GREAT ROADS: The Dukes Pass

photo_ed · Nov 3, 2024

A nice piece from @Craig196 about The Dukes Pass in the Trossachs...

https://www.rushmagazine.co.uk/post/the-dukes-pass

Having personally discovered this fantastic stretch of tarmac whilst staying very close to it last month - yes, there were a good number of passes of the Pass completed - I can highly recommend it. I can also recommend a fly fishing lesson with the Ghillie at Tigh Mor too...

photo_ed · Jan 6, 2025

Back in the vicinity of this wonderful ribbon of tarmac.

Not a bad way to kick off 2025.

Ajracer · Jan 6, 2025

Looks a bit slippery Ed!

photo_ed · Jan 10, 2025

Came across a couple of old postcards of the Dukes Pass on our travels, a lot less trees back then so you can really see the switchbacks.

And some intrepid sorts in an Austin 7…

Marvellous!

Craig196 · Jan 2, 2026

Thank you for sharing Ed

Much appreciated

photo_ed · Jan 3, 2026

Craig196 said:
Thank you for sharing Ed

Much appreciated

No problem at Craig!

Coincidentally, we're up here again. Staying here, right on the Dukes Pass route!

rojer386 · Jan 3, 2026

photo_ed said:
No problem at Craig!

Coincidentally, we're up here again. Staying here, right on the Dukes Pass route!

View attachment 36716

I’m guessing you’re not with the Trophy?

photo_ed · Jan 4, 2026

rojer386 said:
I’m guessing you’re not with the Trophy?

Not in the Trophy at this time of year Brian I'm afraid, otherwise I'd have given you a shout.

Nice and icy on the pass earlier today!

RMA9V · Tuesday at 8:35 PM

That's a great road. I did it last year as part of a classic car tour which finished up at Inverary Castle. A great part of Scotland.

photo_ed · Tuesday at 10:18 PM

RMA9V said:
That's a great road. I did it last year as part of a classic car tour which finished up at Inverary Castle. A great part of Scotland.

Sounds like a great trip Richard, we're hoping to get over to Loch Fyne at some point, not on this trip though I don't think. The Dukes is still up there as one of my favourite roads in the UK currently, the way it's technical but it still flows really nicely, a joy to drive, then there's the scenery!

Pic from a couple of days ago, before the low cloud & snow arrived, which made it interesting this morning...

AGAR · 2026-01-10T12:33:12+0000

photo_ed said:
Sounds like a great trip Richard, we're hoping to get over to Loch Fyne at some point, not on this trip though I don't think. The Dukes is still up there as one of my favourite roads in the UK currently, the way it's technical but it still flows really nicely, a joy to drive, then there's the scenery!

View attachment 36729

Pic from a couple of days ago, before the low cloud & snow arrived, which made it interesting this morning...

That looks very pleasant indeed even at this cold time of year. I haven't ventured far beyond Loch Fyne but plan to do so this year if I get a chance.

In terms of other great driving roads in Scotland, without going as far north to do the NC500 (which is far too busy nowadays IMO), I can recommend route taking the A82 from Glencoe to Spean Bridge, then onto the A86 along the west side of Loch Laggan, ending up in Laggan. I did that a few years ago, then looping back towards Aviemore and back home to Aberdeen. The roads were deserted, fast, flowing with plenty of scenery to take in.

A bit further north from that and more local to me is the A939 Old Military Road (from Ballater to Tomintoul via the Lecht Ski Centre). Worth a look if you are up this far.