Scotland trip

[Bennet84]

Planning to do a trip to Scotland (first time) in October.

These are the routes I had in mind. Please can you recommend other “must” go ones. Is a 10 day trip.

Route 1
https://app.roadstr.io/r/62d3aaf1a9bbbd03d70948c6

https://app.roadstr.io/r/62c2e526d536d737c7945e11

Route 2

https://app.roadstr.io/r/62c2c802a9bbbd33afdde7f6

Route 3

https://app.roadstr.io/r/625bcd470eb35cd8124dbc9d

Thanks 🙏

[biggles330d]

Hi

Route 1 - Dull as ditchwater from points 1 to about 16. Usually chock full of Edinburgh bypass commuter traffic and M9 motorway. I live not far from Knockhill Circuit, so not that far from what looks like 15/16. Beyond that and once you get past Glasgow (point 21) things will get much more interesting.
Route 2 to Loch Etive - the A82 bit I know and will be stunning from a scenery perspective.
Route 3 - hopefully by October you'll have missed the coach tours and motor homes, but an ok route.

I'm away with some friends in September for a play around the Cairngorms (east of the A9). Can definitely recommend: Crieff - Aberfeldy - Bridge of Cally - Braemar - Tomintoul - Aberour. From there we are heading across to Oban and back either via Crainlarich or as per your route 1 to Lochgilphead and back across via St Fillans - Crieff and home about 20 miles from there.

If you are on Route 2 near the Corran Ferry, I'd go over the water and take a run towards Lochaline on the Morvern Peninsular. Just spectacular, quite narrow roads and quite fun keeping up with the locals who use that route as the back door to the Isle of Mull. There's little traffic so there are platoons of ferry traffic in one direction, after that, very little traffic at all until the next one.

Have fun.... another A110 owner.

Edited by biggles330d on Saturday 12th August 11:48

[ianrb]

Do you any particular reason for driving around the north side of Edinburgh? If you don't then just stick to the bypass, it's just as visually stimulating, isn't full of 20 mph limits and it will be over far quicker.

I would try to make time to drive along at least some the north coast, don't need to go as far as JoG.

[Actual]

Get to Fort William and then do as much wiggly west coast as you can. It is truly spectacular.

The north coast is OK due to being so remote.

The east coast is for coming home quickly.

[sherman]

Route 1
I from point 3 I would stay south of the pentlands and head for Lanark. Cross under the M8 at J4 and go through the Avon Gorge which will pick your route back up around point 15.
It avoids Edinburgh and sill be alot more fun.

[s2kjock]

As above, once you exit the Borders/East Lothian/Lammermuirs there is no point doing diddy roads to avoid the M-way and DC or major A roads. Unless you have plans to visit specific places just use the big roads to get to more interesting places more quickly. Edinburgh is hellish to drive a car in. Do think about time of travel as the traffic around Edinburgh and the central belt in general can be heavy at the best of times, and horrific at commuter times.

Accidents on the A82 and A9 are not infrequent in the tourist season and often no short diversions, so I try to travel early morning or evening on these stretches.

[lizardbrain]

+1 for just following your sat nav to a deep spot, and not overthinking the drive in. I would personally aim for for something like Ullapool.

[Giles_M]

I agree with those who are saying don't bother with the roads in the north of Edinburgh, however, I would definitely do the section across the Lammermuirs from point 3 to 4, it's a fantastic road, and I would leave Berwick south of the Tweed, then cross the Tweed on the Union Bridge at Horncliffe.