Scotland has some of the most dramatic scenery in the British Isles. From the highest mountains to the deepest lakes, the longest valleys to the biggest islands, and everything in between, this is a wild land. In the modern age, roads have been built that traverse the terrain, tunnels have been blasted through the mountains and bridges have spanned narrow gorges and wide sea lochs. But there’s still so much that’s untamed and untouched, and to take on this rugged landscape, you need a tough vehicle. That’s why we’re encouraging you to climb onto a powerful quad bike and let rip, enjoying the thrills of offroading, while exploring some of the most breathtaking areas in Scotland. Whether you’re looking to escape the city and blow off some steam, or follow the call of the wild to some of the most remote parts of the country we’ve got something to get your motor running.

Where are the best places to go on a quad bike ride in Scotland?

• Edinburgh: The Scottish capital, with its Georgian townhouses and cultural scene, is a civilised place. But you can let out your inner daredevil just a couple of miles from the city centre,at the Kirknewton Estate, on a natural assault course that’s a perfect test for quad biking. There are ponds, woods and hills to navigate, different surfaces like mud and gravel to get to grips with, and a whole lot of fun to be had.

• Glasgow: Scotland’s largest city is blessed with a great location for quad bikes too. Outside the Bridge of Weir village, there’s an offroad site where you can enjoy these nimble machines, or go full on by driving a tank! Exchanging wheels for tank tracks is a unique way to enjoy the Scottish landscape.

• Galloway: Near the border with England, the Galloway peninsula is a beautiful part of the UK which still retains a rural lifestyle. You can get involved with the traditional side of things near Lockerbie by taking a quad bike ride around a working farm in the wide open countryside. They might even ask you to help move the livestock!

• Loch Lomond: One of the (many) jewels of Scotland’s natural terrain, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is a popular spot for hill walkers, horse riding and watersports. But the fastest way to get around the shores of the region's lakes, and up the mountainsides, is on an all terrain quad bike. There are experiences on offer in Easterhill Gartmore, on the Doune farm which boasts stunning views over the Firth of Clyde and the national park, and in Dunoon. This is a town in Argyll on the Cowal Peninsula, which is known as the maritime gateway to Loch Lomond. Here, breathtaking viewpoints over the sea lochs and channels can be found from an extensive series of trails on a 2,000 acre site.

• Perthshire: This is the part of the country where lowlands give way to highlands. But you know they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going! Go for it on a quad bike in the Ochil Hills of Glenfarg, the banks of the River Tummel at Pitlochry and Killiecrankie, the sloping sides of the valley of Loch Tay outside the town of Kenmore, or further downstream on the River Tay in Dunkeld. Here, you’ll have a chance to warm up a custom built assault course, before getting out onto a network of trails and tracks that wind through thick, ancient forest.

• The Cairngorms: Some of the highest peaks in Scotland are concentrated in the Cairngorms National Park. Just because this is a protected area doesn’t mean that you can’t tear along some off road routes on a high power quad bike. Not far from the mountaineering town of Aviemore, the Rothiemurchus estate hosts some of the best quad bike trekking in the area, with ancient pine woodland, mountain views, a herd of highland cattle and local wildlife. Alternatively, you can follow the River Spey as it descends from the high park’s high valleys to sea level.

• Fort William: The capital of the Lochaber region and unofficial heart of the Highlands, Fort William is a great place to base yourself if you’re looking for some true adventure. Some of the best involve quad bikes, like trekking through the Ardverikie Estate, where the Monarch of the Glen series was filmed, riding in the valleys around Spean Bridge, or getting unparalleled views of the Great Glen in the area of Loch Laggan.

• Thurso: Quad bikes are ideal for going off road, but if you want to really get off the beaten track and leave other travellers behind, you should make the journey to the far flung north coast. The area around Thurso is in many ways more suited to mountain goats and highland cattle than people, but you can give them a run for their money with the help of a quad.

How long does a quad biking session in Scotland last?

The quad bikes that are waiting for you in Scotland are powerful machines, which can tackle all kinds of terrain and travel at high speeds on the flat. This means that even in the shortest sessions, which last one hour, you’ll have a varied experience that includes navigating natural and man made obstacles and the chance to open up the throttle and feel the power. There are longer experiences too, in which you can trek through the landscape and discover hidden gems that you might not be able to reach on foot. These last from 2 to 2.5 hours. Of course, with check in, safety briefings and instructions, and kitting up, you’ll spend some extra time on site.

Who can ride?

In the length and breadth of this region, there’s a huge variety of treks, trails and tracks, some of which are smooth and even, and others are rugged and challenging. Combine that with the fact that there are quad bikes of all sizes, and you’ll find that there’s something for everyone here. Children as young as nine years old can experience the force of junior quad in some places, while they’ll have to wait until they turn 12 or 14 in others. Some of the most tricky trails, and the longest routes are reserved for adults.

So this is a fantastic experience for a family outing, but it’s great for other groups as well. Stag and hen parties, birthday parties and corporate events are catered to around the Scottish region, with some providers able to take groups of over 10 people for a quad bike ride through some beautiful scenery.

For high octane fun, there’s nothing like a strong Scottish quad bike. Try it out yourself!