Five unlikely epic drives

After growing up on the west coast of Scotland, Fiona Pargeter moved into the world of cars, making her mark in public relations at Nissan, Volvo and Ford. In 2012, she took a top job at British car giant Jaguar Land Rover as head of PR communications. Having launched cars all over the world, here she picks out her five all-time favourite drives.

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Balloch to Perth, Scotland

Being Scottish, my absolute favourite drive is the west coast of Scotland. It goes from Balloch, across the Trossachs to Perth in Stirling. Make sure you stop in Callander – it has a great fish-and-chip shop! The first time I did the drive I was in the back of my mum’s car and too young fully to appreciate it, so I did it again by myself when I was at Nissan. I was on my own and it was a beautiful autumn day – the colours were amazing. There’s water, mountains and some incredible winding roads with big skies.

Car: Nissan Pulsar GTi-R

Photo: Getty Images

Zion National Park to Lake Powell, USA

One of my all-time favourites was driving across Utah in the USA. We were launching the new Land Rover Discovery out there, so we did a drive that took in different environments. We drove across epic stretches of nothingness – just like you see in adverts and cowboy films – as well as forests and Zion National Park. It was the ultimate American road trip, with a real Route 66 feel about it.

Car: Land Rover Discovery

Photo: Gallery Stock

Cap Ferrat to Monte Carlo, France and Monaco

Grace Kelly is a hero of mine, and it was always one of my ambitions to drive a convertible up in the hills around Monaco. There’s a lovely romance and elegance about the area, with mountains leading down to beautiful blue waters and bustling town centres. I was finally able to do it, only it was in a tiny Ford Street Ka convertible! Being quite tall, I didn’t feel that elegant in it and, while it wasn’t quite the car I had in mind, I made sure I wore a headscarf as a homage to my idol.

Car: Ford Street Ka

Photo: Alamy

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

We were driving off-road for a Range Rover launch after a huge rainstorm the day before. We drove up a mountain and could feel the air getting thinner, but at the top the views were spectacular. On the way back down, half the road had disappeared because of the storm. We were thousands of feet up, with a sheer drop over the side, not knowing whether the road could take us. It felt like a real expedition.

Car: Land Rover Range Rover

Photo: Gallery Stock

Los Angeles to Malibu, USA

This was part of the Volvo C70 launch – another convertible. We were driving from LA to Santa Barbara, but my favourite part was going up into the Malibu hills. We had the roof down to let in the California sunshine, with country and western playing on the radio. I never usually listen to country music, but a bit of Faith Hill seemed to fit the surroundings.

Car: Volvo C70

Photo: Getty Images

Fiona Pargeter

Five unlikely epic drives

Balloch to Perth, Scotland

Zion National Park to Lake Powell, USA

Cap Ferrat to Monte Carlo, France and Monaco

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Los Angeles to Malibu, USA

Balloch to Perth, Scotland

Zion National Park to Lake Powell, USA

Cap Ferrat to Monte Carlo, France and Monaco

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Los Angeles to Malibu, USA

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