best "PistonHeads" route from Newcastle to Edinburgh

[Mertian]

I'll be nipping down to Newcastle to drop the family off at the airport next week. Will probably just use the A1 for the first leg as the car will be loaded with family and cases.

I'm looking for recommendations as to the most fun route back? Routes that avoid the cameras that seem to plague this part of the Borders.

Was thinking Coldstream, Duns, Whiteadder, Gifford. Any others worth a look?

Cheers

[mak2503]

I have travelled the A1 so many times and have found it to be such a boring road I just want it to end. You get stuck behind endless cars and trucks with no places to overtake safely. The bits that are safe to overtake has cameras.

I have been using the A696/A68 and I love it. I travelled it this morning early and never encountered a single car on my side. Beautiful scenery and some nice stretches with great corners. When looking on google maps there is only about 10 miles difference.

You need to watch for the cameras.

[rossybee]

Carter Bar / Jedburgh

[marcus1875]

Depends what the OP is driving. Personally i would vote for his own suggested route.

[Mertian]

I'll be in my E92 M3. I was looking to avoid the A68 and A1 for the return leg. No family in the car so I can have some fun

[craig2003]

I done similar last year

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[haggishunter]

A68 then 697, there's a few cameras at the start then it's bloody good. Takes you out just north of Newcastle.

[ianrb]

My usual choice for that run is A696, A68, then just after Carter Bar onto the A6088 & A7. Trouble is the works on the Border Railway has closed some roads and reduced speed limits in quite a few sections.

[Cambell]

I'd go for the original route, the road between Duns, Longformacus and Gifford is great fun.

[m30dus]

Cambell said:

I'd go for the original route, the road between Duns, Longformacus and Gifford is great fun.

Agreed - I own a cottage in Longformacus and mainly for the drive there and back from Edinburgh..!! Put Longformacus in your sat/nav as you leave newcastle and once you hit Longformacus point it towards Edinburgh.

[Cambell]

m30dus said:

I own a cottage in Longformacus

Laguna Seca Blue M3 ?

[m30dus]

Cambell said:

Laguna Seca Blue M3 ?

No - but it's a pretty tidy one normally parked in the main street.

[Cambell]

m30dus said:

Cambell said:

Laguna Seca Blue M3 ?

No - but it's a pretty tidy one normally parked in the main street.

Yep, I've seen it a few times in the passing. We have a drive with BMWCC Scotland right through Longformacus on 5th October this year.

[rallycross]

Cambell said:

I'd go for the original route, the road between Duns, Longformacus and Gifford is great fun.

Agreed this section of the road is fantastic and can be fun in any car, almost no traffic and some spectacular views. These roads really give your suspension a workout - most fun I've had was taking an Evo 9'Gt across this route but it's also fun in any car (even a diesel rental !). Alfa drivers beware of the jumps it's easy to whack the sump on a 156/159 up here !

[Cambell]

rallycross said:

Cambell said:

I'd go for the original route, the road between Duns, Longformacus and Gifford is great fun.

Agreed this section of the road is fantastic and can be fun in any car, almost no traffic and some spectacular views. These roads really give your suspension a workout - most fun I've had was taking an Evo 9'Gt across this route but it's also fun in any car (even a diesel rental !). Alfa drivers beware of the jumps it's easy to whack the sump on a 156/159 up here !

Its even fun in a Transit !

[Rishi3]

Agree with those who suggested the A696 to A68. Definitely the most fun road route to Edinburgh from Newcastle.