The study by Indigo Car Hire ranked UK road trips based on tree cover, nearby heritage sites and autumn events.
As the September Equinox approaches on Monday, September 22, new research has ranked two Scottish drives among the best road trips in the UK for the autumn season.
The study, carried out by car hire specialists Indigo Car Hire, assessed destinations across the country by tree density, the number of museums and heritage sites within 20 miles, and the availability of Halloween or autumn-themed events nearby.
Perthshire’s Big Tree Country has been named Scotland’s best autumn road trip and second overall in the UK, scoring 74 out of 100. With more than 200,000 acres of countryside, the region boasts the nation’s oldest and largest trees, earning its reputation as an “autumnal wonderland”.
The area is celebrated not only for its woodland but also for its historic castles, whisky distilleries and panoramic viewpoints. The woodlands, which contain more champion trees than anywhere else in Britain, create a landscape that draws thousands of visitors every year.
Perthshire’s reputation as Big Tree Country can be traced back to David Douglas, a legendary seed collector from Scone. In the 1800s, Douglas travelled the globe discovering new species, including the Douglas fir that bears his name. Today, the towering firs thrive in sites such as The Hermitage, where visitors can also spot regenerating native species including oak, hazel and birch.
Nature enthusiasts flock to the region every autumn to experience what many call the best leaf-peeping opportunities in Scotland. The National Trust for Scotland’s Hermitage estate remains one of the most popular spots to admire the seasonal colours.
Glencoe and Loch Leven also earned a place on the list, ranked the second best road trip in Scotland with a score of 49 out of 100.
The famous A82 route through the glen is widely recognised as one of the country’s most spectacular drives, particularly in autumn when the surrounding hillsides blaze with colour.
The dramatic landscapes of Glen Coe, formed by ancient glaciers and volcanic activity, provide a striking contrast to the flat expanses of nearby Rannoch Moor.
The region is renowned among walkers, climbers and mountaineers for its peaks and ridges, including the Three Sisters, Buachaille Etive Mòr and the Aonach Eagach Ridge.
Glencoe also holds an important place in Scotland’s history as the site of the 1692 massacre, a tragedy that continues to be remembered more than three centuries later.
Visitors to the area often begin their trip in Glencoe village, located at the western end of the glen. The National Trust for Scotland’s visitor centre there offers interactive exhibits, walking information and a café.
Ballachulish, on the shores of Loch Leven, is another popular base, with its former slate quarry providing a fascinating glimpse into the area’s industrial past.
While Scotland features prominently, the overall UK ranking placed Hampshire’s New Forest at the very top.
Scoring 76 out of 100, the forest claimed first place thanks to its sweeping autumn leaves, family attractions such as Peppa Pig World, and a wealth of heritage sites, country parks and motorcycle museums.
The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean secured third spot on the national list with a score of 67. Visitors there can enjoy sculpture trails, treetop adventures with Go Ape, and canoeing along the River Wye.
Top 10 Autumnal roadtrips in the UK:
- The New Forest loop – 76/100
- Perthshire’s Big Tree Country – 74/100
- Wye Valley and Forest of Dean – 67/100
- Surrey Hills and Leigh Hill – 66/100
- Lake District loop – 60/100
- The Cotswolds loop – 59/100
- Peak District, Snake Pass – 56/100
- York Maze and the North Yorkshire Moors – 55/100
- Northumberland Castles loop – 51/100
- Glencoe and Loch Leven – 49/100
