The A708 from Moffat to Selkirk is the best driver's road in Britain, according to a panel of racing drivers and motoring journalists. They chose their top 10 roads after spending a month on the road in a Mini Cooper (presumably not all at the same time), looking at drives through regions across the UK, as part of the Great British Roads awards scheme.
The A708 was described as "an excellent alternative to the grid-locked motorway, the 10 mile route following the beautiful St Mary’s Loch is a particular highlight and worth the detour alone."
Awards have also been given for the 15-mile heavenly drive on the A481 from Builth Wells to Radnor, and a challenging 37-mile ride along the A686 from Alston to Haydon Bridge.
The Great British Roads judging panel included Calum Lockie, Britain’s top GT driver, and BTCC champions Jason Plato and Tim Harvey. It was sponsored by Dunlop, whose communications manager James Bailey headed up the inspection team. He said: “As more and more of the UK becomes dual carriageway, A-roads are straightened and city centres become grid-locked, it is easy to think that the joy of driving is disappearing.
“However, whilst the masses head for the most direct route, we know there are many drivers who relish the opportunity to switch off the satellite navigation, dig out a map and really appreciate the open road.
“Our panel of experts have done their work but we know that there may be roads that have not made the list. If you feel that we have overlooked a road, that deserves to be known as a Great British Road, we want to hear from you.”
If you know of a road that you believe has the credentials to be awarded a Great British Road, you can enter it into the list (see link below)