Best Scottish driving roads ?
Discussion
I note from your itinerary that your are intending to travel from Dunfermline to Edinburgh.
You should be aware that the Forth Road Bridge is down to one lane each way from approx 20:00 on a Friday until 06:00 on a Monday, every weekend. More details here:
www.feta.gov.uk/webpages/roadworks.php
This means that both the Forth Road Bridge and Kincardine Bridge can get very busy over the weekends.
KJR.
You should be aware that the Forth Road Bridge is down to one lane each way from approx 20:00 on a Friday until 06:00 on a Monday, every weekend. More details here:
www.feta.gov.uk/webpages/roadworks.php
This means that both the Forth Road Bridge and Kincardine Bridge can get very busy over the weekends.
KJR.
kjr said:
I note from your itinerary that your are intending to travel from Dunfermline to Edinburgh.
You should be aware that the Forth Road Bridge is down to one lane each way from approx 20:00 on a Friday until 06:00 on a Monday, every weekend. More details here:
www.feta.gov.uk/webpages/roadworks.php
This means that both the Forth Road Bridge and Kincardine Bridge can get very busy over the weekends.
KJR.
Thanks for that
Hi There,
I have to agree that the Ullapool to Lochinver road is awesome. It is fast, twisty and the scenery makes you wonder why you don't do it every weekend.
It's not a driving road, but if you want to go on one of the most remote (But perfectly driveable) roads the take the B869 from Lovhinver to Unapool. It is not that fast (Single track most of the way) but it is a "Get out and take photos" road and has some 1:4 hills!
Enjoy your trip and let us know how you get on!
www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=215000&y=925000&z=5&sv=215000,925000&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
Tony
I have to agree that the Ullapool to Lochinver road is awesome. It is fast, twisty and the scenery makes you wonder why you don't do it every weekend.
It's not a driving road, but if you want to go on one of the most remote (But perfectly driveable) roads the take the B869 from Lovhinver to Unapool. It is not that fast (Single track most of the way) but it is a "Get out and take photos" road and has some 1:4 hills!
Enjoy your trip and let us know how you get on!
www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=215000&y=925000&z=5&sv=215000,925000&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
Tony
Just to quickly add, the roads down in the South West of Scotland are also very, very nice especially through the Galloway forest area and the Doon Valley which I recommend highly! On the other side of the country and roads around where I stay in St Andrews are very nice as well and the runs down the East coast of Fife can throw up some very nice roads and views as well!
Enjoy your trip!
>> Edited by ricardo g on Friday 30th April 16:38
Enjoy your trip!
>> Edited by ricardo g on Friday 30th April 16:38
GetCarter said:
Yep... agreed.
.. oh and I forgot... if you are using the M74 through Dumfries - do the road that runs parallel between junctions 15 & 16 - don't ask... just do it - it'll be quicker and get the pulse up.
Steve,
I know you said don't ask but, looking on the map, there are 3 roads running parallel to the M74. Which one do you mean the A701, B7020 or the B7076 ?
I think he means leaving the motorway at J16, Johnstonebridge and going up the B7076. The next stretch up the B7078 always looked more fun to me. Beware of tractors there always seem to be lots on those roads.
As a matter of interest how are any of the roads north of the great glen for ground clearance. I've not seen too much of the NW of Scotland and wouldn't mind taking my Ultima for a hurl this summer but I'd be a bit worried about the 110mm ground clearance on some of the hillier bits???
As a matter of interest how are any of the roads north of the great glen for ground clearance. I've not seen too much of the NW of Scotland and wouldn't mind taking my Ultima for a hurl this summer but I'd be a bit worried about the 110mm ground clearance on some of the hillier bits???
Ah yes... actually I meant 15 to 14 (heading north) the one with the Auchen Castle Hotel on the left. The road (as it runs right next to the motorway is twisty fast and empty).
As for clearance for the Ultima... I had my R500 up here last year and had no problem at all.... with the obvious proviso that you don't go charging over bumpy single track roads.
