View source for A82 road

{{Short description|Major road in Scotland from Glasgow to Inverness}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox road
| country = GBR
| type = A
| route = 82
| image_alt = Map of the A82's route
| image_notes = The route of the A82 in Scotland. The green section is managed by [[Transport Scotland]]; the red remainder by local councils.
| length_mi = 167
| length_ref = <ref name="gmap">{{cite map|work=Google Maps|title=Google Maps : M8 J17 – Longman Roundabout, Inverness|publisher=[[Google]]|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=W+Graham+St&daddr=56.128083,-4.6542613+to:56.7299118,-5.227189+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=56.401744,-4.801025&spn=2.623473,4.938354&sll=56.491311,-4.55658&sspn=1.308566,2.469177&geocode=FSR9VAMd_Oe-_w;FVNyWAMdS_u4_ylHnOUvDQCJSDEEYrzhqxLX4w;FTehYQMdSz2w_ynRb9E4AUqJSDGnWhXyYXEm0w;FVxAbQMdOa2__w&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=9&via=1,2&t=m&z=8|access-date = 9 July 2013}}</ref>
| history = Classified as A82 in 1923<ref name="hmso"/><br />Specific sections built from 1724 – present
| terminus_a = [[Glasgow]]
| destinations = {{Flatlist|
* [[Glasgow]]
* [[Erskine Bridge]]
* [[Dumbarton]]
* [[Crianlarich]]
* [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]]
* [[Fort Augustus]]
* [[Inverness]]
}}
| terminus_b = [[Inverness]]
| junction = {{Plainlist|
* {{jct|country=GBR|M|8|dab1=Great Britain}}
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|898|name1= }} (near [[Erskine Bridge]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|83|name1= }} ([[Tarbet, Argyll|Tarbet]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|85|name1= }} ([[Crianlarich]] – [[Tyndrum]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|828|name1= }} ([[Ballachulish Bridge]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|830|name1= }} ([[Fort William, Scotland|Fort William]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|86|name1= }} ([[Spean Bridge]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|87|name1= }} ([[Invergarry]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|887|name1= }} ([[Invermoriston]])
* {{jct|country=GBR|A|9|name1= }}
}}
| previous_type = A
| previous_route = 81
| next_type = A
| next_route = 83
}}

The '''A82''' is a major road in [[Scotland]] that runs from [[Glasgow]] to [[Inverness]] via [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]]. It is one of the principal north-south routes in Scotland and is mostly a [[trunk road]] managed by [[Transport Scotland]], who view it as an important link from the [[Central Belt]] to the [[Scottish Highlands]] and beyond. The road passes close to numerous landmarks, including [[Loch Lomond]], [[Rannoch Moor]], [[Glen Coe]], the [[Ballachulish Bridge]], [[Ben Nevis]], the [[Commando Memorial]], [[Loch Ness]], and [[Urquhart Castle]].  Along with the [[A9 road (Scotland)|A9]] and the [[A90 road|A90]] it is one of the three major north–south trunk roads connecting the [[Central Belt]] to the North.

The route is derived in several places from the [[Old military roads of Scotland|military roads]] constructed through the Highlands by [[George Wade|General George Wade]] and [[William Caulfeild (British Army officer)|Major William Caulfeild]] in the 18th century, along with later roads constructed by [[Thomas Telford]] in the 19th. The modern route is based on that designed by Telford, but with a number of improvements primarily dating from the 1920s and 30s. These include a diversion across Rannoch Moor, and another around [[Loch Leven (Highlands)|Loch Leven]] which was subsequently replaced by the Ballachulish Bridge.

Several travel guides have praised individual parts of the road, such as the section from [[Tyndrum]] to [[Glencoe, Highland|Glencoe]] across Rannoch Moor, as providing memorable driving experiences. Tourists find the A82 a popular route because of its scenery, and it serves as a main artery for commercial and heavy goods traffic. Transport Scotland have publicly declared a commitment to improve congestion and safety along the road. Some sections are occasionally closed for maintenance, which has resulted in strong protest from the local community, and the road has been criticised for its poor accident record.

== Route ==
[[File:Road signs in Crianlarich - geograph.org.uk - 936083.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Road signs in Crianlarich|A set of bilingual signs on the A82 in [[Crianlarich]]]]
At {{convert|167|mi|km}},<ref name="gmap"/> the A82 is the second longest A-road in Scotland, after the [[A9 road (Great Britain)|A9]], and has been described as the "slower but more scenic route" of the two.{{sfn|Olson|Brewer|Strachan|Shelby|2012|p=262}} Initial sections of the road were built by [[George Wade|General George Wade]] from 1724 onwards, though much of the current route was constructed by [[Thomas Telford]] in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://her.highland.gov.uk/hbsmrgatewayhighland/DataFiles/LibraryLinkFiles/94689.pdf|title=Kingshouse-Altnafeadh military road: watching brief|page=1|publisher=Highland Council|access-date=7 September 2017|archive-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907213726/http://her.highland.gov.uk/hbsmrgatewayhighland/DataFiles/LibraryLinkFiles/94689.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Hadfield|1993|p=140}}

The A82 was one of the first trunk roads, which were created in 1936, and has historically been described in official government documentation as part of the "London – Carlisle – Glasgow – Inverness Trunk Road" in which the [[A6 road (England)|A6]] and [[A74 road|A74]] made up the rest of the route.<ref name="MT39-246">{{cite report|title=Renumbering of Classified Routes|publisher=The National Archives|id=MT 39/246|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details/AssetMain?iaid=C3543658|date=1933–1942}}</ref> On 1 April 1996, however, the section from Glasgow to the Dalnottar Interchange with the [[A898 road|A898]] was detrunked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislation.data.gov.uk/uksi/1995/1476/made/data.htm?wrap=true|title=Statutory Instruments 1995 No. 1476 (S.107)|publisher=HM Government|date=8 June 1995|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> The main length of the A82, as managed by [[Transport Scotland]], is now described in statutory instruments and orders as the "Dalnottar – Inverness Trunk Road".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trafficscotland.org/about/|title=Traffic Scotland : About Us|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> From Glasgow to Dalnottar, the route is now the responsibility of [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Glasgow City Council]] and [[West Dunbartonshire|West Dunbartonshire Council]] in their respective areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewSelectedDocument.asp?c=P62AFQDXZLT1Z3DN|title=West Dunbartonshire Council – Improvements to A82|publisher=Glasgow City Council|date=8 January 2010|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827213318/http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewSelectedDocument.asp?c=P62AFQDXZLT1Z3DN|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The A82 runs through some of the [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic-speaking]] areas in Scotland, known as the [[Gàidhealtachd]]. In 2003, the Scottish Government announced that it would install [[Gaelic road signs in Scotland|bilingual signs]] on a number of trunk roads, including the A82 from Tarbet to Inverness. [[Minister for Transport and the Islands|Transport Minister]] [[Lewis Macdonald]] hoped that the signs would improve the tourism experience in the Highlands, as well as improve awareness of Scottish Gaelic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2003/01/2947|title=Bilingual road signs rolled out|publisher=Scottish Government|date=20 January 2003|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

