Aberdeen Convoy - Inverness Meet

[D_T_W]

Well guys, i think it's time to broach the subject with you all.

Need to be in Inverness for around 9.30-10am, which means leaving Aberdeen about 7.30am latest. Following on from last years convoy, may i suggest a meet in Tesco Westhill around 7am?

There a number of routes we can take, however i think most of North Deeside Road is out as there is apparently roadworks just before Aboyne which is slowing traffic. But, the section from Ballater across to the Strathdon Road is quite spectacular, so it might be in with a shout.

Options

A96 from Aberdeen to Inverness - Direct, one road all the way, but bloody boring.

B9119 from Westhill to North Deeside Road (brings you out past Aboyne). A93 past Ballater, onto the A939, joining the A944 Strathdon Road, over the Lecht (pictures at the top!). Join A95 just before Granton, take the A938 across to the A9, then up to Inverness.

A944 Strathdon Road from Westhill, which then forms the A939 over the Lecht (pictures at the top). Join A95 just before Granton, take the A938 across to the A9, then up to Inverness.

A944 Strathdon Road from Westhill. A97 turning at Mossat. A941 turning at Rhynie, up to Elgin. A96 to Inverness

These are the 4 main ones i can make out, however i'm happy for additional route to be suggested. They are all around 100 miles/2.5 hours drive (less if things get a bit "spirited" ). Same rules will apply to this as to the main run, no idiots or ste/daft driving will be tolerated as it will only attract attention, and frankly i have enough points on my license for the moment!

Pitch your ideas in here gents!

Cheers

Edited by D_T_W on Thursday 3rd April 00:19

[alicrozier]

D_T_W said:

A944 Strathdon Road from Westhill, which then forms the A939 over the Lecht (pictures at the top). Join A95 just before Granton, take the A938 across to the A9, then up to Inverness.

Having done this trip many times I find above is the best route (and quickest depending on conditions). Section on the A9 is boring but little other option.

This was always the chosen route when I needed to be in Golspie for a sprint at 0830 - ideal warmup.

[MrCippo]

As long as we don't take the A96, it's fine by me.

[n1tut]

Hi Ali

How is life in Nigeria at the moment? I am joining in for the Highland Hoon run on the 19th, so planning to join in with the Aberdonian meet on Saturday morning.

D_T_W

I live 30 miles North of Aberdeen, so no point in coming into the City, but meeting you at Alford would be a good bet for me. As per Ali's choice, route 3 would seem to be the best bet.

Cheers

tut

[ViperScot]

I'd recommend this slightly alternative route:

Westhill to Alford (A944)
Alford (via Bridge of Alford) to Lumsden (initially A944 then A97 after Strathdon junction)
About 1 mile outside Lumsden, take left onto B9002 (one of the quietest roads in the country)
Turn left at A941 junction.
Through the Cabrach and Dufftown
Join A95 at Craigellachie, heading towards Grantown
Bypass Grantown on A95 to Aviemore
Turn right onto A938
Through Dulnain Bridge and Carrbridge
Join A9 and head to Inverness.

[craig2003]

You can actually take back roads all the way once you turn off the A95, follow the signs for Forres and then branch off to Nairn which takes you on to the Croy/Culloden battlefield road and right to the meeting point. Superb run through far better than either the A9 or A96

[Stang]

craig2003 said:

You can actually take back roads all the way once you turn off the A95, follow the signs for Forres and then branch off to Nairn which takes you on to the Croy/Culloden battlefield road and right to the meeting point. Superb run through far better than either the A9 or A96

Don't be suggesting that Craig!! They will all end up at my house that way

Oh wait....... I am having the barbecue........ they are going to turn up anyway!

If you burn it... they will come......

[n1tut]

That would be my choice Craig and the one that I use. Stay on the A939 all the way from Corgaff, good empty road all the way to just South of Nairn, then the B9101/B9006 which brings you out on the A9 only two miles South of Inverness and cuts out all the rest of it.

tut

[alicrozier]

n1tut said:

Hi Ali

How is life in Nigeria at the moment? I am joining in for the Highland Hoon run on the 19th, so planning to join in with the Aberdonian meet on Saturday morning.

