Loch Ness to Glasgow. Wade's roads

[skulkerboyo]

I'm doing a LEJOG run for charity at the end of the month. That's all planned etc but I want the return to be a little more interesting.

From Loch Ness to Glasgow it looks like for some part I can follow Wade's roads for a bit.

Anyone else followed them? How ridable are they and that route? Trying to find maps but may have to wing it a fair bit. I can't imagine they're that well maintained but that's fine. Wondering if anyone knows something about them.

[skulkerboyo]

Looking into it it seems a fair amount of it is impassible after flooding and the landowner near the Corrieyairack pass is a tool and put a gate up anyway.

Looks like I'll be covering very little of it. In which case I'll take advice on any scenic routes to Glasgow from Loch ness. Short route I know but once I'm past Glasgow it's straight home for me.

[steve172]

From Loch Ness, thorugh Fort Augustas to Fort William, then either down Glencoe - Stirling - M80 to Glasgow.

Or

Glencoe - Callander - Dukes Pass - Aberfoyle - Glengoyne Distillery - Glasgow.

Or, From Fort William, take the Oban road through Appin - Connel Bridge - Inveraray - Arrochar - Glasgow, or head for Tyndrum after Connel Bridge then either of the first two suggestions.

[skulkerboyo]

Looks straightforward enough any of those routes.

[Mad Cow]

i did this in reverse the other year.

Loch Ness

Then take the A82 via

Fort Augustus

Spean Bridge (Check out the Commando memorial on the way in)

Fort William

Glencoe

Rannoch Moor

Tyndrum

Crianlarich

Then you have the choice

Either stay on the A82 via Loch Lomond and the Erskine Bridge

Or for an even more scenic alternative

Take the A85 through Lochearnhead, turn off right at Kilmahog onto the A821 for the Duke’s Pass then after aberfoyle, take the A81 to Glasgow

[PaulinBont]

.......or by-pass Glasgow completely by going down the Mull of Kintyre, ferry across to Arran (30 mins) and ferry back onto the mainland (60mins) at Ardrossan (thumbs)

[Mad Cow]

And not sure where home is after Glasgow but the B7078, A702 and B7076 (basically the route of the original A74) makes a great alternative to the A74(M) if heading down towards Gretna Green

[-Ralph-]

Any bugger can figure out all these routes by looking at a road atlas, and they all do, so they are busy and horrible.

If you really want a nice ride, then from North Ballachulish bridge take the coast road down to the Connel bridge, the onto Oban, and all the way down to Lochgilphead.

From there you can either head for Inveraray and over the rest and be thankful, or personally I'd follow Paulinbonts advice below.

.......or by-pass Glasgow completely by going down the Mull of Kintyre, ferry across to Arran (30 mins) and ferry back onto the mainland (60mins) at Ardrossan (thumbs)

I think Paulinbont is talking about Claonaig to Lochranza, then ride round Arran to catch the Brodick to Ardrossan.

But if you don't have time for this there are ferries run from

Hunters Quay to Macinrays Point, this is just a short hop which won't cost ypu much time.

Rothesay to Weymms Bay

Or I think Brodick is just a stopping point now for the Cambeltown to Ardrossan ferry, so hou could ride right down to the south of Mull of Kintyre, then cross.

Whichever route, a stop at Nardinis in Largs for ice cream is essential.

[IainD]

The South Road out of Oban is a good run, it changes from well surfaced to bum clenching in places though, some nice twisties and a couple of pubs too. Plenty of detours to the coast on this road which are often bypassed. Crinan being one of the best.

The Campbeltown to Ardrossan Ferry runs at the wrong time of the day really (unless you spend the night), but better than nothing; the stop-off at is Arran only on a Saturday too. The normal Ardrossan / Arran ferry runs as normal.

Arran is a great place to explore.

I would turn left at Lochgilphead and go via Inverary then turn south just past Cairndow heading for Dunoon, then the wee ferry to McInroys point south of Gourock. Rest and be thankful is Ok, but the boring run down the lochside (Loch Lomond) and traffic means it is to be avoided.

Off the Ferry, turn right and head for Largs and Fish and chips or Ice cream. (Then for me 10 mins over the hill and I'm home).

The route to the border can be fun too; going via Ayr, Girvan, then inland to Glentrool, Gatehouse of Fleet and Dumfries takes you to the border via Gretna.

[skulkerboyo]

Wowsers

Quite a few options there - the road less travelled is my preference and the less well maintained tarmack the better.

I'll have to spend a bit of time looking over this.

Home is Bristol. I'll probably stop in Glasgow and visit a friend the Saturday but would like to be home by Sunday evening. I've got Saturday to ride from north to south of Scotland. I'm an early riser so 10 hours in the saddle takes me into late afternoon. Will picka route around 9 hours and expect 12.