Help with Scotland road trip
Discussion
Greetings,
I'm planning a few days hooning through Scotland with the Mrs next month, and would appreciate help/advice on where to go.
We're heading up from Peterborough, stopping at Newcastle, and then going towards Edinburgh, via the A68 through Jedburgh unless anyone has better ideas.
After that we'll probably spend two or three days driving about. I'd like to visit Dundee, some of the Highlands and Dumbarton if there's time, but other than that am open to suggestions. I'd like a mix of scenery, great roads and cool towns/cities, but my knowledge is somewhat limited.
Any help appreciated - Cheers!
I'm planning a few days hooning through Scotland with the Mrs next month, and would appreciate help/advice on where to go.
We're heading up from Peterborough, stopping at Newcastle, and then going towards Edinburgh, via the A68 through Jedburgh unless anyone has better ideas.
After that we'll probably spend two or three days driving about. I'd like to visit Dundee, some of the Highlands and Dumbarton if there's time, but other than that am open to suggestions. I'd like a mix of scenery, great roads and cool towns/cities, but my knowledge is somewhat limited.
Any help appreciated - Cheers!
Hello mate,
I did a week long road trip in Scotland last year, and after a hell of a lot of research cam up with the route you will see here (it's quite a detailed map, so will take a while to load).
Rob's route:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/
I can safely say that it exceeded expectations! I can't remember a bad road (apart from those in/around Edinburgh, as you'd expect). Obviously, this is quite a long route, so you can pick and choose what you want.
Hope it helps.
I did a week long road trip in Scotland last year, and after a hell of a lot of research cam up with the route you will see here (it's quite a detailed map, so will take a while to load).
Rob's route:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/
I can safely say that it exceeded expectations! I can't remember a bad road (apart from those in/around Edinburgh, as you'd expect). Obviously, this is quite a long route, so you can pick and choose what you want.
Hope it helps.
From Newcastle to Edinburgh, you've got a couple of great roads, either the A68/698 or A697. Both are brilliant. A68 is probably quicker. If you've got time on the way up, there are some brilliant roads around the borders. The A701 rings a bell. Think it goes between Peebles and Moffat but I'd have to check. Once in Scotland, anything on the West Coast is going to be good but make sure you slow through villages. If you've got the time the route up the West Coast through Crainlarich, Glen Coe, Fort william and then up to Kyle of Lochalsh has got be the greatest 150 miles or so of driving anywhere in the UK.
Hi PhillT
Search for GetCarter - his 'Best Driving Roads in the UK?' is pretty much on the mark. A68 up through the borders is infinitely preferrable to the A1 (dreary, cameras), but I would always suggest that you go as far North and as far West as you can. Anything above the line that marks the great Highland fault, from Inverness down through the Great Glen and finishing at Dumbarton. There are still some truly great, challenging roads in Sutherland, probably the only place left in the UK where an A class road is still single carriageway with passing places. It's no longer just about speed, but reading the landscape, anticipation, correct gear, road position, and scenery, scenery, scenery...
PS Mind the sheep
Jon
Search for GetCarter - his 'Best Driving Roads in the UK?' is pretty much on the mark. A68 up through the borders is infinitely preferrable to the A1 (dreary, cameras), but I would always suggest that you go as far North and as far West as you can. Anything above the line that marks the great Highland fault, from Inverness down through the Great Glen and finishing at Dumbarton. There are still some truly great, challenging roads in Sutherland, probably the only place left in the UK where an A class road is still single carriageway with passing places. It's no longer just about speed, but reading the landscape, anticipation, correct gear, road position, and scenery, scenery, scenery...
PS Mind the sheep
Jon
get up to fort william-glencoe everynow and then - the road round loch lomond reminds me of the lakes narrow and loads of traffic, up through the bridge of orchy,ranoch moor and glencoe absolutly fantastic road + breath taking scenery. recently had a long weekend at the clachaig inn in glencoe which is recomended,the drive back south early monday morning was superb no traffic for about 20 miles, only thing to watch out for is rebuilding work at the pass
This thread reminds me of a trip I did with my first Impreza, back in 2000. I did a posting on Scoobynet back then with my route - it was a great weekend and I'm now wondering when I can do it all over again... 
