Nottingham to Errogie, Highlands.
Discussion
Hello all,
In a few weeks going to be driving from Nottingham to Errogie, near Loch Ness in the Highlands via Wakefield in West Yorkshire to collect someone.
I've driven up this way a few times before and usually M1 to Wakefield, A1 until A66, across country onto the M6 then up on the M74 to Glasgow, M9/A9 to Inverness then should be a quick 30/40 minutes across country.
Takes around 8 hours to Inverness, with a quick coffee stop somewhere, if we leave around 3am.
I find the M74 one of the most boring roads I ever driven on though and that stretch of the journey always makes me tired. Mrs won't drive my car so it's all on me.
I've considered this time following the A1 all the way up to Edinburgh and joining the A9 just north of Edinburgh. Google Maps says should take about 20 minutes longer but is only 4 extra miles distance.
Never driven that section of the A1 though and just wondering if anyone is aware of any potential downsides to this route or is it just as boring as the M74?
Thanks.
In a few weeks going to be driving from Nottingham to Errogie, near Loch Ness in the Highlands via Wakefield in West Yorkshire to collect someone.
I've driven up this way a few times before and usually M1 to Wakefield, A1 until A66, across country onto the M6 then up on the M74 to Glasgow, M9/A9 to Inverness then should be a quick 30/40 minutes across country.
Takes around 8 hours to Inverness, with a quick coffee stop somewhere, if we leave around 3am.
I find the M74 one of the most boring roads I ever driven on though and that stretch of the journey always makes me tired. Mrs won't drive my car so it's all on me.
I've considered this time following the A1 all the way up to Edinburgh and joining the A9 just north of Edinburgh. Google Maps says should take about 20 minutes longer but is only 4 extra miles distance.
Never driven that section of the A1 though and just wondering if anyone is aware of any potential downsides to this route or is it just as boring as the M74?
Thanks.
Drumroll said:
It's a nice route but north of Newcastle it is not dual carriageway. There are sections that are but a fair bit is single carriageway. The worst bit tend to be Edinburgh.
Single carriageway isn't too much of a problem, abit of the A66 is single carriageway so don't think would make much difference. At that time in a morning, traffic is usually very light.RazerSauber said:
To spice it up, you could go up the A74M and come off on the A702, onto the A720 around Edinburgh and join the A9 up to Inverness? Says it would take the same amount of time as going via Newcastle though.
That's not a bad idea at all, looks like it cuts off the Glasgow corner of the route. Means sometime on the M6/M74 though... I'll add it to list of possibles. Thanks.
If you just want to drive the shortest/quickest route to get there then the M74-A9 route is no doubt the best. i.e. Motorway or DC most or all of the way to Perth. At that time of morning you should be able to maintain a good constant speed and munch through the miles. Alternatives may be more interesting in daylight or if you know the road, but will take longer.
To spice it most of the way I'd be going A68 to Edinburgh or A696 to A69 from Newcastle. Or A697 from north of Newcastle to A68 near Edinburgh. Then either go up the West A82 etc and up the Great Glen to Ft Augustus, then south Loch Ness to Errogie. Or A93~A939 to Granton and head west to Carrbridge onto the last short bit of A9.
What's the attraction/connection to Errogie?
JM said:
If you just want to drive the shortest/quickest route to get there then the M74-A9 route is no doubt the best. i.e. Motorway or DC most or all of the way to Perth. At that time of morning you should be able to maintain a good constant speed and munch through the miles. Alternatives may be more interesting in daylight or if you know the road, but will take longer.
To spice it most of the way I'd be going A68 to Edinburgh or A696 to A69 from Newcastle. Or A697 from north of Newcastle to A68 near Edinburgh. Then either go up the West A82 etc and up the Great Glen to Ft Augustus, then south Loch Ness to Errogie. Or A93~A939 to Granton and head west to Carrbridge onto the last short bit of A9.
What's the attraction/connection to Errogie?
Good suggestions there! To spice it most of the way I'd be going A68 to Edinburgh or A696 to A69 from Newcastle. Or A697 from north of Newcastle to A68 near Edinburgh. Then either go up the West A82 etc and up the Great Glen to Ft Augustus, then south Loch Ness to Errogie. Or A93~A939 to Granton and head west to Carrbridge onto the last short bit of A9.
What's the attraction/connection to Errogie?
We go up to Scotland few times a year, book a cottage usually. Just gives us abit of peace and quiet, a rest and can run the dog.
Everytime we end up going on the M74 but this time, I want a change!
Humper said:
If you leave at 3am you should reach Edinburgh just in time to find out how congested the City Bypass is....
Luckily be heading up on a Saturday so I'm hoping (crossing fingers!) it won't be too bad. Going to take a look at a few of other routes suggested. Doesn't really matter if takes an hour or two more, doesn't add much when already doing 8+ hours. Just want to keep moving and not be bored.
Take the 701 from Moffat to Edinburgh. Nav to Perth from here then take old Military Road towards Balmoral. Turn off towards Tomintoul, Granton on Spey then head to Inverness. We left Stoke at 5:30 and were in Inverness for 4pm with several stops totaling circa 2 hours. Brilliant route.
I spent much of my childhood in errogie!!
My great gran lived in the ark (opposite the old school) and my gran and grandad lived down the road in a farm at compass. I dont get up that way often but it brings back loads of memories.
Whenever I go up that way now, I tend to get off the A9 and follow the old road wherever possible.
My great gran lived in the ark (opposite the old school) and my gran and grandad lived down the road in a farm at compass. I dont get up that way often but it brings back loads of memories.
Whenever I go up that way now, I tend to get off the A9 and follow the old road wherever possible.
If you want to keep it efficient but enjoy a change of scenery, head up the M6 to the M74 and come off at Gretna, then use the A roads that run parallel to the M74 pretty much all the way up to just before Hamilton. They're quiet, sweeping and you can make similar progress to the motorway just with fantastic, well surfaced, sweeping A roads.
DuncsGTi said:
I spent much of my childhood in errogie!!
My great gran lived in the ark (opposite the[b] old school[b]) and my gran and grandad lived down the road in a farm at compass. I dont get up that way often but it brings back loads of memories.
Whenever I go up that way now, I tend to get off the A9 and follow the old road wherever possible.
My mum and her brothers & sisters went to that school. Had a farm close by. My great gran lived in the ark (opposite the[b] old school[b]) and my gran and grandad lived down the road in a farm at compass. I dont get up that way often but it brings back loads of memories.
Whenever I go up that way now, I tend to get off the A9 and follow the old road wherever possible.
I can remember going to a 'shearing' at Compass, as a youngster. Got promoted from rolling fleeces to catching the sheep.
Edited by JM on Thursday 9th April 12:54
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