At one time, the A701 was the major road between Edinburgh and Dumfries. The southern section between Dumfries and Beattock is still a trunk road, forming the primary route link between Dumfries and the A74(M) for northbound Glasgow/Edinburgh traffic. The northern section has now been largely downgraded in favour of the A74M/A702 route to Edinburgh but is popular with some (particularly motorcyclists) as an alternative to the A7 or A702 routes and it is signposted as a scenic route to Edinburgh from the motorway.
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