Driving route recommendations

[pshanks76]

Later this month me and the missus are thinking about taking a 4 to 6 day driving trip in the Elise from Aberdeen to the Lake District (Ambleside area) and back and I'm looking for any route recommendations. To start with we'll probably head on to the south deeside to Balmoral then on to Braemar, across Glenshee and down to Bridge of Cally, but from there on I'm open to suggestions. Looking for the usual... Twisty and quiet and lots of fun... Ideally with some nice hotel stops along the way

Edit: and any good cafe/cake stops en route

[robin]

The A93 to Perth - that's usually a good run.

Assuming you then go via Stirling approx. then you could go A85/A84 - these are fun roads to drive, if a bit busy.

Campbell can no doubt suggest 101 routes from Stirling to whichever A7xx road you aim for next.

A701 from south of Edinburgh to Moffat or the A7 all the way down to Carlisle. In both cases I would suggest hitting these roads early or late as there is a steady stream of traffic on them during the normal working day. If you use the A701 you can run along the "old road" that runs parallel to the A74M - it's a nice run and beats the tedium of the A74M.

I suspect Campbell will have some ideas on the lakes too, as he's got family in and around the area.

Cheers,
Robin

P.S. Cannot immediately think of any hotels/cafes/cake stops.

[campbell]

Thank you Robin

Hi P.

Getting rusty on road numbers but consider...

Bridge of Cally to Pitlochry over Strathardle.

Pitlochry - Aberfeldy via Ballinluig.

Aberfeldy to Crieff via Sma Glen and Amulree.

Crieff to Kincardine via Glendevon.

Alternatively, make for Doune then Callander then Dukes Pass to Aberfoyle. Return to M9 at Stirling via Thornhill.

Stop at Powmill Milk Bar for coffee and cake or bacon rolls

Cool the jets on M876 and M9 from Kinc to Lothianburn Kinc on A720 Edin City Bypass.

Robin spot on here. Make for Auchendinny to bypass Penicuik, cross 703 at Leadburn junc, then enter God's country of A701 to Moffat.

Choose A74M or B7076 (I think) which is the old A74 and now a "side road" as Robin also says. I tend to stay on the m-way in dry weather but stick to side road in rain as the new m-way surface is utterly lethal in wet.

Now Lake District is basically a disaster for fun driving due to traffic.

I need to look at a real map for this so will check tonight.

Do you want scenic or drivers' roads there?

For return, consider Lockerbie to Eskdalemuir and up towards Hawick.

A7 was jammed up by Waverley Rail Line reconstruction works & traffic last time I used it so I'd avoid. But may have cleared as line nearly finished?

Or be really crazy and come north from Lakes through Brampton then Kielder then pick up A68.

Or do Carlisle then Newcastleton then Hawick but note A7 issues above. Divert over to A68 maybe.

Homeward via A92 past Glenrothes, Tay Bridge, then head for Fettercairn and Cairnomount to arrive home refreshed and covered in dead flies.

Howzat?

[pshanks76]

That's great, thanks guys! Yeah, I've been to the Lakes a few times, driving my camper, and the roads do tend to be a bit chocca with tourist traffic, like my camper We'll probably just stick to scenic routes in the area, will probably be based near Ambleside for a couple of days.

Cheers, Paul.

[campbell]

Paul,

I looked at the Lake District map. It really is a car crash of a place to drive around with any pleasure, but there certainly are scenic ways to get to Ambleside.

If approaching from Penrith / M6, then head for Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, and Kirkstone Pass.

If you want to bail from the motorway sooner, then come off at Carlisle, take the A595 signed Cockermouth. Then turn off left at Bothel onto A591 towards Keswick. May be slightly quieter than the central Lakes roads but starts to show off the scenery nicely with grand views south into the fells. Stop off at Lyzzick Hall Hotel before Keswick for lovely afternoon tea. Or earlier, nearer top of Bassenthwaite Lake, at Armathwaite Hall if you are feeling particularly rich (you have been warned).

After Keswick you have little choice but the A591 conga down by Thirlmere...but at least Helvellyn heaves into view on your left

I hope that all gives you some inspiration. Interested to hear what you decide upon. When is the trip?

cheers!

Campbell

PS - if you had time while stationed at Ambleside, there are some belters of roads out east towards Alston and Brampton, up on the northern Pennines. But I guess that's for another time! Also check out Henry Catchpole's article on the Wainwright route coast to coast from St Bees through the Lakes and Moors to Robin Hood Bay. Lisa and I did this as a 2 day road trip in the Elise a few years ago and it's great. Again, another time perhaps....

[pshanks76]

We'll probably head off on Sat 19th, break up the journey down with one overnight stop, then 3 nights in Ambleside area, then on the way back up maybe a couple of nights somewhere... just figuring out what route to take back up. I'll post a link to my route map once it's plotted.

P.

[pshanks76]

Right, journey down sorted - Day 1 drive is Kintore to hotel near Strathyre. Day 2 drive to Ambleside. Few days in the Lakes then across the Yorkshire Dales to next stop.

Route map is here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid= ... sp=sharing

On the way back up we'll be heading to Edinburgh for an overnight stay before heading home so just need to figure out what route between the Dales and Edinburgh.

[campbell]

Do you have a start point for your return from the Dales?

[pshanks76]

We're staying at a hotel in Aysgarth so will be setting off from there.