London to Edinburgh and back...

[rottie102]

Leaving on Sun around 3am, coming back late in the evening.

Which way would you go?

I'm thinking M40-M6, I don't trust the M1 then M6 with the roadworks close to London. Or should I go M1-A1?

Is it doable in 5-6 hours each way?

Also, any nice places by the seaside close to Edinburgh?

[thinfourth2]

Up the M6 off at Moffat along the A701 much hoonage

[Viper]

i do Edinburgh every now and then from Birmingham, 6 hours pushing on so no chance at all of 6 from London, M6 for me

from London you could do M40, 10 miles on the M42, a blast on the toll road, M6

Edited by Viper on Thursday 20th January 20:58

[AnotherClarkey]

That is the way I use to do it. The A1 doesn't make sense and is dog slow (not many people seem to realise that Edinburgh is west of Carlisle). If you are still up for a thrash after all the motorway miles avoid the M8 and go across the borders on the A701 or A702 (the one which goes through Moffat is the best, can't remember which one that is).

Lots of nice seaside in and around Edinburgh. Portobello is a nice city beach and there are some really great spots out towards North Berwick. My all-time favourite is Seacliff beach near Tantallon castle.

ETA: Must type faster. M40/M42/M6 is best, as stated. 6 hours is really pushing it and would involve significant illegality at some point or another.

Edited by AnotherClarkey on Thursday 20th January 21:03

[rottie102]

Viper said:

i do Edinburgh every now and then from Birmingham, 6 hours pushing on so no chance at all of 6 from London, M6 for me

from London you could do M40, 10 miles on the M42, a blast on the toll road, M6

Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

st, if it will take 7h+ then I might as well fly... Is Edinburgh city centre easily accessible from the airport?

[kambites]

I'd fly.

[AnotherClarkey]

rottie102 said:

Viper said:

i do Edinburgh every now and then from Birmingham, 6 hours pushing on so no chance at all of 6 from London, M6 for me

from London you could do M40, 10 miles on the M42, a blast on the toll road, M6

Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

st, if it will take 7h+ then I might as well fly... Is Edinburgh city centre easily accessible from the airport?

Nah, it is a great drive once you are north of Preston and flying won't really be any quicker door to door.

[mgtony]

Would normally go M1,M6, then A702. The A1 the whole way feels like a longer way, occaisionally do the A1 if I've allowed the whole day to get there.
6 hours min I would say on a clear run, but as you've mentioned, there are roadworks and 50mph areas all over the M1, haven't been on the M6 for a couple of months.
Cramond and Cramond Island is fairly nice,on the coast (I guess the island bit gave that away!) just to the west of Edinburgh.You can walk out to the Island. Pub and cafe there aswell.

Edited by mgtony on Thursday 20th January 21:09

[Piersman2]

M40 - M6 - M74 - M8

Used to drive up to scotland every once in a while. Edinburgh will be a piss of piss , I used to be heading to Aberdeen, now that was a full 10 hour drive on a good day.

I would guess 7hrs to Edinburgh assuming no delays on roads and nipping on when you can.

[MK4 Slowride]

AnotherClarkey said:

rottie102 said:

Viper said:

i do Edinburgh every now and then from Birmingham, 6 hours pushing on so no chance at all of 6 from London, M6 for me

from London you could do M40, 10 miles on the M42, a blast on the toll road, M6

Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

st, if it will take 7h+ then I might as well fly... Is Edinburgh city centre easily accessible from the airport?

Nah, it is a great drive once you are north of Preston and flying won't really be any quicker door to door.

Also the standard of driving north of Carlisle seems to be better, plus it's quieter. Some nice views & roads on the way to Edinburgh.

[MattOz]

I'd fly to be honest. However, I've done Edinburgh a number of times from Coventry and it takes 4-5 hours with one comfort break. That's going M6-A74 and then across to Edinburgh on the A702.

[hardcorehobbit]

rottie102 said:

Viper said:

i do Edinburgh every now and then from Birmingham, 6 hours pushing on so no chance at all of 6 from London, M6 for me

from London you could do M40, 10 miles on the M42, a blast on the toll road, M6

Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

st, if it will take 7h+ then I might as well fly... Is Edinburgh city centre easily accessible from the airport?

Pretty well yeah. One big long main road into the city. There's a decent bus service, but it's a fair way out.

Not sure about the prices but afaik its affordable.

[DrTre]

I've done London to Ed - M40, M6, M74, A702 setting off 9pm on a Sunday. Arrived 2.30am. Lovely.

Re: Seaside: Gullane, Yellowcraig-North Berwick, Dunbar..St Abbs Head is a nice walk

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 20th January 21:23

[RPastry]

+1 for M6>M74>A702; no point taking the m74 further as it gets busier and goes down to 2 lanes, the M8 can be a pig and is also 2 lanes nearly all the way from glasgow to edinburgh with 90% of the traffic sitting in the fast lane.

Edited by RPastry on Thursday 20th January 21:25

[MondeoMan1981]

South Queensferry worth a visit. Picturesque town by the forth bridges

[ronaldo342]

If you have the time go up the M6 come back down the A1 during the day if you can scenery is lovely,take the A198 coast road through Gullane North Berwick then join the A1 have a stop at Holy Island, and then if you have the time Alnwick castle ( harry potter was filmed there)well worth the longer trip home.

[AndyT77]

Not that it matters much, but Edinburgh is not west of Carlisle. Glasgow is.

[AnotherClarkey]

AndyT77 said:

Not that it matters much, but Edinburgh is not west of Carlisle. Glasgow is.

Now and go and look at a map.......

[rallycross]

Until recently was doing this once or twice a week.

Definitely take M40/42/toll/M6/M74 exit A702 signs to Biggar (45 mins from M74 to Edinburgh).

Avoid busy times and its easily done in 5 & 1/2 hrs with one stop for fuel. But busy traffic expect 6-7 hrs. A1 a complete pain in the neck unless you are driving for Mr Stobbart and restricted to that sort of speed.

There and back in a day is a real pain and no fun to do, by the time you are half way back on the return trip you will be dreaming of the joys of Easy Jet or BMi (which is cheaper than fuel costs anyway).

[rottie102]

rallycross said:

Until recently was doing this once or twice a week.

Definitely take M40/42/toll/M6/M74 exit A702 signs to Biggar (45 mins from M74 to Edinburgh).

Avoid busy times and its easily done in 5 & 1/2 hrs with one stop for fuel. But busy traffic expect 6-7 hrs. A1 a complete pain in the neck unless you are driving for Mr Stobbart and restricted to that sort of speed.

There and back in a day is a real pain and no fun to do, by the time you are half way back on the return trip you will be dreaming of the joys of Easy Jet or BMi (which is cheaper than fuel costs anyway).

I know... The tiredness is a main factor. I was thinking to take the Z3M and make it a nice coastal trip once there... Oh well, I might as well just fly and hire a corsa or sth for the day.