 | Home > Expedition & Overland > Military roads around or near the North Coast 500 |
 
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2647  
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You know it’s almost certainly not legal to drive them right?
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5th May 2018 7:06am |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841 
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The strange reality is that lots of us are using these roads on a daily basis - including old bridges and embankments that are a couple of hundred years old. They've just been tarred and used for modern traffic. Most folk won't even know their origins. Some of them will follow routes even older, natural ways through the hills. The Generals just improved the alignments and bridges.
If you look at the post-Jacobite garrisons that were built: Fort William, Fort Augustus, Fort George, Ruthven (Kingussie) and Bernera (Glenelg) and the roads that link them, most of these will still be in use. I think much of what hasn't been adopted into the modern era will be in a fairly poor state. For example there's a stretch between Daviot and Inverness - the 'Old Edinburgh Road' - it runs through/alongside a forestry plantation. This is barely a dog walkers track. You can see that it was once something more substantial, but that's long gone now. And Retro is right - the new Scottish Access Code only applies to unpowered transport (bike, canoe, Shanks' pony) anything else on private land isn't allowed in a vehicle. Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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5th May 2018 7:52am |
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| big ives Member Since: 24 Dec 2013 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 125 
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NO i didn't hence the reason for me asking questions on the site, and to be honest i couldn't find this info online. I certainly DON'T drive illegally in Northern Ireland my own country so i certainly would NOT be doing it in Scotland. that is what i get for being bored at work here in Malaysia 
anyway home next week SO thank you all for the answers, will just have to do with driving at the Mayhem on the 19/20 May  2016 Discovery 4
1989 90 CSW V8 (fully rebuilt and running like a dream) 1996 defender tray back fully rebuilt/loaded for challenge events |
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5th May 2018 9:17am |
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| Maxxed_Ross Member Since: 06 Jun 2012 Location: Bathgate / North Sea Posts: 340 
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Old Military Road runs from just north of Perth to Nairn on the Moray coast... all surfaced but very quiet and some of it very very narrow and twisty
I do that road most summers, some epic scenery and it misses out the average speed camera ridden A9 totally 2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320 |
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5th May 2018 6:31pm |
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| big ives Member Since: 24 Dec 2013 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 125
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Ross
The old road to Nairn where do I join this, bearing in mind I will be coming up from the boat via Glasgow then on up to Perth, Is the old military road part of the A93 to Blairgowrie passing close to Braemore and Balmoral up to Graton on Spey on the A939 then on to Nairn? Or am I in the completely wrong direction? Cheers Ivan 2016 Discovery 4 1989 90 CSW V8 (fully rebuilt and running like a dream) 1996 defender tray back fully rebuilt/loaded for challenge events |
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6th May 2018 6:03am |
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| legin Member Since: 22 Jul 2017 Location: Chelmsford Essex Posts: 1004 
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I did the NC500 a couple of years ago there are loads of nice roads that feel like tracks ,grass growing in the middle of the road and over grown foliage on the sides, hair pin bends and very narrow opening up to suburb views ,you don't really need to go off road.Look for some of the small ferry's , Cormarty to Nigg if it's running ! if not it's a great drive around the Black Isle take the B9169 back,It took my wife and me two weeks .We started at Berwick and ended at Oban ,on the way up from Essex we stopped over at Barnard Castle for two nights and one night on the way back.You will enjoy it.
