UKC

I'm driving to Mull from the M74. The shortest route looks to be past Loch Lomond, but that often seems to be snarled up with traffic or roadworks. Is it better to go Stirling, Callander, Crianlarich etc? Thanks.

In reply to Catriona:

Last timewe drove back from Mull we went via Inverary and Tarbert - it felt quite short (lots to look at I suppose!) This way cuts out the slower half of Loch Lomond road and you could go via Garelochhead but I'm not familiar with that way.

In reply to Bulls Crack:

M74 -> M73 for Stirling/Perth then onto M80 to Stirling. Take turn off for A84 Crianlarach -> Calendar, -> Crianlarach -> Tyndrum -> Take A85 to Oban. Appox 2.5 hours form M74. We use this route all the time visiting family in Coatbridge. We stay in Oban.

Alternativly, Loch Lomond then either Inveraray A83->Dalmally -> Oban(better road) or Crianlarach A82-> Oban ( 5miles shorter, but twistier)
Times are all about the same depending on time of day and volume of traffic through Glasgow. If going Loch lomond take new M74 extension to bypass Glasgow centre.

Gordon

In reply to Catriona:
GordyB's pretty well got it IME. The five miles or so past Tarbert along the side of Loch Lomond is narrow and twisty and if you get stuck behind something it's a real pain as it's not that easy to get past.

When we used to drive up to Ft William for winter climbing on The Ben we'd go the Stirling - Callendar - Tyndrum route as it was much quicker than having to drive through Glasgow. Since the routes to Oban and Ft William split at Tyndrum it's likely to be the quicker. With the road improvements between Dumbarton and Crianlarich over the years the time difference is probably a lot less these days, also the M74 extension through the south of Glasgow will make things quicker again.

On a related note: there was a post on here a couple of years ago about the council shutting the A82 at the traffic signals just short of Ardlui at Pulpit Rock to sort out that section that goes round the headland. Didn't see anything more about it but went up to Crianlarich last weekend and the work's been done! No more single lane control!! Looks a decent bit of construction as well - here's a shot of the work in progress http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3960920.

In reply to:

Thanks all.

In reply to Catriona:

Night time is the right time to drive up North. Loch Lomond road at 4 or 5 in the morning in Summer is one way to do it. Helps if you've got another driver of course.

D