Drivers route from Newcastle to Glasgow?

[S7GVC]

Hoping for some local advice.

I'm from Northern Ireland, but I'm picking up my new car from Lookers VW in Newcastle on Saturday. I'm spending a night in Glasgow with my wife before getting the ferry home from Cairnryan on Sunday. I am looking some advice for a nice scenic drive up to Glasgow without going too far out of the road (about 4hrs driving, plus a few stops along the way).

Is there anybody from that part of the world that could offer me any advice. Car is a Passat Alltrack, so not exectly a sports car, but I still fancy a nice drive!

[boxedin]

Loads of routes, but they're time consuming, but great fun.

Play with google maps, and start with the A68 / A69 junction, head into Kielder, then Bonchester Bridge, then to Selkirk for starters. Though you can lose some hours if you're not au fait with the roads to keep the overtakes going.

[S7GVC]

Thanks. Have had a look on google maps, but I don't really know the "nice" areas to drive through. Thanks for the above anyway - keep me off the motorways anyway!

[JimmyConwayNW]

Heading to Selkirk from Newcastle is actually quite a nice drive across a lot of moor land etc.

The road from selkirk to Moffat that runs alongside a loch is very nice and a good driving road.
From Moffat either quick slog up the motorway to glasgow last bit of the way or I am sure there will be an alternative that runs up towards Lanark area.

[boxedin]

JimmyConwayNW said:

Heading to Selkirk from Newcastle is actually quite a nice drive across a lot of moor land etc.

The road from selkirk to Moffat that runs alongside a loch is very nice and a good driving road.
From Moffat either quick slog up the motorway to glasgow last bit of the way or I am sure there will be an alternative that runs up towards Lanark area.

Until you run across a Polish arctic driver who couldn't negotiate the section after the loch heading West.

There's a cafe on by the loch as well, the name escapes me, or the OP could check the Buddhist tea room.

But that 4 hours is starting to look optimistic, personally I'd be late and enjoy the roads.

[DoctorX]

B6318 west of Newcastle is the old Roman road which tracks Hadrians Wall and has some nice views and places to visit. The A701 north of Moffat has some nice bits as well - Devils Beef Tub is quite impressive.

[battered]

A7 from Hawick to Carlisle(ish) is really nice. Teviotdale iirc. One camera in some village halfway, otherwise it's flowing, involving driving that you can enjoy at decent speeds without threatening your licence.

[RDM]

If your route takes you to moffat take the b7076 north rather than m74 to avoid
Motorway, you could also then head for Lanark and take the a72 through Clyde valley
To join motorway at Larkhall, a73 or a702 to link the two.

[S7GVC]

Thanks. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it's the small things like that which will turn this into a great wee road trip, rather than a stressful, motorway-boring, "car-transporting" exercise.

[Riktoid]

If you're not in a rush post Glasgow, head for Greenock and take the A78 coast road all the way until it joins the A77 then keep going until Cairnryan.