York - Edinburgh via A1M/A1
We are hoping (later in the year all being well) to travel to Scotland via York. Google maps is showing the route north from York via the A1M and A1. Any advice on towing on this route would be welcome.
Comments
-
Have done it a number of times, the roads are fine and easy to tow on. The A1 north of Newcastle is sometimes not a dual carriageway but good to tow on. I would avoid being around Newcastle in rush hour due to congestion but between 9am and say 3pm you should be fine.
The services at Washington are good to stop on while towing and some decent laybys from Newcastle onward but we generally do Newcastle to Edinburgh non stop.
1 -
Thanks Cornersteady. That’s reassuring. Never travelled that way before!
2 -
my pleasure, are you heading into Edinburgh or around it? I found the route to the club site was a little confusing even following the directions from the club, best to have a two person approach to it.
0 -
Take care if using the Washington Services though. There was a huge pothole when I called in there in September last year and you know how far potholes are in the priority for repair list! It's just as you have your attention elsewhere looking to pull into the parking area on your right, the hole is near the kerb on the left. Good job we were only travelling at 5 mph.(Practising for onsite).
Can confirm CS's post. Good towing route.
1 -
We have booked the Edinburgh site and then touring Scotland but it’s not until September..
0 -
Thanks.. Hopefully they’ll have fixed it by the time we go!
0 -
It's good site, close to the beach and there's a (or was) a shuttle minibus from the site to the city centre.
1 -
Forest Gate.......I must admit I am puzzled as to why you were worried about towing on the A1/A1M?!
I doubt there are any A roads in UK that are unsuitable for towing on, certainly not a "single number" A road.
As the main east coast route from London to Edinburgh, I think it would be reasonable to expect that it would be a good road and entirely suitable for towing on. You will find that as you come further north the volume of traffic gets much less, though when you get near a large town there will be a good deal of local traffic.
Where in Scotland will your tour take you?
4 -
I too am slightly puzzled by the OP’s concerns, Scotland isn’t single track roads! I have driven this route more times than i can remember over the past 40+ years including with a caravan in winter. However the stretch around Haddington/North Berwick can be subject to strong crosswinds so watch the weather forecast and if necessary allow extra time. Going inland via Coldstream is an attractive we sometimes us as an alternative but runs on higher ground so doesn’t help with weather problems. There is a fantastic transport cafe (when heading north) - Cedar Cafe - just before Grantshouse - in a layby set back on a section of old road. Fabulous fry up’s! Oh, Scotland is however the land of speed cameras, far more common and easier to find in the wild than haggis....
1 -
We stayed at the Edinburgh site in 2019 and the taxi/minibus service was still running then, we have used it a couple of times during stays at the site. Buses are available about a 10/15 walk from the site.
Like others there is no need to be concerned about the A1/A1M route. However you may well want to go over the route from the Edinburgh bypass to the site as its quite complicated if unfamiliar with it. If you follow a sat nav it might take you via Portobello and Leith. We went that way with our motorhome but not sure I would want to tow a caravan so probably best to stick to the Club's suggested route.
David
2 -
As others have said the road is fine with now problems on it we tow up that way on a regular basis and never had bother the part from Berwick up to Edinburgh is mostly single carriage way but still fine. If you are looking for somewhere to stop the Morrison’s at Berwick is just off the main road and has enough room to park even with the caravan on the back there is plenty of space
3 -
I would agree with DK, follow the recommended route, you do not want to get too involved with the traffic in Edinburgh!
Last time we were there, also 2019, on leaving to go south we took the route through Portobello, which was OK as I am used to driving in Edinburgh and very familiar with those roads, but for a stranger to the area it saves a lot of hassle to head back to the bypass.
If doing a lot of sightseeing in town, you may find you have a severe case of aching feet by the end of the day, and, if not using the minibus, the walk back to the site from the bus stop could be the last straw. In that case, I suggest driving along towards the roundabout, and just before it there are houses and a road off to the right where there is plenty of on street parking and a footpath over to the bus stop.
