Touring Scotland

Gold top
Gold top Forum Participant Posts: 10
edited July 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Can anyone help with ideas or route, travelling from Fort William to Liverpool. We want to take. our time and are pulling a large outfit.

Thank you in anticipation.

Comments

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited July 2019 #2

    Use the M6 and M74 to Glasgow. Strathclyde Park site would make a decent stopover if you feel 200 Miles is enough, and is about half way . I would fill up there as fuel is cheap there, so ask the wardens for directions. There are five supermarkets and most other brands within a couple of miles of the site. Esso and Tesco are the nearest.

    You should then take the M80 and M9 to Stirling and the A84 to Crianlarich with the A82 from there. Once there do be aware fuel stations are few and far between so be sure yoiu have enough when you set off. Morrisons sell fuel at Fort William.

    Do not be tempted by the A82 past Loch Lomond, it is narrow and very twisty in the run up to Crianlarich with timber lorries likely to be coming the other way. My route is slightly longer, but should actually be quicker.

    That route should be easy enough in two days so enjoy.

  • Pathfinder
    Pathfinder Forum Participant Posts: 4,446
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #3

    Think you should reverse the above route you have been advised to take

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited July 2019 #4

    Sorry, I did misread the post but it would be my choice the other way.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #5

    This is the sort of trip where the PumpKing/MyEssoCard deal through the Club can save a lot of money.

  • Gold top
    Gold top Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2019 #6

    Thank you all.

     

  • CAG
    CAG Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2019 #7

    Hi Guys,

    Very usefully info re not going on the A82 around Loch Lomond.

    We are going to Scotland in a 7.4 motorhome towing a Fiat 500 for the first time in September, ( travelling from Staffordshire via two stop overs on the way up ) our Scottish first stop will be the AS site The Woods, then on to Maragowan, followed by Bunree, we are then heading over to Fortrose & then to Braemar & finishing at Blair Drummond before heading back down to home our planned start date is 30th of August & finishing on 2nd of October.

    I have been planning this trip now for the last year but I am now panicking about the midges but more importantly the best routes between sites, reading discussions like this one & others even the A roads sound scary!

    Hubby is a confident driver but he does all of the driving following my plan ......... help please

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited July 2019 #8

    With the exception of the A82 alongside Loch Lomond, the A roads for reaching the sites you have described are fine. Goodness, you’re not even reaching the single track roads of the far north and, even if you were, it would be OK with care.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #9

    Don't be put off by any comments about Scottish roads, they aren't scary, in fact you'll probably find the steep banked tiny lanes in the SW of England much more of a challenge! Hope you have a lovely time and enjoy seeing lots of new places. Happy travels! smile

  • CAG
    CAG Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2019 #10

    Thanks for that encouragement guys, it will be our first venture to Scotland & we are looking forward to it, having planned it as a non driver I would hate to have a disastrous journey between sites.

    I am particularly concerned about The Fortrose to Braemar journey, should I be? Any route directions will be much appreciated.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #11

    Luckyskip. In a motorhome you will be ok, it's an awkward towing route for caravanners, we've done the Ballater/Tomintoul route to the Black Isle and you will get to Braemar easily via Grantown on Spey etc.. Allow plenty of time, it's very scenic and not a fast route, there are some narrow stretches but one of the difficult bits, near Tomintoul was widened and bypassed quite a time ago. Now I've written this I see you are towing so if in doubt take the coastal route, longer but possibly easier on the narrower stretches.

    PS You will get some spectacular views as you pass through the Cairngorms National Park!

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited July 2019 #12

    It was the highlight of my holiday in Scotland this year watching the dolphins at Fortrose.

  • CAG
    CAG Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2019 #13

    I read your blog from another discussion on your trip to Fortrose, we are booked in the same camp site so I was pleased to know that you liked it. We are heading from there to Braemar & that’s the journey I am most concerned about with a MH & tow car. Any thoughts on the best route please? Brue has suggested the costal route, can anyone confirm the exact route please we are very much newbies!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #14

    Hi Luckyskip, I had a discussion with my OH and we now both think the Grantown via the A9, Tomintoul, Ballater route A939 will be OK for you. In the past we have used a B route from Crathie but if you stick to the A route you will be OK. There are twists and turns on many of the approach routes but most of the sections are fine and just take your time. There are stopping places to enjoy the views so I hope you have a good journey! 

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited July 2019 #15

    I would agree, remember all these roads are used by buses and HGVs without problems.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited July 2019 #16

    Description of whole of the A939.....

    https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A939

  • CAG
    CAG Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2019 #17

    Thank you for all the information guys, you have all been most helpful & reassuring.

    We are looking forward to our trip & will keep you posted, we will take your route advice as it sounds not quite so scary.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited July 2019 #18

    Sorry I can't help you with the journey to Braemar. We stayed there a few years ago but approached from the south.

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
    100 Comments
    edited July 2019 #19

    Must admit love A82  , I am a tugger .bad year for midges .check you have reppellant and those mossy hats do work ..enjoy

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #20

    I think the popularity of the Lecht in winter has helped to improve the roads as well. I can remember when it was not so good! 

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited July 2019 #21

    Yes, me too!  We used to visit Ballater frequently in the late 60s/early 70s.