Fusion 500: The new 500-mile road trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh with plenty of interesting stops in-between

It might seem like a roundabout, and time consuming, way to travel between Scotland’s two major cities, but with most people likely to be looking at staycation again this year, one company hopes its new tourism trail can provide a fresh way to explore the country.
Royal Gardens apartments in Stirling - one of the accommodation options on the route.Royal Gardens apartments in Stirling - one of the accommodation options on the route.
Royal Gardens apartments in Stirling - one of the accommodation options on the route.

Hospitality experts, the Accommodation Services Trading Company, part of the Fusion Group of companies, has launched the Fusion 500, a road trip which starts in Glasgow, ends in Edinburgh, and in between explores 500 miles of picturesque countryside, highland beaches and city culture.

Kirsty Laird, marketing manager for Fusion, said the success of the North Coast 500 had prompted the company to come up with a similar route further south.

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“We know Scotland inside and out, from buzzy cities, to national parks, to remote Highland wildernesses,” she said, “so with this in mind, we created the Fusion 500 and we’d love it if this route attracted even a small proportion of the success of the North Coast 500.

Eagle Hotel in Dornoch. Pic: Weir Photography.Eagle Hotel in Dornoch. Pic: Weir Photography.
Eagle Hotel in Dornoch. Pic: Weir Photography.

"It may well become a viable alternative for those living in the central belt who won’t have to travel quite so far north to start it and four of Scotland’s major cities are included on the route – Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness and Edinburgh – so it’s very accessible.”

Starting in Glasgow for a day of city exploration, the route moves on to Loch Lomond, before heading into the Trossachs and Stirling, and then on to the Glencoe area, where the Loch Leven Hotel at Fort William is one of the recommended stop-offs. It’s then further north into the North Highlands, as far as Dornoch in Sutherland, before heading south again via the Cairngorms.

From there, you travel from the craggy peaks into the lush greenery of Highland Perthshire, exploring charming market towns like Pitlochry and Dunkeld, before finishing the journey in Scotland’s capital where you can stay in comfort at Edinburgh Rooms & Apartments in McDonald Road.

“This route has something for all ages,” Kirsty added, “and it can be comfortably completed by car, or public transport, in seven to eight days.

Logierait Lodges in Pitlochry.Logierait Lodges in Pitlochry.
Logierait Lodges in Pitlochry.

“As the hospitality sector recovers after the pandemic, we want Scots to get behind their own country as there is so much to see and do. All of the accommodation providers on this route, which range from hotels, self-catering lodges, and serviced apartments, to B&Bs, will really appreciate the custom this summer and into autumn.

“We’ll be promoting our route through our website and social media channels, offering great deals on the cost of the various accommodation options.”

Accommodation Services is an innovative business which combines looking after an extensive portfolio of hotels and self catering rooms across the country, with running a commercial property arm and operating a global meetings and events company. It continues to experience a five-fold increase in room numbers since the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic, attracting new business from all corners of the country.

More details on the Fusion 500 can be found here: Fusion 500 Road Trip

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