Scottish Tour / Road Trip
Discussion
when you first come into scotland, you go through gretna, and then you stay on the motorway,
if you stick to the a75 and continue on that bypass through dumfries and into thornhill, and take the a702 (dalveen pass), its an amazing road, and at the end will join you back on to the a74
it looks as if your doing lots of motorway driving and not getting to good roads till further up scotland,
its a short detour but worth it for an awesome strecht of road, all be it i wish it could go on for ever is my old hate for the road.
it goes through the hills, then onto a very open section, the roads just been relayed and is a magnificent road you almost float through
if you stick to the a75 and continue on that bypass through dumfries and into thornhill, and take the a702 (dalveen pass), its an amazing road, and at the end will join you back on to the a74
it looks as if your doing lots of motorway driving and not getting to good roads till further up scotland,
its a short detour but worth it for an awesome strecht of road, all be it i wish it could go on for ever is my old hate for the road.
it goes through the hills, then onto a very open section, the roads just been relayed and is a magnificent road you almost float through
Edited by paulmeow on Sunday 18th July 20:43
Thanks for all the replies again guys. I've now got a date set, the 10th to the 13th of Sept. Unfortunately I need to keep the trip to 4 days, so I won't get to visit everywhere this time.
On another note however; I've heard that wild camping is legal anywhere in Scotland provided you're not on private land? Is this true? and does this mean it's legal to camp on beaches also?
On another note however; I've heard that wild camping is legal anywhere in Scotland provided you're not on private land? Is this true? and does this mean it's legal to camp on beaches also?
Mike_CTR said:
Thanks for all the replies again guys. I've now got a date set, the 10th to the 13th of Sept. Unfortunately I need to keep the trip to 4 days, so I won't get to visit everywhere this time.
On another note however; I've heard that wild camping is legal anywhere in Scotland provided you're not on private land? Is this true? and does this mean it's legal to camp on beaches also?
Within reason.On another note however; I've heard that wild camping is legal anywhere in Scotland provided you're not on private land? Is this true? and does this mean it's legal to camp on beaches also?
There are some areas designated 'no camping'. Usually National Trust land.
Have a look at Outdoor Access Code
If you've got a bit of time, I'd come off the A9 before Aviemore and go around the Cairngorms the other way. It will take a bit longer but replaces a dull section of road with three really excellent driving roads through great scenery and high passes.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
Cheers,
FT.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
Cheers,
FT.
KB_S1 said:
Mike_CTR said:
Thanks for all the replies again guys. I've now got a date set, the 10th to the 13th of Sept. Unfortunately I need to keep the trip to 4 days, so I won't get to visit everywhere this time.
On another note however; I've heard that wild camping is legal anywhere in Scotland provided you're not on private land? Is this true? and does this mean it's legal to camp on beaches also?
Within reason.On another note however; I've heard that wild camping is legal anywhere in Scotland provided you're not on private land? Is this true? and does this mean it's legal to camp on beaches also?
There are some areas designated 'no camping'. Usually National Trust land.
Have a look at Outdoor Access Code
It's a very different attitude up here. People often don't have fenced gardens, they just 'step out'. When the English (I'm one BTW) buy up here they are often completley freaked out by the lack of bounderies on the deeds.
People often camp on beaches, grass verges & hills around here. Nobody has ever complained to my knowledge.
People often camp on beaches, grass verges & hills around here. Nobody has ever complained to my knowledge.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th August 13:08
GetCarter said:
It's a very different attitude up here. People often don't have fenced gardens, they just 'step out'. When the English (I'm one BTW) buy up here they are often completley freaked out by the lack of bounderies on the deeds.
People often camp on beaches, grass verges & hills around here. Nobody has ever complained to my knowledge.
I was hoping to camp on some of the beaches up that way. Having done most of my camping in the Peak and Lake Districts the lack of Fun Police seems astounding!People often camp on beaches, grass verges & hills around here. Nobody has ever complained to my knowledge.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th August 13:08
Mike_CTR said:
GetCarter said:
It's a very different attitude up here. People often don't have fenced gardens, they just 'step out'. When the English (I'm one BTW) buy up here they are often completley freaked out by the lack of bounderies on the deeds.