Hot and sunny, but missing the scottish roads!
The diversions mentioned are well worth it if you have the time. Cabrach is a fave.

Have fun hooners!

[D_T_W]

cheers for some of the suggestions so far. One issue i have with some of the alternate routes is the time required to travel them. At the end of the day we'll only have around 2 1/2 hours and there will be several cars which means things might take a bit longer.

ViperScot said:

I'd recommend this slightly alternative route:

Westhill to Alford (A944)
Alford (via Bridge of Alford) to Lumsden (initially A944 then A97 after Strathdon junction)
About 1 mile outside Lumsden, take left onto B9002 (one of the quietest roads in the country)
Turn left at A941 junction.
Through the Cabrach and Dufftown
Join A95 at Craigellachie, heading towards Grantown
Bypass Grantown on A95 to Aviemore
Turn right onto A938
Through Dulnain Bridge and Carrbridge
Join A9 and head to Inverness.

Took me bloody ages for figure this route out on the map (it's an old map, what can i say :shrug Looks like a good route i have to admit, but it misses out the Lecht which i'd quite like to try in the car as i haven't had a chance yet.

However, i'm happy to go with the majority

[n1tut]

I love the Cabrach route and the alternative Lecht, but I do not like the A95 Craigellachie to Speybridge road especially if there is traffic.

However whichever of the favoured routes that we take, we end up at Speybridge. Depending on time left we could then take the A95 and A9, a PITA but a steady 60/70, or the A939 which is much more fun but may take a little longer.

Maybe make our minds up on the latter on the day?

tut

[Ian974]

Well I'll be there for seven hopefully.
I've not taken any of these routes at all really, so not epecially worried, though I've been told the lecht route is good!

[spunky-mon]

Since this is the thread where aberdeen folk will definately look.


Anyone got a spare seat?


I promise to have a shower so im clean.

[hemibum]

Get up earlier and do the Glen Gairn road from Ballater. Kids today, and NO, If you can't suss the route from a map then F off.

[D_T_W]

hemibum said:

Get up earlier and do the Glen Gairn road from Ballater. Kids today, and NO, If you can't suss the route from a map then F off.

Is that the road that rund from Ballater across to the Strathdon/Lecht Road? If so, i'm game for that as it really is an excellent bit of road!!

[ASBO]

D_T_W said:

hemibum said:

Get up earlier and do the Glen Gairn road from Ballater. Kids today, and NO, If you can't suss the route from a map then F off.

Is that the road that rund from Ballater across to the Strathdon/Lecht Road? If so, i'm game for that as it really is an excellent bit of road!!

Indeed it is. However, lets not get ahead of ourselves. We still have a huge run to do once we get to Inverness.

Might I therefore propose that a schelp through Alford, via the lecht and then onwards to the A9 be the simplest and quickest route whilst allowing for a modicum of excitement?

Besides, if I'm taking the old barge (sadly the M3 is being 'Ring-fettled), then I really would like to be able to deliver it to Stangs bbq under its own steam.

[Stang]

ASBO said:

Besides, if I'm taking the old barge (sadly the M3 is being 'Ring-fettled), then I really would like to be able to deliver it to Stangs bbq under its own steam.

Mental note. Hire valet paking dudes for this bbq

[n1tut]

I would go with that Asbo.

It brings us to Speybridge, we have plenty of miles of good roads ahead from Inverness, so if we take the A95/A9 from there its only 35 mins to the meet point. If we are early, we still have the option of the A939.

tut

[autoholic]

I live in Alford so will meet you guys en-route. Am letting the weather decide which car, if it's cold and rainy then as the Dodge has no heater it'll have to be the Chevy but if it's nice....



RRRRRRR!!

[fatbutt]

Which day is this going to be? Sunday?