Scotland · Southern Uplands/8 min read

The 10 best driving roads in the Southern Uplands.

Scotland’s southern half is often treated as a mere transit corridor on the way to the Highlands. Those who know better turn off the motorway and find some of the quietest, most flowing tarmac in the UK.

By Drivelines·Published 06 May 2026
REGION OVERVIEW

The quiet rhythm of the borders and moors

The Southern Uplands offer a profoundly different driving experience to the jagged drama of the Scottish Highlands. Here, the geography consists of rolling moorlands, deep forested glens, and sweeping valleys that dictate the shape of the tarmac. The roads tend to be older, following ancient drove routes and riverbeds, which results in a natural, unforced rhythm. Without the intense tourist traffic of the north, these roads reward a thoughtful, flowing driving style, allowing you to settle into a cross-country pace that feels wonderfully remote.

Routes mapped
10
Total distance
251km
Avg curve idx
6.7/10
Map of all 10 routes in scotland-southern-uplands
StartEnd
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10
B727 · Kirkcudbrightshire · Expert
Mixed widthVaried surface

St Cuthbert Road (B727)

The B727 is a profoundly twisting, technical little lane that strings together the coastal topography. Its exceptionally high curve density means the steering wheel is rarely straight for more than a few seconds. Narrow and challenging, it is a road that forces you to scrub off speed and rely on mechanical grip rather than momentum.

Sightlines are entirely compromised by high hedges in high summer; treat every blind left-hander as if a delivery van is coming the other way.

Distance
17.6km
Drive time
0h 44m
Curve idx
10.0/10
Climb
235m
StartEnd
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09
A711 · Kirkcudbrightshire · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

Tongland Road (A711)

A flowing arterial road near the Solway coast, the A711 provides an easygoing rhythm over varied surfaces. It traces a relatively gentle path through the landscape, linking together small agricultural communities with open, sweeping corners. It’s perfect for a relaxed early evening drive.

Watch for tractors pulling out from blind field gates on the sections approaching Kirkcudbright.

Distance
22.8km
Drive time
0h 30m
Curve idx
5.0/10
Climb
295m
StartEnd
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08
A708 · Selkirkshire · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

The Holm (A708)

Shadowing the valley floors and skirting the edges of St Mary's Loch, the A708 is an old-school touring route. The corners are largely long and lazy, opening up magnificent views of the surrounding hillsides. It is not a technical challenge, but a classic scenic drive that flatters a well-sorted chassis.

The loch-side stretches are incredibly popular with motorcyclists on summer weekends, making overtaking difficult.

Distance
28km
Drive time
0h 34m
Curve idx
4.2/10
Climb
733m
StartEnd
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07
A702 · Dumfries & Galloway · Expert
Mixed widthVaried surface

Main Street (A702)

While much of the A702 is a major trunk route, this specific stretch offers a condensed burst of high-frequency corners. The surface can be patchy, asking the driver to balance steering inputs with suspension compression over rougher crests. It requires focus, but yields a deeply satisfying rhythm when driven neatly.

The tightest bends are often shadowed by trees, staying damp long into the afternoon.

Distance
14.9km
Drive time
0h 20m
Curve idx
8.4/10
Climb
240m
StartEnd
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06
B734 · South Ayrshire · Expert
Mixed widthVaried surface

Penwhapple Bridge (B734)

Tucked away in the Carrick hills, the B734 is a seriously technical route that demands total attention. The tarmac heaves and dives, with blind crests and off-camber bends stringing together relentlessly. It is narrow in places and punishing of sloppy inputs, serving as a genuine test of car control.

Farm traffic leaves a lot of mud on the road here during the harvest season, halving the available grip.

Distance
20.7km
Drive time
0h 32m
Curve idx
9.2/10
Climb
254m
StartEnd
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05
B729 · Dumfries & Galloway · Expert
Mixed widthSmooth surface

Ayr Street (B729)

A demanding, shifting route through the heart of Dumfries & Galloway, the B729 transitions constantly between open two-lane stretches and tighter, pinched sections. The corner density is high, requiring continuous input and concentration to maintain flow. It rewards drivers who look well ahead and anticipate camber changes.

The road narrows unexpectedly through the small villages; ease off early before the 30mph limit signs.

Distance
24.3km
Drive time
0h 34m
Curve idx
8.1/10
Climb
259m
StartEnd
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04
B6357 · Scottish Borders · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

North Hermitage Street (B6357)

This long, continuous ribbon down towards the English border is a lesson in momentum. The B6357 follows the natural contours of Liddesdale with open, sweeping radii that allow a very settled, rhythmic driving style. It avoids tight technicality in favour of relaxed, cross-country progress.

The surface is mostly excellent, but the final miles heading south can hold standing water after heavy rain.

Distance
34.3km
Drive time
0h 38m
Curve idx
3.6/10
Climb
752m
StartEnd
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03
B797 · Dumfriesshire · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Mennock Pass (B797)

Mennock Pass is the highest road in Scotland's southern reaches, carving a beautifully bleak path through the Lowther Hills. Unlike the jagged hairpins of its Highland equivalents, the B797 flows gracefully, offering sweeping bends and excellent visibility. It is a road that asks to be savoured rather than hurried.

There are deep drainage ditches immediately off the tarmac on the upper sections, so don't be tempted to drop a wheel if you meet oncoming traffic.

Distance
23.3km
Drive time
0h 33m
Curve idx
5.1/10
Climb
487m
StartEnd
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02
A714 · Galloway · Expert
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Main Street (A714)

Connecting the Ayrshire coast down into Galloway, the A714 is a remarkably dense sequence of curves on wide, high-quality tarmac. It rewards precise line-choice and a keen eye for vanishing points, as the dense frequency of bends rarely gives you a straight to relax on. A masterclass in technical road-reading.

The northern half out of Girvan is where the road is busiest; it thins out completely once you cross into the Galloway Forest Park bounds.

Distance
23.6km
Drive time
0h 27m
Curve idx
8.4/10
Climb
322m
StartEnd
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01
B709 · Scottish Borders · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Thomas Telford Road (B709)

The B709 traces a long, magnificent line through the Borders, blending wide-open moorland vistas with well-sighted, rhythmic corners. It is one of those rare roads where the surface, the width, and the camber all conspire to make the driver look good. The gradients are gentle, asking for a smooth rolling pace rather than aggressive gear changes.

Southbound from Innerleithen offers the best momentum, though watch for logging lorries pulling out from the forested sections near Eskdalemuir.

Distance
41.2km
Drive time
0h 51m
Curve idx
5.1/10
Climb
968m
// KEEP READING
Sibling guide · Scenic
Top 10 scenic drives in the Southern Uplands
Parent region · Scotland
Top 10 driving roads in Scotland
Nearby · The Scottish Highlands
Top 10 driving roads in the Scottish Highlands
Nearby · Central Scotland
Top 10 driving roads in central Scotland
Index · Every region
All Top 10 Field Guides

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