Scotland’s epic 273 mile road takes you from the Highlands to southern Spain (2025)

The 273-mile A9 offers some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery and forms part of a route that stretches all the way to Gibraltar.

Scotland is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking road trips, and one of them runs right through the heart of the country. The A9, a key stretch of the famous North Coast 500, offers a scenic journey from the Central Belt to the remote beauty of Caithness in the far north.

Spanning 273 miles, the A9 is the fifth-longest A-class road in the UK. Beginning near Falkirk, it slices through the landscape, guiding drivers past serene beaches, dense forests, and dramatic Highland views before reaching what feels like the edge of the world.

The historic route has been around for nearly 300 years, originally built in the 18th century by General Wade as part of efforts to control the Highlands. Despite its impressive length, the full trip can be completed in around five hours, though taking the time to stop and soak in the surroundings is highly recommended.

From its starting point at Polmont, just outside Falkirk, the A9 travels past the city of Stirling and follows the low-lying plains carved by the River Forth.

At the Keir Roundabout near Dunblane, it becomes the main artery heading north, transforming into a primary dual carriageway that eventually leads deep into the Highlands.

As the A9 pushes northward from Perth, it enters some of the most scenic landscapes Scotland has to offer. Nestled between the rolling hills of southern Perthshire, the road offers a glimpse of the prestigious Gleneagles golf course on the left, while the beautiful Strathearn valley stretches out behind you.

Soon, the route carries drivers into the heart of ‘Big Tree Country’, a majestic stretch of countryside known for its towering forests and striking mountain backdrops.

As the road winds on, it passes through picturesque towns like Dunkeld and Pitlochry, both well worth a stop for their Highland charm and warm hospitality.

From there, the A9 skirts the western edge of Cairngorms National Park, where towns like Aviemore and Boat of Garten provide ideal pit stops for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. The road then presses on to Inverness, often dubbed the capital of the Highlands, but the journey doesn’t end there.

Crossing the Kessock Bridge, the A9 continues through the Black Isle and up the wild and rugged coastline of Sutherland.

It passes through the historic towns of Dornoch and Brora before veering inland at Latheron, heading straight north towards Thurso and eventually arriving at Scrabster Harbour, the final stop on this iconic route.

But the A9’s journey doesn't have to stop there. It's part of a much grander network, the international E-road system, which connects it all the way to southern Spain.

Heading back south from Inverness, the A9 rejoins the Broxden Roundabout and links up with the M90 towards Edinburgh.

From there, it connects with the A1 and eventually becomes the A1(M) in England, passing through major cities such as Gateshead and Peterborough. The route then merges with the M25 around London before continuing on the M20 to the Channel Tunnel.

On the other side, it picks up again in Calais and runs through a string of European hotspots, Paris, Girona, Murcia, Malaga – before finally reaching Algeciras in Andalucía, right across the bay from the British territory of Gibraltar.