Glencoe

[flight147z]

Taking a long weekend to drive up to Glencoe at the end of the month. I'm based in Nottingham. Always wanted to do a proper long UK road trip and haven't ever managed to get around to it before. 2 nights booked in an Airbnb in Glencoe, Friday to Sunday

Thought I'd sense check my plan here and perhaps get some tips!

Intending to leave home around 4am Friday with the aim of completing the 363 mile trip before lunch. Is that realistic?

Secondly (given I've not done a drive of this length in the UK before(!)) what's the best strategy for getting through the miles? How many stops will I need and where should I plan to stop?

Any tips for things to do after getting there? I'm a cyclist and taking the bike up so will do the best roads and hills in the area on my bike but if there is somewhere worth jumping in the car to head out to too let me know!

[sherman]

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

[P675]

Can be pretty slow through Loch Lomond, Glencoe and leading up to Fort William. Leaving that early though you might be alright and beat the traffic. Just be prepared to lose and hour or two on your planned arrival.

[flight147z]

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

Thanks for this - will check out the stops! I'm a road cyclist

[flight147z]

P675 said:

Can be pretty slow through Loch Lomond, Glencoe and leading up to Fort William. Leaving that early though you might be alright and beat the traffic. Just be prepared to lose and hour or two on your planned arrival.

Probably looking at 1pm arrival then if I set off at 4?

[sjabrown]

Allow more time than you think, especially as you get nearer Glencoe. The roads get busy and slow through the daytime. I stay 10mins from Glencoe and know only too well how slow the traffic can get!

Is it a road bike or mountain bike that you're taking? Mountain bike plenty choice - Nevis Range or if it's not windy up the chairlift at Glencoe ski centre. Also some nice little trails around and above Glencoe lochan (not publicised). If road bike then either of the following are good routes for most of a day:
1. Cycle path from Ballachulish towards Oban. NC route 78. Mainly on purpose built cycle/dual use path and good surface with good scenery. It's a down and back route rather than a loop but you can make loops off of it near Appin or Creagan. Some cafes on this route. If you're a keen cyclist you could potentially make a day of it and all the way to Oban and back.
2. Across the Corran Ferry and cycle the Kingairloch loop (A861, A884, B8043) +/- adding on a dog-leg to Strontian and up and down Polloch hill. Quiet roads apart from ferry traffic, and if you're not used to the Highlands can give a real feeling of isolation! Other than Strontian you'll not find shops or cafes on those roads. Very quiet part of the world.

If not cycling then loads of outdoor places to see, everything from short walks to some of the best mountains in Scotland... just be prepared for all weathers even at the end of June, and midges, and makes sure you don't end up needing mountain rescue out

[flight147z]

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

Thinking about timing I may need to find somewhere a little further North for the first stop - Mainsgill is ~2 hours from where I live so I'd get there around 6 - too early!

[sherman]

flight147z said:

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

Thinking about timing I may need to find somewhere a little further North for the first stop - Mainsgill is ~2 hours from where I live so I'd get there around 6 - too early!

Tebay services Northbound then at the other end of the A66.

Theres not really any other decent spots for breakfast on the M6/M74 as you go north.

[mickythefish]

Bit cheeky, but i want to Ben Nevis but on my own it's120 quid in fuel. If you are looking to give a lift, can give you some towards fuel , 40 quid sorry i'm skint. In fairness alone drive is probably better but thought I would ask. cheers.

[flight147z]

mickythefish said:

Bit cheeky, but i want to Ben Nevis but on my own it's120 quid in fuel. If you are looking to give a lift, can give you some towards fuel , 40 quid sorry i'm skint. In fairness alone drive is probably better but thought I would ask. cheers.

Full car I'm afraid so unfortunately I can't help. Hope you manage to get something else sorted!

[flight147z]

sherman said:

flight147z said:

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

Thinking about timing I may need to find somewhere a little further North for the first stop - Mainsgill is ~2 hours from where I live so I'd get there around 6 - too early!

Tebay services Northbound then at the other end of the A66.

Theres not really any other decent spots for breakfast on the M6/M74 as you go north.

Looks like a good shout, thanks!

