Oban Scotland to Helmsley England

A lot depends on how far you want to travel on day 1.... Have you thought about a stop in the Bordes? Peeb;les, Melrose of Jedburgh are all nice small towns. Alternatively if you want a stop in Northumberland, have a think about Berwick upon Tweed, Wooller, Alnwick/Alnmouth, Bamburgh, Seahouses or a bit further south, Hexham.

I would agree with wasleys about Northumberland (I have not yet been to the Borders, though). I loved my stay there, and there are so many wonderful places to see. Bamburgh Castle is amazing, as are the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Seahouses is a small but charming town that sits right on the water. Alnwick/Alnmouth would also be good choices for a visit as well. You could just follow the coastal road and visit a few of the towns as you go, then find a base for the night.

I would also recommend stopping at Durham Cathedral if you have time, as it is simply magnificent and so well worth a visit.

By the way, I love Helmsley! I stayed in a cottage about 8 miles away from Helmsley last year, but spent a lot of time there. It's such a charming town. Have you eaten at the restaurant called Number Twelve? It's on Castlegate and not only has wonderful food, but also great cakes and a really nice cream tea. I highly recommend it.

In the same general area as Biggar you could consider Lanark (for New Lanark World Heritage Site) or Penicuik.

Furtheer south down the M74 (but beyond Abington services get onto the old road- the A74/B7076/B7020) you could stay in Lochmaben. On the way visiting Moffat and the Ukrainian POW Chapel at Hallmuir .

Next day resist the M74, but rather visit Annan then the Devils Porridge Museum (HM Munitions Factory, Gretna).

If you wanted a Lowland distillery there is also the Annandale distillery.

I would then cut across country through Longtown, Brampton, Alston and beautiful Teesdale to Barnard Castle then the A66/A1 south. If you have never been do try to make time (although you may be short of it) for the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle.

This is certainly making the road journey into a road trip rather than the fastest possible route. In fact you could even profitably add an extra night at Alston or Middleton in Teesdale.

Hi Debbie -

I was going to suggest either Alnwick or Alnmouth (the latter is on the coast). Both are excellent. Less visited in that area, but also good is Warkworth, which, like Alnwick, has its own castle, but unlike Alnwick, Warkworth's is in (extensive) ruins. Just beyond the Scottish border along the coast are the fishing village (town?) of Eyemouth and the tiny St Abb’s Head (good rugged coastal walking to the lighthouse), as well as the more well known Northumbrian towns, many mentioned above.

For an interesting drive to Helmsley follow the coast towards Middlesbrough. From Newcastle south you’ll be driving through undeniably industrial scenery, the remains of the north eastern powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, but around either Saltburn/Staithes/Whitby on the coast or Great Ayton further inland, you can cut across the North Yorkshire Moors down to Helmsley - almost any route you choose from thereabouts will be scenic.

Ian