Day 1:
Bradford - A65 - M6 - M74 (Glasgow) - A82 - B863 (little diversion around Loch Leven) - A82 - Fort William - A82 - A87 (Kyle of Lochalsh)
- early start, good run across the Dales, except for a near head-on with a lorry overtaking another lorry on a 100m straight leaving the 30mph zone from Hellifield (I think it was)
- flew up the M6/M74
- good run up Loch Lomond, snow on the tops and sunshine - v.nice. Stopped to take piccys here and then on Rannoch Moor. Hardly any traffic, got a wave from one Scooby I flashed, stonking good drive on open, fast roads.
- whizzed round Loch Leven on the B863, another good road. Saw a Police car going the other way who was pushing it without blues 'n twos - obviously just out having fun like me
- Lunch in Fort William
- Then off to the Kyle, another good drive, lovely sunset as I crossed the tops on the way.
- Stayed at the Kyle Hotel, nice and cosy with good food.
Day 2 (about 40% single-track!):
A87 - A890 - Applecross - Sheildaig - A896 - A832 - A835 (Ullapool) - A835 - A837 - A894 - A838 - A836 (Thurso)
- start at 10 after a late breakfast. Almost straight into remote mountain roads with huge views.
- find the little road to Applecross, the sun comes out, and the day reaches a different level! The road snakes up almost the snow line, finishing on a series of hairpins to the top. Fantastic stuff - some of it is down to 5mph, some with clear lines-of-sight and it's 60-80mph on 10ft of tarmac. Once over the top, it's a similar story down to Applecross, being wary of the slippery grit spread over the corners.
- Once off around the headland the fun just continues, with beautiful views across the blue sea to Rona, then around the corner are the hills of Torridon with bright white snow on top, catching the sun. Only saw a couple of cars, but be wary of sheep wandering on the road! Again, mostly single-track but a lot with clear lines of sight so you can just fly.
- Carry on towards Ullapool, eventually on a "proper" road. Still almost completely empty, with a couple of stretches where you can see far enough to really, ahem, push on a bit (Set a bit of a personal best here... )
- Ullapool's nice, pretty white-washed houses, but the weather has gone grey. Have a break, then it's off to the *really* remote roads. Pass a couple of stragglers (including a Skoda Favorit who's not hanging around - even Skoda's go fast up here), then I'm flying again. More moody, magnificent scenery - the hills just stick up straight from sea-level here. Then it's down to single-track again, and I'm on the coast as night begins to fall. Some nice little sandy bays up here, but it's a bit late to stop now. Lots of rabbits and sheep on the road once it's dark, which makes it a bit of challenge...didn't manage to hit anything though!
- Stay at the Royal Hotel. Decent enough, but not as cosy as the Kyle, and the parking didn't feel too secure either.
Day 3:
A836 (John O'Groats + visit Dunnet Head - most northerly point in mainland Britain) - A9 - A938 - A939 - B976 (single-track to Balmoral) - A93 - A9 - M9 - M80 - M73 - M74 - M6 - A65
- Visit Dunnet Bay (one of the best surf beaches in Britain, but only 18" waves today) and Dunnet Head in the drizzle (fun little road to the Lighthouse, nearly got caught out on a tight bend here!), then John O'Groats. A bit miserable here, but buy a souvenir for my lass and reverse the car up to the famous signpost for a picture
- Head off down the coast, nice quick road, not busy but not as remote as yesterday. Definitely feel like I'm going home now, and not quite as "hyper" as last two days. Sun comes out a little which helps keep my spirits up. Nice views over the sea, and the waves seem to be picking up a bit which makes for dramatic scenery.
