Scotland · Southern Uplands/8 min read

The 10 best scenic drives in the Southern Uplands.

The Scottish Highlands may steal the headlines, but the Southern Uplands offer a different kind of magic. From the desolate beauty of the Galloway Forest to the rolling heather of the Borders, these are the roads where the views do the talking.

By Drivelines·Published 06 May 2026
REGION OVERVIEW

A gentler wilderness

The landscape south of the Central Belt lacks the jagged aggression of the north, trading peaks for sweeping moorlands, deep glens, and quiet river valleys. The roads follow suit. They tend to trace the topography rather than blast through it, meaning you get long, flowing sightlines interspersed with tight, ancient stone bridges. While the surfaces can be patchy on the single-track routes, the lack of tourist traffic more than makes up for it.

Routes mapped
10
Total distance
239km
Avg curve idx
7.0/10
Map of all 10 routes in scotland-southern-uplands
StartEnd
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10
C26s · Borgue Coast · Expert
Single-trackRough surface

C26s

This brutally twisting single-track lane traces the rugged coastline with zero compromise. It is incredibly tight, heavily cratered, and demands constant steering inputs just to stay on the tarmac. You drive this one purely to access the spectacular, desolate coastal views, not for the joy of the handling.

The blind crests hide gravel washed out from the adjacent fields, so keep your speeds strictly in check.

Distance
9.1km
Drive time
0h 20m
Curve idx
10.0/10
Climb
62m
StartEnd
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09
B727 · Kirkcudbright · Expert
Mixed widthVaried surface

St Cuthbert Road (B727)

The B727 is a deeply technical, hyper-twisty route near the coast that rarely lets you travel in a straight line. The constant, tight radii and unpredictable cambers mean you have to work for every mile. While the glimpses of the Solway Firth are beautiful, the road demands your full attention.

The damp sea air often leaves a greasy film on the tarmac under the trees early in the morning.

Distance
17.6km
Drive time
0h 44m
Curve idx
10.0/10
Climb
235m
StartEnd
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08
B711 · Borthwick Water · Spirited
Single-trackVaried surface

Martin's Bridge (B711)

Following the Borthwick Water, the B711 is a quiet, rhythmic single-track lane that feels entirely removed from the modern world. The sightlines are generally good enough to let the car flow, and the views across the sheep-dotted hills are classic Borders territory. It requires respect for oncoming traffic but is otherwise a joy to navigate.

The passing places are generous, but the verges between them are soft and heavily rutted by tractors.

Distance
22.6km
Drive time
0h 29m
Curve idx
5.5/10
Climb
372m
StartEnd
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07
B709 · Traquair · Easy
Mixed widthVaried surface

Traquair Road (B709)

The northern section of the B709 offers a gentler introduction to the Borders, snaking through the Tweed Valley. It is a pleasant, undemanding drive that focuses on rolling green hills and riverside stretches rather than stark drama. The road opens up beautifully, rewarding a relaxed, touring pace.

The approach to Traquair House is often busy with cyclists on summer weekends; give them plenty of room on the narrower stretches.

Distance
25.1km
Drive time
0h 34m
Curve idx
5.0/10
Climb
544m
StartEnd
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06
B7027 · Barrhill · Expert
Single-trackRough surface

B7027

The B7027 is a raw, challenging single-track route that plunges through Galloway's more isolated terrain. The road surface is unforgiving, and the constant twists mean you are always working the wheel. However, the sheer isolation and the rugged, unspoilt surroundings make the effort worthwhile.

Potholes on the inside of the tighter bends are deep enough to cause damage if you cut the corners.

Distance
24.1km
Drive time
0h 35m
Curve idx
8.5/10
Climb
290m
StartEnd
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05
B729 · Dumfriesshire · Expert
Mixed widthSmooth surface

Ayr Street (B729)

Winding through the rural heart of Dumfriesshire, the B729 is a complex, undulating route that asks you to constantly read the changing camber. The scenery shifts from pastoral farmland to rugged hill country, keeping the visual experience varied. The tight curvature demands patience and an ability to accurately place the car.

Sightlines frequently disappear behind high stone dykes on the approach to the villages.

Distance
24.3km
Drive time
0h 34m
Curve idx
8.1/10
Climb
259m
StartEnd
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04
A714 · Galloway · Expert
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Main Street (A714)

Skirting the western edge of the Galloway Forest Park, the A714 blends dense woodland with sudden, open moorland vistas. The surface is smooth and wide, but the constant string of mid-speed corners requires unwavering concentration. It is a busy road that rewards precise line-choice over a long distance.

The tree canopy makes the surface slow to dry after a rain shower, particularly in the darker stretches near the forest park boundary.

Distance
23.6km
Drive time
0h 27m
Curve idx
8.4/10
Climb
322m
StartEnd
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03
A708 · Moffat Water Valley · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

The Holm (A708)

The A708 is a long, majestic run that cuts straight through the heart of the Southern Uplands. Tracing the valley floor, it offers unhindered views of the surrounding ridges and the vast expanse of St Mary’s Loch. The curves are long and relaxed, asking little of the driver technically while delivering massive scenic rewards.

Stop at the Grey Mare’s Tail car park to stretch your legs; the view back down the valley from the path is better than the one from the driver's seat.

Distance
28km
Drive time
0h 34m
Curve idx
4.2/10
Climb
733m
StartEnd
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02
B797 · Mennock Pass · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Mennock Pass (B797)

Climbing into the Lowther Hills, the Mennock Pass provides some of the most dramatic elevation change south of Glasgow. The road is wide enough to relieve the stress of oncoming traffic, making it easier to appreciate the steep, heather-clad slopes rising on either side. The sweeping corners demand sightline reading but rarely punish hesitation.

The sheep here treat the tarmac as a bed; you will almost certainly have to stop and wait for them to move on a quiet morning.

Distance
23.3km
Drive time
0h 33m
Curve idx
5.1/10
Climb
487m
StartEnd
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01
B709 · Eskdalemuir · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Thomas Telford Road (B709)

Running deep through the forested valleys of the Scottish Borders, the B709 is a masterclass in flowing, well-sighted tarmac. The gradient changes are gentle, allowing you to settle into a natural rhythm as the road traces the river. It rewards smooth inputs and a steady pace, opening up into glorious, empty moorland.

The surface is remarkably well-kept for a remote B-road, but watch for logging trucks pulling out of the forestry tracks around Eskdalemuir.

Distance
41.2km
Drive time
0h 51m
Curve idx
5.1/10
Climb
968m
// KEEP READING
Sibling guide · Driving
Top 10 driving roads in the Southern Uplands
Parent region · Scotland
Top 10 scenic drives in Scotland
Nearby · The Scottish Highlands
Top 10 scenic drives in the Scottish Highlands
Nearby · Central Scotland
Top 10 scenic drives in central Scotland
Index · Every region
All Top 10 Field Guides

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