Alps V Scotland. Which has the best driving roads (in a GT)
Discussion
I’m weighing up a trip through the Alps. Watching lots of YouTube videos, I noted a comment from Joe Achilies, stating that the Scottish roads are less busy and have a better line of sight.
I’ve done Scotland a few times and it never disappoints, there are great roads everywhere. So my question to those that have done both the Apls and Scotland, in your opinion, which has the better driving roads?
I’ve done Scotland a few times and it never disappoints, there are great roads everywhere. So my question to those that have done both the Apls and Scotland, in your opinion, which has the better driving roads?
Endless 1st/2nd gear hairpins gets old after a while, and very hard on brakes. Alpine roads often quite narrow for overtaking too. Impossible to say definitively though, some great options in either place. Also depends on how much you value the view out of the windscreen, as opposed to the ribbon of tarmac itself.
I drove the can from Fort William over to Isle of skye and around when I had a spare afternoon after Climbing Ben Nevis.
Only a 180BHP T5 but you can't wait to have a good time on those roads.
Pretty must deserted, good line of sight and spectacular scenery.
Never been to the Alps so couldn't comment
Only a 180BHP T5 but you can't wait to have a good time on those roads.
Pretty must deserted, good line of sight and spectacular scenery.
Never been to the Alps so couldn't comment
Depends on what you drive.
In the Highlands you want something small and narrow with good suspension travel, ground clearance and visibility. A hot hatch is ideal.
If you have a larger, heavier car or a low-slung sports car the Alps offer better surfaces, wider roads and less chance of bending a rim on a pothole. But overall the roads don't flow as well and traffic can be debilitating.
It's further to get to but Spain and Portugal are where it's at for serious drivers.
In the Highlands you want something small and narrow with good suspension travel, ground clearance and visibility. A hot hatch is ideal.
If you have a larger, heavier car or a low-slung sports car the Alps offer better surfaces, wider roads and less chance of bending a rim on a pothole. But overall the roads don't flow as well and traffic can be debilitating.
It's further to get to but Spain and Portugal are where it's at for serious drivers.
plenty said:
Depends on what you drive.
In the Highlands you want something small and narrow with good suspension travel, ground clearance and visibility. A hot hatch is ideal.
If you have a larger, heavier car or a low-slung sports car the Alps offer better surfaces, wider roads and less chance of bending a rim on a pothole. But overall the roads don't flow as well and traffic can be debilitating.
It's further to get to but Spain and Portugal are where it's at for serious drivers.
My OH is from Madrid, I'm from Edinburgh originally but we now live in Essex. We've done the highlands many times and it's wonderful but really looking forward to the boat to San Sebastian and the drive down to Madrid in my Lotus or whatever I get next. In the Highlands you want something small and narrow with good suspension travel, ground clearance and visibility. A hot hatch is ideal.
If you have a larger, heavier car or a low-slung sports car the Alps offer better surfaces, wider roads and less chance of bending a rim on a pothole. But overall the roads don't flow as well and traffic can be debilitating.
It's further to get to but Spain and Portugal are where it's at for serious drivers.
Alps would be preferable in a GT in my opinion.
There are roads in Scotland that would be great, Callander to Oban, Laggan to Dornie, Tore to Lochinver, but the majority of the fun linking roads are more suited, as mentioned above, to something smaller and more akin to a tarmac rally setup suspension wise. Sharp blind crests and rough surface with poor sightlines. To get the most out of the real driving in the North a lighter car with higher profile tyres would be more optimal.
The better road surface in the Alps and more gradual undulation changes combined with the higher average speed would better suit a GT.
There are roads in Scotland that would be great, Callander to Oban, Laggan to Dornie, Tore to Lochinver, but the majority of the fun linking roads are more suited, as mentioned above, to something smaller and more akin to a tarmac rally setup suspension wise. Sharp blind crests and rough surface with poor sightlines. To get the most out of the real driving in the North a lighter car with higher profile tyres would be more optimal.
The better road surface in the Alps and more gradual undulation changes combined with the higher average speed would better suit a GT.
