New England Bay site route.
Hi all. We are going to New England Bay site early June this year and I was wondering if anyone has tried the A712 as an alternative to the A75. I'll be towing a caravan. (1500Kgs)
It looks like an interesting route on Google street but you don't get an impression of gradients.
I will study OS maps for further info.
Thanks in advance if anyone can advise.
John E
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My sat nav tries to send me that way and I ignore it.....
The A75 is bad enough in places, although some improvements are very slowly happening....
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It is a long time since I used this road and that was on business without the caravan. It is narrow, twisting and slow going, so I would avoid it, particularly the stretch from New Galloway to Newton Stewart. It might have improved a bit since I was there, but I doubt it.
Makes nice drive solo though.
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We go to New England Bay every year, and always use the A75 .We’ve never had a problem. You can get behind wagons heading for the ferries, but they don’t dawdle. And there are plenty of opportunities to pass slower traffic - crawler lanes, dual carriageway etc.
The slowest traffic in summer is farm traffic - but tractors etc soon turn off.
We also use the A75 solo if going over to Ireland.
Never considered any other route (from the south obviously)
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Totally agree.stick to A75.(we go from newton stewart area to Stranrear for our weekly shop at morrisons and very rarely get held up by other traffic,it is like driving back in the 1960,s!!).just watch out for white vans sitting in laybys with cameras!Also a couple of un marked BMW occasionally!Watch out for large potholes on some of the bendy bits!If you want to overtake on a suitable stretch make your intention clear early and stick to your plan do not be put off by the car sitting on your offside quarter !!!!!Lovely site and good area for gardens etc.enjoy but do not tell too many people about the area ! (selfish side kicking in
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I think it's the difference between a 6 and 2x3's. We've used the A712 to stay on a couple of the CLs around New Galloway and then onto Newton Stewart and had no problems towing a 7.5m caravan. Have towed along the A75 too, but it is a busier road and not as picturesque.
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The A712 realy only gives an advantage should one have come down from Edinburgh/Abinton direction on the A702. Neither of these are designated trunk roads - no (T) after the number - so not built/maintained to the same standards as the A75 (T).
Some people would have us believe that the A75(T) will be a ghost route come the end of March.
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Thank you all for your responses.
I guess the majority advice is to use the A75. I will probably do so then, but I would like to travel the A712 one day with the caravan, but maybe after i've been along it solo.
No point in asking for advice if you are not prepared to listen.
Thanks again.
John E
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There is no real problem with the 712 when towing,but log lorries and white van man use it so you need to be careful when towing!your attention could be diverted looking at the goats etc.cycle people use it in the summer too!some bits are very twisty and above all...you might want to stop in various places to view the deer range,the red kites etc.so much better as part of a day out.Also,if you have had a longish tow north you will want to get sited and settled in!best wishes.
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Cheapest fuel once in scotland without going too far off route is Dumfries Tesco (2 sites,1before 1mile off A75 on left,2cnd is nearer a75 but more awkward to get onto the roundabout) Newton Stewart 1/2 mile toward town.Castle Kennedy on A75 always reasonable,(Do not go too far into Newton Srewart with the van.Use the first station on the left.(The 2cnd station is 1p a litre cheaper but very tight with a van on the back!When out and about Morrisons in Stranraer.
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