Dundee to Fort William

[AlexC]

Afternoon All,

We are booked into Bunree for a couple of days around Hogmanay. We've been a couple of times before, usually as part of our summer holiday, heading North on the A82.

As we are heading straight there this time, I have two choices of route. Via Perth, Crieff and Glencoe OR up the A9 and across via the A86.

We've never been on the A86 and I don't know whether it's better or worse than the Glencoe route, especially given the potentially snowy weather.

Both routes are identical time and distance, according to AA route planner.

Does anyone have any views, opinions or experience of these two routes ? I'm preferring the A9 at the moment, but really not sure about the A86, never having driven it before.

Thanks in advance All,

Alex.

 

[Earlybird]

Alex I go Crieff,Crianlairch,Ballachulich good road all the way that is the way I go from Coupar Angus. William

 

[AlexC]

Hi William,

I agree, it's an excellent road, one of my favourites. Just a bit concerned about the twisty hilly bits in, not so good weather.

I like the idea of taking it easy up the A9, even in dodgy conditions.

Have you been up the road in the winter at all ?

Thanks for your reply,

Alex.

 

[Earlybird]

Alex The road is fine I have been up lots in bad whether no problems the A9 can be bad at Dalwhinnie if it is snowing the steep hill on the A889 laggan road out off Dalwhinnie but I hope you have a safe run and a good time at bunree it is a very good site. William.

 

[Earlybird]

Alex The road is fine I have been up lots in bad whether no problems the A9 can be bad at Dalwhinnie if it is snowing the steep hill on the A889 laggan road out off Dalwhinnie but I hope you have a safe run and a good time at bunree it is a very good site. William.

 

[AlexC]

Thanks William,

I appreciate your help.

On the one hand I hope it snows, it's better fun on site etc.

But on the other hand I hope it doesn't, from a travelling point of view.

Ha Ha Ha ! I can't win.

Cheers again,

Alex.

 

[JON2515]

Can I add that we have been across to Bunree from the A9 onto the A86 several times but not this late in the year - you are getting into the mountains North of Pitlochry on the A9 so I would check the forecast beforehand - the A9 is a good road upto Dalwhinnie but the A86 across to Spean Bridge can get a bit narrow in some places with a caravan but generally its OK but not what I would class as a normal A road - once you hit the A82 its good going again down through Fort William to Bunree - what a view when you get there!

 

[AlexC]

Hi Jon,

Good to hear from someone who's been along the A86 alot.

I like the idea of having a change and going A9 - A86, so will probably wait until I see what the weather's doing. If it's bad, I reckon I'll go the road I know. If it's dry and clear, will give the A86 a go.

Thanks very much for your advice,

Alex.

p.s. totally agree about the view !

 

[weejock]

Hi Alex

I used to be a lorry driver on these roads for a number of years and if it is snowing check the forecast before you go. You can also get travel updates at www.nadics.co.uk with pictures from the traffic cameras.

I also seem to remember that some time back the A889 had the worst accident rate per number of vehicles in the UK.

If the weather is okay I would toss a coin and whatever way you go come back the other way for a change.

 

[AlexC]

Absolutely brilliant website Slowcoach, thank you.

I was just saying to the missus last night, " is there somewhere I can call to see what the road conditions are, for where we are heading, I wonder ? ", and as if by magic you appear, LOL !

Was toying with idea of asking the Police, AA or RAC, but that website solves the problem.

Thanks again mate,

Alex.

 

[Malcolm_5040880]

The A86 from Newtonmore/Dalwhinnie is OK for towing. The A889 from Dalwhinnie WAS supposed to be the most dangerous road in Britain a few years ago but I couldn't get my head round how that could possibly be the case. I don't believe there were any fatalities on it. Very smooth surface with curves rather than sharp bends.

 

[Jan_374241992]

We will be travelling to Bunree on 28th Dec for Hogmanay - we will be going on the A86, we don't envisage any problems. This is our normal route to that side of the country and never not been able to get along the road.

Jan

 

[triker1]

Hi, to all,My preference would be via A86 as too may trying toget to Aviemore if lots of snow !! I traveled for yeras upto Fort William then onto Kyle of Lochalsh only ever got stuck once and that was caused by a guy towing a Marauder 500ct with a ford sierra,two adults four kids and dog and overload and had jacknifed.Along wih other we unhitched puled/pused his van (not badly damaged) and got him on his way again.I have tried the A9 but think that it is more exposed than the A9.You pay your money you takes your chance.Like slowcoach says check nadic before you go.Enjoy

 

[AlexC]

Hi, to all,My preference would be via A86 as too may trying toget to Aviemore if lots of snow !! I traveled for yeras upto Fort William then onto Kyle of Lochalsh only ever got stuck once and that was caused by a guy towing a Marauder 500ct with a ford sierra,two adults four kids and dog and overload and had jacknifed.Along wih other we unhitched puled/pused his van (not badly damaged) and got him on his way again.I have tried the A9 but think that it is more exposed than the A9.You pay your money you takes your chance.Like slowcoach says check nadic before you go.Enjoy

Thanks people.

Yep, it really does look like 6 and two 3's.

Lots of good info from personal experience, much appreciated.

Cheers again,

Alex.

 

[Barkas]

Hi, to all,My preference would be via A86 as too may trying toget to Aviemore if lots of snow !! I traveled for yeras upto Fort William then onto Kyle of Lochalsh only ever got stuck once and that was caused by a guy towing a Marauder 500ct with a ford sierra,two adults four kids and dog and overload and had jacknifed.Along wih other we unhitched puled/pused his van (not badly damaged) and got him on his way again.I have tried the A9 but think that it is more exposed than the A9.You pay your money you takes your chance.Like slowcoach says check nadic before you go.Enjoy

Hi Triker. Is Bunree open all year ?, it doesnt say so on their website. The A86 is one of the loveliest routes at all times of the year with wonderful scenery and lochside views, well worth a few stops to take it all in. The castle on the other side of the loch is where they filmed" Monarch of the glen" and the Victorian dam further along is fab. I think theres just as much chance of catching snow at Rannoch as there is at Dalwhinnie and its good going with a van on the A9 and you can pick up a decent fruit loaf for granny from the house of Bruar on the way.Regards Barkas

 

[Jan_374241992]

Hi Triker. Is Bunree open all year ?, it doesnt say so on their website. The A86 is one of the loveliest routes at all times of the year with wonderful scenery and lochside views, well worth a few stops to take it all in. The castle on the other side of the loch is where they filmed" Monarch of the glen" and the Victorian dam further along is fab. I think theres just as much chance of catching snow at Rannoch as there is at Dalwhinnie and its good going with a van on the A9 and you can pick up a decent fruit loaf for granny from the house of Bruar on the way.Regards Barkas

Hi - Bunree is open till the 4th January.