Drives / Scottish Borders and Midlothian / Scottish Borders Grand Loop: A7, A6088 and A68
Scottish Borders Grand Loop: A7, A6088 and A68 road scenery
Remapped approved

Scottish Borders Grand Loop: A7, A6088 and A68

Combine the A7 Borders Historic corridor with the A68 for a substantial circular road trip. The A6088 supplies the southern connection, bringing the two established roads together without a dead-end excursion to Carter Bar.

96 miDistance
3 hrEstimated drive
CircularRoute type

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CircularHalf-day drive
Area
Driving roads near Newtongrange. Nearby visits are optional.
Notable roads
A7 · A707 · A698 · A6088 · B6357 · A68 · B6367 · B6372
Near
Newtongrange · Edinburgh · Carlisle
Route status
Remapped approved
Last reviewed
22 October 2026
Make time for the stops

Highlights along the way

Borders hill roads

The A6088 makes the southern link between the A7 valley and A68 corridor; no border-viewpoint spur is required.

Borders valleys

The A7 and A68 provide contrasting north–south sides of the circuit.

Before you set off

Plan a long day with independent breaks and fuel. Weather can change across the higher sections; ordinary town traffic remains part of the main-road journey. Check current road closures, vehicle suitability and weather before travel. Driving time excludes stops and live traffic. The route follows through-roads; all visits off the line are independent optional detours.

Get to know the roads

Explore the drive

Pan and zoom to explore the route before you set off.

Before you head out

Frequently asked questions

A little help planning your drive.

Does the estimated driving time include stops?

The estimated 3 hr is driving time only. Allow extra time for viewpoints, breaks and visits. Live traffic, weather and road conditions can change the journey time.

Does this drive bring me back to the start?

Yes. This is a circular route that returns to the starting area. Check the mapped start and finish points when planning your journey.

Can I start somewhere else or change the stops?

Yes. Customise this route to change the start, finish or stops, or build it into a multi-day road trip. Sign in to save your own version.

Are the start and finish points parking locations?

Not necessarily. They mark the route’s driving references and are not a guarantee of parking or a suitable place to stop. Check parking arrangements separately and only stop where it is safe and permitted.

What should I know before setting off?

Read the Before you set off notes for this drive, then check current road closures and conditions. The notes highlight route-specific considerations; they are not a live road-status report.

What does Remapped approved mean?

“Remapped approved” means a route has been selected and approved by Remapped. We use a combination of driving routes ourselves, scouting locations, prior knowledge and detailed research. The mix varies by route: approval does not mean every road has been personally driven. Road-image locations are confirmed using GPS data.