All the roads on my 'best uk drive?' www.stevecarter.com/bestuk.htm are fine with the probable exception of the Applecross peninsula (just cut it out of the loop). I did however do it several times in the Caterham - but as you know it's just the sump that Caterham drivers have to consider, not the 'leading edge'.
You should definately get it up here - the place is empty at present
If you're considering coming up Dave - e mail me and I'll give you more comprehensive info on which roads will be best for your car (almost bought an Ultima last year so spent quite a lot of time considering the roads up here!)
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 1st May 15:46
As for clearance for the Ultima... I had my R500 up here last year and had no problem at all.... with the obvious proviso that you don't go charging over bumpy single track roads.
All the roads on my 'best uk drive?' www.stevecarter.com/bestuk.htm are fine with the probable exception of the Applecross peninsula (just cut it out of the loop). I did however do it several times in the Caterham - but as you know it's just the sump that Caterham drivers have to consider, not the 'leading edge'.
You should definately get it up here - the place is empty at present
If you're considering coming up Dave - e mail me and I'll give you more comprehensive info on which roads will be best for your car (almost bought an Ultima last year so spent quite a lot of time considering the roads up here!)
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 1st May 15:46
Thanks for the advice on Ultima friendly roads. The car is pretty stiffly sprung so ground clearance isn't as much of a problem as I feared it might be but I have visions of getting stuck in the middle of a hump-back bridge somewhere! 
Cracking pictures on your website BTW.
Hope you have a good trip when your new car comes shadytree. You should have a cracking time. I have another slight route change/suggestion if you have time. When you are coming down the A68 (carefully avoiding the 3 billion speed cameras on that road these days) you might want to consider taking the A697 via Coldstream to Morpeth. It's a fairly quiet road which is great fun to drive and wont have the trucks that the A68 has. It does land you with a chunk more of the A1 but it's all dual carrigeway these days.
Cracking pictures on your website BTW.
Hope you have a good trip when your new car comes shadytree. You should have a cracking time. I have another slight route change/suggestion if you have time. When you are coming down the A68 (carefully avoiding the 3 billion speed cameras on that road these days) you might want to consider taking the A697 via Coldstream to Morpeth. It's a fairly quiet road which is great fun to drive and wont have the trucks that the A68 has. It does land you with a chunk more of the A1 but it's all dual carrigeway these days.
Definitely second the Inverness to Ullapool road - I believe Jaguar used this road to develop the XJ6 a number of years ago.
Also, if you're in the area - Tarbet to Oban. This is a road, amongst others, that I plan on using to develop the road characteristics of the LMP. It's a great mixture of fast sweepers, tight twisties, and long straights. Oh, and it's usually empty!
Steve
www.turner-auto-design.com
Also, if you're in the area - Tarbet to Oban. This is a road, amongst others, that I plan on using to develop the road characteristics of the LMP. It's a great mixture of fast sweepers, tight twisties, and long straights. Oh, and it's usually empty!
Steve
www.turner-auto-design.com
part of my favourite drive.I had been starting to plan a run around the best roads in England, Wales and Scotland later this year in the SEAC. In my search, I came across the original question in this thread. The suggestions sound really good (I know some of the roads for a dim and distant past) and I wondered if the Aston has arrived yet, and whether the expectation of the route lived up to hopes or was exceeded. On the basis of these suggestions and others covering other parts of the countries, I have been developing additional sections for my trip. Perhaps when Mr Shady has completed the run, a short resume of impressions may be possible :-)
(This is my first post into this forum, indeed Pistonheads, so excuse me if I sound a little formal)
Phil
(This is my first post into this forum, indeed Pistonheads, so excuse me if I sound a little formal)
Phil
GetCarter said:
You should definately get it up here - the place is empty at present
Newbie alert - had to comment when I saw that photo... A832 between Braemore Junction and Dundonnell (Fain)? If it isn't, it looks a heck of a lot like it, anyway.... I know that road very well, as I lived up there for ten years or so
Always wish I'd actually got my driving licence while I still lived there, as those roads are fantastic! 
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