Suggestions on easter Scotland (mini) road trip please
Discussion
I’m thinking of a small Scottish road trip next year. I dont have time for more than a few days, and that includes getting to/from Glasgow. I think any part of the NC500 will be too far, needing too many hours driving to be enjoyable.
All thoughts and suggestions welcome on the following:
Time of the year: immediately after easter- leave Glasgow on the Tuesday after Easter Monday, and travel that week. A good idea for a lack of traffic or a campervan nightmare??
My route: I don’t have enough time for the NC500, so how about:
Day 1: Glasgow to cambeltown via Inverarary and one half of the Kintyre 66
Day 2: Cambeltown to Fort William via the other half and via Oban
Day 3: Fort William back to Glasgow on the A82
Day 4: Glasgow to home.
Apart from the to/from Glasgow, about 3 hours driving and 120 off miles so time for stops and walks.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
All thoughts and suggestions welcome on the following:
Time of the year: immediately after easter- leave Glasgow on the Tuesday after Easter Monday, and travel that week. A good idea for a lack of traffic or a campervan nightmare??
My route: I don’t have enough time for the NC500, so how about:
Day 1: Glasgow to cambeltown via Inverarary and one half of the Kintyre 66
Day 2: Cambeltown to Fort William via the other half and via Oban
Day 3: Fort William back to Glasgow on the A82
Day 4: Glasgow to home.
Apart from the to/from Glasgow, about 3 hours driving and 120 off miles so time for stops and walks.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
Not being cheeky, is there any particular reason for going to Glasgow, (galleries/ concert/ shopping/ stocking up on Buckfast)? PERSONALLY I'd avoid and make somewhere else your base as its not very car friendly.
If its a driving trip on open roads you are after, avoid the A9 completely.
If its a driving trip on open roads you are after, avoid the A9 completely.
Compared to Edinburgh, Glasgow is a breeze for drivers. 
Actually, compared to many cities Glasgow is pretty car friendly, just accept the fact you're not driving through the town centre, which is no hardship as there's motorway bordering three of the four sides giving easy access to the larger hotels.
The route proposed is a good 'un if you're planning on getting out to explore lots, it's not much bigger than a common ride out route for day tripping bikers, but then we're not stopping to explore. My particular faves are Dunadd, the cairns and standing stones between there and Kilmartin, and Kilmartin itself is worth a stop for the museum and nearby cairn.
Actually, compared to many cities Glasgow is pretty car friendly, just accept the fact you're not driving through the town centre, which is no hardship as there's motorway bordering three of the four sides giving easy access to the larger hotels.The route proposed is a good 'un if you're planning on getting out to explore lots, it's not much bigger than a common ride out route for day tripping bikers, but then we're not stopping to explore. My particular faves are Dunadd, the cairns and standing stones between there and Kilmartin, and Kilmartin itself is worth a stop for the museum and nearby cairn.
If it's just a stopping-off point, I'd probably avoid Glasgow too and head for somewhere like Helensburgh - a fairly nice seaside place (or it certainly used to be). Depends whether you want the big city vibes or not, I suppose,
From there, as per your route over the Rest & Be Thankful and down to Campbeltown, it's a lovely part of Scotland.
Fort William is OK, but a bit too 'touristy' for me, I would possibly go to Spean Bridge or Invergarry but that may not quite fit your time schedule.
For the return route, again avoiding Glasgow, I would look at Glencoe-Tyndrum-Lochearnhead and maybe stay at Callander or even Stirling (we often stay at the Golden Lion as it has a private car park around the back of the hotel). From there, you have easy access to Southbound routes home.
Enjoy, hope the weather is kind to you and be thankful that the midges won't be out that early!
From there, as per your route over the Rest & Be Thankful and down to Campbeltown, it's a lovely part of Scotland.
Fort William is OK, but a bit too 'touristy' for me, I would possibly go to Spean Bridge or Invergarry but that may not quite fit your time schedule.
For the return route, again avoiding Glasgow, I would look at Glencoe-Tyndrum-Lochearnhead and maybe stay at Callander or even Stirling (we often stay at the Golden Lion as it has a private car park around the back of the hotel). From there, you have easy access to Southbound routes home.