- Seems to take an age to get down to Inverness. The A9 has speed camera signs all over it from about 20 miles north of Inverness, but no cameras I can see. Get my second "scooby-wave" of the weekend.
- Head off down towards the Cairngorms, then nip off down the A938 to take in the Lecht and Glenshee ski areas to see what they are like (Previously my ski weekends have been in Aviemore and Fort William). Yet more superlative roads, and when I get to the Lecht it's open! Absolutely gutted that I didn't bring my gear (and get up earlier) as an hour on the slopes would have been the perfect way to finish the weekend. Looks nice too, none of the wind that had been forecast. Console myself with a spin in a snow covered layby
- Once back on the A9 it's the end of the fun and now a steady cruise home in the dark. Once past Glasgow I hit the rain that's been soaking the rest of the country.
Anyway, top weekend - reminded me why I bought the car, when I was starting to wonder after weeks of commuting and motorway trips
Total: 1278 miles, 25 hrs driving, cost £195 in petrol, around 26mpg (the motorway stretches must have brought the average back up!)
Etive Mor off the A82:
On the top of the moor on the way to Applecross:
millband said:
Day 1:
Bradford - A65 - M6 - M74 (Glasgow) - A82 - B863 (little diversion around Loch Leven) - A82 - Fort William - A82 - A87 (Kyle of Lochalsh)
- early start, good run across the Dales, except for a near head-on with a lorry overtaking another lorry on a 100m straight leaving the 30mph zone from Hellifield (I think it was)
- flew up the M6/M74
- good run up Loch Lomond, snow on the tops and sunshine - v.nice. Stopped to take piccys here and then on Rannoch Moor. Hardly any traffic, got a wave from one Scooby I flashed, stonking good drive on open, fast roads.
- whizzed round Loch Leven on the B863, another good road. Saw a Police car going the other way who was pushing it without blues 'n twos - obviously just out having fun like me
- Lunch in Fort William
- Then off to the Kyle, another good drive, lovely sunset as I crossed the tops on the way.
- Stayed at the Kyle Hotel, nice and cosy with good food.
Day 2 (about 40% single-track!):
A87 - A890 - Applecross - Sheildaig - A896 - A832 - A835 (Ullapool) - A835 - A837 - A894 - A838 - A836 (Thurso)
- start at 10 after a late breakfast. Almost straight into remote mountain roads with huge views.
- find the little road to Applecross, the sun comes out, and the day reaches a different level! The road snakes up almost the snow line, finishing on a series of hairpins to the top. Fantastic stuff - some of it is down to 5mph, some with clear lines-of-sight and it's 60-80mph on 10ft of tarmac. Once over the top, it's a similar story down to Applecross, being wary of the slippery grit spread over the corners.
- Once off around the headland the fun just continues, with beautiful views across the blue sea to Rona, then around the corner are the hills of Torridon with bright white snow on top, catching the sun. Only saw a couple of cars, but be wary of sheep wandering on the road! Again, mostly single-track but a lot with clear lines of sight so you can just fly.
- Carry on towards Ullapool, eventually on a "proper" road. Still almost completely empty, with a couple of stretches where you can see far enough to really, ahem, push on a bit (Set a bit of a personal best here... )
- Ullapool's nice, pretty white-washed houses, but the weather has gone grey. Have a break, then it's off to the *really* remote roads. Pass a couple of stragglers (including a Skoda Favorit who's not hanging around - even Skoda's go fast up here), then I'm flying again. More moody, magnificent scenery - the hills just stick up straight from sea-level here. Then it's down to single-track again, and I'm on the coast as night begins to fall. Some nice little sandy bays up here, but it's a bit late to stop now. Lots of rabbits and sheep on the road once it's dark, which makes it a bit of challenge...didn't manage to hit anything though!
- Stay at the Royal Hotel. Decent enough, but not as cosy as the Kyle, and the parking didn't feel too secure either.
