Loch Locations You Need To Drive To In 2021

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Serene lake scene with calm water reflecting cloudy sky and surrounding hills, with some rocks and sparse grass along the foreground shore, showcasing natural landscape with no visible text or cars, a peaceful setting ideal for promoting used cars or new cars with a focus on outdoors and nature.
Serene lake scene with calm water reflecting cloudy sky and surrounding hills, with some rocks and sparse grass along the foreground shore, showcasing natural landscape with no visible text or cars, a peaceful setting ideal for promoting used cars or new cars with a focus on outdoors and nature.

Let's begin by imagining that 'no travel restrictions' feeling (if you can imagine it!). You're finally back on the good old open road. It's a beautiful day; the wind is in your hair, the stereo is cranked up, and the world is your oyster. Where will your motor take you?

For us at Macklin Motors, there's only one winning driving location: Scotland's lovely lochs. But, with more than 3,000 stunning locales to choose from, cutting your loch list down to size can be a little tricky. That's why we've used our time in lockdown to pull together the best loch driving locations according to you.

Calculating total mentions from Instagram and TikTok, we've sourced the lochs you need to visit and mapped them by what matters most to you. From tourist hotspots to quiet nooks, take a look at our helpful heatmap for the best post-lockdown lochs you need to drive to this year.

Best loch driving locations for socialites and showing off

Map of Scotland showing the most trending and best lochs for social media based on TikTok views, with various lochs marked and colour-coded by popularity. The map includes lochs such as Loch Morar, Loch Eil, Loch Voil, Loch Awe, Loch Fyne, Loch Ness, Loch Morlich, Loch Tay, Loch Earn, and Loch Lomond. TikTok views are represented by dots ranging from most views (red) to least views (light blue). Icons indicate top picks for different interests including anglers, cruisers, cyclists, foodies, hill walkers, history buffs, photography, watersports enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers. The text highlights the title 'Most Trending Best Lochs for Socialites' and categorises the lochs accordingly.

If you've got a serious case of FOMO, then you'll want to programme the much-loved Loch Ness (26.9m views), Loch Lomond (11.8m views) or Loch Eil (3.3m views) into your car's sat nav.

Away from the obvious tourist hotspots, however, is the beautiful bolthole that is Loch Voil (314k views). Tucked away to the west of Balquhidder, this narrow loch boasts 'hidden gem' hallmarks like winding tracks, old stone bridges, and quaint fishing boats; a rarity for popular destinations.

Map of Scotland showing the most photographed lochs with icons indicating the best lochs for various activities and interests. Loch Ness, Loch Morlich, Loch Leven, Loch Earn, Loch Awe, Loch Fyne, Loch Long, Loch Tay, Loch Katrine, and Loch Lomond are marked with coloured dots representing photography tags from most photographed (yellow) to least photographed (dark pink). Icons highlight top picks for anglers, cruisers, cyclists, foodies, hill walkers, history buffs, photography, watersports enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers. The image title reads 'Most Photographed - Best Lochs For Showing Off', with a legend explaining Instagram tags and top picks by activity.

For travelling shutterbugs looking for a muse, there's no better - or bigger - spot to test your camera skills than Loch Lomond. This historic loch is the subject of 457k Instagram posts, making it the most photographed loch in Scotland - no doubt helped by the hordes of city tour guides.

Other fantastic photo havens are Loch Fyne (51k Insta posts) and Loch Leven (36k Insta posts) with camera-friendly seafood and wildlife shots aplenty.

Best loch driving locations for hipsters and solitude

Map of Scotland titled 'Least Trending Best Lochs For Hipsters' showing various lochs with different TikTok view levels from most views in red to least views in light blue. Specific lochs labelled include Loch Assynt, Loch Afric, Loch Arkay, Loch Ericht, Loch Rusky, Loch Garry, Loch an Eilien, Lake of Menteith, Clatteringhaws Loch, and Loch Doon. The map highlights top picks for different types of enthusiasts such as anglers, cruisers, cyclists, foodies, hill walkers, history buffs, photography lovers, watersports enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers, using corresponding icons and colour codes. This map relates to TikTok trends rather than used cars or new cars.

For beauty and sanctuary rolled into one, head to the south of Scotland where you'll find Clatteringshaws Loch - a loch frequently found on 'most beautiful lochs' lists - before making the short journey westwards to Loch Doon, a picturesque and peaceful spot that boasts wondrous riverside walks and incredible osprey watching opportunities.

For those with their sights further north, though, there is nothing quite like Loch Assynt. Tucked behind formidable mountains and bordered by pleasant grassy banks, this sparsely populated haven is the ultimate destination for visitors looking to get away from it all.

Map titled 'Least Photographed Best Lochs for Solitude' showing lochs in Scotland with Instagram tags indicating photography frequency and top picks for activities. Colour-coded dots represent most to least photographed lochs. Key activities include anglers, cruisers, cyclists, foodies, hill walkers, history buffs, photography, watersports enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers. Specific lochs such as Loch Shin, Loch Fleet, Loch Afric, Loch Garry, Loch Ericht, Loch Ossian, Loch Arkaig, Loch Rusky, Clatteringshaws Loch, and Loch Trool are labelled with recommended activities. The map uses icons and colours to highlight the solitude and appeal of less photographed lochs. Keywords used cars and new cars are not relevant to the image content.

In terms of photo havens, it's Loch Rusky that has the most untapped potential for your timeline. While it may be small, this loch's quaint fishing boat aesthetic has a bohemian feel that really comes into its own as the sun goes down.

Away from the camera, Loch Lubnaig is another fantastic hidden gem to keep on your radar. Offering a quiet reprieve from its noisy neighbour, Loch Lomond, Lubnaig is perfect for walkers and cyclists alike who want to experience the 'crooked' trails that give this loch its quirky name.

And wildlife watchers? Loch Fleet's flat scenery may be overlooked for the majestic mountains of other areas, but it homes some of the best wildlife in Scotland, including deer, otters, and seals. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!

Comparison of most trending and least trending lochs by view count. Most trending lochs ordered from most to least views: Loch Ness 26,900,000, Loch Lomand 11,800,000, Loch Eil 3,300,000, Loch Voil 314,100, Loch Morlich 287,700, Loch Earn 222,600, Loch Morar 189,800, Loch Tay 100,200, Loch Awe 77,000, Loch Fyne 49,900. Least trending lochs ordered from least to most views: Clatteringshaws Loch, Loch an Eilien, Loch Assynt, Loch Doon, Loch Ericht all under 50 views, Loch Rusky 76, Lake of Menteith 191, Loch Arkaig 202, Loch Garry 418, Loch Affric 493. Background images feature scenic loch landscapes.

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To get your loch road trip off to a flying start, you need a good quality motor. That's where Macklin Motors comes in handy. View our range today to see all the best new and used cars for sale in Scotland.

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