UK Rework Project: Inverness

We hope you've packed a warm jacket and perhaps a wee bit of shortbread, because today we're taking you to the Scottish Highlands! We're excited to share with you a closer look at Inverness, a brand-new city arriving as part of our upcoming UK Rework project for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Let's take a closer look at what this destination has to offer drivers.

Known as the "Gateway to the Highlands", Inverness serves as an important hub for transport, tourism, and industry in the north of Scotland. Situated at the mouth of the River Ness and close to the famous Loch Ness, this historic city combines stunning natural scenery with modern infrastructure.

One of the most striking sights you'll encounter is the iconic Kessock Bridge, which spans the Beauly Firth and connects Inverness with the Black Isle. Drivers travelling through the city's industrial area will be treated to impressive views of this landmark suspension bridge, which has become a defining feature of the city's skyline.

As you make your way through the centre of Inverness, you'll be able to enjoy views of the River Ness and spot one of the city's most recognisable riverside hotels. Our team has also recreated several notable landmarks throughout the city, including the Inverness Justice Centre and the Caledonian Stadium, which enjoys one of the most picturesque sporting backdrops in Scotland.

Beyond its landmarks, Inverness offers spectacular scenery in every direction. Surrounded by rolling hills, waterways, and the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, the city acts as the perfect introduction to one of the most beautiful regions in the United Kingdom. It's easy to see why millions of visitors travel here every year to begin their Highland adventures.

Whilst there is plenty of sightseeing to enjoy, there's also no shortage of work available! Inverness is home to two key industries where drivers can pick up and deliver cargo. Those looking to help keep Scotland's economy moving can take on jobs at the local oil facility or deliver cargo through the Port of Inverness, where a warehouse offers a variety of freight opportunities connected to the region's maritime trade.

We hope you've enjoyed this first look at Inverness, a brand-new city coming to Scotland as part of our ongoing UK Rework project, which will arrive as a free update for all owners of Euro Truck Simulator 2 in the future. Be sure to let us know in the comments what you think of Inverness and which parts of Scotland you'd love to see featured next. Until next time, keep on truckin', and haste ye back!

Project UK Rework

We trust you’ve prepared a proper cup of tea and perhaps a biscuit or two, for it is with the greatest pleasure that we announce the Project UK Rework for Euro Truck Simulator 2! We’re ever so pleased to share a little more about our forthcoming plans, let’s proceed, shall we?

First and foremost, we must commend those of you who rather cleverly put two and tea together. Our Proper Cup of Tea teaser was indeed a subtle nod to what was brewing, though we daresay the Yorkshire Tea and the delightfully British voice-over may have given the game away. 

Before we get into the details, please note: This project is still in its very early stages, and many of the screenshots in this blog post showcase areas of the rework that are still being worked on and are incomplete.

The rework of the United Kingdom in Euro Truck Simulator 2 delivers a long-anticipated refresh to one of the earliest regions included at launch. We spoke with Abbe, Lead of the UK Rework project, to learn more about his team and their work.

“Right now, there are over twenty map designers working on the early stages of the UK Rework,” Abbe tells us. “And of course, a lot of other people are involved too, from our research department and asset department to the road team and programmers.” The project brings together a wide range of teams within SCS Software, each contributing their expertise to what is set to be one of our most ambitious reworks yet.

The UK rework has been one of the most frequently requested projects from our community over the years, and it’s something the team has had in mind for quite some time. “We've had the UK rework in sight for a long time, since around the period when I was working on the Austria rework,” Abbe says. “But there were other projects we needed to focus on beforehand, such as Benelux.”

Abbe goes on to share his passion for the project at hand too, "I personally wanted to do the UK rework. I love reading Napoleonic navy novels like Hornblower or the Aubrey & Maturin saga, and British history in general, from the War of the Roses to the Age of Sail. It’s very much a passion project for me.”

Given the age of the existing map and the many changes that have taken place in real life, the decision was made to completely rework the region from scratch. However, reworking the UK does present some unique challenges when compared to our current map of Europe. “The UK is currently made at a different scale than mainland Europe” Abbe explains. “We are changing it to make it consistent across the game. Which means we’ll be including more detail in a smaller area, which is a challenge in itself. Left-hand traffic also adds another layer of complexity. And for me personally, the biggest challenge is resisting the urge to add niche things that I love about the UK"

As for what you can expect to see and experience, Abbe prefers to keep some details under wraps for now. “I would like to keep as many additions and changes as a surprise,” he says. “But I can tell you that we are adding some legendary landmarks, such as Stonehenge. I can also share that Leeds will be a new city featured on the map. Our design philosophy also includes considerations for our upcoming Coaches DLC as well, so perhaps some tourist destinations may appear, too. We’re also adding new towns and locations across Scotland. And of course, I can’t forget to mention that the new Eurotunnel will look fantastic.”

 
Before concluding, Abbe shared a few words for the community. “I hope the community will love our vision of the UK. There may have to be a few compromises along the way as we completely rebuild the UK, and we ask for patience, development is still in the early stages, and the UK is a large area of our map that will take time to complete. I’m looking forward to future developer diaries where we can share more about the progress and go deeper into the details of the UK rework.”

We look forward to sharing more news and preview about this project in the near future. Until then, be sure to keep up to date with the latest by following our socials on X, Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram, and by subscribing to our Newsletter! Til' next time, cheerio and keep on truckin mate!