So, I'm having to do this trip in the car more often than I'd like. Now, everyone states the M6, then stay on the M74 till Glasgow, and come across on the M8 followed by the Forth bridge and so on. When I came back last time I decided to use the A702 which was certainly more interesting. Would anyone recommend doing the M1 way?
London to Kirckaldy (north of Edinburgh)
- Thread starter ChrisD.
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Fantastic scenery north of Carlisle, though. I'd be temtped to try the other way anyway - the A1(M) is a horrible congested mess but then of course I remember that the M6 from Birmingham to the Lakes is infact the worst Motorway on the entire planet, so perhaps the A1(M) might suck less.
Associate
- Joined
- 26 Jan 2009
- Posts
- 848
- Location
- Amsterdam
The few times I've ever gone south I always go A702 -> A74 (M) -> M6. Although if I was going to Kirkcaldy I'd go up the A73 rather than A702 so you can avoid going back along the A720 and M8.
Also, unless you want to go along to Kincardine, you're going to get stuck in the 40MPH Average Speed Cameras on the M9 anyway. (Although compared to M6 car parks during busy times, it doesn't usually take that long)
Don't see why he'd touch the M9 for more than a few minutes really? Over the bridge, briefly on it then M8 or in then along the A1
Either way is a perfectly reasonable way to go though I'd personally take the M6, stick it on cruise and relax. If you fancy thinking a bit more on the journey then I can see the appeal of the A1, I personally wouldn't touch the A7/68 etc but as said if you're heading up the M6 at busy times the 73 is a good option
Either way is a perfectly reasonable way to go though I'd personally take the M6, stick it on cruise and relax. If you fancy thinking a bit more on the journey then I can see the appeal of the A1, I personally wouldn't touch the A7/68 etc but as said if you're heading up the M6 at busy times the 73 is a good option
I regularly drive to Glasgow and usually take the M6/M74/M8. As Fox says, north of Carlisle (and even approaching Carlisle, around Shap) the scenery is quite nice. The M6 prior to that is pretty dire though, and don't even get me started on the congestion that you always get around Stoke, especially coming back. Does my head in!
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 27 Sep 2004
- Posts
- 25,821
- Location
- Glasgow
Using the M6 for Glasgow makes more sense as you're at least heading up the correct side of the country for that. I think it's a bit less clear when you're going towards Edinburgh.
I do the trip to Edinburgh from London a fair few times a year and having done both the M6 route and the A1(M) option on a number of occasions if I've got a choice then I'll normally go A1(M)/A1 up towards Newcastle and then take the A68 over the Border. If it's a nice day you get fantastic views as you cross the Border and the road is pleasantly twisty in places provided you don't get stuck behind someone who doesn't almost come to a halt on every corner. You could also take the A1 right along the coast but the road is a bit less interesting as far as I'm concerned. I'd also point out that as you get closer to winter the risks that the A68 will be closed due to inclement weather increase massively.
However I do generally find the M6 option to often be a bit quicker - it's just a much less interesting route though so I use it less frequently unless I just need to plough on due to time restraints or the weather suggests it is the better option.
M6 route is the quickest in my experience and the A702 can be fun if you don't get stuck behind a bus or truck as it only has a couple of long straight sections. If you use the '702 then you'll need to use the Edinburgh bypass and M8 to the bridge. Maybe better to do m74 all the way to Glasgow then M9 up towards Stirling?
A1(M) north of the border is an utter mess with infrequent dual carriageways and lots of slow lorries. Also the dual carriageways are littered with speed cams! 
M6 -> M74 -> then whatever it is to pick up the Kincardine bridge and then hoon it the last 20 miles to wake yourself up again
M6 -> M74 -> then whatever it is to pick up the Kincardine bridge and then hoon it the last 20 miles to wake yourself up again
A1(M) north of the border is an utter mess with infrequent dual carriageways and lots of slow lorries. Also the dual carriageways are littered with speed cams!
Take the A696 and A68 instead. It's quicker, too. And better scenery.
And amazing roads, which I totally wasted by deciding play Fuel Light Bingo and getting down to 20 miles range some 30 miles from Newcastle. Grr.
There really is not that much in it either way both have there pros and cons.
How long is it taking you to get there your current route I would expect it to take me 7 to 8 hours London to Kirckaldy M1-A1-696-68 forth road bridge route on an ordinary working day.
Thats between 4 and 5 hours london-Newcastle and 2.5-3 Newcastle to kirckaldy both of which I have driven litteraly hundreds of times
One other thing 696-68 north of Newcastle becomes very dangerous from October on as does the A702, weather can change fast on the high ground and they do not start to grit till long after the first snows.
If the weathers bad the M6 is a much safer route.
How long is it taking you to get there your current route I would expect it to take me 7 to 8 hours London to Kirckaldy M1-A1-696-68 forth road bridge route on an ordinary working day.
Thats between 4 and 5 hours london-Newcastle and 2.5-3 Newcastle to kirckaldy both of which I have driven litteraly hundreds of times
One other thing 696-68 north of Newcastle becomes very dangerous from October on as does the A702, weather can change fast on the high ground and they do not start to grit till long after the first snows.
If the weathers bad the M6 is a much safer route.
Associate
- Joined
- 26 Jan 2009
- Posts
- 848
- Location
- Amsterdam
Bingo eh? I've always called it Roulette; I do love playing it though.[TW]Fox;22953657 said:
On Thursday I planned on doing Harthill to SECC and back to Port Seton which was a bit risky (80 miles or so, at a guess). I eventually bottled it at Lothianburn and filled up with 44.31 litres (nearly £65
)... into a 45 litre tank. M9 roadworks are between J1 Newbridge and J1A, continuing onto the M9 spur, so you're pretty much always going to hit them when bridge-bound unless you take the A90 from Edinburgh. Looking at though, I've clearly been exaggerating how much a pain they are -- it's only about 2 miles long. >_>
Did this last time I went up there, good route as long as a lorry doesn't stack it on the A66 of course
Did this last time I went up there, good route as long as a lorry doesn't stack it on the A66 of course
And no tanks crossing to the firing range.
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 11,117
- Location
- West Yorkshire / Market Bosworth
Would have thought the A1/A1 (M) would be the more preferred road...just watch out for all the vauxhall insignia diesels at rush hour, travelling 3ft from each others boot lid.