Discussion
So my in-laws run a lodge park in Dumfries and hopefully we’ll be able to go back to visit soon. Iv also just picked up a new car and want to go try it out around the area when I’m there.
I used to work on cranes and did a lot of wind farms up there and remember thinking some of these roads would be great in a car and not a 100 ton ballast wagon
I remember one running down into Girvan the A714 and another wind farm off the A713 running into Ayr, is there any others worth a drive? If there’s a good circular route from Dumfries that would be ideal.
I used to work on cranes and did a lot of wind farms up there and remember thinking some of these roads would be great in a car and not a 100 ton ballast wagon
I remember one running down into Girvan the A714 and another wind farm off the A713 running into Ayr, is there any others worth a drive? If there’s a good circular route from Dumfries that would be ideal. Glenn63 said:
So my in-laws run a lodge park in Dumfries and hopefully we’ll be able to go back to visit soon. Iv also just picked up a new car and want to go try it out around the area when I’m there.
I used to work on cranes and did a lot of wind farms up there and remember thinking some of these roads would be great in a car and not a 100 ton ballast wagon I remember one running down into Girvan the A714 and another wind farm off the A713 running into Ayr, is there any others worth a drive? If there’s a good circular route from Dumfries that would be ideal.
Have you seen the "Electric Brae" on the road intoAyr?I used to work on cranes and did a lot of wind farms up there and remember thinking some of these roads would be great in a car and not a 100 ton ballast wagon
I remember one running down into Girvan the A714 and another wind farm off the A713 running into Ayr, is there any others worth a drive? If there’s a good circular route from Dumfries that would be ideal. Not so familiar with SW Scotland but I enjoyed been exploring it a bit last year inbetween lockdowns.
The Electric Brae is on the A719 from Girvan to Ayr, well worth using simply because the A77 is full of average speed cameras and double white lines now. The A713 is a good return road back to St Johns Town of Dalry which is a lovely wee village but an alternative is the A76 to Thornhill then A702. The A712 is a nice road, the run from New Galloway to Newton Stewart is lovely on a sunny day. Heading the other way from the A76 the A702 from Carronbridge to Elvanfoot is fun.
The Electric Brae is on the A719 from Girvan to Ayr, well worth using simply because the A77 is full of average speed cameras and double white lines now. The A713 is a good return road back to St Johns Town of Dalry which is a lovely wee village but an alternative is the A76 to Thornhill then A702. The A712 is a nice road, the run from New Galloway to Newton Stewart is lovely on a sunny day. Heading the other way from the A76 the A702 from Carronbridge to Elvanfoot is fun.
I’ve driven quite a few of the good driving roads just north of Dumfries. Strathaven to Muirkirk, Crawfordjohn to Sanquhar and Mennock to Abington through Leadhills are all brilliant driving roads. The Mennock Pass is a good spot for photos too.
The other side of the motorway is also worth a visit. Moffat up to St Mary’s loch and Talla reservoir.
The other side of the motorway is also worth a visit. Moffat up to St Mary’s loch and Talla reservoir.
I'd agree with all of the above, don't forget if you're going from Mennock the Wanlockhead Inn is the highest pub in Scotland, worth popping in for a (non-alcoholic) libation. There's a lead mining museum across the road from the pub and a beam engine a short walk away, possibly a family day out....
So I went up this weekend just gone and took a drive over to Ayr/ Girvan and back to Dumfries. Took the a712 at Crocketford onto the a713 to Ayr, then the a719 to Girvan, lovely bit of road that just chilled on that bit and enjoyed the views it was stunning this weekend.
Stopped off in Girvan for some dinner then back down the a714 to Newton Stewart. What a fantastic bit of road the 714 is, some brilliant stretches with flowing bends makes a really nice drive keeping good momentum. Will certainly be doing it again when next up visiting the in laws.
Was planning on getting some good pictures but was enjoying myself so much I reached the end before I new it! So here’s a picture of some fish and chips at Girvan instead
Stopped off in Girvan for some dinner then back down the a714 to Newton Stewart. What a fantastic bit of road the 714 is, some brilliant stretches with flowing bends makes a really nice drive keeping good momentum. Will certainly be doing it again when next up visiting the in laws.
Was planning on getting some good pictures but was enjoying myself so much I reached the end before I new it! So here’s a picture of some fish and chips at Girvan instead
Sorry to revive a dormant thread, but there is some good information in here.
I’m heading this way later this week and was trying to make a loop. I will do the A701 towards Biggar then down the A702 Dalveen pass to Moniaive, St Johns Town of Dalry then the A712 towards Newton Stewart.
Is there a decent coastal route back towards Moffat or am I better off going inland? I’m not interested in busy trunk roads. Just retrace the same roads back?
I’m heading this way later this week and was trying to make a loop. I will do the A701 towards Biggar then down the A702 Dalveen pass to Moniaive, St Johns Town of Dalry then the A712 towards Newton Stewart.
