Scottish Roads (1 Viewer)

[Silver-Fox]

Evening all

We are looking to have a week or so in the real North of Scotland

Just had a bit of a scan on google maps and it appears the A Roads stop towards the top.
Are the roads towards the top easily passable in an A Class?

Sorry if this is a stupid question as I haven't been further North than Fort William

 

[normanandsue]

Yes. No dual carriageway, often single road with passing places, buses and coaches use these roads so no problem for your mh

 

[mikebeaches]

Much easier than minor roads in Devon and Cornwall, for example. Usually have good visibility ahead, and as you'll have seen plenty of designated passing places on single-track roads. Everybody is mostly courteous, and hangs back to allow you to pass. Or of course you can do likewise, when you see another vehicle in the distance.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Yes. No dual carriageway, often single road with passing places, buses and coaches use these roads so no problem for your mh

Excellent stuff thanks.

Im not bothered about driving on single track and using passing places as I look ahead when driving

Just wanted to make sure they are passable in an A Class if buses use them no worries then

 

[bigtwin]

Puzzled.com

The A roads go all the way up to the North of Scotland and all the way along the north coast.

You can't beat the 'real' North of Scotland - not like that North Coast 500!

Ian

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[golly]

I find the single track roads in Scotland, better to use that the narrow roads of Cornwall and Devon. At least in Scotland they have passing places and often a better view ahead.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Well I fell off me perch at that first post !!

So A roads stop at the top ? mmmm, they are ALL a roads up here even the single tracks. You softy sassenachs make us laugh, what do you think you will find up here ?

Just to let you know on the Kessock Bridge inverness there is a great big sign

 

[Silver-Fox]

Puzzled.com

The A roads go all the way up to the North of Scotland and all the way along the north coast.

It was an online map and looked like just mainly single track roads.
Maybe that was to deter travellers

Just to let you know on the Kessock Bridge inverness there is a great big sign

That reminds me of Billy Connely telling how he made a nest in the garden and told his daughter it was a Dragon that made it

So A roads stop at the top ? mmmm, they are ALL a roads up here even the single tracks

Maybe I could have written a little better.
The map I looked at it appeared the roads weren't A roads, they looked like unclassified, I just wanted to make sure we could make our way around ok.

After driving around N Z Im quite happy on single track roads

 

[Silver-Fox]

I find the single track roads in Scotland, better to use that the narrow roads of Cornwall and Devon. At least in Scotland they have passing places and often a better view ahead.

Probably better drivers up there as well having come across some of the "visitors" to Cornwall and Devon when holidaying there in the past.

 

[WillH]

The only problem is that it's getting much busier in Caithness and Sutherland.

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[ambulancekidd]

Probably better drivers up there as well having come across some of the "visitors" to Cornwall and Devon when holidaying there in the past.

Just be careful on some of the single tracked roads.
We have a Scottish country type show called "Landward" up here, its a bit like "Countryfile". They did a report last week on the NC500 & were asking the locals how things are?
The general report was that its been really good for business & employment in the far north, however they also reported that the infrastructure is crumbling due to lack of investment on the roads themselves.
Apparently one local garage reported that they are repairing or replacing over a hundred tyres a week! Seems this is being caused by the edges of the roads breaking up & as drivers pull over to allow passing the inside of their tyres are being damaged by the ragged edges of the worn out road.

Hope the weather smiles upon you & gives you a holiday to remember for all the right reasons.

 

[irnbru]

 

[Gellyneck]

Seems this is being caused by the edges of the roads breaking up & as drivers pull over to allow passing the inside of their tyres are being damaged by the ragged edges of the worn out road.

And it's not just up north! A708 from Moffat to Selkirk is as bad for the edges crumbling. Having said that, as soon as you pass the shire boundary from D&G to SB the road condition improves considerably.

 

[MR. FUSION]

I recommend you go for dental checkup and have any loose fillings lashed down before attempting this route......

 

[iandsm]

I am currently touring on Scotland on an A class and have found thar many of the roads, even A roads are worn out and very poorly maintained. The scenery is great. However I see little of it when driving as I spend most of my time looking out for potholes. Some are really deep, I swear I saw the top on a donkeys ears sticking up out of one. That is not to say I am not enjoying our trip but the poor roads can be a bit of a pain and do spoil things little.

I was just reading another thread about people leaving litter and it seems to me it is traditional or compulsory to just throw your rubbish oot o tha widee in many parts of Scotland, at least, that’s what it looks like judging from the roadside debris. What a pity. I know it happens in other places but it just seems worse here.

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[Silver-Fox]

I was just reading another thread about people leaving litter and it seems to me it is traditional or compulsory to just throw your rubbish oot o tha widee in many parts of Scotland, at least, that’s what it looks like judging from the roadside debris. What a pity. I know it happens in other places but it just seems worse here

It beggars belief why people feel it is acceptable to just toss their cr*p out of a vehicle window.
No matter where in the country you are, or even any country.

 

[Minxy]

I am currently touring on Scotland on an A class and have found thar many of the roads, even A roads are worn out and very poorly maintained. The scenery is great. However I see little of it when driving as I spend most of my time looking out for potholes. Some are really deep, I swear I saw the top on a donkeys ears sticking up out of one. That is not to say I am not enjoying our trip but the poor roads can be a bit of a pain and do spoil things little.

