Dartford To Pitlochrie.

[derekpara]

A question for those of you who travel up and down our country:

Please recommend a driving route from the Dartford Crossing to Pitlochrie in Scotland, with an overnight stop in a pretty area over half way through the journey. I shall be travelling up in August.

My satnav gives the M6 route but several friends recommend staying on the A1 then crossing on the M62. They say the driving conditions are better on the A1.

Cheers.

D

[SirOracle]

Derek. M6 every time.

[derekpara]

Tanks, Sir.

[SeaJayPea]

Having used the M6 in my truck driving days around 1000 times, I'd say the A1 every time. There's nowhere near the same amount of traffic, the service areas are better and there are many more of them.

Google maps suggests taking it as far as the A66 at Scotch Corner. This strikes me as a good idea, it's a really attractive route across the Pennines and there are any number of places to stay along that road between there and Penrith. Brough and Appleby are just two of them.

From Penrith, it's about another 188 miles. Should take just over three hours. It's a terrific journey. Do enjoy.

I should say that, if you're travelling in the first week of June, the A66 is not necessarily a good place as the Appleby Horse Fair is taking place and that can cause a lot of traffic problems.

[chrissa1]

If you're coming up the M6 you're on the wrong side of the country. M1 then M18 then A1M. This gets you to to Newcastle, then Edinburgh, over the Forth Bridge and then on up to Pitlochry.

[SirOracle]

Despite the voices of dissent I still always opt for the M6.

There will always be conflicting views on the best route between any two places,and I would suggest that you go North on the M6 route,then use the A1 for the return journey.

You can then come to your own conclusion which one was the better route for you.

I would point out that the Edinburgh International Festival is held in August and the mythical Tramway works are still in progress. Best to steer clear of it.

As a ps to chrissa Edinburgh is actually EAST of Liverpool geographicaly.

[SirOracle]

Sorry should have said Edinburgh is WEST of Liverpool.

[lady-janine]

why would anyone want to leave delicious darford to go to pitlochrie

[SirOracle]

Perhaps getting the trip over before the border guards are installed ! :)

[chrissa1]

You're right SirOracle........just.

However, if you take the central, M1 route, then a quick hop across on the M18 to the A1M, you're always heading towards where you want to go. After Newcastle, the A69 can be taken which is a very scenic and quite quick road to Dalkeith, and then take the Edinburgh Bypass to the Forth Road Bridge and on to Pitlochry.

[SirOracle]

Chrissa. If you take the A69 from Newcastle then you go to Carlisle.
Did you mean the A68 (the hellish switchback one ). ?

[derekpara]

Thanks to one and all.

I think I'll take SJP's route north and Sir O's route south.

Cheers.

D

[daisya]

Lol Janine...I think locally it's called Delightful Dirtford ahem.

[chrissa1]

What a dingbat am I SirO. Duh!!

I meant the A697. It goes through Coldstream and over the Lammermuir Hills.