Good driving roads between Leeds & Edinburgh
Discussion
A1 to Darlington then A68 to Edinburgh. Fantastic road.
There are speed cameras but only on the open straights and 30mph villages which can be easily seen for quite a distance.
Alternative is the A697 From Morpeth which joins the A68 shortly before Edinburgh but will require to to stay in the A1 for longer or go back on yourself around the A69 area if you take the A68 from Darlington.
There are speed cameras but only on the open straights and 30mph villages which can be easily seen for quite a distance.
Alternative is the A697 From Morpeth which joins the A68 shortly before Edinburgh but will require to to stay in the A1 for longer or go back on yourself around the A69 area if you take the A68 from Darlington.
tom667 said:
I'm heading this way for a short holiday, and will be taking my GTE with me and the girlfriend.
Can anyone suggest a more scenic route that we can take over the M6 / A1M? Something through the Pennines perhaps, without too many speed cameras.
Up the M6 to Carlisle, A7 to Selkirk, B7039 to Moffat, A701 to Edinburgh.Can anyone suggest a more scenic route that we can take over the M6 / A1M? Something through the Pennines perhaps, without too many speed cameras.
If you have more time then you could come off earlier at the A66 and go via Alston up A686 to A69, pick up the A68 and cut across to Selkirk and do the above.
If you have even more time you could go to Middleton in Teesdale from Alston and end up at Stanhope, Slaley (stop at the hotel for lunch) picj up the A68, and then do the above.
Anything between the M6 and A1 north of the A66 is generally good driving and not too busy.
Edit - as you are going from leeds more direct is to go via Harrogate, Ripon, Leyburn, Richmond, then from the A66 you can choose Barnard Castle and up as above or head west to Brough and then up to Middleton.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 2nd February 10:36
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
A708 from Moffat to Selkirk is pretty decent. You can also divert over to Talla Reservoir which is a pretty spectacular single track road.
Gratuitous photo:
A708 from Moffat to Selkirk is pretty decent. You can also divert over to Talla Reservoir which is a pretty spectacular single track road.
Gratuitous photo:
Edited by Gilhooligan on Tuesday 5th February 10:31
My Wife being from Edinburgh, we have spent the last 40 odd years driving back and forth to see the outlaws and do missionary work!
After getting bored witless on the M6/M74 route and the tiresome A1 all the above can be highly recommended, in fct i would not put one above any of them.
I did find the blind hills on the A68 a bit unnerving at first, but to go along at the limit is a free rollercoaster rides and you do get a bit of air time as well!!!!!
Make a note of all suggested and tick them off, it is a bucket list on its own
Enjoy
After getting bored witless on the M6/M74 route and the tiresome A1 all the above can be highly recommended, in fct i would not put one above any of them.
I did find the blind hills on the A68 a bit unnerving at first, but to go along at the limit is a free rollercoaster rides and you do get a bit of air time as well!!!!!
Make a note of all suggested and tick them off, it is a bucket list on its own
Enjoy
Already some great suggestions above.
The A702 is a cracking drivers road but only when it is clear, or if you know where all the ample overtaking spots are. The A701 essentially runs parallel to it and is always quieter.
The road from Moffat to Selkirk as mentioned is definitely one to tick off and will give you a real sense of what Scotland is all about in terms of scenery. Plan a stop at Grey Mares Tail to see a waterfall - quick 20 min walk to the foot of the first one makes for a good picnic stop. To make this point more toward Edinburgh you can turn off the A708 at the Gordon Arms near Mountbenger and cut across to Traquair and then Cardrona, or head to Innerleithen and take the B709 across to the A7. Plenty of options and I'd echo planning a trip to Megget and Talla Reservoir (same road). You could actually cut across from the A708 to the A701 on the road that Megget and Talla reside on.
Have fun! PS don't spread the word too far - we like having these roads to ourselves
The A702 is a cracking drivers road but only when it is clear, or if you know where all the ample overtaking spots are. The A701 essentially runs parallel to it and is always quieter.
The road from Moffat to Selkirk as mentioned is definitely one to tick off and will give you a real sense of what Scotland is all about in terms of scenery. Plan a stop at Grey Mares Tail to see a waterfall - quick 20 min walk to the foot of the first one makes for a good picnic stop. To make this point more toward Edinburgh you can turn off the A708 at the Gordon Arms near Mountbenger and cut across to Traquair and then Cardrona, or head to Innerleithen and take the B709 across to the A7. Plenty of options and I'd echo planning a trip to Megget and Talla Reservoir (same road). You could actually cut across from the A708 to the A701 on the road that Megget and Talla reside on.
Have fun! PS don't spread the word too far - we like having these roads to ourselves
Rick101 said:
A roads. Wut? 
Make a day of it.