I was just reading another thread about people leaving litter and it seems to me it is traditional or compulsory to just throw your rubbish oot o tha widee in many parts of Scotland, at least, that’s what it looks like judging from the roadside debris. What a pity. I know it happens in other places but it just seems worse here.

Are you sure you weren't in Italy? That's exactly our experience of the roads and rubbish there!

 

[Minxy]

Evening all

We are looking to have a week or so in the real North of Scotland

Just had a bit of a scan on google maps and it appears the A Roads stop towards the top.
Are the roads towards the top easily passable in an A Class?

Sorry if this is a stupid question as I haven't been further North than Fort William

Just be aware that the North of Scotland isn't anything like as pretty as the West, or even East sides ... it can be pretty 'bland' to be honest and visiting John O'Groats is a disappointment so don't go expecting too much!

 

[Northernraider]

Piece of cake I'm currently up here in a 8.4 metre tag a class I've been down roads most don't venture, the main routes are simple with more passing places than necessary most of the time, that said the amount of motorhomes I've seen with mirrors held on with duct tape etc there's a lot of really shit drivers up here at the minute.
On the rubbish point with exception to maybe 3 places on this trip I haven't seen much. if you venture of the beaten track you'll find gems like this

 

[The general]

Just be aware that the North of Scotland isn't anything like as pretty as the West, or even East sides ... it can be pretty 'bland' to be honest and visiting John O'Groats is a disappointment so don't go expecting too much!

Correct, in fact north of wick can be by passed in my opinion . Wick to Thurso is the route .

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[MR. FUSION]

I am currently touring on Scotland on an A class and have found thar many of the roads, even A roads are worn out and very poorly maintained. The scenery is great. However I see little of it when driving as I spend most of my time looking out for potholes. Some are really deep, I swear I saw the top on a donkeys ears sticking up out of one. That is not to say I am not enjoying our trip but the poor roads can be a bit of a pain and do spoil things little.

I was just reading another thread about people leaving litter and it seems to me it is traditional or compulsory to just throw your rubbish oot o tha widee in many parts of Scotland, at least, that’s what it looks like judging from the roadside debris. What a pity. I know it happens in other places but it just seems worse here.

My observations as well, litter is a real problem in Scotland, I See people chucking litter all the time.
As for the roads pretty appalling, shows how mismanaged Scotland is at present.

 

[bigtwin]

Just be aware that the North of Scotland isn't anything like as pretty as the West, or even East sides ... it can be pretty 'bland' to be honest and visiting John O'Groats is a disappointment so don't go expecting too much!

Still 'prettier' than many other places in the U.K. though!

Correct, in fact north of wick can be by passed in my opinion . Wick to Thurso is the route .

What, and bypass Dunnet Head (and JoG (I know it isn't fantastic but it's a landmark nonetheless and if you're that close anyway!))!

Ian

 

[The general]

Still 'prettier' than many other places in the U.K. though!



What, and bypass Dunnet Head (and JoG (I know it isn't fantastic but it's a landmark nonetheless and if you're that close anyway!))!

Ian

Dunnet head ok , but jog?? Ok drive in car park do a u turn and leave , tatty ‘souvenirs shops ‘ but maybe good views of the Orkneys and pentland Firth !

 

[The general]

View attachment 189080 Piece of cake I'm currently up here in a 8.4 metre tag a class I've been down roads most don't venture, the main routes are simple with more passing places than necessary most of the time, that said the amount of motorhomes I've seen with mirrors held on with duct tape etc there's a lot of really shit drivers up here at the minute.
On the rubbish point with exception to maybe 3 places on this trip I haven't seen much. if you venture of the beaten track you'll find gems like this

Those ‘roads’ were the original roads before the improvements ? No passing places just peat bogs each side . Great pic

 

[bigtwin]

What, and bypass Dunnet Head (and JoG (I know it isn't fantastic but it's a landmark nonetheless and if you're that close anyway!))!

Ian

Dunnet head ok , but jog?? Ok drive in car park do a u turn and leave , tatty ‘souvenirs shops ‘ but maybe good views of the Orkneys and pentland Firth !

I did qualify the reference to JoG!

Last time I was there it did provide a reasonable view of Orkney (I could only see the one though!).

Ian

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[Just smiffy]

She didn’t have a problem last time she was up there....

 

[Silver-Fox]

Just be aware that the North of Scotland isn't anything like as pretty as the West, or even East sides ... it can be pretty 'bland' to be honest and visiting John O'Groats is a disappointment so don't go expecting too much!

I think Skye is on the cards then some of the places mentioned by others on this site.
We may not get right up the top on reflection, shame about J O G as it seems like a place you really should visit

 

[Silver-Fox]

She didn’t have a problem last time she was up there....

View attachment 189214 View attachment 189215

Ill just put her on autopilot then

 

[Northernraider]

Personally I think the roads add character, it's also a difficult area to repair as a lot are one road there only so if closed for roadworks it's a nightmare, can't say I've noticed them being that bad to be honest certainly no worse than some of the ones down in the big towns.

 

[Emmit]

We used our 'van in Cornwall a couple of years ago, visiting CL's.
I'm still polishing out the scratches on the O/S of the 'van.
Narrow though the Scottish roads up at the top end are, you don't get the damage to the bodywork like you do at the Pointy End.

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