People often camp on beaches, grass verges & hills around here. Nobody has ever complained to my knowledge.
I was hoping to camp on some of the beaches up that way. Having done most of my camping in the Peak and Lake Districts the lack of Fun Police seems astounding!People often camp on beaches, grass verges & hills around here. Nobody has ever complained to my knowledge.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th August 13:08
As a native - concurr with posts above - just respect the land/property and clear up after yourself.
Also if in areas with single track road don't use passing places as a parking location (saw some much of that) look well ahead on road and don't forget the to wave in our local style to thank people for pulling into passing places.
[URL=http://s539.photobucket.com/albums/ff355/physprof/?action=view¤t=lorryandwave.mp4]
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paulmeow said:
when you first come into scotland, you go through gretna, and then you stay on the motorway,
if you stick to the a75 and continue on that bypass through dumfries and into thornhill, and take the a702 (dalveen pass), its an amazing road, and at the end will join you back on to the a74
it looks as if your doing lots of motorway driving and not getting to good roads till further up scotland,
its a short detour but worth it for an awesome strecht of road, all be it i wish it could go on for ever is my old hate for the road.
it goes through the hills, then onto a very open section, the roads just been relayed and is a magnificent road you almost float through
I managed to take my Clio up here a couple of months ago as I was working in Sanquhar, awesome road is the A702 I managed the entire route from just south of Saquhar all the way to the A74 without encountering another car, hundreds of bl00dy sheep though! Absoloutly fantastic! Just watch out on the corners as on a couple I was getting carried away & needed both sides of the road to stay on the blackstuff, up to the highlands for me hopefully next month if you stick to the a75 and continue on that bypass through dumfries and into thornhill, and take the a702 (dalveen pass), its an amazing road, and at the end will join you back on to the a74
it looks as if your doing lots of motorway driving and not getting to good roads till further up scotland,
its a short detour but worth it for an awesome strecht of road, all be it i wish it could go on for ever is my old hate for the road.
it goes through the hills, then onto a very open section, the roads just been relayed and is a magnificent road you almost float through
Edited by paulmeow on Sunday 18th July 20:43
I also would choose the A75 to Dumfries then A76 to Carronbridge follwed by the A702 to Elvanfoot and rejoin the motorway. If you can afford a little more time stay on the A76 and take the Mennock Pass to Wanlockhead, the highest village in Scotland, and across the Lowther Hills to Leadhills and Elvanfoot.
Totally agree with GetCarter. A82 across Rannoch and through Glencoe is a must as is the A87 Invergarry to Kyle. I followed much of your route earlier this year but in the opposite direction from Perth to Loch Carron.
Definitely head for Nairn then Grantown-on-Spey and Ballater. Instead of Blairgowrie I would go via Pitlochry, down the A9 to Ballinluig, then Aberfeldy, Crieff, and Gleneagles. Cross the A9, through Glendevon to the A91. Turn left to Kinross and pick up the M90. Over the Forth Bridge and nip into South Queensferry (got some good pics including the Forth Rail Bridge with passing trains followed by lunch at the Hawes Inn).
Rejoin the A90 then right onto the A902 past Turnhouse Golf Club. Head west briefly on the A8 then round the Edinburgh Bypass to the A701. This is a cracking road. I encountered just one car, which was quickly dispatched, in the entire 45 miles from Penicuik to Moffat. The series of bends dropping down past the Devils Beef Tub is superb.
This route is much more interesting and cuts out the whole of the A9 south of Ballinluig as well as the trek across to the M73/M74.
By September the peak time for those pesky Highland Midges will have passed but they'll still be active so make sure you bring repellant. These tips may be useful.
- Avoid going outdoors on still summer evenings.
- Still days and dull days are liable to be bad
- Shady or sheltered areas will have more active midges than dry open country.
- Areas away from, or up-wind of, breeding sites will have fewer midges.
- Midges become less common above 700m
- Midges are attracted to dark cloth and wearing light coloured clothing may help.
Totally agree with GetCarter. A82 across Rannoch and through Glencoe is a must as is the A87 Invergarry to Kyle. I followed much of your route earlier this year but in the opposite direction from Perth to Loch Carron.
