Yorkshire to Scotland Roadtrip Suggestions

[RT964]

Planning a road trip in early Sept with a mate and thinking of heading up from Yorkshire to Scotland, although probably not enough time to do the NC500 this time.

Looking for suggestions of good roads to explore and maybe hotels to stay at to build out the route. We’ll be in a 458 and GT4.

Thanks in advance.

[samoht]

If you have any interest in historic racing, the Jim Clark museum in Duns is worth a stop. It's not huge, but what there is is quite good, and it also makes a decent detour onto some nice roads as an alternative to going all the way up the A1 along the coast.

https://jimclarktrust.com/jim-clark-motorsport-mus...


In terms of a really good restaurant, Number One Balmoral in Edinburgh is my fave in Scotland (one of my faves anywhere) https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resort... - appreciate you may not want to trek into the city with those cars though.

[sardis]

Hi, just sent a PM cheers.

[craig511]

Must come up Via Moffat on the A701.
Then home the same route.

[ANOpax]

Where are you starting from in Yorkshire and how long have you got for the trip? Any must have places to visit?

It's tough to suggest a route when none of the parameters other than start county and destination country have been defined!

Another vote here for No 1 Balmoral if you're visiting Edinburgh but The Kitchin is also great. If you want dinner, a splendid hotel and easy parking, Prestonfield House is superb too.

Check out the Catchpole video for inspiration (you can see he's on the B6320 at one point)

https://youtu.be/koCRdsNwiU0

[samoht]

ANOpax said:

Where are you starting from in Yorkshire and how long have you got for the trip? Any must have places to visit?

Yeah, Yorkshire's quite a big place ;-)

Depending on timing and where you're starting, I'd definitely recommend doing Blakey Ridge - leave the A170 at Keldholme, north through Hutton le Hole, past the Lion Inn, on to Castleton. Then continue north to pick up the A171 going west. Was probably the best drive I had in my three days in a 570S. (A classic car magazine road, for good reason)

However if you were starting from say Ingleton in the west, it would be a long detour.

[ANOpax]

samoht said:

Yeah, Yorkshire's quite a big place ;-)

For sure - it's so big there are four counties in one, each covering a major point of the compass!

[RT964]

Thanks all, some interesting suggestions and recognise I was a little light on details for what we’re thinking.

We’ll be heading up towards Yorkshire from Berkshire and have 4 days set aside to either have a play in Yorkshire up through Northumberland to Scotland (and then back to Berkshire), or to do Yorkshire across to Lancashire and north wales before heading back via South Wales.

Definitely first world problems !

[ZedLeg]

craig511 said:

Must come up Via Moffat on the A701.
Then home the same route.

Aye Moffat to Penicuik on the A701 is a must if you’ve never been along it before.

Try your luck along the dolphinton straight (A702) too

[craig511]

Ah, the Dolphinton straight.

Come around the sweeping bend, check the two lay-bys half way down, opposite each other for any “vans” and then see what can happen…..

My mate did 184 there.

[giveitfish]

I can't suggest anywhere to stay en-route but there are some great roads here I've driven on day or weekend trips.

Might work as something to expand on?

Leeds to a Northumbria country hotel
- needs an early start and ideally on a Sunday to avoid Dales traffic cramping your style
- Great roads from the edge of Leeds
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hawes
- Buttertubs Pass
- Tan Hill Inn, highest pub in England
- Epic Northumbria roads

https://goo.gl/maps/oqsJymsfB33q8sudA

Ooops, I re-ran this route yesterday and realised I'd forgotten about this set of hairpins. Really tight, massive cambers and definately NOT supercar friendly!

In fact I'd miss out the Buttertubs and Tan Hill section altogether in a car with a low splitter. The rest is still worth it, some very quick bits interspersed with bit where more care is needed:

https://goo.gl/maps/gtDf9pdACBfR8b5d8


Keilder and southern Scotland to Edinburgh for the night. Depending on traffic there are some very fast sections here.

https://goo.gl/maps/WY7FVesp8gVCdf2QA


Back down to York
- scenic cross-country run from Edinburgh
- Stokesley to Helmsley (aka the Helmsley TT) is worth the diversion
- Blakey Ridge road, very fast if you're lucky with traffic and sheep. Scene of many an Evo photo shoot.
- Whitby for fish and chips

https://goo.gl/maps/KatbhvzxkA3b35i48

Edited by giveitfish on Tuesday 30th August 12:40

Edited by giveitfish on Tuesday 30th August 12:41

[mhh]

^ Awesome post. Ta.

[mhh]

^ Awesome post. Ta.

[giveitfish]

One thing to watch is the Hawes - Buttertubs - Tan Hill section is a bit narrow and bumpy.

[zedmtrappe]

giveitfish said:

there are some great roads here

Thanks for that!


I have a similar-ish trip in the works, I am essentially starting at Penrith heading for Edinburgh, so was thinking A686 to Haydon Bridge, A69 east and then A68 to Edinburgh.

What about once in Scotland ?

I am planning Old Military Road A93 to Inverness, over to Torridon then down to Fort William.

Any other great roads to experience whilst in that area ?

TIA.

[giveitfish]

You can't go far wrong just doing bits of the NC500 tbh. The west side is the best part of the NC500 anyway.

How about this? https://goo.gl/maps/Jwd6YEfDwRiaCUKe6

Personally I think this journey works better going clockwise so I'd aim to finish on the Military Road rather than start there. The transition from lowland to mountains is simply amazing as you head up the A82.

Depending on the time you have it's worth heading further north to include Ullapool - Kylesku - Tongue - Lairg as the roads and scenery are pretty special up there.

Loads of good advice and suggestions on these threads -

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

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

[giveitfish]

This is the best way round to do it

https://goo.gl/maps/FQYRhiehbw6k7Xtf9

[zedmtrappe]

Thanks !

Have to admit I had not considered going that route to Torridon. That day will be a single drive from Pitlochry, that adds another 1.5 hrs to the trip ( est. 6hr) so not sure the missus will go for that...

Interesting you show going south via Applecross / Bealach pass... By all accounts it sounds an awesome drive but I have to admit I had pretty much ruled that out due to reports of heavy traffic + Lambo Huracan may not be the most suitable. ( I'll be there 6th / 7th September)

What do you reckon ?

Thanks again 👍

[giveitfish]

I've seen an articulated lorry go over the pass so it's not impossible, but it is narrow and rough in places and not a supercar playground. That bit is more of a spectacular scenic drive.

Not sure what traffic is like, I've not been since May '21 before it all went a bit mad.

[Spindoctor]

Not much traffic at all when I was in Swaledale a few weeks ago, lots of empty roads. The drive from Leyburn to Aysgarth, Hawes, Buttertubs is fun. From there head to Low Row and drop in at the Punch Bowl Inn. It’s mostly not fast, sweeping roads, but it’s seriously scenic.