=== St George's Cross – Alexandria ===
[[File:Great Western Road, Glasgow (A82) - geograph.org.uk - 1769095.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Great Western Road, Glasgow|A82 Great Western Road, Glasgow – a key transport corridor towards [[Dumbarton]]. Two sections were constructed – the first in the early 19th century, the second in the 1920s.]]
The A82 begins in the [[St George's Cross, Glasgow|St George's Cross]] area of central Glasgow, at a junction with the [[M8 motorway (Scotland)|M8]] and the [[A804 road|A804]]. From here, it heads in a northwest direction along the Great Western Road for {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} towards [[Anniesland Cross]] and passes a number of the city's terraces, including [[Alexander Thomson|Alexander "Greek" Thomson]]'s Great Western Terrace, constructed in 1867,{{sfn|McFadzean|1979|p=276}} and [[One Devonshire Gardens|Devonshire Terrace]]{{sfn|Miers|2006|p=185}} before widening to [[dual carriageway]] at [[Kelvinside]].<ref>{{cite map|title=Landranger Series of Great Britain|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|scale=1:50 000|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=55.88466,-4.31071&map=OSMap&zoom=9&layer=0|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> The road here was originally built as a [[Toll road|turnpike road]] in 1816 and widened to its current state in the early 1970s. All the trees along the route were preserved owing to environmental concerns. The Great Western Road has been described by [[Tam Galbraith]] as "the most noble entry to any city in Europe."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish-places.info/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1454.html|title=Great Western Road|publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland|year=2013|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="galbraith">{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1971/may/05/passenger-transport-authority-glasgow#S5CV0816P0_19710505_HOC_177|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|title=Passenger transport authority : Glasgow|last=Galbraith|first=Tam|author-link=Tam Galbraith|date=5 May 1971|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

The road continues beyond Anniesland Cross as an extension of the Great Western Road, which was constructed between 1922 and 1924,{{sfn|Dilke|Templeton|1959|p=248}} making it easier to widen to dual carriageway in the 1970s than the earlier 19th century section.<ref name="galbraith"/> It approaches a freeflow junction with the [[A898 road|A898]] from [[Erskine Bridge]] and becomes a high quality dual carriageway route through [[Dumbarton]] before running to the west of [[Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire|Alexandria]] and [[Bonhill]] on a bypass constructed in the late 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1968/may/01/a82-trunk-road-alexandria-bypass#S5CV0763P0_19680501_CWA_129|title=A82 Trunk Road (Alexandria Bypass)|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|last=Ross|first=William|date=1 May 1968|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> This dual carriageway ends at the Balloch Roundabout near the western shore of [[Loch Lomond]], where the road enters the [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]].<ref>{{cite map|url=https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=55.99784,-4.60324&map=OSMap&zoom=7&layer=0|title=Loch Lomond & Inverary|publisher=Ordnance Survey|series=Landranger|scale=1:50 000|id=56|year=2015}}</ref>

=== Alexandria – Crianlarich ===
[[File:Cycle path near Inverbeg - geograph.org.uk - 1659205.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Cycle path near Inverbeg|A former section of the A82 next to [[Loch Lomond]], which is now a layby. The road was extensively rerouted and widened in the 1980s.]]
The A82 follows the Luss Road along the western shores of the loch, through [[Arden, Argyll|Arden]] to [[Luss]]. Toward [[Crianlarich]], it follows the general route of the Old Military Road{{sfn|Taylor|1996|p=142}} that runs along the shoreline in several places, but it generally keeps some distance to the west. Much of this section of the road was widened to a high quality single carriageway standard over the 1980s, at an estimated cost of £24 million (£{{inflation|UK|24|1983}} million as of {{inflation-year|UK}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1983/jul/06/a82-loch-lomond#S6CV0045P0_19830706_CWA_229|title=A82 (Loch Lomond)|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|last=Ancram|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Ancram|date=6 July 1983|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>
while Luss itself is now bypassed to the west of the village along a single carriageway bypass constructed between 1990 and 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1990/jun/20/roads#S6CV0174P0_19900620_CWA_494|title=Roads|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|last=Douglas-Hamilton|first=James|author-link=James Douglas-Hamilton, Baron Selkirk of Douglas|date=20 June 1990|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1994/feb/01/trunk-roads#S6CV0236P0_19940201_CWA_525|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|title=Trunk Roads|last=Douglas-Hamilton|first=James|author-link=James Douglas-Hamilton, Baron Selkirk of Douglas|date=1 February 1994|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

At [[Tarbet, Argyll|Tarbet]], the [[A83 road|A83]] branches west to [[Campbeltown]] while the A82 continues to the north end of the loch. This part of the road is currently of a lower standard than the sections further south. It is sandwiched between the shoreline of the loch and the mountains to the west, and it runs generally alongside the [[West Highland Line]]. The road narrows to less than {{convert|7.3|m|ft}} in places and causes significant problems for [[Large goods vehicle|heavy goods vehicles]] (HGVs), which have to negotiate tight bends and the narrow carriageway width.<ref name="ts13013a"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caledonian-couriers.co.uk/scotlands-7-most-dangerous-roads/|title=Scotland's 7 Most Dangerous Roads|publisher=Caledonian Couriers|date=28 May 2014|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827214628/http://www.caledonian-couriers.co.uk/scotlands-7-most-dangerous-roads/|url-status=dead}}</ref> At Pulpit rock, the road was [[single-track road|single-track]], with traffic flow controlled by traffic lights for over 30 years. The road was widened in 2015 as part of a £9 million improvement programme, including a new [[viaduct]] bringing the carriageway width to modern standards.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring/new-9million-viaduct-a82-pulpit-5700410|title=New £9million viaduct on A82 at Pulpit Rock is an amazing feat of engineering|newspaper=Daily Record|date=15 May 2015|access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>