1 -
I am grateful to everyone for the helpful advice and reassurance.
With regard to those who were puzzled as to why I would ask the question, these are the reasons:
1: I live in the South West and the bulk of my caravanning and driving experience has been in the south and south west and Wales where I know the road systems quite well. The furthest North I have towed is to Derbyshire and I have no knowledge of the road systems further north. I had hoped for advice re route, services, etc from fellow members, more knowledgable than me - which I have gratefully received. Forewarned is forearmed!
2: My wife and I have long wanted to do a tour of Scotland but have never been able to for one reason or another. The last 12 months has taught us to grasp the nettle as if we let it slip by again we may be too old to undertake the trip. So we have started to plan in the hope that this year we may be able to go. Google Maps, (other route planners are available!), is a great help but it doesn't know I will be towing a 7.5mtr caravan!
3: I asked the question on here as I thought that this was a forum where one could seek and share help and advice with/from other members therefore I am slightly bemused that some of you are puzzled by my asking the question. What might be obvious to some may not be to others and if we as caravaners can't help each other out, what hope is there?
Finally, with regard to the trip itself, we are planning a circular route from our home in the south west of England, to York, Edinburgh, Culloden, Morvich (for Skye), Onich, Ayr and finally Kendal in the Lake District to break the journey home.
Once again, thank you for the advice and reassurance. It was exactly what I had hoped for.
3 -
I hope you have a good time, Forest.
We've only travelled up the east side once or twice as the most direct route from here is M5/M6 but that doesn't let you explore the likes of York on the way.
You're not planning to do the far north of Scotland so hopefully won’t meet the hordes doing the NC500 and you shouldn't find any of the roads an issue. In fact, if you’re used to SW roads, you'll find most Scottish roads a doddle!
My only slight concern is that journeys in Scotland can take longer than anticipated and some of the legs of your tour are longer than I would choose to do but presumably that suits you. Stick to the most major roads and you won’t go far wrong.
1 -
Ayr is one of our regular weekenders as we are only half an hour away the club site at Ayr is easy to get to and is nice although it is a little dated but still presentable. We also use a AS site The Ranch in Maybole which is about 10 miles further along and it’s great the owners are very nice people and run a lovely park the good thing about this park is that it has a swimming pool and tends to be a bit cheaper than the club site in Ayr we use both but tend to use The Ranch more often. The area has plenty to offer and Glasgow is within easy reach a visit to Largs is recommended too it’s a nice seaside town with some good fish and chip shops. For places to stop on the way south Gretna services right at the border are good ones the caravan parking area isn’t the largest but there is plenty of parking across where the lorries go if need be.
Enjoy your trip
0 -
Ayr to Kendal is quite a trek. Can be quite a few HGVs if continuing south past Stranraer, and the road from Ayr over to the A74 is not the best if that is the planned route.
Otherwise I would be OK with the timings between sites. Some hops are longer but on better roads, others are shorter but not such good roads.
We did the Culloden to Morvich route a few years back (towing 8metre twin axle) and there were occasional single track bits, but nothing narrow. You can "drive" the route via Google Earth to check out any bits that might be of concern.
The direct route from Bunree to Ayr would take you down Loch Lomond, you may wish to look at avoiding the road down Loch Lomond, it can be very busy with coaches in the summer and there are still some rather narrow bits at the top end. I did tow down there once with our previous van, which was just over 7 metres, but vowed never to repeat the experience!
1 -
I missed that, Kj. Yes, the route down beside Loch Lomond is not for the faint hearted although perhaps slightly better southbound than northbound.
1 -
Yes, I wish the Scottish Gov would get on and finish the improvements along Loch Lomond! The very worst bit is now gone, but I still would not tow along the top end of the Loch, which is very frustrating as we do not live that far away, less than 30 minutes.
0 -
We regularly tow from Huddersfield to Loch Ness in a day so those distances are fine. When travelling to Culliden allow for a 2-3 hour stop at House of Bruar (Google it). Caravan friendly parking on the right, lovely food. Good walk to the spectacular falls.
