Driving To Edinburgh
Routes to Edinburgh from the South
From anywhere around Birmingham or south or west of there, the normally favoured route is to make for the M6 motorway and follow it north. Once in Scotland it becomes the A74(M), which you leave at Junction 13 (Abingdon) for the final 30 miles along a smaller country road (A702). Note that Junction 12 is also signposted A702, but that goes South so heed the signs that say to stay on the road if you want Edinburgh.
If you're on the east side of the country, the A1(M) is the better route but it's not motorway standard all the way, and some sections are not even dual carriageway north of Newcastle. At Newcastle there is a choice of cross country routes: the A696 becoming the A68, or the A697. Both are slower and narrower, but with nice scenery. The A1 has some nice cliff views too, mind you.
Routes to Edinburgh from the West and North
From Glasgow use the M8 motorway, and from Stirling the M9. The M8 is much busier, especially during rush hour as a lot of commuters travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
From the north, the main route is the M90 from Perth, across the Forth Road Bridge. Stay on the A90 dual carriageway for the most direct route to th city centre, but come off onto the A8000 and follow M9 and A8 for the Airport, the City Bypass or for West or south Edinburgh.
Motorway Service Stations
On a long journey you will want to stop from time to time, and service stations are conveniently close to the road.
Years ago these were dreadful places but there has been a lot of improvement in the recent past. Most of the service stations on the M6 / A74(M) are clean, with good facilities and a high standard of food. They are still expensive though.
On the M6 my favourite is Tebay, which is independently owned. The buildings are of a mountain lodge style and there are lovely views. It can be busy though. Annandale water on on the A74(M) is good too.
The East Coast route is less well serviced, and the further north you go, the less you will find. You may have to leave the main road and go exploring.
On the A9 From the north, the House of Bruar near Blair Atholl has good food. It's not strictly a service area (no fuel, and it closes at 5.30pm), but it is right next to the A9 road and is equipped to cater for large numbers of travellers. It is also a designer shopping centre.
Copyright (c) Neil McKenzie 2005-2008