The north end of the loch is at [[Ardlui]], after which the A82 continues to follow the Highland Line along [[Glen Falloch]], a typical [[glacial valley]], towards [[Crianlarich]]. The road runs to the west of Crianlarich village itself on a {{convert|1.3|km|miles|disp=flip|adj=on}} bypass completed in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/trunk-road-projects/a82-crianlarich-bypass?combine=Crianlarich&field_status_tid=All&=Apply|title=A82 Crianlarich Bypass|publisher=[[Transport Scotland]]|access-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925050545/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/trunk-road-projects/a82-crianlarich-bypass?combine=Crianlarich&field_status_tid=All&=Apply|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Crianlarich – Glencoe ===
[[File:Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum - geograph.org.uk - 1392579.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum|The Real Food Cafe, just off the A82 in [[Tyndrum]]]]
The A82 and A85 share the same route for {{convert|5|miles|km}} between Crianlarich and [[Tyndrum]]. Although Crianlarich has a larger community, Tyndrum is equally well catered for motorists, particularly HGV drivers, and contains the Real Food Cafe, a [[transport cafe]] that stays open until 10&nbsp;p.m.{{sfn|Humphreys|Reid|2011|pp=278–279}} The cafe caters not only to motorists but also to walkers along the West Highland Way.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/tam-cowan-restaurant-review-real-1792296|title=Tam Cowan's restaurant review: The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum, Perthshire|last=Cowan|first=Tam|newspaper=Daily Record|date=30 March 2013|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref>

[[File:A82 Through Glen Coe - geograph.org.uk - 309846.jpg|thumb|alt=A82 passing through Glen Coe|The A82 passing through [[Glen Coe]]]]
The A82 enters bleak moorland at the western fringes of [[Rannoch Moor]], to the north of Tyndrum.{{sfn|Taylor|1996|p=70}} The road climbs across the moor and reaches a peak height of {{convert|348|m|ft}} near Beinn Chaorach, the highest overall point on the A82.<ref>{{cite map|title=Landranger Series of Great Britain|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=56.62755,-4.77048&map=OSMap&zoom=8&layer=0|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|series=Landranger series of Great Britain|scale=1:50 000|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> It meets the old Military Road near the Kingshouse Hotel next to the [[River Etive]], and the road turns westward past [[Buachaille Etive Mòr]] down [[Glen Coe]] towards [[Glencoe, Highland|Glencoe village]].<ref name="grauniad"/> This section of the A82 has been said to contain some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Simon Warren described it as "the most beautiful and spectacular location in the whole of Britain",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/jul/13/top-10-uk-cycle-climbs|title=Britain's top 10 cycle climbs|last=Warren|first=Simon|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 July 2012|access-date=15 July 2013}}</ref> though recent concern has been raised over the proliferation of tourist traffic. Coaches and HGVs in particular have caused significant problems with congestion.{{sfn|Mitchell|2012|p=137}} The road descends the Pass of Glen Coe and crosses the scenic waterfalls at the Meeting of the Three Waters. This section was the location for several outdoor shots in ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'', including the "Gorge of Eternal Peril" scene.{{sfn|Larsen|2008|pp=348, 356}} Near the waterfalls is a footpath up to Coire Gabhall, the "lost valley" of Glencoe, where the [[MacDonald of Glencoe|Clan Donald]] hid stolen cattle.<ref name="grauniad"/>

The modern A82 splits from Telford's route just before the [[Clachaig Inn]], a popular location for tourists due to its proximity to the site of the [[Massacre of Glencoe]], as noted by a sign in the reception that reads, "No hawkers or [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]]".<ref name="grauniad">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2000/nov/18/walkingholidays.unitedkingdom|title=Monarch of the glens|last=Smith|first=Roly|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 November 2000|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> The A82 runs to the west of the [[River Coe]] and passes the modern visitors' centre before Glencoe village itself.{{sfn|Steves|2012|p=190}}

=== Glencoe – Fort William ===
[[File:Ballachulish, above Ballachulish Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 922007.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Ballachulish Bridge|The [[Ballachulish Bridge]], where the A82 crosses the mouth of [[Loch Leven (Highlands)|Loch Leven]]]]
The A82 continues along the south shore of [[Loch Leven (Highlands)|Loch Leven]] beyond Glencoe and bypasses [[Ballachulish]] to cross the mouth of the loch via the [[Ballachulish Bridge]]. This bridge had been proposed since the mid-1960s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1965/feb/04/bridge-ballachulish#S5CV0705P0_19650204_CWA_201|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|title=Bridge, Ballachulish|last=Ross|first=William|date=4 February 1965|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> and construction began in late 1972 at an estimated cost of £2m (£{{inflation|UK|2|1975}} million as of {{inflation-year|UK}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1972/may/09/dornoch-firth-bridge#S5CV0836P0_19720509_HOC_493|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|title=Dornoch Firth Bridge|last=Younger|first=George|date=9 May 1972|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=strabolgi>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1975/nov/07/ballachulish-bridge|title=Ballachulish Bridge|author=Baron Strabolgi|author-link=David Kenworthy, 11th Baron Strabolgi|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=7 November 1975|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> An arch bridge had been the suggested design, but an asymmetrical [[Truss bridge|N-truss bridge]] was built instead.<ref name="rcahms">{{cite web|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/76815/details/ballachulish+bridge/|title=Ballachulish Bridge|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|access-date=9 July 2013|archive-date=10 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210200825/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/76815/details/ballachulish%20bridge/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A bearing failure on one of the supports caused delays while the rest of the structure was examined to confirm its safety, and it eventually opened in December 1975.<ref name=strabolgi/>{{sfn|Mitchell|1977|p=82}} It contains individual spans of {{convert|95|ft|m|disp=flip}}, {{convert|600|ft|m|disp=flip}} and {{convert|269|ft|m|disp=flip}} from south to north.<ref name="rcahms"/>

At a [[roundabout]], prior to the rise towards the bridge, the [[A828 road|A828]] continues south around the coast towards [[Connel]] and [[Oban]]. Just behind and to the left of the A82, as it commences to cross the bridge, is a monument to the [[Appin Murder]] that reads, "''Erected in 1911 to the memory of James Stewart of Acharn, or James of the Glen, executed on this spot Nov. 8, 1752, for a crime of which he was not guilty.''"{{sfn|Miers|2006|pp=106–107}}

After passing through North Ballachulish and Onich the A82 turns to run northward along the [[Great Glen]], which it continues to do for the remainder of the route up to Inverness. It passes the A861 to the [[Corran Ferry]] over to Ardnamurchan in the west. The road here, as it was previously along Loch Lomond, is tightly situated between [[Loch Linnhe]] and the mountains up to [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]], which is located about {{convert|7|miles|km}} from the Corran narrows. Various hotels and [[bed and breakfast]]s are situated along the road approaching Fort William, indicating the area's esteem of tourism.{{sfn|Miers|2006|pp=106–107}}