Day 3:
A836 (John O'Groats + visit Dunnet Head - most northerly point in mainland Britain) - A9 - A938 - A939 - B976 (single-track to Balmoral) - A93 - A9 - M9 - M80 - M73 - M74 - M6 - A65
- Visit Dunnet Bay (one of the best surf beaches in Britain, but only 18" waves today) and Dunnet Head in the drizzle (fun little road to the Lighthouse, nearly got caught out on a tight bend here!), then John O'Groats. A bit miserable here, but buy a souvenir for my lass and reverse the car up to the famous signpost for a picture
- Head off down the coast, nice quick road, not busy but not as remote as yesterday. Definitely feel like I'm going home now, and not quite as "hyper" as last two days. Sun comes out a little which helps keep my spirits up. Nice views over the sea, and the waves seem to be picking up a bit which makes for dramatic scenery.
- Seems to take an age to get down to Inverness. The A9 has speed camera signs all over it from about 20 miles north of Inverness, but no cameras I can see. Get my second "scooby-wave" of the weekend.
- Head off down towards the Cairngorms, then nip off down the A938 to take in the Lecht and Glenshee ski areas to see what they are like (Previously my ski weekends have been in Aviemore and Fort William). Yet more superlative roads, and when I get to the Lecht it's open! Absolutely gutted that I didn't bring my gear (and get up earlier) as an hour on the slopes would have been the perfect way to finish the weekend. Looks nice too, none of the wind that had been forecast. Console myself with a spin in a snow covered layby
- Once back on the A9 it's the end of the fun and now a steady cruise home in the dark. Once past Glasgow I hit the rain that's been soaking the rest of the country.
Anyway, top weekend - reminded me why I bought the car, when I was starting to wonder after weeks of commuting and motorway trips
Total: 1278 miles, 25 hrs driving, cost £195 in petrol, around 26mpg (the motorway stretches must have brought the average back up!)
Etive Mor off the A82:
On the top of the moor on the way to Applecross:
Edited by millband on Saturday 23 September 01:16
Edited by millband on Saturday 23 September 01:17
Gad-Westy said:
From Newcastle to Edinburgh, you've got a couple of great roads, either the A68/698 or A697. Both are brilliant. A68 is probably quicker.
Eh ?
I have done this run quite a few times and IMHO the A68 is worth
avoiding if you want to get to Edinburgh in the same day.
It is very hilly and covered in lorries and speed cameras.
Better is the main road to Morpeth, then the A697 northwest.
It runs through smaller hills and isn't so covered in speed
cameras. Lorries seem to avoid it to - you only have the
lowland diesel dodderer in his Corsa or Micra to contend with.
I haven't tried the A1 route.
The A68/696 has one camera on it before you hit the scottish border. Its just outside Ponteland so right at the start. The A697 has 2 cameras before the border, both in villages in 30 zones. Both roads are littered with cameras once you're north of the border. Both roads are windy, both take longer than the A1, but I kind of think that's the point isn't it?
If you're off to the Highlands, then turn left at Fort William and spend a couple of hours going up to and back from Mallaig on the A830. This road has some many different types of corner and challenge, used by EVO for their ECOTY before (which is why I went in the first place). Nice fish & chips in Mallaig too.
I also like the road over to Oban from Pitlochry A827 and A85 for lots and lots of nice sweepers.
Ullapool and upwards is just plain fantastic, but watch out for lots & lots of Red Deer on the roads in the evenings!
I also like the road over to Oban from Pitlochry A827 and A85 for lots and lots of nice sweepers.
Ullapool and upwards is just plain fantastic, but watch out for lots & lots of Red Deer on the roads in the evenings!
Well, the trip was kick ass, ta for all your help. May have a few pics when I get round to uploading them.
We went up the A68 to Edinburgh, which was great, then from there headed over the Forth Bridge and up the A823 to Crieff.
Then we took the A85 to Crianlarich and the A82 up to Ballachulisch, before head back down the A82, past Loch Lomond to Glasgow. Then headed back to Newcastle via the A721 and A72 through Peebles and Galashiels and back onto the A68 again.