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6th May 2018 7:23am |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841
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Hopefully Ross will come back himself, but that sounds about right to me. Some stretches of this are high, moorland roads - nice and exposed, and good scenery. Definitely a bit of a "long cut" though on the way from Perth to Inverness. I have driven the A9 countless times, and often am in the mood just to get off the 'rat run', so an alternative for you, if coming north from Glasgow to Inverness is to follow the A9 to just past Dunblane, then head over the hills. You can join the dots, but the route runs: Greenloaning - Crieff - Amulree - Aberfeldy - Tummel Bridge - Trinafour - Dalnamein. Again, lots of scenery on this - twisty, windy and a fun drive. Just an note - some sections of this, Tummel Bridge to Aberfeldy I think, will be closed on one particular Sunday in late May or early June for a cycle event. The Tayside Etape or something like that At the end of this you're back on the A9 through Drumochter, but you can leave again at Dalwhinnie, heading for Laggan - Newtonmore - Kingussie - Aviemore - Carrbridge - Nairn. Because this cuts out the A9 from Dunblane to Perth, and then the stretch from Perth to Drumochter, you're not really adding that much time to your journey. Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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6th May 2018 8:57am |
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| big ives Member Since: 24 Dec 2013 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 125
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Donald
yes i have driven the A9 many times when i worked in Invergordon. the description of your route i fully understand and i kind of know some of it having been to Aberfeldy a few times at Griffin forest when the offroad event was ran there. i am looking forward to doing the NC 500, all booked all ready to go SO ALL the information given on minor routes is appreciated and many thanks to everyone. The run from Perth to Nairn looks the most promising as i am over nighting in Inverness and me and her have all the time in the world to get to Inverness from the ferry via Glasgow again thanks to all.................cheers Ivan 2016 Discovery 4 1989 90 CSW V8 (fully rebuilt and running like a dream) 1996 defender tray back fully rebuilt/loaded for challenge events |
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6th May 2018 10:11am |
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| Maxxed_Ross Member Since: 06 Jun 2012 Location: Bathgate / North Sea Posts: 340
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Hopefully this will make sense:
Take the M90 to Perth as normal Cross the Friarton Bridge and take the junction immediately after it (J11) Head back towards Perth on the A85 Continue on this road until it leaves Perth and becomes the A93 towards Scone & Lethendy Continue through Blairgowrie still on A93 towards Bridge of Cally Eventually you'll end up at Glenshee Ski Centre Continute on towards Balmoral Castle Just after the Castle there is a sharp left that doubles back slightly leading up hill onto the B976 towards Braenaloin Bear left in Gairnshiel to join the A939 and over the hump back bridge Follow towards Colnabaichin Just before Colnabaichin turn left to stay on the A939 towards Lecht Ski Centre End up in Tomintoul - head right on B9008 if you want to do the Glenlivet Distillery tour Stay on A939 towards Bridge of Brown if you don't Eventually you'll end up in Grantown-on-Spey Two options here: Continue north on A939 towards Nairn - but only if you specifically want to see Nairn. This is a main road so fairly busy and boring Head south west on A95 towards Carrbridge via Duthill on the A938 and then join the A9 towards Inverness I've done this route a few times now and it is epic. Once you get north of Glenshee the roads are totally empty too  2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320 |
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6th May 2018 8:07pm |
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| big ives Member Since: 24 Dec 2013 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 125
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Ross
thank you 
very clear, and i will be taking this route, again thank you for everyone's time in replying cheers Ivan 2016 Discovery 4 1989 90 CSW V8 (fully rebuilt and running like a dream) 1996 defender tray back fully rebuilt/loaded for challenge events |
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7th May 2018 2:59am |
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| Maxxed_Ross Member Since: 06 Jun 2012 Location: Bathgate / North Sea Posts: 340
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No problem at all
If you want an interesting return route: Head out of Inverness on the A82 towards Fort Augustus (keep your eyes peeled for Nessie) Continue into Spean Bridge and then turn right to continue south on the A82 towards Fort William Follow the A82 until you cross the bridge at North Ballachulish At the roundabout sharp left to head back under the bridge on the A828 towards Oban Follow until you cross the Connel Bridge Turn right back under the bridge on the A85 towards Taynuilt Follow the banks of Loch Awe to the Cruachan Visitor Centre on the right (well worth a tour into the Hollow Mountain) Back on the A85 towards Kilchurn Castle After the Castle turn right onto the A819 towards Cladich Don't take the turn off for Cladich, continue on the A819 south towards Inveraray Once in Inveraray head north on the A83 towards Ardgenavan Loop around the top of the bay and back south towards Cairndow Just after the bend take the A815 south towards Dunoon A few miles along turn left onto the B839 towards Lochgoilhead After the downhill switch back bear right at the Y junction onto the B828 towards Glasgow At the end of the road take the A83 towards Glasgow In Arrochar bear right onto the A814 towards Helensburgh Follow all the way to the roundabout, take the first right to stay on the B814 towards Helensburgh Next roundabout turn right onto A817 towards Balloch Follow until you meet the A82 down the side of Loch Lomond Some of the best coastal roads on offer 2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320 |
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7th May 2018 3:56am |
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| big ives Member Since: 24 Dec 2013 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 125
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Maxxed_ross
Drove the route today from Perth to Inverness as per your earlier instructions what a drive absolutely breath taking. The weather was very warm which made it a prefect drive. The V8 drove like a dream and then some idiot passed me in one of those super sports car some foreign piece of crap he was doing the ton at least. Even my wife enjoyed the run
Sitting now in Inverness having a beer start the NC 500 in the morning. Big thank you
Cheers big ives 2016 Discovery 4 1989 90 CSW V8 (fully rebuilt and running like a dream) 1996 defender tray back fully rebuilt/loaded for challenge events |
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19th Jul 2018 4:31pm |
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| Maxxed_Ross Member Since: 06 Jun 2012 Location: Bathgate / North Sea Posts: 340
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glad you enjoyed it
2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320 |
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22nd Jul 2018 2:09pm |
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