The route of the old military road (from King's House/Altnafeadh on Rannoch Moor via Kinlochleven) rejoins the route of the modern A82, at the West End roundabout, just before the High Street in the town centre. The road follows a brief dual carriageway bypass along the shoreline of the loch before passing the [[Fort William railway station|modern station]]. A branch road runs east through [[Glen Nevis]] to [[Ben Nevis]], while the A82 turns to cross the [[River Nevis]]. To the north of town the [[A830 road|A830]] "Road to the Isles" runs west to Glenfinnan and [[Mallaig]].<ref>{{cite map|title=Ben Nevis : Fort William and Glen Coe|publisher=Ordnance Survey|id=41|scale=1:50 000|series=Landranger|year=2015}}</ref>

=== Fort William – Inverness ===
[[File:Rainbow Warriors (2) - Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 967265.jpg|thumb|alt=Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge|The [[Commando Memorial]] at [[Spean Bridge]], with the A82 in the background]]
North of Fort Willam, the A82 runs alongside the [[West Highland Railway]] through [[Leanachan Forest]] towards [[Spean Bridge]]. It crosses the River Spean at a bridge constructed by Telford in 1819, but the village is named for the earlier "High Bridge"' constructed in 1735–36 by [[General George Wade|George Wade]] about {{convert|0.5|miles|km}} to the west.{{sfn|Castle|2011|p=63}} There is a junction with the [[A86 road|A86]], which runs eastwards towards Newtonmore and the [[Cairngorms]]. The [[Commando Memorial]], a {{convert|17|ft|m|disp=flip|adj=on}} high structure dedicated to the original Commandos in [[World War II]], who used the local area as a training ground, is located just north of the village at a junction with the B8004 to [[Gairlochy]]. This memorial provides one of the best viewpoints of the Highlands that is close to the A82.{{sfn|Castle|2011|p=63}}

The A82 then follows the eastern shore of [[Loch Lochy]] up to [[Laggan, Great Glen|Laggan]]. The village has no clearly defined centre but broadly follows the course of the A82 over {{convert|2|km|miles|disp=flip}}, from the Laggan Locks on the [[Caledonian Canal]] to the swing bridge that separates the canal from [[Loch Oich]]. This bridge is close to the "Well of the Seven Heads" monument, which allegedly contains the heads of seven men involved in the murder of Alexander MacDonald, Chief of Keppoch, and his brother, on 25 September 1663.{{sfn|Dillon|2011|pp=128–129}}

[[File:Rotating bridge, Fort Augustus (geograph 3572028).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Swing bridge at Fort Augustus, from the A82|The swing bridge over the [[Caledonian Canal]] at [[Fort Augustus]], on the southern edge of [[Loch Ness]]]]
The A82 runs towards the centre of Loch Oich, passes [[Invergarry Castle]], and crosses the [[River Garry, Inverness-shire|River Garry]]. Just after the bridge, the [[A87 road|A87]] heads west towards [[Skye]], while the A82 continues along the western shore of the loch up to the Bridge of Oich at its northern end. This bridge was constructed in 1932, bypassing the [[Bridge of Oich|1850s Bridge of Oich]], a [[Taper Suspension Bridge]] built by [[James Dredge, Sr.|James Dredge]].{{sfn|Dillon|2011|p=126}} The A82 continues along the general line of Wade's Military Road up to [[Fort Augustus]], crossing the canal at a swing bridge next to the locks in the village.{{sfn|Dillon|2011|p=123}}

The final {{convert|58|km|miles|disp=flip}} from Fort Augustus to [[Inverness]] is mostly on the alignment of Telford's Road, running along the western shore of [[Loch Ness]].{{sfn|Lonely Planet|2013|p=1996}}{{sfn|Porter|Prince|2008|p=337}} This is on the opposite side of the loch to Wade's Military Road, because Telford wanted to connect the various communities along the western shore. Construction of the road started in 1805{{sfn|Dillon|2011|p=118}} but was delayed in 1807, when the building contractors abandoned the work with seven bridges yet to be completed.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cTFbAAAAQAAJ&q=telford+road+Loch+Ness+1808&pg=PA11|title=Fourth Report of the Commissioners for Road and Bridges in the Highlands of Scotland|publisher=House of Commons|year=1809|page=10|access-date=11 July 2013}}</ref> It was mostly complete by 1809 at an estimated cost of £5,800 (£{{inflation|UK|5800|1809|fmt=c|r=-3}} as of {{inflation-year|UK}}).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/photograph_zoom.jsp?item_id=14445&zoom=3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130711085657/http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/photograph_zoom.jsp?item_id=14445&zoom=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 July 2013|title=Fifth Report of the Commissioners for Roads and Bridges in the Highlands of Scotland|publisher=House of Commons|page=10|date=11 April 1811|access-date=11 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/photograph_zoom.jsp?item_id=14482&zoom=3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130711085632/http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/photograph_zoom.jsp?item_id=14482&zoom=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 July 2013|title=Sixth Report of the Commissioners for Roads and Bridges in the Highlands of Scotland|publisher=House of Commons|date=24 February 1813|access-date=11 July 2013|quote="The Invermorrison{{sic}} Road ... was originally estimated at nearly Four Thousand Eight Hundred Pounds ... The continuation of the Invermorrison{{sic}} Road to Fort-Augustus (thus completing the full length of Loch-Ness) ... price was Six Hundred Pounds, to which we found reason to add upon successive Estimates Four Hundred Pounds"|pages=12–13}}</ref>

Because the A82 is a main through route, tourists are suggested to use the older Military Road instead, so as to avoid the coach and HGV traffic.{{sfn|Mitchell|2012|p=151}} Cyclists and walkers can use the [[Great Glen Way]] between Fort Wiilam and Inverness. This is part of [[National Cycle Route 78]] (The Caledonia Way) from Campbeltown to Inverness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-78|title=Route 78 – The Caledonia Way|publisher=Sustrans|access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Loch Ness Urquhart Bay geograph-3208002-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|300px|alt=Loch Ness Urquhart Bay|The A82 near [[Urquhart Castle]], with [[Loch Ness]] in the background]]
There is a short diversion from the loch at [[Invermoriston]], where the A82 crosses the River Moriston and the [[A887 road|A887]] provides another route back to the A87 and Skye. Telford's original stone bridge over the river, constructed in 1813, was replaced by a more modern structure as part of an overall improvement to the A82 undertaken in the 1930s.{{sfn|Lonely Planet|2013|p=1996}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Scottish Road Improvements|newspaper=The Times|location=London, England|date=10 October 1935|page=11|access-date=28 August 2017|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS185675082&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Between Invermoriston and [[Drumnadrochit]], there is a roadside memorial to [[John Cobb (racing driver)|John Cobb]], who was killed on the loch attempting to beat the water speed record.{{sfn|Hogg|Hogg|2007|p=17}} As the A82 approaches Drumnadrochit, it passes [[Urquhart Castle]] before turning inland, away from the loch shore, to approach the village.<ref name=os_26>{{cite map|title=Inverness and Loch Ness|publisher=Ordnance Survey|scale=1:50 000|series=Landranger|year=2015|id=26}}</ref>

