Recommend me a route - Manchester to Inverness

[RC82]

Travelling up Friday (quick route needed so may just follow nav), but then can take more time on the way back (setting off Sunday, overnight stop possible and continuing Monday). So I'm after suggestions for the return leg, for the best driving roads, and possible places to stay.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[JM]

M6/M74/M73/M80/M9/A9 would be the direct route heading north, but due to the extensive road works around M74/M73 (J7 north) and the usual Friday afternoon/evening traffic on the A9 it probably won't be that quick.
Also the A9 average speed cameras and the several miles of 40mph limit between Kingussie and Aviemore will not help.

But, having said that it still probably the most direct and easiest route to follow.


Return journey though you have two main choices, East or West from Inverness.

East would be the A939/A93 to Perth. Then more choices of direct or less direct routes to and through the borders.

West would be (south) Loch Ness side, Fort William A82 towards Glasgow, with more choices there again e.g. I'd probably go A85 From Crainlarich then A84 from Lochearnhead to just before Callander then the A821 (Dukes Pass) to Abefoyle. Several different options again south from there.

[Red Devil]

RC82 said:

...can take more time on the way back (setting off Sunday, overnight stop possible and continuing Monday). So I'm after suggestions for the return leg, for the best driving roads, and possible places to stay.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Return leg - https://goo.gl/maps/GgpPcrhv5QG2
Overnight stop at/near Jedburgh - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g319810-c2-Je...

[SmilerFTM]

Red Devil said:

Return leg - https://goo.gl/maps/GgpPcrhv5QG2
Overnight stop at/near Jedburgh - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g319810-c2-Je...

Could maybe add in a slight detour from Dalkeith along the A701 to Moffat and back across along the A708 to Selkirk. Although as I'm at work and not near my PC to check I can't have a look to see what sort of time it would add

[Red Devil]

~90 minutes overall - https://goo.gl/maps/ypqtSBqkTuz
However it would require a different overnight stop.
By making that in Moffat the extra could be spread over both days.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g186517-Moffa...

If you do go that way, be extra careful in Broughton.
I'm not exactly what you would call a regular visitor.
Yet I have encountered a speed trap 3 times in that village.
Lurking by the war memorial - https://goo.gl/maps/g5CAv3UHems

All too easy to drift into FPN territory through there.
Being so open on one side, it doesn't have the 'look & feel' of a 30 at all.