The Lorry Spotters Tourist Guide to Scotland
Route 1 - Carlisle to Hamilton area (Direct route)
Eaglesfield - Ian Wright
From Carlisle head north on A74/M74. Exit at Jct 20 Eaglesfield and follow B722 through village. Depot at end on right.
Lockerbie - T.P. Niven
Exit Jct 18 and follow B723 Lockerbie then A709 Lochmaben/Dumfries. After about 2 miles cross river at traffic lights and turn right into Cheese Factory. Depot at far end on right. Some First Milk spots may be seen behind factory, however, PLEASE use one way system.
Lochmaben - Wm. Nichol
Continue on A709 past Cheese Factory for a few hundred yards then turn right for Halleaths. Turn right up track at bungalow just past small retail unit. Depot at top of track in sawmill yard.
Return to Lockerbie and M74 northbound.Beattock - East West HH
Exit at Jct 15 and follow Beattock. Depot a few hundred yards on right before village Now also includes Kirimar HH.
Abington - Hodge Transport
Return to M74 northbound, exit Jct 13 Abington and follow B7078 parallel to motorway for about a mile then turn left onto B740 Crawordjohn. After about a mile or so depot on right.
Rigside - Sandy McCracken
Exit Jct 12 Happenden services and follow A70 Rigside for about 2 miles. Turn left up track to farm directly opposite huge sign for local golf club.
Happendon - Truswell
Return to Jct 12 and follow services. Depot at far end behind petrol station. Turn left on leaving services and continue to Jct 11.
N.B. - The A70 from Jct 12 in opposite direction passes through Cumnock for French, Yates, Elliott and the west coast bases. (See also Route 12).Lesmahagow - R. Taylor & Son
Exit Jct 10 and follow Lesmahagow Truck stop, Depot on right, just past truckstop.
Larkhall - Corby Chilled/Innovate/A. Campbell
Exit Jct 8 and follow Larkhall. Shortly after entering village turn right into Strutherhall IE. Depots at end.
Note Corby no problem but Campbell, in Norfolk line yard, can be. For more viewing take next right past entrance to IE and view rear of depot.Hamilton/Blantyre - Yuill & Dodds/Macaskill Haulage
Exit Jct 5 and follow A725 East Kilbride for about half mile then exit left onto A724 Blantyre. Turn left in to Whistleberry IE. Yuill & Dodds located on both sides of road with Macaskill next yard up on left. N.B.- Volvo dealership often good value.
Blantyre - Cadzow HH
Return to A724, continue over bridge to roundabout. Take third exit, stay in left lane under A725, to next roundabout, and take third exit in to Forrest Street. Cadzow at bottom on left.
Bothwell - Wm. Armstrong/A.J. Anderson/SNT
Return A725 and follow for M74. At roundabout turn left and follow Bothwell. At end of village turn right into Bothwell Business Park. Anderson on left in Fincairn Transport yard. Armstrong 200 yards further on right. For SNT continue on past Armstrong to end of road and turn right. Depot in yard of DFDS.
Cambuslang - Stan Robinson
Return M74 northbound and follow to its end at Jct 2 (there is, currently, no Jct 1). Turn left and at first roundabout take third exit into Drumhead Road and, at end, turn right into Drumhead Lane. Depot on left.
N.B. - Vehicles, apart from shunter and odd one, are all stored in warehouse out of working hours.Bellshill (Righead IE) - G & S International
From Armstrong return to M74 Jct 5 follow Bellshill/Coatbridge taking third exit and at top of slip turn left. Pass Morrisons depot and turn right between Scania and Mercedes dealers. Take next right into Sholto Crescent. Depot on left.
Bellshill (North IE) - D. Steven & Son
Follow as for G & S except at top of slip turn right and over A725 and continue straight on. Depot on left in yard of Maxi Haulage.
N.B. - Bellshill IE and Righead IE, to left at top of A725 slip, can reveal some spotting surprises in the many nooks and crannies. It is also home to Renault, MAN, Mercedes and Scania dealerships.Bellshill - Haig Transport/PSL/Castle Cement
From Maxi Haulage turn left to main road, left again, through first roundabout and follow Holytown. At next roundabout turn left and follow Reema IE. At first roundabout either go straight over and Haig on right (PSL also based in here) or turn right to Rail terminal for Castle Cement. Viewing for Castle Cement is strictly from car park.
Coatbridge - West of Scotland HH
Return to A725 and follow Coatbridge then A89 to town centre. At roundabout, just before large railway bridge, turn right into Sunnyside Road to Park & Ride and turn right (this is still Sunnyside Road). At roundabout turn left then immediately right into Burnbank Street. Take third entrance on right (into a lane). Depot on right.
Option 1 (About a 12 mile round trip)
To continue onto Hamilton area it is necessary to return to Jct 5. If so doing, pay a visit to Bothwell services, which can prove rewarding.
Choice 2 (if not going to Robinson)
© Brian Searl 2008
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