Definitely head for Nairn then Grantown-on-Spey and Ballater. Instead of Blairgowrie I would go via Pitlochry, down the A9 to Ballinluig, then Aberfeldy, Crieff, and Gleneagles. Cross the A9, through Glendevon to the A91. Turn left to Kinross and pick up the M90. Over the Forth Bridge and nip into South Queensferry (got some good pics including the Forth Rail Bridge with passing trains followed by lunch at the Hawes Inn).
Rejoin the A90 then right onto the A902 past Turnhouse Golf Club. Head west briefly on the A8 then round the Edinburgh Bypass to the A701. This is a cracking road. I encountered just one car, which was quickly dispatched, in the entire 45 miles from Penicuik to Moffat. The series of bends dropping down past the Devils Beef Tub is superb.
This route is much more interesting and cuts out the whole of the A9 south of Ballinluig as well as the trek across to the M73/M74.
By September the peak time for those pesky Highland Midges will have passed but they'll still be active so make sure you bring repellant. These tips may be useful.
- Avoid going outdoors on still summer evenings.
- Still days and dull days are liable to be bad
- Shady or sheltered areas will have more active midges than dry open country.
- Areas away from, or up-wind of, breeding sites will have fewer midges.
- Midges become less common above 700m
- Midges are attracted to dark cloth and wearing light coloured clothing may help.
Where does the really epic scenery (and roads) start? Considering a fly (or even train)/drive trip up in a few months and looking at going to Glasgow, Fort William (via sleeper train!) or somehwere else before grabbing a hire car. Any suggestions?
Would I miss much if I travelled as far north as Fort William before taking to the roads?
Would I miss much if I travelled as far north as Fort William before taking to the roads?
Chris71 said:
Where does the really epic scenery (and roads) start? Considering a fly (or even train)/drive trip up in a few months and looking at going to Glasgow, Fort William (via sleeper train!) or somehwere else before grabbing a hire car. Any suggestions?
Would I miss much if I travelled as far north as Fort William before taking to the roads?
Fly to Glasgow. Drive from the airport towards Greenock and go over the Erskine bridge. Drive around Dumbarton. Highland scenary starts there, perhaps 15 miles from the airport:Would I miss much if I travelled as far north as Fort William before taking to the roads?
Loch Lomond, Arrochar, Rest and Be Thankful, Loch Fyne, Loch Eck, Drymen, Glengoyne distillery, Crianlarich, Glencoe, Bridge of Orchy, Oban etc etc. glorious glorious views and some cracking roads, all within about 2-3 hours of Glasgow.
The really really gucci stuff is up on the west coast above Oban, sort of Torridon, Mallaig, Ullapool way, but that's a good 5 hours up from Glasgow.
Whereabouts is this road?
(Photo shamelessly pinched from GetCarter's site, lots of Highland inspiration/temptation there...)
I'll be in a hire car with my girlfriend perched nervously in the passenger seat, so looking for spectacular scenery more than white knuckle hooning, would be good to suss out a few roads for a return trip though.
(Photo shamelessly pinched from GetCarter's site, lots of Highland inspiration/temptation there...)
alfa pint said:
The really really gucci stuff is up on the west coast above Oban, sort of Torridon, Mallaig, Ullapool way, but that's a good 5 hours up from Glasgow.
That's why getting the sleeper train all the way up to Fort Bill before we take to the roads quite appeals. In all other respects it sounds like an overpriced glorified caravan, but waking up on the doorstep of the Highlands sounds good.I'll be in a hire car with my girlfriend perched nervously in the passenger seat, so looking for spectacular scenery more than white knuckle hooning, would be good to suss out a few roads for a return trip though.
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 25th August 09:50
That's the road to Applecross. Drive to Lochcarron, follow the road towards Shieldaig and turn left after about 5 miles - signposted Applecross.
BTW I know you were talking about late Oct Chris... the Applecross Inn is open all year and is a good place to stay. (Though they are due to refurbish, so worth checking when).
Steve
BTW I know you were talking about late Oct Chris... the Applecross Inn is open all year and is a good place to stay. (Though they are due to refurbish, so worth checking when).
Steve
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 25th August 11:48
This one?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
Thanks, will defintely look into the Applecross Inn too.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
Thanks, will defintely look into the Applecross Inn too.
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