Driving 

Royal Deeside & the Grampian Highlands by car

• The Grampian region has excellent main road links to all of the UK, mainly provided by two main trunk roads - the A90(M) & A956. Main road conditions are generally good and much quieter than those in England. Away from the cities and towns, back roads often have only one lane and petrol (gas) stations may be few and far between - a quick top up of the petrol tank can save you getting stranded miles from anywhere.

This region has the highest public road anywhere in the UK - the A93 to Royal Deeside over the Cairnwell. Unsurprisingly, winter weather can make driving conditions hazardous in the Grampian Highlands and the A93 Perth to Braemar road is often closed by snow. The A92 from Dundee through Aberdeen to Banff follows the Scottish East Coast through fishing villages and port towns.

Journey times & driving directions

London to Aberdeen

• From London - M25, M5, A4202 & A41
• Approx 550 miles
• 10 hours drive

Birmingham & Manchester to Aberdeen

• M6 from Birmingham and Manchester, A74 to Glasgow, M80, M9 & A9 to Perth and A90 into Aberdeen
• Birmingham to Aberdeen - 7 hours 50 mins, 435 miles
• Manchester to Aberdeen - 6 hours 30 mins, 357 miles

Newcastle-upon-tyne to Aberdeen

• From Newcastle - A167, A68, M90 to A90 at the River Tay, A696 & A956
• Approx 232 miles
• 5 hours drive
• Driving around Grampian & Scotland
• Perth to Braemar - the highest road in the British Isles
• From Perth take the A93 signposted Dundee
• Cross the River Tay
• Pass the Scone Palace
• Climb to Cairnwell Summit (2,199ft)
• Descend past the Glenshee ski slope into Braemar & Royal Deeside
• 50 miles, 1 hour 30 mins
• Glasgow to Aberdeen
• M8, A8, M9, A720, A74(M), A8000, A90(M) & A956
• 3 hours drive approx
• Approx 150 miles

Edinburgh to Aberdeen

• A8 & A90 over the Forth Toll Bridge, M90 & A90 to the A956 for Aberdeen Harbour & centre
• Approx 125 miles
• 2 hours 40 mins drive

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