A75

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A75
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From:	Gretna
To:	Stranraer
Length:	95.8 miles (154.2 km)
Meets:	M6, A74(M), A780, A709, A701, A76, A712, A745, A713, A711, A762, A755, A747, A751, A77
Grid References
Start Gretna: NY323676 End Stranraer: NX066607
Highways Authorities
Transport Scotland
Counties
Wigtownshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfriesshire
Route outline (key)
A75 Gretna - Stranraer

Route

Although I don't know this road personally, I imagine it must be one of the most scenic trunk routes in the country. It lies entirely in Scotland but can also be regarded as linking two of the other constituent nations of the UK, since it starts close to the border with England and ends near the main ferry terminal for Northern Ireland. The BBC's "h2g2" site has a section on the road, to which I am indebted for the Thomas Carlyle anecdote below.

Gretna - Stranraer

The road starts just north of the England/Scotland border at what is now junction 22 of the A74(M), forming a short dual-carriageway northern bypass for the village of Gretna, which runs parallel to the railway line. It then becomes a single-carriageway road bypassing Eastriggs and the town of Annan. The next section runs almost straight, past Kelhead Moss Plantation to Carrutherstown. Another short dual carriageway bypasses Collin, then the road becomes a single-carriageway bypass for Dumfries (the original route has been renumbered A780). After roundabout junctions with the A709 and A701 it bridges the river Nith no less than three times; then, after the A76 roundabout at Lincluden, it passes through a cutting to rejoin its original route. Here it runs parallel to an unclassified road known as the "Old Military Road" (was this the original route of the A75?), with a roundabout close to Lochfoot before the A712 junction at Crocketford or Nine Mile Bar.

From here it runs along Auchenreoch Loch to Springholm, then forming a single-carriageway bypass for Castle Douglas. The junction with the A713 is an extremely simple multi-grade one - the two roads are joined by a single two-way slip road! (Cf. the A303/A350 junction in Wiltshire.) It crosses the Dee at the appropriately-named Bridge of Dee, then the A711 to Kirkcudbright leaves from the left. The A762 crosses with a short multiplex section, then there's a small bypass for Twynholm. At this point the "Old Military Road" reappears on the right-hand side, heading towards Gatehouse of Fleet. The A75 itself bypasses Gatehouse of Fleet, meeting the A755 on the left before crossing the Water of Fleet.

I can well believe this! The above-mentioned section of road runs right along the coast, past Cardoness Wood and through the village of Carsluith before bypassing Creetown. After a fairly straight section to Palnure the A712 joins from the right, and the road goes on to bypass Newton Stewart, with a roundabout junction with the A714 before running along Merton Hall Moss. (Here the "Old Military Road" has apparently been reduced to the status of a footpath running alongside.) It bridges Taff Water, then bypasses Glenluce, with the A747 meeting on the left, and goes over the Water of Luce. At this point the railway line from Glasgow comes overhead and turns to run parallel to the A75 for the rest of its course. This is a straight section via Dunragit and Castle Kennedy, with the A751 leaving on the right. Finally the road heads into Stranraer itself, ending on the A77 close to the ferry terminal.

Original Author(s): Guy

History

Pictures

Links

roadsUK

• Route Guide

Wikipedia

• A75 Page