Explore Scotland

I would stay in Glasgow for the day and visit the sights both cultural and retail! Visit a few of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s buildings including his masterpiece, the School of Art. See the finest civic art collection in Europe at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, home to paintings by Rembrant, Dalí, Titian and even better, it’s free! Try Buchanan Street for some retail therapy.

Head west on Great Western Road/A82. In Milton you’ll go past Lindsays Garage, which used to belong to Jackie Stewart's family. He had his first job there and was born in the house next door! Follow the A82 up the side of Loch Lomond. Stop and admire the view and if you're feeling fit you could spend the day hiking up Ben Lomond! Stay in the local area in Inverbeg, Tarbet or Arrochar.

This morning set off onto the A83 west, a really fun road. Stop in at Rest and be Thankful - this used to be a racing hill climb with Jim Clark and Jackie racing here. Go to the catering van there for the best sandwiches and rolls, my uncle Robert runs it so just tell him I sent you! Follow the A83 down the side of Loch Fyne, a great place for sailing. When the weather is nice, the west coast is my favorite place in the world. Get to Lochgilphead and take the B481 alongside the Crinan Canal to Crinan. Fantastic place for seafood. It's always fun to watch people at the locks on the canal trying to manoeuvre sailing boats into place! Take the B8025 into the A816 heading north and stop at Arduaine for the view. Continue up to Oban, a great place to stay the night and spend some time looking round, get out onto the water and check out McCaig’s Tower above the town. If you happen to be there at the end of July, check out the sail boats taking part in West Highland Week. If you have more time, get on the ferry to Mull.

This morning, follow the A85 onto the A828. This is where the fun really begins - this is a fantastic road with more amazing scenery. At Balachullish take the A82 north. If you want to extend the trip, head over to the Ardnamurchan peninsula. If not, keep going into Fort William. A fun wee town, more great seafood and if you fancy a bit of exercise, you can always climb Ben Nevis. Stay the night in Fort William.

From Fort William go onto the A830 towards Glenfinnan where there is a monument marking the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the start of the 2nd Jacobite rebellion in 1745. Head back towards Fort William and onto the A82 north towards Fort Augustus. Keep on the A82 then get onto the A87 towards Skye, another great road. Stop off at Eilean Donan Castle, which was at the start of the Highlander film, then hop on the bridge over the sea to Skye. There are lots of things to do on Skye - Dunvegan Castle and some whisky distilleries to start. Evo magazine did their car of the year test on Skye because the roads are so good to drive. Stay at one of the great B&Bs on Skye.

Head back to the mainland on the A87, pick up A890 and get onto the A835. Go to Ullapool alongside Loch Broom. I never tire of driving beside lochs! Before you leave Ullapool, make sure you have a full tank of fuel. Stay on the A835 then onto the A837 at Ledmore. This turns into the A894 then eventually the A838. This bit for me is all about the scenery and the great driving roads; if you're lucky you might see a full royal stag standing by the road! Take the time to see Cape Wrath, it even sounds scary! Durness is a good place to stay in a B&B for the night. Make sure you have booked accommodation beforehand.

If you have time at Strathtongue take the really small road north and catch up with the A836 later on the coast. You can go to Thurso for some lunch and then head to John o' Groats, the most northerly point in the UK. From here, head south on the A99 and keep an eye out for the stunning beaches. Onto the A9, just north of Golspie, check out Dunrobin Castle. Just south of Golspie there's a big statue of the Duke of Sutherland on the hill - it's a long walk but worth it, especially for the view. You can see the kart track just south of the town where I raced a long time ago! At Clashmore near Skibo Castle, if you fancy some more twisty roads, head onto the A949 to Bonar Bridge, pick up the A836 again and head south. If you want real adventure take the B9176 and meet up with the A9 again at Novar. For an overnight stay, try Dingwall.

On the last day, head to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. Along the way you can stop at wee villages like Beauly or just enjoy the scenery.