GroundEffect said:
My OH is from Madrid, I'm from Edinburgh originally but we now live in Essex. We've done the highlands many times and it's wonderful but really looking forward to the boat to San Sebastian and the drive down to Madrid in my Lotus or whatever I get next.
Is there a car ferry to San Sebastian? I'm only aware of Brittany Ferries to Santander and Bilbao.Crata said:
Alps would be preferable in a GT in my opinion.
The better road surface in the Alps and more gradual undulation changes combined with the higher average speed would better suit a GT.
your point is valid, yet once you're in the Alps there's a lot of quiet roads and "hill climbs" that suit an Elise best. Getting there would be suited for a GT obvs, but there's much more to the Alps than the obvious major passes.The better road surface in the Alps and more gradual undulation changes combined with the higher average speed would better suit a GT.
Spain is underrated and I really want to take in Guadix on a trip sometime - a track owned by a Brit down south often used by Brit car tours.
Depends whether you want to get to Locarno or Livingston I suppose.
To be be honest I’d attach zero weigh to anything I uttered by your source.
Scotland, the road are good, the scenery is good, the good stops there.
Switzerland, the roads are good, the scenery is good, it’s close to Italy.
To be be honest I’d attach zero weigh to anything I uttered by your source.
Scotland, the road are good, the scenery is good, the good stops there.
Switzerland, the roads are good, the scenery is good, it’s close to Italy.
Forget the Alps and try the Pyrenees! I last summer and had the fantastically maintained, pot-hole free roads all, with the exception of when I completely accidentally did the Col de Portalet on the same day as a cycling race tas taking place. But the police still let me drive it to the summit, and then I had to wait for the race to clear before I could descent in either direction into Spain or France. But it was absolutely fantastic for traffic-free driving roads! I went towards the end of September, so that might explain why it was so quiet. But in the mountains I literally saw a car coming the other way once or twice an hour. Bliss!
Janluke said:
I drive/ride around the Highlands a lot, the roads are in a shocking state atm.
The few times I've been to the Alps the road condition has been first class everywhere
Very good point re potholes. Did Cairngorms and parts of NC500 a couple of weeks ago. The South side of the Cairngorms (on way to Glenshee) was shocking!The few times I've been to the Alps the road condition has been first class everywhere
plenty said:
Depends on what you drive.
In the Highlands you want something small and narrow with good suspension travel, ground clearance and visibility. A hot hatch is ideal.
If you have a larger, heavier car or a low-slung sports car the Alps offer better surfaces, wider roads and less chance of bending a rim on a pothole. But overall the roads don't flow as well and traffic can be debilitating.
It's further to get to but Spain and Portugal are where it's at for serious drivers.
I’ve been to Scotland twice in the last six months. Agree on your recommendation of a hot hatch - I took my S3 and it dealt with the ever changing weather admirably. I also have a GT car, so maybe some smooth, wide super breathtaking roads could be just the ticket.In the Highlands you want something small and narrow with good suspension travel, ground clearance and visibility. A hot hatch is ideal.
If you have a larger, heavier car or a low-slung sports car the Alps offer better surfaces, wider roads and less chance of bending a rim on a pothole. But overall the roads don't flow as well and traffic can be debilitating.
It's further to get to but Spain and Portugal are where it's at for serious drivers.
LunarOne said:
Forget the Alps and try the Pyrenees! I last summer and had the fantastically maintained, pot-hole free roads all, with the exception of when I completely accidentally did the Col de Portalet on the same day as a cycling race tas taking place. But the police still let me drive it to the summit, and then I had to wait for the race to clear before I could descent in either direction into Spain or France. But it was absolutely fantastic for traffic-free driving roads! I went towards the end of September, so that might explain why it was so quiet. But in the mountains I literally saw a car coming the other way once or twice an hour. Bliss!
A mate of mine used to swear by Andorra. Mirroring what you said - didn’t see cars for hours Pyrenees seconded! The N260 runs more or less all the way across. Spend about 4 days to get across and you'll never look back. Some runs https://youtu.be/XDXQ_JaOHuE
Or the Alps, Furka pass is great! https://youtu.be/PJVxNg0qjqc
Or the Alps, Furka pass is great! https://youtu.be/PJVxNg0qjqc
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