Driving "lesson" route in/from Edinburgh reqd.

[Famous Graham]

I've been asked to accompany a friend for some driving practice tomorrow and I'm trying to think of a varying route that
1) Doesn't involved motorways
2) Lasts about an hour
3) Isn't likely to be too challenging but offers a variety of road types
and 4) Can be handled in a Fiesta by a novice.

She's just after exposure (arf) and practice, nothing advanced.

Starting in Leith.

Was thinking of down to Seafield Rd, along the coast to the bypass for starters, but I'm not sure what the weather's been like further south than that.

Any suggestions?

[weeshawzy]

you thinking about going along the coastal road to yellow craigs an things??

seafeild road is a night mare, you'll be stuck in that traffic for about 20 mins alone as they are takin away kings road round about an replacing it with traffic lights.

Gx

[JoyZipper]

I think that the "Lang Whang" from Balerno to Carnwath is an excellent road to drive, fast and windy. Not fun after dark though, and there always seems to be snow in the adjacent fields........

[weeshawzy]

ahhh the famous lang whang....think it will b really snowy up there just now...

[VetteG]

Graham, if its to be relevant to passing the test, should the majority of the hour not be spent in urban driving? Having said that a run up part of the bypass would give her some insight into motorway driving.

Off the top of my head how about: Onto the bypass at Portobello turn off for Dalkeith, dip into Dalkeith and head for Eskbank, from Eskbank head over past Dobbies and the Butterfly farm and up to Gilmerton. Go though Gilmerton and make your way to Cameron toll from Cameron Toll head through Craigmillar, round Duddingston loch over Willowbrae and down through Marrionville and then to Leith.

G

[Famous Graham]

Yep Graeme, but I also think she should have some experience of faster roads. Not necessarily from a test point of view, just a more rounded experience. This won't be the only time I act as a passenger for her to practice on (fnarr etc), so there's time to mix it up a bit.

That route sounds like it could be a goer

Edited by Famous Graham on Tuesday 10th February 15:56

[SXi Lad]

drive through to bathgate...its an interesting drive with alot of practise
1. round abouts
2. dual carriageways
3. tight street corners

[Sleekitman]

If she hasn't had any lessons yet do what I did with my son. Plastic conduit cemented into old paint tins and took him down to Lower Granton Road, to the industrial units, on a Saturday/sunday. Had him doing slalom forward and in reverse.Mock reverse parking between pole I set up. I didn't let him on the road until he had mastered car control a low speed. My dad did that to me and my son says he'll teach his kids that way too.

Livingston is the place to practice roundabouts.

Edited by Sleekitman on Tuesday 10th February 23:42

[BigAlinEmbra]

VetteG said:

Graham, if its to be relevant to passing the test, should the majority of the hour not be spent in urban driving? Having said that a run up part of the bypass would give her some insight into motorway driving.

Off the top of my head how about: Onto the bypass at Portobello turn off for Dalkeith, dip into Dalkeith and head for Eskbank, from Eskbank head over past Dobbies and the Butterfly farm and up to Gilmerton. Go though Gilmerton and make your way to Cameron toll from Cameron Toll head through Craigmillar, round Duddingston loch over Willowbrae and down through Marrionville and then to Leith.

G

Good shout, although I'd maybe head in through Liberton, meander through Fountainbridge and Roseburn, up along Ravelston Dykes and back through Fettes/Stockbridge way.

Wee set of roadworks with traffic lights on Old Dalkeith Rd at the moment which is to be avoided though.
Was stacking up nicely out of town at 6ish tonight.
Queued pretty much back to Cameron Toll from the Inch.