A82 or A9?

[Dyl]

In October I'm going up to Nairn (from Glasgow) for a few nights away. I was looking at Google Maps which has me going via the A9. I really dislike the A9 so was planning to go north via the A82.

I know it will most likely take considerably longer, is it worth the extra time?

Either way, can anyone recommend somewhere to stop for lunch, leg stretch, etc. roughly half way (on either route)?

Thanks, Dylan

[Hollowpockets]

Yes 100 times over worth the extra miles and time. I drove the A83 from Inveraray and A82 for the first time this past weekend, the most incredible scenery and roads I've seen in Scotland. Go for it

[Catz]

Good stop point on the A82 is The Clachaig Inn near Glencoe. The A82 from Glasgow to Crianlarich is pretty dodgy I'm led to believe, I head up the A82 from Edinburgh so miss that bit. It will also probably be busy passing Loch Ness.

Have you considered heading to Perth then taking the A93 up past Braemar then the A939 to Nairn?

[Dyl]

Hollowpockets said:

Yes 100 times over worth the extra miles and time. I drove the A83 from Inveraray and A82 for the first time this past weekend, the most incredible scenery and roads I've seen in Scotland. Go for it

Thanks, I had a feeling it wouldn't be much of a competition between choices!

Catz said:

Good stop point on the A82 is The Clachaig Inn near Glencoe. The A82 from Glasgow to Crianlarich is pretty dodgy I'm led to believe, I head up the A82 from Edinburgh so miss that bit. It will also probably be busy passing Loch Ness.

Have you considered heading to Perth then taking the A93 up past Braemar then the A939 to Nairn?

I've driven Glasgow to Crianlarich a few times, not too keen on it but preferable to A9, and I will keep the Clachaig Inn in mind, looks nice on the website, thanks for the suggestion.

I drove via Braemar and continued north to Huntly then Portsoy a few years ago, hadn't though of going that way, a good suggestion as it doesn't seem to take as long as A82.

I'm thinking now I can drive north via A82 then south via Braemar, mix it up a bit!

[Spitfire2]

Catz said:

Have you considered heading to Perth then taking the A93 up past Braemar then the A939 to Nairn?

This is a good choice.

The Loch Lomond part of the A82 totally totally sucks (traffic wise) so if it has to be the A82, consider skipping that by taking an alternate route to Crianlarich (e.g. via Callendar)

[Spitfire2]

Was in the Clachaig a few weeks ago for the first time. Was decent.

The Ballachulish Hotel is good too.

[MethylatedSpirit]

Give me a PM nearer the time and I'll get you a free coffee if I'm on shift. (a82)

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Tuesday 26th August 21:14

[Who me ?]

I'd always use the A82, the stretch from Dunbarton to Tarbet is good nowadays ( if that is bad, then perhaps some should have driven it over 40 years ago).You can avoid the first bit of Loch Lomand by heading to Helensburgh and up to Arrochar on the A814.
The bad bit for those used to wide straight roads is the next bit( Tarbet to Inverarnan). And possibly now round about crainlarech ,where I believe a bypass is under construction . if the traffic going to Fort Augustus is heavy ,then perhaps it might be better to use the B roads on the other side of the loch, which are not too bad and have light traffic.As you drop into Fort Augustus, there's a sweeping left bend, and at the apex is a junction for the B 862 ON THE RIGHT.
Advantage is that all will take you out on the Nairn side of Inverness. Hardly worth going from Glasgow to pick up the A9 .IMHO- it's possibly just as far. And the bypass routes to the Loch Lomand part are IMHO just as bad .
Eateries - Cafe(s) at Tyndrum , one on left just past the toilets, the other at the Green Wellie stop. Nice little chippie attached to the Spean Bridge hotel , if ( at last visit) somewhat pricey).

[sjabrown]

If not in a rush I'd recommend Glasgow to Tarbet then A83 over The Rest to Inveraray, Inveraray to Dalmally to Bridge of Orchy. Follow the A82 through Glencoe, wee diversion round Loch Leven then through Ft William to Ft Augustus. Up the east of Loch Ness then the B road past Culloden to Nairn.

This takes in several great roads and avoids the worst of the traffic.

[Spitfire2]

Loch Lomand?

Sorry not fair - I hate spelling police but you did it too many times

[Podie]

Spitfire2 said:

The Loch Lomond part of the A82 totally totally sucks (traffic wise) so if it has to be the A82, consider skipping that by taking an alternate route to Crianlarich (e.g. via Callendar)

Agreed. Was purgatory two weeks ago. Significant roadworks weren't fun, nor were coaches and lorries too big for the bends.

[RedThree]

Other option is to head for Perth then to Blairgowrie - Glenshee - Braemar - Corgarff - the Lecht - Tomintoul - Grantown on Spey - Nairn.
An awful lot fewer miles than the A82 but some proper driving roads.

Gratuitous recent photo just below the Pass of Glenshee;

[alangla]

Try this - http://goo.gl/maps/QdxoT

[Dyl]

MethylatedSpirit said:

Give me a PM nearer the time and I'll get you a free coffee if I'm on shift. (a82)

That's a nice gesture, I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

RedThree said:

Other option is to head for Perth then to Blairgowrie - Glenshee - Braemar - Corgarff - the Lecht - Tomintoul - Grantown on Spey - Nairn.
An awful lot fewer miles than the A82 but some proper driving roads.

alangla said:

Try this - http://goo.gl/maps/QdxoT

Both fairly similar routes and looking like a winner so far, especially alangla's A82 route avoiding Loch Lomond.

sjabrown said:

If not in a rush I'd recommend Glasgow to Tarbet then A83 over The Rest to Inveraray, Inveraray to Dalmally to Bridge of Orchy. Follow the A82 through Glencoe, wee diversion round Loch Leven then through Ft William to Ft Augustus. Up the east of Loch Ness then the B road past Culloden to Nairn.

This takes in several great roads and avoids the worst of the traffic.

Sounds like a good route, however I think it is a little too far out of the way - I'll have the OH in the passenger seat who I'll need to keep happy.


Thanks to the others for the suggestions on food stops, will have a gander on internet and see where I like the look of.

[GreatPretender]

Dyl said:

In October I'm going up to Nairn (from Glasgow) for a few nights away. I was looking at Google Maps which has me going via the A9. I really dislike the A9 so was planning to go north via the A82.

I know it will most likely take considerably longer, is it worth the extra time?

Either way, can anyone recommend somewhere to stop for lunch, leg stretch, etc. roughly half way (on either route)?

Thanks, Dylan

Simply no contest. The A9 is Scotland's ahole. The A82 is one of the best stretches of road anywhere in the UK.

[GetCarter]

GreatPretender said:

Simply no contest. The A9 is Scotland's ahole.

This.

[GetCarter]

Dyl said:

Sounds like a good route, however I think it is a little too far out of the way - I'll have the OH in the passenger seat who I'll need to keep happy.

There's a train she'll love

[Dyl]

GetCarter said:

There's a train she'll love

I was thinking that earlier. Her parents are travelling up on the same day, I might subtly suggest that she travels up with them.

[Sy1441]

A9 is nice in parts but generally its a horrible road to drive, I do it a couple of times monthly in the works diesel barge. If i'm ever travelling north for pleasure its the A82 and some fantastic driving and a chance to let the V6 in the Zed rip.

[Reeso]

I personally loved the A9, but only at 5am from perth to Inverness as there is nothing on the road. It's your personal drive way into the Highlands at that time of day
Any other time it's a pain and only set to get worse!! Shame.