Advice on scenic route from Carlise...

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

...to Aviemore. Going for a break in a few weeks and thought I'd try and find a good route.

Appears most direct is A7 to Edinburgh then up to Perth and A93. However, is there anything better? The bit up to Perth looks pure motorway Sad

. I'd also like not too many speed cameras, not that I intend to speed Confused

. I find they spoil the ride if I'm concentrating on looking for them - from what I remember Scotland has a habit of putting them on nice straight sections of road that look like they're a danger to no-one.

I've got plenty of ideas for when I get there as been before and want to explore. It's just the trek there that I find a slog Rolling Eyes

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Oh, and I need to go via Perth as meeting up with people there Thumbs Up

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This is probably in stinkywheely's area but I'd welcome any input and a bit of local knowledge Smile

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Roxoff · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

when are you planning on going up? I'm heading up to Aberdeen again on the 5th, if it's around that time do you fancy meeting up to help stave off the boredom?

ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

go the long way round - A82 . . . .
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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Pretty much got it in one.

A7 is not bad, there are no speed cameras on it and takes you onto the edinburgh city bypass, do not take the signs for edinburgh when you get to galashiels, stay on the A7 the bit from Gala onwards is the best bit. The A68 they try to turn you off on is longer and riddled with speed cameras.

For an interesting alternative there is the Devils Beeftub road, you need to go up the motorway for a bit then turn off at Moffat for the A701. This is a very fun road, lots of sweepers but don't do it in bad weather because it is high and the road markings are not very good, no fun at all in the fog! To get on the bypass turn LEFT at Leadburn (Leadburn inn is biker friendly) and keep on going through penicuik and bilston, there is eventually a turn-off for the bypass but it can be a little confusing so check your map.

There is not really a fun road between Edinburgh and Perth so go for the most direct. Follow signs for the forth bridge from the bypass (there is a 50 limit with a gatso at the bottom of a hill on the bypass, sneaky fecker) then M90 all the way to perth.

You now have a choice. Very scenic, twisty but long and high or whang up the A9. The A93 will take you to Braemar, either get on it at perth or cut accross from Dunkeld on the A9 if traffic looks heavy (speed camera just before Dunkeld on the A9). Spittal of Glenshee road is INSANELY twisty proceeding to very fast as you drop down into Braemar (Hungry Highlander cafe is biker friendly), watch out for deer and sheep. Carry on to Ballater. Now another treat, the A939 Cock Bridge (pause to take photo of sign) to Tomintoul road, the most snowbound road in the UK V. F'ing twisty and steep. You come out at granton on spey then get the B970 or A95 to Aviemore.

The Spittal of Glenshee road takes you a very long way round but the roads are worth it. If it is pishing it down then just whang up the A9, some of those roads are bloody dangerous in storm conditions.
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Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

The A702 through Biggar is quite nice too, a bit easy compared to the A7 (which is a belter when you get a good crack at it).
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Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

I did the A7 earlier this year, very nice road, after you about 1/4 of the way up from Carlisle, as said, it get's a bit more challenging after you go through Galashiels.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Thanks for all your input Thumbs Up

Looks like the A7 is the way to go. Looking forward to the ride already Razz

Thanks for the advice about missing the A68. I think it must be that one I took down from Edinburgh once. Right about the cameras, right up to the border, then they disappear Shocked

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Had a look at the A701 on Autoroute. May consider it if the weather's okay and I don't mind a run on the motorway to Moffat.

The A939 road is one of my favourites Thumbs Up

. I've already planned a trip along it, stopping off at the cafe at Bridge of Brown and a detour to the Glenlivet distillery Very Happy

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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
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