Had a great time, decent weather, wonderful roads and thoroughly enjoyed it. And I couldn't have done it without the PH massive. Bless you all.
We went up the A68 to Edinburgh, which was great, then from there headed over the Forth Bridge and up the A823 to Crieff.
Then we took the A85 to Crianlarich and the A82 up to Ballachulisch, before head back down the A82, past Loch Lomond to Glasgow. Then headed back to Newcastle via the A721 and A72 through Peebles and Galashiels and back onto the A68 again.
Had a great time, decent weather, wonderful roads and thoroughly enjoyed it. And I couldn't have done it without the PH massive. Bless you all.
Here's some suggestions I posted when this question was posted on another forum.
I assume you are arriving in Scotland on the Monday and aiming to be in Edinburgh on the Friday. That leaves you 3 full days of driving.
My itinary would be:
Day 1 - Start from Stirling, which is a nice place to visit/stay. Take the A84 via Callander to Lochearnhead, where it joins the A85. Take the A85 to Crianlarich, where it joins the A82. You have a choice here. If you have the time I recommend taking the A82 south to Tarbet, then R onto the A83 to Lochgilphead via Inveraray. From Lochgilphead take the A816 to Oban and beyond to Connel Bridge. Take the A828 N to Ballachulish, where you join the A82. Take this road N thru Fort William to Spean Bridge. Just beyond Spean Bridge by the Commando Memorial you will find a turn to the left to Gairlochy. About 1/2 mile down this road on the R you will find a restaurant with rooms called the Old Pines. If you can get booked in I thoroughly recommend it for your 1st night.
www.oldpines.co.uk/
Day 2 - Continue along the A82 to just past Laggan. Turn L onto the A87 towards Kyle of Lochalsh. Just past Eilan Donan - the castle you see on all the calenders - watch out for a R turn onto the A890 to Strathcarron. Just past there take a L onto the A896. About a mile past Ardarroch look out for a minor road to Applecross. This is the famous Bealach na Ba - The Pass of the Cattle. From Applecross you can retrace your steps back to the A896 and continue N. Or you can continue on the single track road and rejoin the A896 at Shieldaig. This road affords wonderful views across the sea to Skye.
From Shieldaig continue on the A896 to Kinlochewe, where you turn L onto the A832. Stay on this road until you get to A835. Turn L towards Ullapool. You can get very good fish and chips in Ullapool. I reckon 4 -5 hours to Ullapool.
N of here you are definitely in the boonies. a lot of the roads are single track - even the A roads. The scenery is fabulous. Another great place to stay and eat is the Summer Isles Hotel at Achiltibuie, if you can get booked in.
www.summerisleshotel.co.uk/
Day 3 - Retrace your steps to Ullapool and take the A835 S towards Inverness. You join the A9 just before Inverness. Just S of Inverness take the A96 to Nairn, where you take the A939 S to Grantown-on-Spey. Here you will turn L and join the A95 for about a mile towards Aberlour. Just out of Grantown you take a R back onto the A939. Stay on this road thru Tomintoul and over the Lecht and down to Cock Bridge. Look out for road to your R. This is still the A939, but it is a turn to the R. It will be sign posted to Ballater.
From Ballater you have choice. You can turn R onto the A93 to Braemar and over Glenshee and onto Perth and Edinburgh. Or you can go into Ballater and over the bridge to the S Deeside road. Just over the bridge turn L onto the B976. Stay on this road until just past Finzean - pronounced Fingen - where you take a R onto the road over Cairn O'Mount. This will be sign posted to Fettercairn. If you miss this turn just continue to Strachan - pronounced Strawn. You can turn R there for Fettercairn over the Cairn O'Mount. From Fettercairn proceed onto the A90 and head for Edinburgh via Dundee and Perth.
