Pitlochry, Scotland
Discussion
There are many excellent roads up there and within easy reach.
One circular route would be to head up the A9 to Dalwhinnie and turn left on A86 to Spean Bridge (have a look at the Commando Monument!).
Turn left past Fort William and keep on A82 towards Crianlarich and on towards Perth and back up to Pitlochry.
Stunning roads and countryside.
Enjoy...
One circular route would be to head up the A9 to Dalwhinnie and turn left on A86 to Spean Bridge (have a look at the Commando Monument!).
Turn left past Fort William and keep on A82 towards Crianlarich and on towards Perth and back up to Pitlochry.
Stunning roads and countryside.
Enjoy...
I visit Perth & Dundee quite often but, for touring, prefer the western side of Scotland.
There are so many amazing roads but they may be just out of reach for where you're staying.
For instance the A830 from Fort William to Mallaig and either go by ferry to Skye or turn back and detour onto A861 round to the Corran Ferry.
You can of course go to Spean Bridge again, as it really is a great road, but then this time turn right along the A82 past the Lochs and up to Inverness before heading back down the A9 again.
Watch for speed cameras though as there are lots and there may be specs up there too now.
I'm not sure that there are many bad roads up there, from driving and scenery angles, but the A9 does get very busy and can be problematic at times.
I'm sure others will also know some better 'must do' roads.
There are so many amazing roads but they may be just out of reach for where you're staying.
For instance the A830 from Fort William to Mallaig and either go by ferry to Skye or turn back and detour onto A861 round to the Corran Ferry.
You can of course go to Spean Bridge again, as it really is a great road, but then this time turn right along the A82 past the Lochs and up to Inverness before heading back down the A9 again.
Watch for speed cameras though as there are lots and there may be specs up there too now.
I'm not sure that there are many bad roads up there, from driving and scenery angles, but the A9 does get very busy and can be problematic at times.
I'm sure others will also know some better 'must do' roads.
If you get to Spean, try out the B8004 which meets up with the B8005 at Gairlochy. The B8005 only goes to Loch Arkaig , but the 8004 follows the Caledionian canal down to Banavie and meets up with the A830 .If you venture up the A830 toward Mallaig,some of the old road still exists as the B8008 . Another loop is to take the A830 to the A861 at Kinlocheil and loop round to meet up with the A830 at Lochailort .
SpeckledJim said:
B863.
Amazing loop off the A82 at Glencoe.
Amazing loop off the A82 at Glencoe.
The 'Scotsburgring'. Did it on Easter Monday.Only 3 cars other than our group for the entire circuit.
Not much of an impediment to progress.
Davel said:
You can of course go to Spean Bridge again, as it really is a great road, but then this time turn right along the A82 past the Lochs and up to Inverness before heading back down the A9 again.
If going to Inverness don't bother with the A82 after Fort Augustus. Take the B862 on the other side of Loch Ness via Dores - much more fun and far less traffic. There is also the option to turn off onto the B852 and reach Dores via Foyers & Inverfarigaig.Davel said:
I'm sure others will also know some better 'must do' roads.
If going from Pitlochry to Inverness my preferred route would be completely different:A924/B950/A93 over the Cairnwell (highest pass in Scotland) to Braemar and Balmoral.
Then the B976/A939 over the Lecht (second highest) to Tomintoul and Grantown-on-Spey.
A939 towards Nairn. Then B9101/B9090 to Cawdor. B9090/B9091 to Croy. B9006 to Culloden.
If you don't want to go as far as Inverness, stop at Grantown-on-Spey.
Return from there on the B970 via Nethy Bridge and Rothiemurchus to Kingussie.
Then A86/A889 to Dalwhinnie and the A9. Leave the A9 and take the A847/A846 to Tummel Bridge.
From there the B8019/A924 to Pitlochry.
The trick is to avoid the A9 as far as possible.
You're on it for only around 15 miles tops south of Dalwhinnie.
