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.
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.
Read more about this topic: Scotch Corner
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