I live up on the Moray coast and I really don't mind the solid 300 mile schlep to Newcastle via Lecht / Glenshee / Jedburgh etc..all part of the trip...bit different on the way home though !
Although, last 2 years I've used either Chunnel or Bilbao to Portsmouth and then have had to endure a 700 mile plus trudge home.
As for the A96 duelling...so glad it hasn't gone ahead as I'd have had the new road about 200 metres away from my house
And anyway, it would only save around 45 minutes on a journey from Aberdeen to Inverness..people are just too impatient now!
Dual the sections that are more easily duallable...and prohibit tractors and any other slow moving cnuts from using it between the hours of 07.00 and 18.00 = fixed !
Rant over, I'd definitely use a ferry from Rosyth if the Gerarddwatts coffee & bacon butty stop was available