Enjoy, hope the weather is kind to you and be thankful that the midges won't be out that early!
When were you last in Helensburgh? Not wanting to run it down, but the word "fairly" is doing a lot of lifting there, it's "Carluke-on-sea". If the intention is to suggest somewhere a bit more touristy than Glasgow then Stirling perhaps? Inverary would be a nice place for an overnight.
Remember the weather will be about 11°C and wet.
Remember the weather will be about 11°C and wet.
I would avoid staying in Glasgow and try to aim for Stirling as a start and finish point.
Its always been the traditional point to head north from its why it has a castle.
When you are going is right in the school hoilidays so its going to be busy.
I would keep an eye on the rest and be thankful as it has a habit of blocking its self with landslides in wet weather. Most of the time between October and late September is landslide season. This could dramatically affect your routing options.
Its always been the traditional point to head north from its why it has a castle.
When you are going is right in the school hoilidays so its going to be busy.
I would keep an eye on the rest and be thankful as it has a habit of blocking its self with landslides in wet weather. Most of the time between October and late September is landslide season. This could dramatically affect your routing options.
hiccy18 said:
When were you last in Helensburgh? Not wanting to run it down, but the word "fairly" is doing a lot of lifting there, it's "Carluke-on-sea"...
Mrs. Rooster tells me that the place I'm seeing in my mind is indeed NOT Helensburgh, and that the last time we were there must be 30 years ago. It will remain a mystery for the time being.Glasgow is so much easier to drive in than Edinburgh it's not true! Also after a drive up from the south there is a fabulous selection of places to eat and that may not be the case elsewhere. That said if the OP does aim for Stirling way, I can advise on Bridge of Allan - Kismat (Indian) or La Cucina (Italian) then you're up and away into the fun stuff.
Are you dead set on Scotland?
Some of the best roads in the UK are in the borders, if you're wanting scenery and wide open roads you don't need to go all the way up to Fort William. I have done both numerous times, both on my own and organised tours, and my honest opinion/experience is as follows:
- The A82 is incredibly scenic, but very busy, full of campervans and well policed. Always a case of enjoying the view out of the window, not the drive
- This continues until far above Fort William, the only part of the NC500/Scotland that we really enjoyed was much higher, where the traffic is far less. This might be a stretch for you to reach given the short time
- Edinburgh is a pain to drive in, but the Old Military Road just north of it (Cairngorms) is quiet and offers real driving pleasure. I've loved this road every time I've done it
- One of the best roads in the UK is the B6357 from Bonchester Bridge to Old Castleton. You've also got the roads around Kielder Water right up to Lockerbie and the Penines on the way up (A689, Buttertubs pass etc). These are the best roadtrips I've ever done and are far quieter than the infamous Welsh roads
Some of the best roads in the UK are in the borders, if you're wanting scenery and wide open roads you don't need to go all the way up to Fort William. I have done both numerous times, both on my own and organised tours, and my honest opinion/experience is as follows:
- The A82 is incredibly scenic, but very busy, full of campervans and well policed. Always a case of enjoying the view out of the window, not the drive
- This continues until far above Fort William, the only part of the NC500/Scotland that we really enjoyed was much higher, where the traffic is far less. This might be a stretch for you to reach given the short time
- Edinburgh is a pain to drive in, but the Old Military Road just north of it (Cairngorms) is quiet and offers real driving pleasure. I've loved this road every time I've done it
- One of the best roads in the UK is the B6357 from Bonchester Bridge to Old Castleton. You've also got the roads around Kielder Water right up to Lockerbie and the Penines on the way up (A689, Buttertubs pass etc). These are the best roadtrips I've ever done and are far quieter than the infamous Welsh roads
Another vote for the Borders / East Coast / Cairngorms. The Borders is just a bit more interesting than the West.
The A82 and the rest will be 'hoaching' at Easter, so not much fun.
That said, the road to Campbeltown won't be too busy as it is a bit out of the way - a long drive though even from Glasgow.
Wouldn't say driving in Glasgow or Edinburgh is good / easy with the latter festooned with roadworks and potholes / the former and its weird 1 way system - not to forget the ULEZ in the centre of both.
