Which is the best route Loch Lomond - Culloden

Shukokaiuk
Shukokaiuk Forum Participant Posts: 20
edited February 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I am traveling up from Lock Lomond to Culloden in June this year.
Can anyone advise which is the best route for a car and caravan. (I am not used to or don't like narrow roads>)
Google is showing 3 alternatives.

Any advice would be welcomed.

«1

Comments

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited February 2016 #2

    I am traveling up from Lock Lomond to Culloden in June this year.

    Can anyone advise which is the best route for a car and caravan. (I am not used to or don't like narrow roads>)

    Google is showing 3 alternatives.

    Any advice would be welcomed.

    Write your comments here...Phew you will have a bit of a battle then.  Embarassed

  • Pathfinder
    Pathfinder Forum Participant Posts: 4,446
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    edited February 2016 #3

    I think the best route avoiding narrowish roads is to go via the A9 as the road up past lochlomond itself is a bit twisty and narrow in places

  • IainM1970
    IainM1970 Forum Participant Posts: 170
    edited February 2016 #4

    Errrr it is Loch Lomond not Lock Lomond.

    Not a route I have travelled but a few options .... Will leave it to those with practical experience to advise.

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited February 2016 #5

    If it is the A82 and I think it is, there are some real narrow stretches,but like a lot of places not a problem using caution.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,161 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #6

    I wouldn't start from Loch Lomond. 

    Seriously, in my view the road alongside Loch Lomond is not for the faint hearted. I recommend having a rethink and using the A9 via Perth. Save Loch Lomond for another time.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #7

    I'm curious how you plan to get to Loch Lomond in the first place, and which part you might be starting?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,663 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #8

    Perhaps they are staying at the C&CC's site at Luss. Getting there is no problem from the south. It's the road beyond Tarbet that's narrow and the problem. If it is Luss then they could return down the A82 to Balloch and then take the A811 over to Stirling and join the M9 and then the A9. I've never done that road but guess that it's fine for caravans, although a bit twisty in parts as far as Drymen.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2016 #9

    If  you  have  got  from  Lancashire  up  to  Loch  Lomond  safely,  then  the  A82 onwards  up  to  Inverness  should  hold  no  fears  or  worries  at  all  altho  its  a  fair  old  distance!!,  Just  take  it  steady  Follow  the  signs  and  then  the  section  from  Inverness  to  Culloden  will  be  a  breeze,  altho  a  fair  bit  busier  thro  the  urban  part  !!

  • kellysdad
    kellysdad Forum Participant Posts: 73
    edited February 2016 #10

    HappyI suppose it all depends on your definition of " Best " ! For an inexperienced caravanner I would suggest back tracking to Glasgow,
    M80 then A9 all the way to Inverness. Turn off at Raigmore interchange and Culloden site is just a few miles up the road.Kellysmum

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,312 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #11

    It would all depend on how far up Loch Lomond you had got. However, assuming it was only the bottom end, I would agree with Kellysmum. Use the A9. Have only done the A82 along LL solo and have no wish to tow it.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2016 #12

    WE  could  do  with  some  feed-back  from  the  OP  here  I  guess

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited February 2016 #13

    If I were you, wanting to avoid narrow roads, I'd take the A82 and M8 back to Glasgow then follow the M8, M80, M9 then A9 up to Inverness.

    You can take the A811 from Balloch to Stirling but it is twisty and narrow in places and we find we're only a few minutes longer going via the motorway.  We drove to Perth last weekend and it took us about 2 hours.  That was in a motorhome.

    If you fancy a challenge, you can go all the way from Loch Lomond to Inverness via the A82 but it's definitely the long way round and I would recommend a stop off around Fort William - Bunree is perfect.

    What are you plans for Loch Lomond?  Some of the sites are easy to access while some are definitely down narrow roads!  

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited February 2016 #14

    Unless you are brave avoid the A82. I would say the route suggested by Nellie is reasonable  and is the one I would favour. The route via Glasgow is the absolutely safe route but dending on when you hit Glasgow the M8 can be slow going.

  • PhilMaxwell
    PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited February 2016 #15

    We are heading there this Easter...

    Cairnryan Port to Milngavie for the first night.

    Then one night at Cashel Campsite in Rowardennan.

    I intend to then drive the A82 to Ardlui for night three

    and onto Glencoe Mountain Centre for a night

    before heading to Lochy at Fortwilliam for the rest of the trip.

    My take on it is that's it's an A class road, so it couldnt be that bad...