The A82 continues at the north end of the loch, along the western edge of the [[River Ness]], which runs parallel alongside the canal towards Inverness city centre. Immediately after entering the urban area, the road crosses the canal at the Tomnahurich Swing Bridge.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Swing-bridge-jammed-open-at-Tomnahurich-0807201.htm|title=Traffic eases as swing bridge fixed at Tomnahurich|newspaper=Inverness Courier|date=8 July 2013|access-date=13 July 2013|archive-date=12 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712055908/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Swing-bridge-jammed-open-at-Tomnahurich-0807201.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Now inside Inverness, the road passes Queen's Park stadium and heads towards the city centre. It crosses the Ness at the Friar's Bridge, bypassing the city centre to pass through the docklands and associated industrial estates as an urban dual carriageway. The road ends at a roundabout with the [[A9 road (Great Britain)|A9]] just south of [[Kessock Bridge]].<ref name=os_26/>

==History==
The original route of the A82 as classified in 1923 was described as "Glasgow – Clydebank – Dumbarton – Alexandria – Crianlarich – Ballachulish – Fort William – Fort Augustus – Inverness"<ref name="hmso">{{cite book|title=List of class I and class II roads and numbers|author=Ministry of Transport (Roads Department)|publisher=HMSO|year=1923|page=63}}</ref> and closely follows the route as designed by Telford. With only a few exceptions, the basic route has remained unchanged.<ref>{{cite map|url=http://maps.nls.uk/atlas/thomson/index.html|title=John Thomson's Atlas of Scotland|year=1832|access-date=10 July 2013|at=Compare with a modern map to verify similarities}}</ref> The renovations of the early 20th century were part of a wider road building programme (an economic stimulus) after the Great Depression.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The modern road|url=https://www.roads.org.uk/articles/three-generations-a82/modern-road|access-date=2020-12-26|website=Roads.org.uk|language=en}}</ref>

===Glasgow===
[[File:Great Western Road from the air (geograph 5599799).jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of the post-1930s A82 Great Western Road as a municipal boundary: [[Drumry]] ([[West Dunbartonshire]]) lies to the south / left of image, [[Drumchapel]] ([[Glasgow City (council area)|Glasgow City]]) to the north / right]] 
The original starting point of the A82 in Glasgow was at Trongate. It proceeded to run westwards along Argyle Street and Dumbarton Road to Dumbarton via [[Clydebank]].<ref>{{cite map|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=55.85674,-4.24412&map=NPEMap&zoom=13&layer=4&markers=55.85689,-4.24412|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|series=Ministry of Transport Road Map|scale=Half inch / mile|year=1923|at=Sheet 26|title=Glasgow and Firth of Clyde}}</ref> On 16 May 1934, the road was rerouted to run along [[Buchanan Street]], New City Road and Great Western Road, whose westward extension from Anniesland Cross had been recently completed.<ref name="MT39-246"/> The route between Glasgow and Dumbarton (bypassing Clydebank via [[Duntocher]]), has since broadly remained the same, aside from the declassification of the route to the south of the [[M8 motorway (Scotland)|M8]] when that motorway was constructed.<ref>{{cite map|url=https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=55.90854,-4.40674&map=NPEMap&zoom=13&layer=1|title=Glasgow|publisher=Ordnance Survey|series=Seventh Series|scale=1 inch / mile|id=60|at=Compare with contemporary mapping to see the difference}}</ref>

===Rannoch Moor===
[[File:Ballachulish Ferry Hotels, James Valentine photograph c. 1870.png|thumb|alt=Ballachulish Ferry Hotels c. 1870|The ferry at Ballachulish (''pictured around 1870'') that the bridge replaced – part of the original line of the A82]]
The A82 between Crianlarich and Glencoe over Rannoch Moor has an extensive history. A route through the moor was followed by [[William Caulfeild (British Army officer)|Major William Caulfeild]], and a later route was constructed by Telford. The current alignment was constructed because Telford's road had continual problems with the loch flooding. Telford himself had proposed a completely alternative route, running to [[Spean Bridge]] via [[Loch Treig]] and [[Glen Spean]]. His plans were never implemented, though that route eventually formed part of the West Highland Railway.{{sfn|Taylor|1996|p=70}}

The current alignment began construction in 1927, and included a general widening of the carriageway from Tyndrum to Glencoe to {{convert|18|feet}}. Work was delayed following a disagreement with the Scottish [[Department for Transport|Ministry of Transport]] and local councils over funding. It was eventually completed in 1933 and cost £500,000 (£{{inflation|UK|500000|1927|fmt=c|r=-3}} in {{inflation-year|UK}}).<ref>{{cite news|first=Wilfred|last=Ashley|author-link=Wilfrid Ashley, 1st Baron Mount Temple|title=The New Roads|newspaper=The Times|location=London, England|date=29 October 1927|page=13|access-date=28 August 2017|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS219225437&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A Climb at Glencoe|newspaper=The Times|location=London, England|date=7 February 1934|page=15|access-date=28 August 2017|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS253176391&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The 1930s road follows Telford's road as far as [[Bridge of Orchy]], then runs to the east of [[Loch Tulla]], while the old road runs to the other side.<ref>{{cite map|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=56.54049,-4.78525&map=NPEMap&zoom=11&layer=5|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|title=Ten Mile Road Map of Great Britain|scale=10 miles / inch|year=1932|at=Sheet 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite map|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=56.54049,-4.78525&map=NPEMap&zoom=11&layer=5|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|title=Ten Mile Road Map of Great Britain|scale=10 miles / inch|year=1939|at=Sheet 1}}</ref> The project was criticised over spoiling the natural beauty of Glen Coe, but was defended by the Ministry of Transport who thought it would provide better transport links to Argyllshire and Inverness-shire.<ref>{{cite news|last=Maxwell|first=John Stirling|title=The Glencoe|newspaper=The Times|location=London, England|date=4 November 1927|page=10|access-date=28 August 2017|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS168107364&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Kinlochleven===
[[File:B863 on South Side of Loch Leven - geograph.org.uk - 21968.jpg|thumb|left|alt=South Side of Loch Leven|The A82 ran along the extent of [[Loch Leven (Highlands)|Loch Leven]] from the 1930s to the 1970s. The road here is now the B863.]]
The original route of the A82 crossed Loch Leven at the Ballachulish Ferry, in a similar location to today's bridge, but there was then no through route around the loch.<ref>{{cite map|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=56.68811,-5.19314&map=NPEMap&zoom=13&layer=4|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|series=Ministry of Transport Road Map|scale=Half inch / mile|year=1923|at=Sheet 18|title=Ben Nevis}}</ref> However, the development of the aluminium works at [[Kinlochleven]] and the construction of the Blackwater Dam in 1907{{sfn|Gray|Moffat|1989|p=33}} resulted in the construction of a new road around the full extent of the loch, from Glencoe to North Ballachulish, by the 1930s. On 16 May 1934, the Ministry of Transport announced they would divert the A82 along this road, principally because it was an all-day route while the ferry at that time closed daily between 8&nbsp;p.m. and 8&nbsp;a.m. and cost up to five [[shilling (British coin)|shillings]] to use.<ref name="MT39-246"/> It continued to follow the route via Kinlochleven until the opening of the Ballachulish Bridge. The Kinlochleven road is now the B863, but still remains an important local road since the town reinvented itself as a tourist destination following the close of the smelter works in 2000.{{sfn|Townsend|2011|p=187}} The Ballachulish bridge saves a {{convert|16|miles|km|adj=on}} round trip.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Road Way|publisher=Road Haulage Association|year=1975|page=25}}</ref>

