LOCALS have been left frustrated after a lengthy 145-mile diversion route was revealed following the closure of a busy A-road for essential work.
From Sunday, drivers in Perthshire will face an almost three-and-a-half-hour detour to their journeys following essential carriageway resurfacing works being carried out on the A93 between the B950 junction and Dalhenzean.
The road, which runs from Perth to Braemar in Aberdeenshire, is a typically busy route for traffic going through Blairgowrie, the Grampian Mountains, and the Cairnwell Pass.
Improvement works are set to take place in two phases between Blairgowrie and Spittal of Glenshee, with the first phase between the B950 junction and Mains of Dalrulzion to begin on Sunday.
The work will last for five nights, with the road to be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am.
Then, from Sunday, June 21, a section of the A93 at Glenshee Lodge will be closed for another five nights between 8pm to 6am, meaning drivers will have to take the 145-mile diversion through Kirriemuir and Stonehaven overnight.
The planned diversion will take drivers from the A93 to Rattray, and then along the A926 to Kirriemuir, then the A90 to Stonehaven, and then to the A957 to Banchory before eventually being led back to the A93.
Sharing the diversion plans on social media Perth and Kinross Council said: “From Sunday 14 June 2026, we will be carrying out essential carriageway resurfacing works on the A93 between the B950 junction and Dalhenzean.”
It added: “During the night-time road closures, the official diversion will be via A93 – Rattray – A926 – Kirriemuir – A90 – Stonehaven – A957 – Banchory – A93 and vice versa.
“To reduce the overall duration of the works, some preparatory and kerbing works will be carried out during the day using temporary traffic lights.
“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank residents and motorists for their co-operation.”
However, locals have been unamused at the three hours and 19 minutes long diversion, with one person replying: "What a diversion!! Surely it would be quicker to go via Glasgow?!”
A second person questioned: “Is this serious?”
Meanwhile, a third asked: “So what about local people who stay in the area and emergency services?”
A fourth simply replied: “Some detour.”