Pitlochry recommendations

[Robbie C]

Hi all,

I'm spending New Year in Pitlochry and hoping the road conditions will allow me to venture out on New Years day to discover some more of Scotland.

Interested to hear recommended routes in this area. I'm wondering whether to head West for the A82 and Glen Etive/Dalness or East up toward Glen Shee and up the A93 where Clarkson took the Ferrari F12.

Cheers,

Rob

[JM]

Do both.

A93 more likely to be affected by snow.

[s2kjock]

It is quite susceptible to sudden snowfall at that time of year. I spent a weekend there end of February and had 4 inches of snow. "Interesting" if you are staying up the hill - steep narrowish streets!

I'd go for A93 - snow and ice permitting a loop over and up to Braemar then over to Tomintoul and Grantown on Spey is great at that time of year (ie very very quiet).

Aberfeldy, Loch Tay and roads north from there very nice also.

[Robbie C]

Great, thanks. Weather permitting it looks like I could make a loop to encompass both, perhaps throwing in some of the local recommendations for Loch Tay too.



My only reservation is the snow ice as I'll be taking my BMW 330d. Snow socks on order as a precaution for what good they might do

[JM]

Of course it wasn't just around Pitlochry and the A93 that the F12 was driven.
The A87 by Loch Cluanie features as well.

[s2kjock]

The route above is good but 283 miles is quite a distance for day on those roads taking into account slower speeds (colder/wetter surface even without snow or ice) and short days. The temps can drop quickly at some of those altitudes at dusk which will be mid afternoon. You don't want to be pressing on in the dark on unfamiliar roads with the risk of snow and ice, not to mention deer.

[rallycross]

Take B846 from Aberfeldy to Loch Rannoch but make sure to take a Diversion over the mountain road (un-named road) over Scheihallion that is a wild and windy road on a cold wet dark night. I have been over there in the dark with snow falling and back over again in the morning with a bright sky and the frozen lochs it's an amazing route. Take a shovel etc in case you get stuck!

[Red Devil]

Robbie C said:

Great, thanks. Weather permitting it looks like I could make a loop to encompass both, perhaps throwing in some of the local recommendations for Loch Tay too.



My only reservation is the snow ice as I'll be taking my BMW 330d. Snow socks on order as a precaution for what good they might do

From Coylumbridge to Kingussie avoid the A9 and the average speed cameras. Weather permitting, use either the B970 or B9152.

[thebraketester]

I did a similar route to that a few years ago except I started in Edinburgh and went as far up as Inverness and back down via Loch Ness. Amazing roads and views. It was snowy over the CGs (1st January) but not too bad. Can't wait to do it again

[sherman]

That seems like a lot of driving to be doing straight after hogmanay. To do that journey at that time of year mostly in daylight you will need to leave as soon as sun is up (possibly before) and you wont be home until after dark or dusk at the very least.

IMO its way to far to travel at that time of year and especially the day after Hogmanay

[thebraketester]

I think I did 367 miles. Set off at 9am and got back around dark, 6ish maybe :-)






I saw about 4cars all day. Perfect way to spend NYD in my opinion.

[Robbie C]

Thanks for the suggestions. Long distances/hours don't phase me, though agree that an early start is needed to make the most of available daylight and best conditions.

I'll have a look into a couple of shorter/more local routes in case time/weather doesn't end up on my side though it looks like I can't really go wrong in this area - look forward to it.

[PaulD86]

The route you've posted is very good. Be aware that the A82 can be a favourite of the speed enforcement so I'd drive it for the views more than as a bit to 'make progress'. The section of road between Blairgowrie and Glanshee is probably my favourite road in the UK but be aware that it is very undulating with many unsighted corners - if you don't know it take it easy in the less well sited places. Oh and if you do it anti clockwise then keep an eye for the left turn to follow the A93 in Blairgowrie - half the people I send that route manage to miss it as the signing is crap.