A9 road

The OGP, as nobody calls it.

This is just so strange, being right beside the A9.

I've driven this road for years and years now.

After two weeks on the bike, back here again.

See, how is this just not completely objectively and quantifiably better? Ah, see, this is how.

The eighth wonder of the world.

The dueling of the A9.

Legend has it they'll still be doing this

From the Herald Scotland, Monday 31st August 2026, from the Opinions section.

A9 duelling scandal and the disgrace for the Highlands.

Article written by Alan Simpson.

It was nearly 20 years ago when the then First Minister Alex Salmond announced that the A9 would be fully duelled between Inverness and Perth.

Three years later, in 2011, Mr Salmond went a step further when he said his Cabinet believed upgrading the road could be completed by 2025 at a cost of £3 billion.

No doubt the announcement was met with great relief across the Highlands with a timetable in place and an end to the daily problem on the road in sight.

But fast forward to the present day and the 2025 deadline has already passed and a total of 11 miles have so far been upgraded.

That is quite the failure, and means that 72 miles of the route has still to be duelled.