1 -
Brilliant! Thank you.
0 -
Hi all; some great bits of advice coming in!
We are planning for September. Seven sites with 4 nights on each giving us 3 clear days at each location. Would like longer but life gets in the way!
0 -
Two big Tesco stores not far from Culloden. Your chance to stock up.
1 -
Thanks for the heads up re Loch Lomond. I'll have a look at that. According to Google Maps, Ayr to Kendal is about 160 miles which is just under half way home. The longest leg is York to Edinburgh at 216.
0 -
Before the VAT increase one hopes,
We are (Hopefully) doing Hertfordshire to Edinburgh and back mid July into Sep via 11 sites ,all booked in January unable to do that now with pitch availability in the peak as it seems now ,do not normally go for so long in school holidays ,but invites,before it is to late are a must
1 -
Is the club site at Culloden? That's another good open site, and close the battlefield of course, we stayed for for two weeks years back and plenty to see and do to keep us all occupied in the surrounding area.
Do you have NT or EH membership? If so there are plenty of SNT and HS properties about, (and indeed all over Scotland) that you can still use your membership, if you've had it more than a year, for for free admittance. Worth it at Edinburgh castle as you can get in through the fast track members' lane.
1 -
It’s an easy route up to Edinburgh from York FG. Is York part of your tour, or your starting point? If you are coming up from South, you can head into York on A64, but then can get back onto A1 via A59. Both these roads come off the ring road that operates around York. The A1 is motorway nowadays right up to Scotch Corner, past there, it does get a bit busier until you get to the Angel of the North at Gateshead. It’s often very busy around this area, with all the routes coming out of Newcastle, and in from the West, so avoid early mornings and around 3-5.30pm. Past Newcastle, you are taken up through some of the loveliest scenery in England, Northumberland and it’s fantastic coastal castles can be glimpsed from parts of the route. You by pass lovely Berwick on Tweed nowadays, then it’s a short hop to Border. After that the lovely scenery continues right up to Edinburgh. Past Newcastle the traffic isn’t usually bad. Lots of places to stop off, some decent eateries on the route. We know it very well.
Given the choice, we wouldn’t use Edinburgh Site. Yellowcraig Site is further East on Firth of Forth, right on beach behind a strip of Pine woods, a mile from North Berwick, where trains run into Edinburgh city centre every half hour. Much more relaxing. Enjoy your tour though.1 -
If you want to see more of the scenery on your route, I would agree with Tinwheeler that more frequent stops would be better. How long are you planning to use on the route between Edinburgh and Ayr?
While Ayrshire and the coast is nice, OH grew up there so it is an area we are very familiar with, it is nearer England and could be left for another trip, maybe combining it with the rest of the Borders and the Solway coast, and adding on the Lake District.
Unless you are already well advanced in years, you still have quite a few years of touring left. I am 78 now, and we are still planning trips. We may change from the big caravan to a small MH, finances allowing, but we reckon we do still have a while left.
Having got to Edinburgh, if you have the time, and assuming you are retired why not, you could consider spending more time north of the Central Belt. Lots to see in the NE.....Cairngorms......Deeside.....coast. Lots to see north of Inverness too and having got that far, why not continue if you have time. The scenery is spectacular in most areas.
Unfortunately, CAMC sites are rather thin on the ground in several areas up here, but there are plenty of other sites. CCC have a few too.
1 -
Thanks for the info... We will also have the dog along with us which can restrict access to some places. Yes, we are looking at the Edinburgh site - mainly because we don't want to be messing with public transport with the dog!
0 -
PS we are not staying in York on the journey but staying at Thirsk Racecourse it is ony just over 20miles away so it will be by car or bus for a day trip or two, our dog travels ok on it seems, any public transport ,
PPs English bus passes not valid in Scotland ,but a day rover ticket on Edinbu buses and trams is/was very reasonable
0
