Nice drive Eyemouth/Edinburgh?

[dzrr]

Will be staying in Eyemouth for a few nights.
For one of the days I want to go on a nice drive, bonus if it's also got nice sights.

Looking for a 3-5/6 hours round trip, to which we'll be adding a stop for a bite/drink.

Currently looking at Eyemouth - Melrose - A7 up to Edinburgh - coast line back to Eyemouth?

Is that a good choice? Any better options?


Thanks

[Davie]

What's your criteria?

There's an abundance of fantastic roads down that way but by that I mean mostly single track, sometimes with vegetation in the middle and numerous water splashes down around Cockburnspath, Oldhamstocks and the like but if that's not your thing then the road out to Duns, Greenlaw, up to Pathhead then skirt the city and take to coast road down through Prestonpans to North Berwick then Cockburnspath and the Moors road to Eyemouth is a nice circuit.

But you really want to be in something that you can realise your inner WRC driver with as the single track is endless, some of it doesn't even feel like it should be a road... however, my favourite would be to get to Duns then take the road to Garvald, views at the top are superb and the road is an absolute belter... but again not if your driving something low and very unforgiving.

To be honest, I'd just set off and explore... and let the locals past, they will be faster. And mostly in a Hilux.

[Skyedriver]

Don't forget the Jim Clark Museum in Duns - a must see.

[Vasco]

Surely, any drive, anywhere, around that part of the country is always enjoyable wherever you go ?

[dzrr]

Davie said:

What's your criteria?

There's an abundance of fantastic roads down that way but by that I mean mostly single track, sometimes with vegetation in the middle and numerous water splashes down around Cockburnspath, Oldhamstocks and the like but if that's not your thing then the road out to Duns, Greenlaw, up to Pathhead then skirt the city and take to coast road down through Prestonpans to North Berwick then Cockburnspath and the Moors road to Eyemouth is a nice circuit.

But you really want to be in something that you can realise your inner WRC driver with as the single track is endless, some of it doesn't even feel like it should be a road... however, my favourite would be to get to Duns then take the road to Garvald, views at the top are superb and the road is an absolute belter... but again not if your driving something low and very unforgiving.

To be honest, I'd just set off and explore... and let the locals past, they will be faster. And mostly in a Hilux.

Looking for an enjoyable drive with good views and preferably not off-road. New car to me so just looking for some fun not going for anything extreme.
Was considering something like this: shorturl.at/gnpLO not sure if you'd recommend duns to Garvald instead?
Will probably go via Duns on Skyedriver's recommandation.

Skyedriver said:

Don't forget the Jim Clark Museum in Duns - a must see.

Good shout, thanks. I'll have to fit it in.

Vasco said:

Surely, any drive, anywhere, around that part of the country is always enjoyable wherever you go ?

I don't doubt that, just looking for some advice to make the most of my time there


Thank you guys

[tim0409]

I can't really advise on the drive but heading along the coast via North Berwick would be a good shout, stopping off for fish and chips at either the Rocketeer or the Lobster Shack (check it's open) for fish and chips (or the usual chippie). There is also a cafe just outside the town called Drift, which has stunning views (Sam from the Youtube channel Seen Through Glass recently stopped there and loved it) towards the Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle.

North Berwick itself is beautiful, with great beaches.

[awooga]

I used to live in the Borders and learned to drive there. From Eyemouth head to Chirnside, then Duns.Some good fun corners at Reston. Duns has the Jim Clark museum. Choice of many divine roads then, either down to Coldstream or across to Greenlaw. From Greenlaw to Kelso back to Coldstream to Duns is a good loop. Lots of speed cameras on the A697 and A68, as well as the A1. Nicest route up to Edinburgh is the A697 towards Lauder and up, not too busy and the cameras are in predictable places. From Coldstream down towards Wooler on the A697 is lovely, then turn off east to Chillingham Castle and the A1, lots of lovely quiet roads, takes you back up to Eyemouth.

[Davie]

dzrr said:

...not sure if you'd recommend duns to Garvald instead?

There's no right or wrong answer here and as said, you really will be spoiled with numerous very good, very quiet routes in and around the area so I don't think there's one stand out route to take as it will really depend on what you enjoy, if you're in tourist mode, out for a bit of pace or if you'd rather not bring the new car home dirty.

