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| Route information | ||||
| Length | 63 mi (101 km) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| West end | Hamilton 55°46′40″N4°03′12″W / 55.7778°N 4.0532°W /55.7778; -4.0532 (A72 road (western end)) | |||
| Major intersections |  A724 A723 M74 A71 A73 A706 A743 A70 A702 A701 A721 A703 A707 A7 | |||
| East end | Galashiels 55°37′08″N2°48′44″W / 55.6189°N 2.8121°W /55.6189; -2.8121 (A72 road (eastern end)) | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | United Kingdom | |||
| Primary destinations | Hamilton,Lanark,Peebles,Galashiels | |||
| Road network | ||||
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TheA72 road is a major route inScotland connectingHamilton inSouth Lanarkshire, withGalashiels in theScottish Borders. It travels for over 97 kilometres (60 mi) in a south-easterly direction, along theClyde andTweed valleys, passing the towns ofLarkhall,Lanark,Biggar andPeebles.
Starting at the junction with theA724, the road parallels theM74, following the original A74 (nowB7078) before descending into the forestedClyde Valley as it skirts around the town of Larkhall. The road follows theRiver Clyde, with some tight bends, sheer drops and adverse cambers, and meets theA73 just north of Lanark.
This section of the road follows the course of the A73 through the town of Lanark and, just beforeSymington, again becomes the A72. It meets the mainA702,Edinburgh toAbington,South Lanarkshire road; this short section of road is narrow as it passes through Symington.
This section of the road follows the course of the A702 for approximately 3 miles through the town ofBiggar. The A72 enters the village ofSkirling before ascending onto higher moorland. This section of road is notorious for accidents due to its high elevation, poor weather and winding route.[citation needed]
On this last 9.7 kilometres (6 mi) section of A72, it is the secondary route on theA701. Just south ofBlyth Bridge, it meets theA721, and less than a mile further, it leaves the course of the A701. The A72 ascends a high plateau, then descends into the valley of theRiver Tweed atStobo, and parallels the Tweed for the remainder of its length.
The road passes throughPeebles and thenInnerleithen andWalkerburn towards Galashiels. It comes to an end at a junction with theA7, which leads on to theGalashiels Ring Road.
Media related toA72 road (Scotland) at Wikimedia CommonsDownload coordinates as:
A roads in Zone 7 of theGreat Britain road numbering scheme | ||
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55°36′17″N3°35′32″W / 55.6048°N 3.5922°W /55.6048; -3.5922 (A72 road)