===Inverness===
The A82 originally ended on the A9 to the west of the Ness Bridge near Inverness city centre.<ref>{{cite map|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/index.php?view=57.47586,-4.23415&map=NPEMap&zoom=13&layer=4&markers=57.47655,-4.23106|publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|title=Inverness and Nairn|scale=Half inch / mile|series=Ministry of Transport Road Map|at=Sheet 9 |year=1923|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> The current diversion over the Friars Bridge towards the modern A9 opened in 1986,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-264000-843000/picture/3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314133719/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-264000-843000/picture/3|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2012|author=BBC|author-link=BBC|title=Domesday Reloaded : Friar Bridge Redevelopment|year=1986|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> in co-ordination with the redevelopment and extension of Inverness docks in the early 1980s and the rerouting of the A9 onto the Kessock Bridge.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FPAaAQAAIAAJ&q=inverness+dock+redevelopment|title=The Dock and Harbour Authority|volume=63|page=251|publisher=Foxlow Publications, Limited|year=1982}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-19988892 |title=Kessock Bridge roadworks: £1.8m plan to ease disruption |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=18 October 2012 |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

==Economic importance==
[[File:Keith Brown (Scottish politician).jpg|thumb|alt=Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Former Scottish Transport Minister [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]] has described the A82 as a "vital economic and social lifeline"<ref name="bbc20130521">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-22610221|title=Improvement work to start on A82 at Crianlarich|date=21 May 2013|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref>]]
The Scottish Government have said that the A82 is "a vital artery for communities in the western Highlands and links Fort William, the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] and the [[Western Isles]] with Glasgow and the [[Central Belt]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/A82-Improvements|title=A82 Improvements|publisher=[[Transport Scotland]]|access-date=8 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606210214/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/a82-improvements|archive-date=6 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) believe the economic benefits of the A82 extend far beyond its basic route, as it connects with several other trunk roads to the Western Highlands and related islands, including all of the Western Isles and the [[Isle of Skye]]. The population of the area served around the A82 corridor is expected to decline from 78,900 in 2001 to 72,300 by 2018, with the vast majority of depopulation to occur in the Western Isles.{{sfn|HITRANS|2005|pp=1–2}}

HITRANS believe investment in the A82 is therefore vitally important to improve the accessibility of these areas and stop the continuing population decline.{{sfn|HITRANS|2005|p=2}} They have said that improvements to the A9 in the 1970s stimulated the economy of Inverness: "Without the improved access as a result of the A9 improvement, this would almost certainly not have been possible."{{sfn|HITRANS|2005|p=7}} The partnership believe that with comparable improvements to the A82, an additional income of £76 million could be generated in the area.{{sfn|HITRANS|2005|p=5}} Former Scottish [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Alex Salmond]] stated whilst in office that the government is "committed to improving the A82", and he allocated £500,000 in June 2011 to study key areas where the route could be improved.<ref name="collins"/> Scottish Transport Minister [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]] called the A82 a "vital economic and social lifeline".<ref name="bbc20130521"/>

==Maintenance and improvements==
[[File:Village hall, Onich - geograph.org.uk - 1527183.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Village hall, Onich|The A82 at [[Onich]] has been closed overnight for resurfacing on several occasions, resulting in strong protest from the local community.]]
The A82, along with the A9, has been frequently regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland. HITRANS have said that "of the {{convert|147|miles|km}} between Balloch and Inverness, only {{convert|42|miles|km}} can be considered to be of a functional standard."{{sfn|HITRANS|2005|p=1}} A campaign group, the A82 Partnership, has been set up to encourage the Scottish Government to continue to make improvements to the route.<ref name="collins"/> In 2002, the A82 between Tarbet and Tyndrum was listed as the third most dangerous Scottish road in an [[The Automobile Association|AA]] study. The Scottish executive debunked the report as "misleading".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1824466.stm|title=Danger road report 'misleading'|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=18 February 2002|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> A further study listed in the 2012 ''Collins Big Road Atlas'' did not list the A82 as one of the most at risk to safety.<ref name="collins">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14590493|title=Collins atlas rates five Scottish A roads 'high risk'|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=19 August 2011|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> In 2017, [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] [[David Stewart (Scottish politician)|David Stewart]] criticised the A82's safety record in Inverness after a man was killed after being hit by a car on the road.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39290344|title=MSP calls for road safety improvements on A82 in Inverness|work=BBC News|date=16 March 2017|access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>