Another vote for the B roads on the East side of Loch Ness. Especially now the weather's getting a bit better. Almost as fast as the 82, less idiots and I've seen the vans parked in some of the few places to pass some scenic gourmets .( Along the new widened section at the top of loch Lochy. )
Any PHers planning to go to the Highlands: do It NOW - before the 'big wing' biting midge squadrons take to the skies - www.ionalister.com/midge.htm
Davel said:
I guess that the motorhomes will be out in force too now....
lets not forget the other road pest- Caravans. To anyone who says neither is a problem, take a trip on the A830 and take a trip on to bits of the B8008 which has been the A830 since parts of it were a cart track . Then imagine meeting either on this road in a van/truck on a corner with an opposing driver who can't/won't reverse a few yards to a passing place. As for midges- they're small fry compared to a clegg (and not the Westminster type).
Pitlochry's surrounded by good roads. Use the A9 to transit (it's quick but dull. Often not even quick if you're behind a 40mph truck/caravan) & basically take your pick from the road atlas! Definitely do the A93/A939 anyway. If you fancy the Scotsburgring, consider going A9 - A889 - A86 - A82 - Scotsburgring - A82 - A85 - A822 (or straight onto A827 at Lix toll) - A826 - A827 - A9. A82 & A85 will probably be busy but you might be lucky. Ignore the A84 south of Lochearnhead unless transiting, it'll be pretty slow & traffic beyond Callander to Stirling can be hellish if it's a nice day. If you've got the radio on, pay attention to either Radio 2 or Radio Scotland's travel reports - crashes on the A9 can close it for hours & some areas don't have obvious diversions.
Red Devil said:
If going from Pitlochry to Inverness my preferred route would be completely different:
A924/B950/A93 over the Cairnwell (highest pass in Scotland) to Braemar and Balmoral.
Then the B976/A939 over the Lecht (second highest) to Tomintoul and Grantown-on-Spey.
A939 towards Nairn. Then B9101/B9090 to Cawdor. B9090/B9091 to Croy. B9006 to Culloden.
If you don't want to go as far as Inverness, stop at Grantown-on-Spey.
Return from there on the B970 via Nethy Bridge and Rothiemurchus to Kingussie.
Then A86/A889 to Dalwhinnie and the A9. Leave the A9 and take the A847/A846 to Tummel Bridge.
From there the B8019/A924 to Pitlochry.
The trick is to avoid the A9 as far as possible.
You're on it for only around 15 miles tops south of Dalwhinnie.
We've done all this yesterday and had absolutely stunning drives (plural); the Grantown to Tomintoul was so good a couple of guys went back and did it again! Having just completed the big circuit from Carlisle up to Applecross, way up to Tongue and back down to Pitlochry we've enjoyed some stunning roads and good weather. What could be better! Enjoy your trip.A924/B950/A93 over the Cairnwell (highest pass in Scotland) to Braemar and Balmoral.
Then the B976/A939 over the Lecht (second highest) to Tomintoul and Grantown-on-Spey.
A939 towards Nairn. Then B9101/B9090 to Cawdor. B9090/B9091 to Croy. B9006 to Culloden.
If you don't want to go as far as Inverness, stop at Grantown-on-Spey.
Return from there on the B970 via Nethy Bridge and Rothiemurchus to Kingussie.
Then A86/A889 to Dalwhinnie and the A9. Leave the A9 and take the A847/A846 to Tummel Bridge.
From there the B8019/A924 to Pitlochry.
The trick is to avoid the A9 as far as possible.
You're on it for only around 15 miles tops south of Dalwhinnie.
alangla said:
...crashes on the A9 can close it for hours & some areas don't have obvious diversions.
Exactly what happened during our trip in 2010: on one of the two lane sections and with no option whatever of taking any alternative route.http://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/170626-coach-... By the time we got there, 3 hours after it had happened, they were still clearing up and had alternate single lane working in operation. Even then it took us over 2 hours to reach the front of the queue. Suffice it to say we had a very late lunch by the time we reached Aviemore! We have avoided the A9 ever since unless there is no real alternative.
Drive safe people.
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