Is there a decent coastal route back towards Moffat or am I better off going inland? I’m not interested in busy trunk roads. Just retrace the same roads back?
Edited by brisel on Saturday 15th January 16:53
Used to do runs down there a lot.
Return leg go back up out of Newton Stewart on road to Girvan but turn off near Bargrennan and head up through Glentrool all the way to Straiton, then to Dalmellington, Carsphairn, Moniaive. Or from Dalmellington, go to New Cumnock, down to Sanquahur and pick alternative route back East to B7079 or A702 through hills to Leadjills or Crawfordjohn.
Should avoid retracing steps.
Could be Icy/snowy this time of year though on higher points, but normally terrific driving if not too busy.
Return leg go back up out of Newton Stewart on road to Girvan but turn off near Bargrennan and head up through Glentrool all the way to Straiton, then to Dalmellington, Carsphairn, Moniaive. Or from Dalmellington, go to New Cumnock, down to Sanquahur and pick alternative route back East to B7079 or A702 through hills to Leadjills or Crawfordjohn.
Should avoid retracing steps.
Could be Icy/snowy this time of year though on higher points, but normally terrific driving if not too busy.
I'm feeling inspired by this thread - I've not visited this side of the M74 before!
For those in the know - does this look like a decent day out in an Elise? Looks excellent on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/XmVNsJdk8BxzdKuN6
Any changes you'd make?
For those in the know - does this look like a decent day out in an Elise? Looks excellent on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/XmVNsJdk8BxzdKuN6
Any changes you'd make?
giveitfish said:
I'm feeling inspired by this thread - I've not visited this side of the M74 before!
For those in the know - does this look like a decent day out in an Elise? Looks excellent on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/XmVNsJdk8BxzdKuN6
Any changes you'd make?
I’d try and include Crawfordjohn to Sanquhar and the Mennock pass. Strathaven to Muirkirk is also good. For those in the know - does this look like a decent day out in an Elise? Looks excellent on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/XmVNsJdk8BxzdKuN6
Any changes you'd make?
That's brilliant, thankyou 
I was looking at those passes on Streetview earlier too.
Looks like I need to plan a 2-day weekend with an overnight in Dumfries!
Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/7T2carH3kV5S5YkH6
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/WUBjB3JmSuKW7a8WA
I'd be travelling from Leeds so that's a bit over 300 miles a day. Looks worth a trip though, I'm keen to try somewhere fresh after Northumbria, the Highlands, North Wales etc.
I was looking at those passes on Streetview earlier too.Looks like I need to plan a 2-day weekend with an overnight in Dumfries!
Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/7T2carH3kV5S5YkH6
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/WUBjB3JmSuKW7a8WA
I'd be travelling from Leeds so that's a bit over 300 miles a day. Looks worth a trip though, I'm keen to try somewhere fresh after Northumbria, the Highlands, North Wales etc.
On day 2 you might want to cut across from Tweedsmuir via Talla and Megget reservoirs to Cappercleugh. Minor road, narrow in parts, but very scenic - not sure what state the road is in though at the moment as haven't been down there for years. Would avoid in wintry weather as very steep climb out of Tall reservoir.
s2kjock said:
Used to do runs down there a lot.
Return leg go back up out of Newton Stewart on road to Girvan but turn off near Bargrennan and head up through Glentrool all the way to Straiton, then to Dalmellington, Carsphairn, Moniaive. Or from Dalmellington, go to New Cumnock, down to Sanquahur and pick alternative route back East to B7079 or A702 through hills to Leadjills or Crawfordjohn.
Should avoid retracing steps.
Could be Icy/snowy this time of year though on higher points, but normally terrific driving if not too busy.
Thank you. Return leg go back up out of Newton Stewart on road to Girvan but turn off near Bargrennan and head up through Glentrool all the way to Straiton, then to Dalmellington, Carsphairn, Moniaive. Or from Dalmellington, go to New Cumnock, down to Sanquahur and pick alternative route back East to B7079 or A702 through hills to Leadjills or Crawfordjohn.
Should avoid retracing steps.
Could be Icy/snowy this time of year though on higher points, but normally terrific driving if not too busy.
We did do the A701 up to Biggar, Leadhills, Mennock, New Cumnock, Dalmellington, Straiton, Girvan for lunch then back via the A714 to Newton Stewart, A712 to New Galloway, A702 via Moniaive, Carronbridge, Elvanfoot, Biggar then south to the starting point at Ecclefechan. It took the whole day for that loop. A few potholes, but mostly in built up areas. There is not one of the roads I wouldn't do again, though some like the Dalveen Pass that would be worth doing at least twice!
myvision said:
Not all joined up on purpose, no. But over my youth I'd have covered 99% of that loop just driving about. Some good bits of road.
myvision said:
Did pretty much all the coast roads over a couple of visits last year, have absolutely fallen in love with the area and that road route now pretty much describes the area in whcih I'd like to find my retirement home...Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff