A9 / A99 Inverness to Wick

[davepoth]

I have just got back from driving this road, and frankly WOW. The weather was ace, which helped, and there was no traffic apart from what looked to be a local driver in front who was making progress. IMO, and having driven both, it's better than California Route 1. Anyone else?

[JM]

I'd say north of Tain rather than Inverness, the Inv to Tain section is nearly always busy, but after that yes it's a pretty good road, though in some stretches there isn't many overtaking places.

[Quickben]

I'm not a huge fan of the A9, to be honest. Not a huge amount of overtaking places and it seems to be constantly full of Asda and Tesco lorries doing a company-enforced 40mph. I was forced to use it when I lived in Elgin to get back to Newcastle once a month or so. I hated it, actually. So much potential to be a great driving road to be ruined by jumped up grocery delivery trucks. Plus there seemed to be a police presence at every dual carriageway section or decent straight which made getting away from the ar$e-end of the inevitable lorry in front almost impossible, as there would always be another 10 or so cars inbetween you and the offending HGV.

You could also say exactly the same about the A92 between Elgin and Inverness.

[JM]

Quickben said:

I'm not a huge fan of the A9, to be honest. Not a huge amount of overtaking places and it seems to be constantly full of Asda and Tesco lorries doing a company-enforced 40mph. I was forced to use it when I lived in Elgin to get back to Newcastle once a month or so.

Not the same section of the A9 as being discussed.

But yes it can be a pain with the volume of traffic on it especially over the summer months. Wasn't too bad this weekend though and only saw three police, all around Dalwhinnie.

Quickben said:

You could also say exactly the same about the A92 between Elgin and Inverness.

Except the A92 doesnt go anywhere near Elgin or Inverness.
You mean the A96.

[s2t]

davepoth said:

I have just got back from driving this road, and frankly WOW. The weather was ace, which helped, and there was no traffic apart from what looked to be a local driver in front who was making progress. IMO, and having driven both, it's better than California Route 1. Anyone else?

Totally agree, though road improvements north of helmsdale have taken some of the character out of the road.
I used to drive London - Thurso and looked forward to the bit north of inverness in the dark (knew the road well)