route from Inverness to Edinburgh...?

route from Inverness to Edinburgh...?

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Carman Ghia

Original Poster:

10 posts

173 months

Wednesday 31st March 2010
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Hi everyone

This is my 1st post in PH. Please forgive me but been lurking in here and the Le Mans forum without contributing at all. Both forums are the reason I joined PH - I love road trips and a road trip to Le Mans is always something special!

Anyway... reason for posting here is a group of us are planning a trip to Scotland. We've already worked out going up the west coast to Durness then back down to Inverness. But how to get to Edinburgh? The A9 through Aviemore & Perth is 3hrs, but we're not sure it's the best route. What about going A82 to Fort Augustas then Fort William and picking up A85 & A84? Or, are we better off going East of the A9 - if so, which route? Aiming for about 4-5 hrs driving with a lunch break in the middle.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

GetCarter

29,403 posts

280 months

Thursday 1st April 2010
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Hi

Not sure when you're going, but hope it's not toady as the route is thick with snow!

The A9 is indeed a crap road - quite pretty in places, but very busy and very straight. Your first idea is IMO the best. going south on the west side of the A9.

When you travel up the west coast to Durness, make sure you take in Applecross - some people make the mistake of leaving that loop out. Good luck - pics of some of the roads here: http://www.stevecarter.com/picaday/roads.htm

John MacK

3,170 posts

207 months

Thursday 1st April 2010
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Yea as GetCarter says, it will depend when you are going.
If it's not too soon then the snow should have been cleared and I would go for the A939 from Nairn to Ballater then the A93 to Perth.
You could then take the A9 (or back roads) to Auchterarder then the A823 through Glen Eagles and Glen Devon past knockhill racing circuit to Dunfermline, then over the 'Bridge to Edinburgh.

Another option would be to go south in the general direction of the A9 but using the old sections of the original road going through some of the now by-passed towns and villages. You would have to use some sections of the A9 mainly Drumochter pass and the DC there, but at the bottom end you could head for Kinloch Rannoch/Tummel Bridge and contiue south towards Crief from there and onto Dunfemline etc.


sherman

13,346 posts

216 months

Thursday 1st April 2010
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I would use the A82, A85, A84 and come back out to Stirling and then a quick blast down the M9 back to Edinburgh or wherever you need to go.

or

Just head straight down the A9 it is more like 2- 2.5 hours down the road to Edinburgh.

John MacK

3,170 posts

207 months

Thursday 1st April 2010
quotequote all
sherman said:
Just head straight down the A9 it is more like 2- 2.5 hours down the road to Edinburgh.
Not with all the road-works on at the moment.

Took me 15 mins to clear 1 set of road works last week (daytime) obviouslly at night when the road is quieter and the roadworks aren't in operation it will be quicker.

But anyway OP said he wanted to take his time.


sherman

13,346 posts

216 months

Thursday 1st April 2010
quotequote all
John MacK said:
sherman said:
Just head straight down the A9 it is more like 2- 2.5 hours down the road to Edinburgh.
Not with all the road-works on at the moment.

Took me 15 mins to clear 1 set of road works last week (daytime) obviouslly at night when the road is quieter and the roadworks aren't in operation it will be quicker.

But anyway OP said he wanted to take his time.
It is about a year since I have been that way.

Carman Ghia

Original Poster:

10 posts

173 months

Sunday 4th April 2010
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Thanks guys.

Get Carter, we used the map on your website to plan our route north up the west coast so will be doing the Applecross bit.

Looks like the route to west of the A9 is the way to go.

Cheers

agent006

12,040 posts

265 months

Sunday 4th April 2010
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Inverness - Grantown - Tomintoul - Ballater - Braemar - Perth - Edinburgh.

CarbonXKR

1,275 posts

223 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
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agent006 said:
Inverness - Grantown - Tomintoul - Ballater - Braemar - Perth - Edinburgh.
^^^^^^^^^WHS

Gad-Westy

14,576 posts

214 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
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CarbonXKR said:
agent006 said:
Inverness - Grantown - Tomintoul - Ballater - Braemar - Perth - Edinburgh.
^^^^^^^^^WHS
Was just going to suggest this. A few of these roads are absolute belters. The Road from Braemar to Blairgowrie via Glen Shee is one of my favourites.

Carman Ghia

Original Poster:

10 posts

173 months

Monday 3rd May 2010
quotequote all
Gad-Westy said:
CarbonXKR said:
agent006 said:
Inverness - Grantown - Tomintoul - Ballater - Braemar - Perth - Edinburgh.
^^^^^^^^^WHS
Was just going to suggest this. A few of these roads are absolute belters. The Road from Braemar to Blairgowrie via Glen Shee is one of my favourites.
Have done some more looking at maps and the above looks great!! Cheers for the advice.