Motherwell to Carlisle

[a4ash]

Rather than M74 does anyone have a better route from a driving perspective?

Coastal route via Ayr and loop back to Gretna etc A77/A75
Or a more direct route A76
Or alternative?

Any suggestions, good points, bad points etc?

Thanks

[Gilhooligan]

Can’t comment on the coast road as haven’t done it but there are some amazing driving roads around leadhills. The Mennock Pass is a good one and doesn’t require too much deviation from the motorway. There are a few other routes too but depends how much time you want to add to the journey.

[hiccy18]

As above depends on how long you want to take. We took the old road from Kirkmuirhill down to Gretna once and it's enjoyable until about Lockerbie at which point it becomes a chore. From Motherwell I'd head towards Lanark then Abington to pick it up, the road down the Clyde valley is great. If you've plenty of time heading towards Thornhill from just south of Abington (A702) is awesome then you can bypass Dumfries and head towards Gretna. Best road to do Gretna to Carlisle has got to be the M6, Longtown to Brampton is nice but not really worth the detour.

Alternatively do Peebles > Selkirk > Langholm etc. cracking run but will take a while.

[a4ash]

hiccy18 said:

From Motherwell I'd head towards Lanark then Abington to pick it up, the road down the Clyde valley is great. If you've plenty of time heading towards Thornhill from just south of Abington (A702) is awesome then you can bypass Dumfries and head towards Gretna.

Alternatively do Peebles > Selkirk > Langholm etc. cracking run but will take a while.

Thanks, I've just mapped these both out and I will choose one of them on the day based on the weather. Appreciate the feedback.
Ash