The roads up here are great for driving. Most of the time you will encounter very little traffic. You will be there during the tourist season, so you may encounter a few dawdlers. As someone has already pointed out there are cameras on the A9 and on the A90. Elsewhere you may come across mobile cameras. Some of the camera partnerships post their intended target roads on their websites. So you can check this out before you go.
www.nescamp.co.uk/
That said most of the roads in the Highlands have unrestricted visibility, so keep a keen eye on the road ahead and you should be OK.
Enjoy!
I assume you are arriving in Scotland on the Monday and aiming to be in Edinburgh on the Friday. That leaves you 3 full days of driving.
My itinary would be:
Day 1 - Start from Stirling, which is a nice place to visit/stay. Take the A84 via Callander to Lochearnhead, where it joins the A85. Take the A85 to Crianlarich, where it joins the A82. You have a choice here. If you have the time I recommend taking the A82 south to Tarbet, then R onto the A83 to Lochgilphead via Inveraray. From Lochgilphead take the A816 to Oban and beyond to Connel Bridge. Take the A828 N to Ballachulish, where you join the A82. Take this road N thru Fort William to Spean Bridge. Just beyond Spean Bridge by the Commando Memorial you will find a turn to the left to Gairlochy. About 1/2 mile down this road on the R you will find a restaurant with rooms called the Old Pines. If you can get booked in I thoroughly recommend it for your 1st night.
www.oldpines.co.uk/
Day 2 - Continue along the A82 to just past Laggan. Turn L onto the A87 towards Kyle of Lochalsh. Just past Eilan Donan - the castle you see on all the calenders - watch out for a R turn onto the A890 to Strathcarron. Just past there take a L onto the A896. About a mile past Ardarroch look out for a minor road to Applecross. This is the famous Bealach na Ba - The Pass of the Cattle. From Applecross you can retrace your steps back to the A896 and continue N. Or you can continue on the single track road and rejoin the A896 at Shieldaig. This road affords wonderful views across the sea to Skye.
From Shieldaig continue on the A896 to Kinlochewe, where you turn L onto the A832. Stay on this road until you get to A835. Turn L towards Ullapool. You can get very good fish and chips in Ullapool. I reckon 4 -5 hours to Ullapool.
N of here you are definitely in the boonies. a lot of the roads are single track - even the A roads. The scenery is fabulous. Another great place to stay and eat is the Summer Isles Hotel at Achiltibuie, if you can get booked in.
www.summerisleshotel.co.uk/
Day 3 - Retrace your steps to Ullapool and take the A835 S towards Inverness. You join the A9 just before Inverness. Just S of Inverness take the A96 to Nairn, where you take the A939 S to Grantown-on-Spey. Here you will turn L and join the A95 for about a mile towards Aberlour. Just out of Grantown you take a R back onto the A939. Stay on this road thru Tomintoul and over the Lecht and down to Cock Bridge. Look out for road to your R. This is still the A939, but it is a turn to the R. It will be sign posted to Ballater.
From Ballater you have choice. You can turn R onto the A93 to Braemar and over Glenshee and onto Perth and Edinburgh. Or you can go into Ballater and over the bridge to the S Deeside road. Just over the bridge turn L onto the B976. Stay on this road until just past Finzean - pronounced Fingen - where you take a R onto the road over Cairn O'Mount. This will be sign posted to Fettercairn. If you miss this turn just continue to Strachan - pronounced Strawn. You can turn R there for Fettercairn over the Cairn O'Mount. From Fettercairn proceed onto the A90 and head for Edinburgh via Dundee and Perth.
The roads up here are great for driving. Most of the time you will encounter very little traffic. You will be there during the tourist season, so you may encounter a few dawdlers. As someone has already pointed out there are cameras on the A9 and on the A90. Elsewhere you may come across mobile cameras. Some of the camera partnerships post their intended target roads on their websites. So you can check this out before you go.
www.nescamp.co.uk/
That said most of the roads in the Highlands have unrestricted visibility, so keep a keen eye on the road ahead and you should be OK.
Enjoy!
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