Exploring the UK by road

Britain offers some of the world’s most diverse scenery – especially considering its size. And the best thing about it? It’s almost all accessible by car.

Maybe you’ve travelled the world in retirement. Perhaps you’ve watched the sun set on a Greek island or witnessed a herd of wildebeest sweeping across the Serengeti. But there’s still a lot to be said for exploring your own backyard.

Without the hassle of booking flights or sorting passports, a UK road trip means you can simply jump into the car and drive to a stunning location – which is just what Morag Sutherland did.

Morag is 75 and lives in Broughty Ferry, Dundee. “I’d been visiting a friend in late spring who lives in Elgin and she mentioned that she’d always wanted to go to Orkney,” Morag says. “I felt the same way, so we just decided we’d do it.”

She was already used to driving long distances, regularly visiting her daughter and family in West Yorkshire. But, as she says, “The motorway is fast and boring.”

The pair wasted no time. Morag’s friend started looking for accommodation and found a two-bedroom cottage that looked ideal. “I’m a very bad sea traveller,” Morag says, “so we thought the best plan was to drive up to Thurso and get the shortest sea crossing possible.”

In August last year, Morag set off on her epic trip. She drove up to Elgin in her Suzuki Swift and spent two nights there while she visited her daughter, who lives in nearby Lossiemouth.

Because of the ferry timetable, Morag and her friend decided to spend a night on the mainland in a lodge near Thurso. “There really is only one main road north from Elgin and we meandered up with frequent coffee and loo stops!” she says.

Getting ready for an extended road trip

Morag and her friend were travelling well prepared. The car was ready to cover the mileage and they’d packed everything they’d need.

Preparation is everything for a long journey. You do, of course, need to ensure your car is fit for the purpose. If you’re driving a long distance, make sure your coolant is topped up and you’ve checked your oil.

It’s also worth checking your tyre pressure. This will ensure you’re safe and help with fuel economy on a long journey. It goes without saying that you should make sure your car is fully insured, your MOT is up to date and you have breakdown cover. Read our full guide on how to prepare your car for a long journey.

It’s worth looking at your breakdown cover to familiarise yourself with the policy details. Consider for example whether your cover will provide a courtesy car if you need one.

Some policies have an “onward travel” clause that covers a night’s accommodation if you break down far from home and the car can’t be fixed the next day. For a full guide to breakdown cover, check out our article.

What to take on a long car journey

Of course, there are the snacks to think of. You may not relish the idea of stopping at a service station and spending too much on a Cornish pasty. Plan your meal stops along the way if you can. Do some research on open cafes en route and mark where the main supermarkets are. Check opening times in advance, particularly if you’re driving out of season.

Morag says: “I took a large cool box with a few meals to get us started – and I’m gluten free so I wasn’t sure about availability of suitable food.” As it happened, she says: “Orkney was really good for that.” She also made sure she had Google Maps set up for guidance.

Morag says she found driving on Orkney relatively easy. “The roads were fairly quiet with lots of well-sited toilets. What surprised us was that, apart from in Kirkwall and Stromness, coffee shops weren’t easy to find and often didn’t open till 12 and closed at 3 or 4 o’clock, even in late August.”

Booking accommodation for your trip

On the return journey the pair stayed overnight in a lodge and detoured to take in John o’ Groats before heading back south. “We stopped at Helmsdale and Nairn for lunch and dinner on the way back to Elgin,” Morag says, “and also various beaches on the way.”

The pair found that popular tourist sites Maes Howe and Skara Brae had to be booked in advance. This is worth taking into consideration when you’re embarking on a long journey to a specific destination.

It’s also a good idea to check the terrain in advance as not all roads are equal. Morag says: “The road south from Wick was a bit hairy in places with very few lay-bys and a lot of big lorries.

“I’d advise anyone driving in the Highlands to allow more time than you think you’ll need,” she adds. “Roads are winding and scenic, and not to be rushed.”

The preparation might take some time but the adventure can be worth it. “Our trip was tiring but stimulating,” Morag says, “with absolutely stunning scenery.”

Have you been inspired to plan your own UK road trip? Check out our guide to the best UK road trips in each region to begin an unforgettable journey.