[OvalOwl]

flight147z said:

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

Thinking about timing I may need to find somewhere a little further North for the first stop - Mainsgill is ~2 hours from where I live so I'd get there around 6 - too early!

There's the AWJ Truckstop at Penrith J40 and the cafe in the Tesco superstore at Carlisle J43

[king arthur]

flight147z said:

sherman said:

Tebay services Northbound then at the other end of the A66.

Theres not really any other decent spots for breakfast on the M6/M74 as you go north.

Looks like a good shout, thanks!

Tebay services is south of the junction with the A66. But there is another similar services owned by the same group at Cairn Lodge on the M74.

[alangla]

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

I hate being pedantic, but attempting to go M8 to A82 directly isn’t possible at the moment thanks to roadworks and leaves you on the hideously congested Great Western Road at the best of times. Stay on the M74 all the way to the end (don’t go M73-M8) then join the M8 south of the Kingston Bridge then go M/A898 over the Erskine Bridge to the A82.
When you’re reaching the end of the M74 (after the big train depot at Polmadie), head for the right hand lane and stay there, this lane should see you right through to the full merge of the motorways at Govan though, IIRC, you may need to move out before the Clyde Tunnel off slip.
Ensure you’re in the left hand lane when you get to the far side of the Erskine Bridge (signed as Crianlarich IIRC)

[sherman]

alangla said:

sherman said:

Route and stops

Nottingham
A1
A66
Stop at Mainsgill Farm for Breakfast
M6
M74
M8
A82
Stop at Balloch for Coffee(2nd Breakfast)
A82

Its 7ish hours of driving. I would set aside 9 hours total with stopping for breakfast etc.

If you have your bike go to Nevis Range just north of Fort William
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/activities/bike/

I hate being pedantic, but attempting to go M8 to A82 directly isn’t possible at the moment thanks to roadworks and leaves you on the hideously congested Great Western Road at the best of times. Stay on the M74 all the way to the end (don’t go M73-M8) then join the M8 south of the Kingston Bridge then go M/A898 over the Erskine Bridge to the A82.
When you’re reaching the end of the M74 (after the big train depot at Polmadie), head for the right hand lane and stay there, this lane should see you right through to the full merge of the motorways at Govan though, IIRC, you may need to move out before the Clyde Tunnel off slip.
Ensure you’re in the left hand lane when you get to the far side of the Erskine Bridge (signed as Crianlarich IIRC)

Glasgow road network is not my strong suit.
Do what he said

[TheFungle]

No need to overthink this.

Turn Waze on, point your car up the M1 and follow the instructions. Stop when you need fuel/coffee/bacon bap.

If you want to specifically enjoy the drive there are a number of options such as via Alston or via Moffat but both add a fair chunk of time on if getting to your destination is priority.

[the-norseman]

TheFungle said:

No need to overthink this.

Turn Waze on, point your car up the M1 and follow the instructions. Stop when you need fuel/coffee/bacon bap.

Agreed.

[Mr Squarekins]

For entertainment, you can play 'The Arnold Clark game' on the trip up.

As you set off, everyone picks a target number of crappy A.C. big yellow dealership stickers that you will spot on the way up. Up in Scotland they must breed.

Nearest the actual number wins. Factor in if you'll drive past the 'mothership' in Glasgow.

Between the Midlands and Glencoe last October, 125 spotted. Loser buys first beers in the Clachhaig

[DFNorfolk]

I’m up in Ballater tonight, having been on Skye for the last week, and asked for road/route tips before I left from Norwich and Red Devil on here gave me some good advice:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

His comments are a wee way down this page but his alternative Glencoe route via the Rest and be Thankful was a good one and quieter than going through Glencoe itself. Whilst you’re up there then I can recommend the Kinlochleven “loop” as it’s a great bit of Road and stunning scenery.

FWIW I’ve done Norwich to Fort William a couple of times over the last few years, with a couple of stops on route, and it’s taken about 10-11 hours.

[flight147z]

I forgot to post back after my trip!

Drive was fine in the end. Left home around 4:30, arrived at Tebay Services around the time they started serving breakfast. Second stop at a coffee place on Loch Lomond and reached Glencoe in time for lunch

Took the bike up and had a lot of fun!