Either way you'll see something different up here.
The A82 and the rest will be 'hoaching' at Easter, so not much fun.
That said, the road to Campbeltown won't be too busy as it is a bit out of the way - a long drive though even from Glasgow.
Wouldn't say driving in Glasgow or Edinburgh is good / easy with the latter festooned with roadworks and potholes / the former and its weird 1 way system - not to forget the ULEZ in the centre of both.
Either way you'll see something different up here.
I would just add if you want to enjoy both the fantastic scenery and the drive up the A82 you want to start early. Overnight somewhere around Paisley Dumbarton and leave at 7am. No hold ups until nearing Fort William. Then breakfast somewhere and you have the rest of the day for other stuff.
This was Glen Coe 0730 6th April after leaving Glasgow around 6:15 ( catching a ferry)
Wasn't held up at all. I believe the traffic Polis and any camera van crews will be changing shift miles away around that time
This was Glen Coe 0730 6th April after leaving Glasgow around 6:15 ( catching a ferry)
Wasn't held up at all. I believe the traffic Polis and any camera van crews will be changing shift miles away around that time
Edited by irc on Friday 28th November 19:38
Edited by irc on Friday 28th November 21:52
I'd say you're right about avoiding the NC500 if it's too far north for your time-frame. Remember the NC500 is a marketing exercise and there are many other great trips in Scotland. Your itinerary is sound ...but as you've invited input, I''ll offer mine too 
. I say this as someone from N.I. who has toured Scotland every year for the past 20 years.
Unless you have some reason to spend time in Glasgow, I'd keep going on your suggested route at least until Balloch. The landscape around Loch Lomond will announce you've reached in the Highlands. That's better than stopping off in any city
Day 1: Glasgow to cambeltown via Inverarary and one half of the Kintyre 66 - great roads and ever-changing scenery. I note others' comments about Rest and Be Thankful. I've only been there in summer and been delayed by roadworks no doubt due to the winter landslides, but you might swear you were in the Alps. Unimpeded progress to be made down the lower part of the A83 as it's purely headed to Campeltown.
Day 2: Cambeltown to Fort William via the other half and via Oban - Not sure about heading up the east side of Kintyre as even the section between Cloanoig ferry and the A83 is nadgery in places. It'll be scenic but this is likely to be the slowest progress of the planned route. The run up to Oban is pleasant and I love the town itself. The run beyond Oban up to Fort William is busier but another good run on good roads with lots to view on the way. I'm not much enamoured of the town, but for your route it's the ideal stopover.
Day 3: Fort William back to Glasgow......because the run back down through Glencoe is spectacular and sweeping, with Glen Etive ("Skyfall") as a side-branch if you like.
Day 4: Glasgow to home.
Just do your own plan and it'll be YOUR experience whatever the outcome.
. I say this as someone from N.I. who has toured Scotland every year for the past 20 years.Unless you have some reason to spend time in Glasgow, I'd keep going on your suggested route at least until Balloch. The landscape around Loch Lomond will announce you've reached in the Highlands. That's better than stopping off in any city
Day 1: Glasgow to cambeltown via Inverarary and one half of the Kintyre 66 - great roads and ever-changing scenery. I note others' comments about Rest and Be Thankful. I've only been there in summer and been delayed by roadworks no doubt due to the winter landslides, but you might swear you were in the Alps. Unimpeded progress to be made down the lower part of the A83 as it's purely headed to Campeltown.
Day 2: Cambeltown to Fort William via the other half and via Oban - Not sure about heading up the east side of Kintyre as even the section between Cloanoig ferry and the A83 is nadgery in places. It'll be scenic but this is likely to be the slowest progress of the planned route. The run up to Oban is pleasant and I love the town itself. The run beyond Oban up to Fort William is busier but another good run on good roads with lots to view on the way. I'm not much enamoured of the town, but for your route it's the ideal stopover.
Day 3: Fort William back to Glasgow......because the run back down through Glencoe is spectacular and sweeping, with Glen Etive ("Skyfall") as a side-branch if you like.
Day 4: Glasgow to home.
Just do your own plan and it'll be YOUR experience whatever the outcome.
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