The A82 around Loch Lomond has become increasingly congested as the loch has become more popular with tourists for boating, particularly since restrictions were put in place in the [[Lake District]], coincident with improvements to routes leading to the Loch from the south. On regular occasions, the road is completely congested from Luss to the Balloch roundabout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1996/feb/13/national-parks-scotland#S6CV0271P0_19960213_HOC_142|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|title=National Parks (Scotland)|last=Galbraith|first=Sam|date=13 February 1996|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> The section from Tarbet to Crianlarich, north of the section improved in the 1980s and 90s, was frequently closed overnight during September 2012, because the carriageway had become worn out and needed urgent repair, including failed surfacing and potholes. Because of the narrow width of the road, it was not possible to simply close the road in one direction at a time with temporary traffic signals, as is the general procedure elsewhere on Britain's road network. [[Transport Scotland]] justified these works by saying that only 5% of traffic used the road between 10&nbsp;pm and 6&nbsp;am, when the works were planned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/maintenance/prioritising-and-maintaining/prioritising-road-maintenance/A82-Tarbet-Crianlarich|title=A82 Tarbet to Crianlarich maintenance works – Q&A|publisher=[[Transport Scotland]]|access-date=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509000518/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/maintenance/prioritising-and-maintaining/prioritising-road-maintenance/A82-Tarbet-Crianlarich|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The official diversion route from Tarbet to Crianlarich is via the A83, A819 and A85,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/06/23/461756-pulpit-rock-work-to-take-11-months|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130710025858/http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/06/23/461756-pulpit-rock-work-to-take-11-months|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 July 2013|title=Pulpit Rock work to take 11 months|publisher=Dumbarton Reporter|date=18 June 2013|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> a detour of approximately {{convert|30|miles|km}}.<ref name="ts13013a">{{cite web|url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j13013a-00.htm|title=A82 Pulpit Rock Improvement Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary|publisher=[[Transport Scotland]]|date=23 September 2010|access-date=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208005136/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j13013a-00.htm|archive-date=8 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Because most of the A82 is single carriageway, and the local geography means a detour can be a significant distance, there is a history of strong protest about closing the road. In August 2011, John Grieve, owner of Lochleven Shellfish Company, attempted to challenge Transport Scotland's plans to close the A82 overnight five days a week, for a period of up to three weeks, around the village of Onich, between Glencoe and Fort William.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14417275|title=A82 works closure challenged by Lochaber businessman|work=BBC News|date=5 August 2011|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> The ''Scottish Herald'' reported that, if the road closed, a journey from Oban to Fort William, normally {{convert|44|miles|km}}, would require diverting via [[Loch Tay]] and [[Ballinluig]], a journey of {{convert|166|miles|km}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-press-and-journal-highlands-islands/20110923/281556582561540|title=Road closures avoid school holiday clash|work=Highlands and Islands Press Journal|date=23 September 2011|access-date=30 August 2017}}</ref> In April 2013, Transport Scotland announced further plans to close the A82 at Onich for resurfacing, but they postponed the work due to an adverse reaction from local business owners.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.obantimes.co.uk/2013/04/10/onich-a82-work-postponed-to-2014/|title=Onich A82 work postponed to 2014|newspaper=The Oban Times|date=10 April 2013|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> In 2015, a section of the A82 between Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit closed following a rockfall, requiring an official detour of {{convert|120|miles}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-31868760|title=A82 between Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit to stay shut|work=BBC News|date=13 March 2015|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref>

Along with several other roads in the Highlands, the A82 between Tyndrum and Glencoe has been installed with permanent gates that are closed in the event of severe weather.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16382971|title=Snow causes road problems in parts of Scotland|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=2 January 2012|access-date=15 July 2013}}</ref> These gates are now fitted with fibre-optic illuminated signs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/roadsandtransport/streetlighting/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925222120/http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/roadsandtransport/streetlighting/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2006|title=Street Lighting|publisher=The Highland Council|access-date=15 July 2013}}</ref> The road has been identified as one of several trunk roads in the Highlands that suffers from problems with [[deer]]-vehicle collisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deercollisions.co.uk/web-content/ftp/DVC%20conclusions%20and%20recommendations.pdf|title=National Deer-Vehicle Collisions Project Scotland|date=2003–2005|page=2|publisher=The Deer Initiative|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> In 1996, Transport Scotland set up a number of vehicle activated warning signs alerting drivers attention to nearby deer. Four of these signs are on the A82 between Tyndrum and Glencoe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/C301114.pdf|title=Vehicle Activated Deer Warning Signs|page=3|publisher=[[Transport Scotland]]|date=April 2010|access-date=10 July 2013|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316083756/http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/C301114.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Junctions and landmarks==
The A82 has a wide variety of junctions along its length, ranging from high-quality grade-separated interchanges near Glasgow, to simple T-junctions in the Scottish Highlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/55.8686562,-4.2659126/57.4914171,-4.2152743/@56.6562428,-5.5818182,8z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-4.3631211!2d55.9002465!3s0x48884f777652f63d:0x2f010d8dfe018c78!3m4!1m2!1d-4.5554432!2d55.9528989!3s0x48885290a4951667:0xde4b18981387062f!3m4!1m2!1d-4.6778464!2d56.4229049!3s0x48891e29e678bc65:0x4aa67294eb060cb1!1m0!3e0|title=A82|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=27 August 2017|at=Select an individual location for mileage}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Distance
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Name
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Destination
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|0|miles}}
|
|[[Edinburgh]], [[Kilmarnock]], [[Greenock]], [[Glasgow Airport]] [[M8 motorway (Great Britain)|M8]]<br />[[Carlisle]] ([[A74(M) and M74 motorways|M74]])<br />[[Stirling]] ([[M80 motorway|M80]])
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|22|miles}}
|
|Erskine Bridge, Paisley [[A898 road|A898]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Icon train.svg|60px|alt=Railway line]] [[North Clyde Line]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Riversign.jpg|40px|alt=Loch]] [[Loch Lomond]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|33|miles}}
|[[Tarbet, Argyll|Tarbet]]
|[[Campbeltown]] [[A83 road|A83]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|50|miles}}
|[[Crianlarich]]
|[[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], [[Stirling]] [[A85 road (Scotland)|A85]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Icon train.svg|60px|alt=Railway line]] [[West Highland Line]] ({{rws|Oban}} branch)
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|54.7|miles}}
|[[Tyndrum]]
|[[Oban]] A85
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Glencoepanorama.jpg|200px|alt=Place of interest]] [[Glen Coe]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|87.6|miles}}
|
|Oban [[A828 road|A828]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|88|miles}}
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:BridgeIco.svg|60px|alt=Bridge]] [[Ballachulish Bridge]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Riversign.jpg|40px|alt=Loch]] [[Loch Linnhe]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Icon train.svg|60px|alt=Railway line]] West Highland Line ({{rws|Fort William}} branch)
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|102|miles}}
|[[Fort William, Scotland|Fort William]]
|[[Mallaig]] [[A830 road|A830]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|110|miles}}
|[[Spean Bridge]]
|[[Newtonmore]] [[A86 road|A86]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Riversign.jpg|40px|alt=Loch]] [[Loch Lochy]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Riversign.jpg|40px|alt=Loch]] [[Loch Oich]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|125|miles}}
|[[Invergarry]]
|[[Kyle of Lochalsh]], [[Skye]] [[A87 road|A87]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Riversign.jpg|40px|alt=Loch]] [[Loch Ness]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|138|miles}}
|
|Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye [[A887 road|A887]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Icon train.svg|60px|alt=Railway line]] [[Far North Line]]
|-
!scope="row"|{{convert|167|miles}}
|
|Perth, [[Thurso]] [[A9 road (Scotland)|A9]]<br />[[Aberdeen]] [[A96 road (Scotland)|A96]]<br />[[Ullapool]] ([[A835 road|A835]])
|}

