Glasgow to Elgin
Discussion
Heading up to Elgin at the end of April, leaving from the centre of Glasgow and on a Sun afternoon with hopefully some sunshine to assist, but wondering if theres any specific routes to take with nice scenery heading up that way or interesting places to stop off, decent chippy, coffee etc?
Have been in Elgin before a couple years ago but i had to head up east coast way due to work planning and other sites i had to stop off at, which had its moments, but this will be direct from Glasgow same day this time.
Car wise, as i work abroad currently i dont get to use my cars at all, so will stretch the legs on the C5 RS6 if theres any roads that is worth taking advantage of
So, any locals with advice to make it an interesting trip?
Have been in Elgin before a couple years ago but i had to head up east coast way due to work planning and other sites i had to stop off at, which had its moments, but this will be direct from Glasgow same day this time.
Car wise, as i work abroad currently i dont get to use my cars at all, so will stretch the legs on the C5 RS6 if theres any roads that is worth taking advantage of
So, any locals with advice to make it an interesting trip?
EL11SEG said:
I would head Glasgow to Pitlochry then over Braemar direction, over to Tomintoul then either Dufftown to Aberlour or the A95 to Aberlour then over to Elgin.
I wouldn't go up as far as Pitlochry, especially with major roadworks between Perth and Dunkeld at the moment (long stretch of 40 mph limit).Take signs for Dundee from the Broxden roundabout, then take a left just after crossing the Tay and head up the A93 from there.
If the weather is half decent you will enjoy the run from Spittal of Glenshee all the way to Ballindalloch, particularly if you can avoid tourists.
The cafe at Glenshee ski centre is not bad for bacon rolls etc. There are also a couple of places in Braemar.
On A93, turn off just before Crathie Kirk (pay attention, as easily missed if you don't know the road) and head up single track road on the B976 (often blocked in heavy snow) - stunning road and scenery, but watch for cyclists and lambs. Join A939 at Gairnshiel Lodge (picturesque humpback bridge) before another lovely run north from there to A944/A939 junction - go left again.
Nice cafe/gift shop just East of Corgarff (near junction noted above) - right beside the road, log cabin affair, which I would recommend.
Legendary Cockbridge/Tomintoul road is where you are then - when you eventually get to the T junction near Tomintoul, you have 2 choices to get to Aberlour, but don't go left into Tomintoul unless you need to stop there - much nicer and a bit quicker to go right and along to Knockandhu. At bend at Auchbreck you can either carry on left to end up at Ballindalloch that takes you on A95 to Aberlour and then Craigellachie, Rothes, Elgin etc, or hang right behind Benrinnes on to Dufftown, after which you go on to Craigellachie.
Other variants are going into Tomintoul, then heading "cross country" to Grantown on Spey, before heading to Forres across Dava Moor, or possibly (from Grantown, or Marypark off A95 crossing Spey) going really "deliverance country" to Dallas, Kellas and into Elgin from the West (Pluscarden Road) - this will be very quiet, but quite pleasant if not in a rush.
Some of the best driving roads in the country there if the road conditions are good.
Excellent lads, thanks
s2kjock- Perfect mate cheers, i'll have a look on google and try map a route from some of those places you have mentioned, quite a few names i recognise but couldnt tell you what roads i have encountered up that way, so better having somebody who knows it better than me recommend especially like you say with road works avoidance. I wont be in a rush, up early Sun morning and can make it 5 or 6 hours if need be instead of the 4 maps say it would take me, as long as im there in time for a cold beer at the end to relax with
s2kjock- Perfect mate cheers, i'll have a look on google and try map a route from some of those places you have mentioned, quite a few names i recognise but couldnt tell you what roads i have encountered up that way, so better having somebody who knows it better than me recommend especially like you say with road works avoidance. I wont be in a rush, up early Sun morning and can make it 5 or 6 hours if need be instead of the 4 maps say it would take me, as long as im there in time for a cold beer at the end to relax with
"I wouldn't go up as far as Pitlochry, especially with major roadworks between Perth and Dunkeld"
Cough. Don't shout it too loudly as I don't want everyone to know about my local roads, but there is a lovely, quiet road north from Crieff (Gilmerton really) which brings you out on the A9 at Dunkeld.
Or if you must go to Perth, turn off the A9 at Bankfoot to cut over to Blairgowrie and the A93 north.
Cough. Don't shout it too loudly as I don't want everyone to know about my local roads, but there is a lovely, quiet road north from Crieff (Gilmerton really) which brings you out on the A9 at Dunkeld.
Or if you must go to Perth, turn off the A9 at Bankfoot to cut over to Blairgowrie and the A93 north.
pixelmix said:
"I wouldn't go up as far as Pitlochry, especially with major roadworks between Perth and Dunkeld"
Cough. Don't shout it too loudly as I don't want everyone to know about my local roads, but there is a lovely, quiet road north from Crieff (Gilmerton really) which brings you out on the A9 at Dunkeld.
Or if you must go to Perth, turn off the A9 at Bankfoot to cut over to Blairgowrie and the A93 north.
Sma' Glen - lovely drive Cough. Don't shout it too loudly as I don't want everyone to know about my local roads, but there is a lovely, quiet road north from Crieff (Gilmerton really) which brings you out on the A9 at Dunkeld.
Or if you must go to Perth, turn off the A9 at Bankfoot to cut over to Blairgowrie and the A93 north.
You could come off the A9 from Glasgow just north of Dunblane and pass Andy Murray's hotel and on to Braco, then Muthill to get to Crieff, or just come off at Greenloaning. I guess you could go through Dunkeld to join A93 at Blairgowrie then and still enjoy the best of the route to Braemar.
You'd still do that in under 6 hours I'd guess leaving early on Sunday morning. Would keep you off the dull roads as much as possible.
(Just to note re A93, if there is still skiable snow at the Lecht and/or Glenshee then the roads will be busier than normal)
I used to drive this route every weekend in the early 2000’s in my Impreza Turbo. Pre average speed camera days. I would go A9 to Carrbridge. Then head for the B9007 to Ferness. Super fast road and you can see for miles. Eventually you come out at Forres and then head along the A96 to Elgin.
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