Scotch Corner
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Scotch Corner (grid reference NZ214053) is an important junction of the A1 and A66 trunk roads near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. It has been described as "the modern gateway to Cumbria, the North East and Scotland".[1]
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[edit] Geography
The A1 leads north towards North East England and Scotland. The A66 leads north west towards Penrith and the M6 motorway. There are also two other exits from the junction: the A6108 towards the Yorkshire Dales and Richmond and a minor road to Middleton Tyas and Croft-on-Tees.
[edit] Etymology
The name originates from being the junction where travellers to eastern Scotland (via A1 and/or A68) are separated from travellers to western Scotland (via A66 and M6 motorway/ A74(M)/M74).
[edit] History
The route now called the A66 was once 'the winter road' from Scotch Corner to Glasgow, by way of Carlisle. 'The summer road' runs from Barnard Castle, along Teesdale to Alston, Cumbria, then through Brampton, Carlisle, Cumbria to Gretna, Scotland. Particularly for cattle droving, the shorter route was advantageous when passable. The Summer Road is one of the most spectacular routes in England.
The Romans were responsible for building the first roads to meet at this point and the site of the original junction is just a few hundred yards away from the modern day intersection. In AD 71 the Romans took control of the North when they defeated the Brigantes, a Northern Celtic tribe at the Battle of Scotch Corner.[2]
The location remained significant as a staging post with an inn, subsequently becoming a roadhouse in the early days of motorised travel. The £8 million Scotch Corner diversion opened in 1971, which created a grade separated junction on the A1.
[edit] Facilities
Scotch Corner is marked by a transport cafe, a large hotel: The Scotch Corner Hotel established in 1939 and built on the site of a mid-16th century inn, two pubs and a Moto Hospitality service station built in 1980 with an attached Travelodge motel.[3][4] The Moto offers the usual services such as Costa Coffee, Burger King. W H Smith, and an Esso filling station.[5]
[edit] Transport
Scotch Corner is one of the stops on Megabus's M20 route.
[edit] References
[edit] Location grid
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Darlington | |
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| Richmond, Barnard Castle |  |
North Yorkshire Moors | ||
 Scotch Corner  |
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| Boroughbridge, Wetherby |
[edit] External links
- Scotch Corner Page detailing the history of Scotch Corner
The Scotch Corner Hotel Website - http://www.scotchcornerhotel.com/ Coordinates: 54°26′33″N 1°40′08″W / 54.4426°N 1.6690°W
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