== See also ==
{{portal|Roads|Scotland}}
* [[Old military roads of Scotland]]

== References ==
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eDuoo-PPAt0C&q=A82+spean+bridge&pg=PA63|title=The Speyside Way|last=Castle|first=Alan|publisher=Cicerone Press Limited|year=2011|isbn=978-1-849-65355-8}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MphnAAAAMAAJ&q=A82+traffic+census|title=The County of Dunbarton|last1=Dilke|first1=Margaret S|last2=Templeton|first2=Archibald Angus|publisher=Collins|year=1959}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_sZQaYZc4MC&q=A82+laggan+swing+bridge&pg=PA128|title=The Great Glen Way: Two Way Trail guide|last=Dillon|first=Paddy|publisher=Cicerone Press Limited|year=2011|isbn=978-1-849-65416-6}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GGhvmMCbQLUC&q=kinlochleven&pg=PA33|title=A History of Scotland, Book 5|last1=Gray|first1=Alastair McIntosh|last2=Moffat|first2=William|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1989|page=33|isbn=978-0-199-17063-0}}
* {{cite book|title=Thomas Telford's Temptation: Telford and William Jessop's Reputation|first=Charles|last=Hadfield|publisher=M & M Baldwin|year=1993|isbn=978-0-947-71219-8}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mE1P6rsGRs4C&q=A82+drumnadrochit&pg=PA17|title=FreeToDo Travel Guide UK & Ireland|last1=Hogg|first1=Lynne|last2=Hogg|first2=Ronald Wallace|publisher=FreeToDo Travel Guides|year=2007|isbn=978-0-955-36000-8}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DvJgUpClmCkC&q=A82+crianlarich&pg=PT278|title=The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands & Islands|last1=Humphreys|first1=Donald|last2=Reid|publisher=Rough Guides UK|year=2011|isbn=978-1-405-38940-2}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ud9h3kdxQNQC&q=glencoe+waterfalls+monty+python&pg=PA356|title=Monty Python's Flying Circus: An Utterly Complete, Thoroughly Unillustrated, Absolutely Unauthorized Guide to Possibly All the References|last=Larsen|first=Darl|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2008|page=348,356|isbn=978-1-461-66970-8}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l4g9AAAAIAAJ&q=great+western+road+glasgow+extension&pg=PA297|title=The Life and Work of Alexander Thomson|last=McFadzean|first=Ronald|publisher=Routledge|year=1979|isbn=978-0-710-00069-9}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crxqdevlel8C&q=devonshire+gardens&pg=PA185|title=Scotland|last=Miers|first=Richenda|publisher=New Holland Publishers|year=2006|isbn=978-1-860-11339-0}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book|title=Highland Autumn|last=Mitchell|first=William Reginald|publisher=R. Hale|year=1977|isbn=978-0-709-16062-5}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tLrhRDAeXdEC&q=A82+glencoe&pg=PA137|title=The End to End Cycle Route: Land's End to John o' Groats|last=Mitchell|first=Nick|publisher=Cicerone Press Limited|year=2012|isbn=978-1-849-65641-2}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cxAVBF_pdNwC&q=A9+A82+traffic&pg=PA626|title=Frommer's Great Britain Day by Day|last1=Olson|first1=Donald|last2=Brewer|first2=Stephen|last3=Strachan|first3=Donald|last4=Shelby|first4=Barry|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2012|isbn=978-0-470-64869-8}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rNYUVBqrx9sC&q=A82+loch+ness&pg=PA337|title=Frommer's Scotland|last1=Porter|first1=Darwin|last2=Prince|first2=Danforth|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2008|page=337|isbn=978-0-470-24912-3}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GVtMckyLNVkC&q=A82+glencoe&pg=PT190|title=Rick Steves' Snapshot Scotland|last=Steves|first=Rick|publisher=Avalon Travel|year=2012|page=190|isbn=978-1-598-80994-7}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPoRSLTkhtsC&q=kinlochleven+road&pg=PA187|title=Scotland : World Mountain Ranges|last=Townsend|first=Chris|publisher=Cicerone Press Limited|year=2011|isbn=978-1-849-65353-4}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZsjYdkF2rAC&q=old+military+road+loch+lomond&pg=PA142|title=The Military Roads in Scotland|last=Taylor|first=William|publisher=Dundurn|year=1996|isbn=978-1-899-86308-2}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=31boMSQ7X6cC&q=A82+wade+military+road&pg=PA162|title=Ribbon of Wilderness: Discovering the Watershed of Scotland|last=Wright|first=Peter|publisher=Luath Press Ltd|isbn=978-1-906-81745-9|year=2010|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJPk7Wu704QC&q=telford+road+loch+ness&pg=PT1996|title=Lonely Planet : Great Britain|page=1996|publisher=Lonely Planet|year=2013|isbn=978-1-743-21641-5|ref={{harvid|Lonely Planet|2013}}}}
* {{cite report|url=http://www.hitrans.org.uk/Documents/A82_Final_Report_-_Nov_05.pdf|title=A82 Tarbet to Fort William : Economic Appraisal|publisher=Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership|date=September 2005|access-date=10 July 2013|ref={{harvid|HITRANS|2005}}}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/?title=A82 SABRE : A82] – an extensive history of the road, including specific alignments and relationships to Wade and Telford's roads
* [http://www.cbrd.co.uk/articles/three-generations-a82 Three Generations of the A82] – an in depth analysis of the route across Rannoch Moor
* [http://www.a82.org/ The A82 Partnership] – campaign site for upgrading the road
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062625/http://www.greatestdrivingroads.com/great_roads/A82.html A82] – Greatest Driving Roads

{{Transport in Glasgow}}
{{UK primary routes 8}}

{{Coord|55.8698|-4.2674|display=title|region:GB_scale:5000}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:8-0082}}
[[Category:Highlands and Islands of Scotland]]
[[Category:Roads in Scotland]]
[[Category:Scenic routes in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Transport in Argyll and Bute]]
[[Category:Transport in Glasgow]]
[[Category:Transport in Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Transport in Stirling (council area)]]
[[Category:Transport in West Dunbartonshire]]
[[Category:Loch Lomond]]
[[Category:Vale of Leven]]
[[Category:Drumchapel]]
[[Category:Dumbarton]]
[[Category:Clydebank]]
[[Category:Fort William, Highland]]
[[Category:Transport in Inverness]]
[[Category:Loch Ness]]
[[Category:Hillhead]]