One of the most beautiful drives in Scotland (although too short) is on Road A83 through the Argyll Forest Park.
It takes you from Tarbet up through Glen Croe, to the famous Rest & Be Thankful Pass and through Glen Kinglas.
Below are my tips and photos of the drive.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Scotland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Scotland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Seal spotting on Loch Linnhe from Fort William
My favorite excursion from Edinburgh: Glenfinnan and Glencoe
My favorite places to stay:
- Edinburgh: see best rated hotels – e.g. Balmoral Hotel
- Glencoe: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Glencoe House Hotel
- Portree: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Cuillin Hills Hotel
- Inverness: see best rated hotels – e.g. Kingsmills Hotel
Why do a road trip on the A83 road?
Well, words cannot explain, so let me show you a picture taken along the road…
Worth considering for your Scotland itinerary, isn’t it?
More photos of the landscapes after the planning tips.
Planning Tips – Road A83 through the Argyll Forest
How to get to Glen Croe, the Argyll forest and the Rest and be Thankful pass
- A83 is between Tarbet (on the West shore of Loch Lomond) and Cairndow (on Loch Fyne)
- It drives through the Northern part of the Argyll Forest Park and in Glen Croe
- After the viewpoint at the edge of the Argyll Forest Park you enter Glen Kinglas
- Edinburgh to Tarbet = 2h drive
- Glasgow to Tarbet = 1h drive
- Between Tarbet and Cairndow it is a 30min drive
- The road is in good condition and the drive easy (if you are a little stressed, you can also check my Scotland driving guide with video)
You can find this drive in my travel guide that facilitates the planning of your road trip through Scotland:
Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
- 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 170+ original photos to help you choose
Visiting the Argyll Forest Park
- You can either get a glimpse while driving A83 to Inveraray Castle and Loch Awe (like you will see in this post)
- Or if you have time you can drive down and explore more of the Forest with the drive to Loch Goill or the scenic road along Loch Eck on A815 (towards the town of Dunoon)
- At Ardgartan is a visitor center for the Argyll Forest to get information on walks and activities
- Learn more about the Argyll Forest Park on its official website
Need to rent a car in Scotland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the single-lane roads
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Drive through Glen Croe, Scotland
After passing Arrochar on Loch Long, you start getting up in Glen Croe. The drive used to be long and very steep at the end. Now the road climbs steadily to the pass with high summits on each side. Some mountains in the area are above 900m high.
The dense tree line on each side confirms that you are in the Argyll forest park, Britain’s oldest Forest Park. Established in 1935, it is located at the end of the Highland Boundary Fault, the crack in the Earth’s surface that marks the line between Lowland and Highland Scotland. The surrounding peaks are called the Arrochar Alps.
Rest and Be Thankful Scotland (mountain pass & viewpoint)
At the top of Glen Croe is a mountain pass with a large parking.
You cannot miss it! Take the time to stop, Rest and Be Thankful.
It is at the turn towards Loch Goill:
About the Rest and be Thankful pass Scotland
The viewpoint is spectacular. You are at the edge of the Argyll Forest Park and at the end of Glen Croe. The viewpoint is called Rest & Be Thankful which is the inscription on a stone at this location. It was there for, back in history, when the road was difficult, and people would stop and appreciate to have made it that far.
Here is the view:
Loch Restil
And if you turn around and cross the street at the viewpoint, you find the small Loch Restil. It is apparently a great place for fishing trout. You can just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Drive through Glen Kinglas, Scotland
After that you leave Glen Croe and the Argyll Forest Park and drive down in Glen Kinglas towards Loch Fyne and Inveraray Castle.
The Kinglas Water flows for 9km (6mi) down to Loch Fyne. As you drive down there is apparently a photogenic small bridge built in 1745. I did not see it. Learn more on the Hazel Tree.
As you drive down the hills get less rugged and greener:
If you like stunning road trips check out some of the best roads in Scotland:
- A82 through Glen Coe
- A87 Road to Skye Bridge with Glen Shiel
- Glen Etive
Planning a trip to Scotland?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
- 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 170+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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