     

     

  • kengina
    kengina Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited February 2016 #16

    Hi it may well be Aclass road but when you get past Tarbet it does get a bit narrow with large rocks sticking out from your nearside, Ive done this trip before and will nnot go this way towing, its bad enough solo.

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited February 2016 #17

    It's not a bad road at all, Phil, but a lot of trucks and coaches use the route too and if you meet one at the wrong moment, it can be tight.  There are some tight turns and narrow points with stone walls on the roadside.  We have a LHD motorhome and I find
    it quite nerve wracking!  Take your time and look well ahead and you'll be fine.

    There's verge works and temporary traffic lights on the road between now and Easter so you may want to check they're done before you set off.

  • PhilMaxwell
    PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited February 2016 #18

    Yea, I reckon I'll be grand...
    Loads of experience of driving long/wide things and I've no rush to get anywhere fast so heaps of time to enjoy the drive.

    My wife is walking the West Highland Way with two of her friends, I've been left in  charge of the kids along with the other husbands...

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited February 2016 #19

    Ah, I did wonder about your route!  Where are you staying in Milngavie?  

  • PhilMaxwell
    PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited February 2016 #20

    The Carpark of Auchengillen Scout Centre

    Perks of being a Scout Leader I suppose... Cool

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited February 2016 #21

    Hahaha, my brother is a regular there.  Have fun!

  • thebroons
    thebroons Forum Participant Posts: 165
    edited February 2016 #22

    We are heading there this Easter...

    Cairnryan Port to Milngavie for the first night.

    Then one night at Cashel Campsite in Rowardennan.

    I intend to then drive the A82 to Ardlui for night three

    and onto Glencoe Mountain Centre for a night

    before heading to Lochy at Fortwilliam for the rest of the trip.

    My take on it is that's it's an A class road, so it couldnt be that bad...

     

     

    The road to Cashel from Balmaha is another fun stretch with a hairpin right hand turn up a steep hill. 

    As already said the A82 is ok if you are wary of other road users coming around the corner on the wrong side of the road. I towed on it once and drove it once with the motorhome and avoid the route if possible. 

  • PhilMaxwell
    PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited February 2016 #23

    I'm from Ireland...

    If you've ever driven the roads of Cavan or Leitrim, then it's likely that you'd feel safer pulling a double axle van up the Camino de las Yunga with a Renault 5...

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited February 2016 #24

    We are heading there this Easter...

    Cairnryan Port to Milngavie for the first night.

    Then one night at Cashel Campsite in Rowardennan.

    I intend to then drive the A82 to Ardlui for night three

    and onto Glencoe Mountain Centre for a night

    before heading to Lochy at Fortwilliam for the rest of the trip.

    My take on it is that's it's an A class road, so it couldnt be that bad...

     

     

    The road to Cashel from Balmaha is another fun stretch with a hairpin right hand turn up a steep hill. 

    As already said the A82 is ok if you are wary of other road users coming around the corner on the wrong side of the road. I towed on it once and drove it once with the motorhome and avoid the route if possible. 

    I would avoid the A82 and use the A811 to the A81 up to Callender.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #25

    Hasn't the upgrade improved the A82?

  • Briang
    Briang Forum Participant Posts: 670 ✭
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    edited February 2016 #26

    The last time i went to Culloden was around the mid seventies can't remember what the road was like, but we wern't towing.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #27

    I think it's what is called the Pulpit Rock bit where the rock formations stick out into the road. This often made for some scary moments as people pulled out to avoid these and met oncoming traffic on a blind bend...Surprised I think some of this has been straightened and improved now....I hope. 

    edit, if we travel up from England and are heading for Oban or Fort William we usually go via the Erskine Bridge and take this route. Others prefer the Callander route, ( I like seeing Loch Lomond.)

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #28

    Some info here......

    http://www.transport.gov.scot/project/a82-improvements

    http://www.transport.gov.scot/project/a82-pulpit-rock

    http://www.transport.gov.scot/project/a82-tarbet-inverarnan-upgrade

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #29

    Thanks Kj...you must be near enough try it out for us?Smile (Apologies for taking this off track.)

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited February 2016 #30

    The Pulpit Rock upgrade has massively improved that stretch of road - instead of traffic lights, there's now a two lane 'bridge' that feels very continental.  It would be lovely if they could do the rest like that!  But here are still some tricky bits to
    negotiate so take care.  Rumour has it that the whole road will be upgraded eventually but they've been saying that for decades!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #31

    Thankyou WH, that's good to know.Smile

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