Glasgow to Banff

[Riley Blue]

Phil Dicky said:

However I was in Pennan a few weeks ago and did the A9 and Braemar then cross country. Lovely drive and will be quiet this time of year.

I drove Falkirk to Nairn via that route earlier in the year, heading north on the B976. It was a really enjoyable drive on totally uncrowded roads, even in mid-May.

[abzmike]

Riley Blue said:

I drove Falkirk to Nairn via that route earlier in the year, heading north on the B976. It was a really enjoyable drive on totally uncrowded roads, even in mid-May.

Not so pleasant just now with about 6 hours of daylight and more than likely rain.

[Riley Blue]

abzmike said:

Riley Blue said:

I drove Falkirk to Nairn via that route earlier in the year, heading north on the B976. It was a really enjoyable drive on totally uncrowded roads, even in mid-May.

Not so pleasant just now with about 6 hours of daylight and more than likely rain.

Even my '63 Riley could manage that.

[JM]

The answer to the best route is to take the A93-A97.

Shortest route and most interesting with best driving roads. No dual carriageway or motorway after Perth.

[Davie]

nichio3478 said:

No idea if the OP is Scottish but this sums up my impression of all the people of Scotland.

I'm going to hide under a rock!

Imagine if the show was on the other foot and the OP was Scottish and quoted one of the smart arsed replies and said tat was his impression of the English.

Poor show matey, poor show.

Anyways, back on topic... if you have time to kill on the route north, the run north from Perth up through Blairgowrie and past Glenshee and Braemar then across towards Aberdeen is a cracking route, both for the scenery and the road.

As for getting lost, sat nav and some key waypoints and you'd be hard pushed to go wrong. But I concur, East coast is actually a fairly quick route... granted average cameras and Dundee can be a ballache at the wrong time but it's pretty much dual carriageway all the way whereas the A9 isn't.

[Who me ?]

GSX said:

I'm going there very shortly but a bit miffed at directions, Google maps say up through Perth M90 the near Stonehaven onto M96 and up through some other places to Banff.
But talking to a mate yesterday who's an ex hgv driver said to take the A9 up as it's shorter but you'll go through more small places ect. I'm awry incase I got lost going that way at least if I stick to the main Google map route outta main roads..... Any opinions from others that have did it?

Starting point might help with route.

WOOPS- I missed the start point. For me- I love the A82. So it would be out up the Great Western road and up the A82 to Spean and hence to Banff.
But that's my preference. No /few speed traps. Bit longer, but IMHO, more relaxing. Worth a look at, and the roads on Rannoch Moor/Glencoe are something to appreciate. AND if you have time, there's always the chance to go round Kinlochleven and experience the Scotsburgring.

Edited by Who me ? on Thursday 5th December 22:28

[coppice]

Captain Benzo said:

avoid the A9 like the plague, it' a soulless road of misery.


.

I know it is PH law that one has to say this but in its defence I'd say the A9 goes through better scenery than any English A road, is decent to drive at the right time and is beautifully engineered . Shame about the safety cameras though ..

Now sections of the A15 and A38 (and may others ) - they really are soulless roads of misery . And don't get me started on much of the A57

[DaveH23]

I've been up to Peterhead a few times from Newcastle and always follow Google Maps which takes the A90 but have also taken the A9 to Avimore

It has live traffic updates and has taken me to every corner of the country without getting me lost.

If you fancy the A9 then simply turn off and Google maps will redirect you on your new route.

[andym1603]

[quote=Who me ?]
Starting point might help with route.

WOOPS- I missed the start point. For me- I love the A82. So it would be out up the Great Western road and up the A82 to Spean and hence to Banff.
But that's my preference. No /few speed traps. Bit longer, but IMHO, more relaxing. Worth a look at, and the roads on Rannoch Moor/Glencoe are something to appreciate. AND if you have time, there's always the chance to go round Kinlochleven and experience the Scotsburgring.

Edited by Who me ? on Thursday 5th December 22:28

[/quote]

The A82 is a good road plenty of scenery, but you have to watch out for the police patrols through Glencoe up to Fort William. The only pain would be from Fort Augustus to near Inverness where you can be down to 35mph at times on a road you can barely overtake on. Even at this time of year there are still Nessie hunters.

[Who me ?]

Andy- I've driven Glencoe in a lot of old vehicles for over 50 years( and at a lot more than the present legal limit, without problems), ,but I'd say that or the average driver, theyd make good progress within the confines of the limits .
As for Loch Ness- there's plenty of good alternatives , especially as the OP would be trying to go a bit lower than Inverness. Come off at Spean and look for a route through to Bannf.

[andym1603]

I have done the same, it is a good free road. Reduced the limit from Onich to the Fort I hear to 50mph I believe. Wouldn't turn of at Spean, I think if you go as far as Fort Augustus and turn right onto the B862 that is an improving road and far quicker to get to Inverness then only a good 90 mins to Banff.