Leeds to Dumfries & Galloway - Route

[Tuscan63]

I am going to meet some family in Scotland in the west coast, Portpatrick in Dumfires and Galloway next week. After spending this coming weekend in Wales, the ST is going to have its work cut out

I have planned a journey quickly that I hope will allow me to enjoy what the Yorkshire Dales have to offer (I have been up a couple of times but never planned a route). This is based on me stalking some informative threads with some beautiful pics

Settle
Ribblehead
Hawes
Buttertubs

Then whatever Google maps has told me so M6 through Carlisle then A75 for pretty much the rest of it.

Now I considered going through the lakes as well but think that may be a bit too much, I want to make it there in under 7 hours and going through the lakes will tip me over that. So I think my route onto the A75 is set (Unless some great great roads would be missed then maybe my mind will be changed )

So my question to you chaps is what shall I take when I am north of the border? As a child I got driven via the A75 and remember bits being great but I didn't pay much attention and was usually very bored and starting the "Are we there yet" chants...

My route map is: http://goo.gl/MKNVGr

Cheers guys.

[ant leigh]

Not much of an alternative to the A75 unless you get seriously off the beaten track
On the way up if you have time after Buttertubs head up to Middleton-in-teesdale via Kirkby Stephen/Brough then head to Gretna via Alston on the A6277 and A689 and A6071

The last three are great driving roads, fast and decent scenery.

I would avoid the lakes if time is an issue, lots of slow tourists

Edited by ant leigh on Monday 30th March 17:02

[Red Devil]

ant leigh said:

Not much of an alternative to the A75 unless you get seriously off the beaten track

Not so fast.

Instead of the A75 all the way from Gretna try this.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=B7076&dad...
It only uses two sections where there is no realistic alternative.

ant leigh said:

On the way up if you have time after Buttertubs head up to Middleton-in-teesdale via Kirkby Stephen/Brough then head to Gretna via Alston on the A6277 and A689 and A6071

The last three are great driving roads, fast and decent scenery.

Definitely.

[ant leigh]

Galloway Forest is a good call but it can add a bit of time. The road from Crocketford to New Galloway also does need a bit of concentration