I used to live near Garvald, one of the things I miss the most are the roads. I'd regularly head out early in the morning or of an evening and just explore and to be honest, aside for the A1 there's not actually anything down there that could be considered a bad route to take. I would certainly recommend heading in to Duns, Jim Clark then from there yes the road to Greenlaw > Lauder > Edinburgh is nice, quite quick and flowing but it can be busy and can have wagons on it and tourists.

I'd go in to Duns by whatever route takes your fancy... drop in to the Jim Clark then head north and pick up the A6112 then hang a left on the B6365 (aka the Cranshaws road) and stick with it, it starts of as your average borders B road then drops in to fairly wide unclassified there on. At Whiteadder you can either keep going and head over the top (brilliant views north on a clear day) and head towards Gifford or be brave, turn right and take the back road to Garvald. Either way, from there aim for Dunbar... doesn't matter which route, they're all brilliant. Dunbar has decent places to eat, nice harbour for a walk, fuel etc... then jump on the A1 to Cockburnspath and then A1107 coast / moor road back to Eyemouth.

In fact I'm sat writing this and feeling really rather sad that I no longer live right in the middle of all that. Only saving grace is the family are North Berwick / Dunbar so when we go and visit, I usually make my excuses and disappear off out for a couple of hours... usual favourite is Spott then proper off piste in to the Lammermuirs, headed towards Duns then come back up the route I basically suggested. Only tough choice for me would be to go Duns > Gifford / Garvald via the Cranshaws road.... or the Longformacus road. The latter has a few epic sections too.

No matter what you do, you'll find something and to be honest that's what I'd do... just set off without a plan.

[Yahonza]

dzrr said:

Will be staying in Eyemouth for a few nights.
For one of the days I want to go on a nice drive, bonus if it's also got nice sights.

Looking for a 3-5/6 hours round trip, to which we'll be adding a stop for a bite/drink.

Currently looking at Eyemouth - Melrose - A7 up to Edinburgh - coast line back to Eyemouth?

Is that a good choice? Any better options?


Thanks

This will work well. Take the coastal route back, follow the signs for the coastal route, as this takes you through some nice places - including some great beaches. Looking at 6 hours if you are taking in Edinburgh.

Edited by Yahonza on Wednesday 22 March 19:22

[dzrr]

Davie said:

dzrr said:

...not sure if you'd recommend duns to Garvald instead?

There's no right or wrong answer here and as said, you really will be spoiled with numerous very good, very quiet routes in and around the area so I don't think there's one stand out route to take as it will really depend on what you enjoy, if you're in tourist mode, out for a bit of pace or if you'd rather not bring the new car home dirty.

I used to live near Garvald, one of the things I miss the most are the roads. I'd regularly head out early in the morning or of an evening and just explore and to be honest, aside for the A1 there's not actually anything down there that could be considered a bad route to take. I would certainly recommend heading in to Duns, Jim Clark then from there yes the road to Greenlaw > Lauder > Edinburgh is nice, quite quick and flowing but it can be busy and can have wagons on it and tourists.

I'd go in to Duns by whatever route takes your fancy... drop in to the Jim Clark then head north and pick up the A6112 then hang a left on the B6365 (aka the Cranshaws road) and stick with it, it starts of as your average borders B road then drops in to fairly wide unclassified there on. At Whiteadder you can either keep going and head over the top (brilliant views north on a clear day) and head towards Gifford or be brave, turn right and take the back road to Garvald. Either way, from there aim for Dunbar... doesn't matter which route, they're all brilliant. Dunbar has decent places to eat, nice harbour for a walk, fuel etc... then jump on the A1 to Cockburnspath and then A1107 coast / moor road back to Eyemouth.

In fact I'm sat writing this and feeling really rather sad that I no longer live right in the middle of all that. Only saving grace is the family are North Berwick / Dunbar so when we go and visit, I usually make my excuses and disappear off out for a couple of hours... usual favourite is Spott then proper off piste in to the Lammermuirs, headed towards Duns then come back up the route I basically suggested. Only tough choice for me would be to go Duns > Gifford / Garvald via the Cranshaws road.... or the Longformacus road. The latter has a few epic sections too.

No matter what you do, you'll find something and to be honest that's what I'd do... just set off without a plan.

I ended up taking Preston Gifford Dunbar via cranshaws/whiteadder taking the coastal road back and drive and views were great. Weather not so much but was still a great drive.

Also visited Jim Clark museum which was nice.

[woodysnr]

Today is the day 7th April Jim Clark passed away ,saw in another article Sir Jackie Stewart visiting the grave side .after JC death S JS set about making racing safer .