartmoor National Park in Devon The Atlantic Highway (A39) from Devon to Cornwall The South Downs Way in Sussex The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland Isle of Skye Loop in Scotland Black Mountain Pass (A4069) in Wales The Hebridean Way in Scotland Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass in the Lake District, Cumbria – Glen Etive to Steall Falls in Scotland
George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK, said: 'It's fantastic to see just how much Brits appreciate the incredible scenery that we have in the UK, with routes like Kendal to Keswick and Loch Lomond to Glencoe topping the list.
"With 92 per cent saying the UK has some of the world's best road trips, and two-thirds believing they can be just as enjoyable as going abroad."
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