Pateley Bridge
Masham
Aysgarth
Reeth
Barnard Castle
Middleton
Stanhope
Alston
Haydon Bridge
Keilder Water
Not too familiar North of there but you get the idea.
Quick way to Barnard Castle - https://goo.gl/maps/B9tN7e4dvcF2Make a day of it.
Pateley Bridge
Masham
Aysgarth
Reeth
Barnard Castle
Middleton
Stanhope
Alston
Haydon Bridge
Keilder Water
Not too familiar North of there but you get the idea.
Your route is much more fun/interesting though.
But why go from Masham to Reeth via Aysgarth?
Go direct via Leyburn and Grinton - https://goo.gl/maps/j2HBVg45Ez82.
Likewise why go from Stanhope to Kielder via Alston and Haydon Bridge?
Go direct via Blanchland - https://goo.gl/maps/rY5ikJVXeZR2
If you do want to go via Alston go direct rather than via Stanhope.
https://goo.gl/maps/f5AQyuPmX9K2
From Keilder Water, via Bonchester Bridge to Jedburgh then A68.
https://goo.gl/maps/Tg4k3VyZykD2
Alternatively via Hawick and Selkirk then A7
https://goo.gl/maps/BJHVitsiXyN2
I don't get why some posters have suggested the M6/A74(M)/A701/A702/A708 etc.
None of them make any sense whatsoever given the OP is starting from Leeds!
Red Devil said:
I don't get why some posters have suggested the M6/A74(M)/A701/A702/A708 etc.
None of them make any sense whatsoever given the OP is starting from Leeds!
Because the OP is looking for decent road suggestions and is clearly up for taking a longer route to have some driving fun? Fairly obvious. None of them make any sense whatsoever given the OP is starting from Leeds!
Yes, I am! Would be nice to take a good detour to give my GTE a proper drive.
Current route plan (thanks for the suggestion of Grey Mares' Tail!) is Leeds, up A1M, through Pennines, onto the A74M, then up A708 to visit the Mare. Then follow A708 onwards to Edinburgh through various following A roads.
Current route plan (thanks for the suggestion of Grey Mares' Tail!) is Leeds, up A1M, through Pennines, onto the A74M, then up A708 to visit the Mare. Then follow A708 onwards to Edinburgh through various following A roads.
tom667 said:
Yes, I am! Would be nice to take a good detour to give my GTE a proper drive.
Current route plan (thanks for the suggestion of Grey Mares' Tail!) is Leeds, up A1M, through Pennines, onto the A74M, then up A708 to visit the Mare. Then follow A708 onwards to Edinburgh through various following A roads.
Awesome! The A708 section near Grey Mares Tail tends to have a lot of sheep on it so just take care - the cattle grid helps identify where this is but don't be surprised if they are lying on the road after a blind bend! Also, if you are pushing on in the car watch out for the bumps and some unexpected turns - cracking road that you can really get into a flow on. It's very popular with motorcyclists which says it all!Current route plan (thanks for the suggestion of Grey Mares' Tail!) is Leeds, up A1M, through Pennines, onto the A74M, then up A708 to visit the Mare. Then follow A708 onwards to Edinburgh through various following A roads.
Also the Grey Mares Tail itself, there are 2 trails: one that goes towards the bottom of the waterfall you can see (the left hand side of the valley when looking at the waterfall) or one that goes steeply up the right hand side. The left hand one is the quick one and you'll get to a 'danger' sign but just go round this if you are sure footed and you'll get a bit closer to the waterfall with a better view. The right hand one is longer but takes you to the top of the upper waterfall and comes out to a loch which is really quite stunning but not sure I'd fancy doing it during a long drive - your call though
If you want any more info I'm happy to help.
Gilhooligan said:
Because the OP is looking for decent road suggestions and is clearly up for taking a longer route to have some driving fun? Fairly obvious.
tom667 said:
Yes, I am! Would be nice to take a good detour to give my GTE a proper drive.
Fair enough, but I still think you're missing a trick by not going via Stanhope, Blanchland, and Kielder. The B6278 across the North Pennines is the best drive in Co. Durham imo. A real test for both car and driver.
tom667 said:
Current route plan (thanks for the suggestion of Grey Mares' Tail!) is Leeds, up A1M, through Pennines, onto the A74M, then up A708 to visit the Mare. Then follow A708 onwards to Edinburgh through various following A roads.
OK. How about:Leeds -> Barnard Castle - https://goo.gl/maps/irMfMZTa4A12
Barnard Castle -> Gretna Green - https://goo.gl/maps/RPbt1xEtf9N2
From Gretna Green you might want to consider an alternative to the A74(M).
The 'old' A74 (now the B7076) - https://goo.gl/maps/KM44P8oAEzD2
More interesting/fun than a boring 3 lane motorway.
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