Routes into Edinurgh

[anonymous-user]

Hello all. I've got a stag do in Edinburgh at the end of next month and as I've only ever dipped a foot in Scotland once before thought it would be a great way to find some good roads and see some of the country so I'm driving. I'm coming up from Wolverhampton and will be sharing the driving with a pal.

What's the best route from the south to take to encompass some decent roads?

We're staying in an apartment on the royal mile, where's best to park?

Finally, what's a must see place in the city? I'd like to try to take in some culture at least!

Thanks for any help.

[dazren]

Off at Moffat. Then A701 all the way.

[VetteG]

dazren said:

Off at Moffat. Then A701 all the way.

Seconded.
You will struggle for free parking, possibly the Waverly Station car park might be your best, Sunday should be OK for on street, but you didn't say which days your staying. Others who know the area better might chip in on this.

G

[anonymous-user]

Ah, ok. Thanks chaps, I'll get off there, looks a nice route in.

I'm there from Friday 18th May and leave Sunday 20th May. Just looked at Waverly station, looks close and £18.50 per 24hrs so not great but not too bad!

Thanks again.

[offshorematt2]

There's a secure car park behind the radisson on the royal mile - I imagine it is similarly priced to the one you found but probably closer? I've used it but only when staying at the radisson so don't know how much it is to non residents. Might be an option?

[Famous Graham]

Given it's the weekend, you might get lucky with parking on the streets off Holyrood Rd, or St Mary's/Jeffrey St. Can't remember the restrictions.

ETA and I *think* the Travellodge carpark at St Mary's/Cowgate is open to non-residents for a fee?

[anonymous-user]

Thanks again everyone. I'll check out some more car parks on the net, I've found one for £10 per day which seems too cheap! Hopefully there'll be somewhere fairly secure.

[Papa Hotel]

I'd come in on the 701 and leave on the 702, both roads are nice.

Parking... I realise if I was going to a strange city and someone suggested parking up on the street in some suburb and get the bus in, I'd be slightly sceptical. However, that's what I'd do in Edinburgh, I hate taking the car near the city centre, the tram works are really fking it up, I wouldn't take my car near that. Park up in Corstorphine, Murrayfield or Balgreen and get the bus in.

[CooperS]

Tbh the only roads to come into town on are the ones stated unless you drive a bit out and then jump on other roads

[Clivew]

Personally, I would come up the A1(M) to Darlington then take the A68 to Edinburgh. Far better than tramping all the way up the M6 and a lot quieter these days. You could then take the A701 on the way home. (Or vice-versa)
As for culture you will be spoilt for choice especially if you are staying on the Royal Mile with the Castle and Camera Obscura at one end and Holyrood House at the other. There is also the Scottish Museum in Chambers street which is only a couple of streets away, or the art galleries on the Mound. All have free entry if I remember correctly.

[Famous Graham]

Personally I favour the 703 from Abington. But that's probably a matter of familiarity. That last half hour after the tedium of the M6 is a welcome wake up.

I never thought I would miss a road - it's been at least 4 years since I've driven it

[anonymous-user]

Thanks chaps, the camera obscura looks fantastic and hollyrood house and he castle are already on the list for some photos. It's turning more into a tourist trip than a stag! The whole city looks amazing.

Any more info on the best places to park?

[Papa Hotel]

Famous Graham said:

Personally I favour the 703 from Abington. But that's probably a matter of familiarity. That last half hour after the tedium of the M6 is a welcome wake up.

I never thought I would miss a road - it's been at least 4 years since I've driven it

702 surely?

[Famous Graham]

Probably, it's been a while

Abington, biggar etc

[messcotti]

http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/carpark/edinbur...

[mr mac i]

A74, off at Abington, onto A702 as far as Biggar, then B7016 to Carnwath, A70 into Edinburgh.

[alfa pint]

dazren said:

Off at Moffat. Then A701 all the way.

This ^^^^. The Abingdon road is used by all the lorries and tourists. The Moffat road is deserted and has no cameras, some great bends to play with, some fantastic straights for overtaking if required. If you do decide to come up the other way, ignore the A68 (too many speed cameras and too many lorries) and continue up the A1 until you get to Morpeth, then take the A697 up to just past Lauder, where it rejoins the A68 again. The A697 on the English side has no speed cameras at all, bar in the villages and is a gorgeous road to drive. Once you pass the border, there are a few cameras, but the road makes up for it. The cameras are all on straights.

Things to do in Edinburgh - camera obscura is pretty good, but I'd be looking at any of the underground tours, especially St Mary's Close. Spooky! You've also got the Royal Yacht down in Leith, which I've particularly enjoyed in the past.

Parking wise - can't help as I've not lived in the city for a while. There are plenty of car parks, but I've not used an overnight one for years.

[JM]

Surely the best road is the St Mary's Loch, A708.


So the best route would be either;

Moffat-A708-B709 to Innerleithen, then continue on B709 to Heriot then A7.

or

From Innerleithen, to Peebles then A703 to Edinburgh.

[alfa pint]

Bit potholed and full of tourists bimbling at 15 mph and pulling out of laybys / little car park by the cafe near the loch without looking. A pleasant way to get to Edinburgh if you're not in a hurry, but otherwise more fun to go straight up.

[Goatex]

Papa Hotel said:

I'd come in on the 701 and leave on the 702, both roads are nice.

Parking... I realise if I was going to a strange city and someone suggested parking up on the street in some suburb and get the bus in, I'd be slightly sceptical. However, that's what I'd do in Edinburgh, I hate taking the car near the city centre, the tram works are really fking it up, I wouldn't take my car near that. Park up in Corstorphine, Murrayfield or Balgreen and get the bus in.

Great idea, but if I could add to that...there's plenty of park and rides which offer secure and free parking and means you don't have to venture beyond the bypass

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/48/park_and_ride_...