Would love to hear some feedback from locals and travelers more experienced in the area as to the best route. We've been to the area before so skipping Loch Ness/scenery/Inverness etc are all fine. Traveling in mid-July 2024; previously we've driven this route in late November so we figure traffic will be much more intense. I'm getting three route suggestions from Google (my arch-nemesis for travel planning) from Oban to Culloden battlefield.
1. A82 to B862/B851 up the east side of Loch Ness (appears to be pretty far from the side) to A9 (claims to be just under 3 hours but
I'm skeptical with much of the route appearing to be on B roads).
2. A82/A828 to inverness up the west side of Loch Ness on . Also supposedly 3 hours but if I remember correctly from previous trips,
this route was a snarl of traffic along Loch Ness. Figuring it will be way worse in July.
3. A82/A828 to Spean Bridge. Pick up A86 to A9. This route swings well east of Loch Ness. Supposedly about 10 minutes slower but
we're wondering if this might be the least likely to be a traffic nightmare.
Thoughts and advice appreciated.
This is a side trip up to the area so only one night. We're due to Edinburgh the next day (flight out after one day in Edinburgh). We're most interested in revisiting Clava Cairs/Culloden...especially the Cairns since we have a lot of more recent history on this trip (border abbey's, "newer" castles, Hadrian's wall). If anyone has suggestions for ancient sites (circular tombs, standing stones, BCE/BC sites) that are closer than going clear to the Inverness area, we would love suggestions.