Scottish Tour / Road Trip
Discussion
I'm currently planning a road trip around Scotland, mainly the west coast and then up to John O'Groats and home.
The route I've got so far looks like this. I know that many people here have frequented this area, and that people like GetCarter are quite familiar with it.
Are there any hidden gems near the route, or any ways in which I could alter it to make it 'better', or to include some better driving roads?
The route I've got so far looks like this. I know that many people here have frequented this area, and that people like GetCarter are quite familiar with it.
Are there any hidden gems near the route, or any ways in which I could alter it to make it 'better', or to include some better driving roads?
Well I'd say you have that pretty much spot on. With one MAJOR howler and one minor one.
You don't follow the A82 - In doing so you'll miss Rannoch Moor & GlenCoe (Probably the best Scenery in the UK), and by turning towards Oban at Inchree, you'll also miss out on what is considered the best driving road in Britain. This is not so serious unless you are in a fast car on a quiet time of day!
The Oban route is very pretty, in any case.
Apart from that, I think you have it pegged...
... but my knowledge runs out at Durness, so from then on, you'll need someone else to nag.
Have fun
ETA - your route to Skye takes a ferry, mine a bridge. Just FYI.
You don't follow the A82 - In doing so you'll miss Rannoch Moor & GlenCoe (Probably the best Scenery in the UK), and by turning towards Oban at Inchree, you'll also miss out on what is considered the best driving road in Britain. This is not so serious unless you are in a fast car on a quiet time of day!
The Oban route is very pretty, in any case.
Apart from that, I think you have it pegged...
... but my knowledge runs out at Durness, so from then on, you'll need someone else to nag.
Have fun
ETA - your route to Skye takes a ferry, mine a bridge. Just FYI.
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 18th June 14:12
Thanks GetCarter, the Oban route passed Inchree is the out route - heading north..? Which road is the one I wouldn't want to miss?
Which roads would you suggest for that part of the world?
The way I have it, is for an overnighter in the area of Helensburgh/Garlochhead/Arrochar, and then onwards for an overnighter on Skye..
Obviously though, the route will be the one which I want to turn around and retrace as many times as possible...
Which roads would you suggest for that part of the world?
The way I have it, is for an overnighter in the area of Helensburgh/Garlochhead/Arrochar, and then onwards for an overnighter on Skye..
Obviously though, the route will be the one which I want to turn around and retrace as many times as possible...
The road voted 'best road in the UK' by all the biker types (and I think they have a fairly good handle), is the A87 Invergarry > Kyle road. But I have to say, having done it many, many times.... at 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning in May/June, it is motoring heaven. At 13.00 on a Sunday in August it's just frustration.
Whatever time you do it though, you'll take in: http://www.eileandonancastle.com/ (which is worth a vist).
Whatever time you do it though, you'll take in: http://www.eileandonancastle.com/ (which is worth a vist).
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 18th June 17:54
I did a very similar route last year but in the opposite direction.
I specifically avoided the A9 from Perth as I gather it is boring and infested with cameras. On the other hand, the A93 and A939 combo from Perth to Grantown-on-Spey are absolutely stunning driver's roads (in terms of pure technical driving better than the ones further north IMO), and passes through the Cairngorms for some good scenery (not a patch on the Highlands on that front though).
The long northern section from Ullapool to Tongue doesn't look great on paper (mostly single-track) but the visibility is so good that you can barrel along, and have a bundle of fun, without having to break the NSL. Combined with the mind-blowing views, this actually was for me the best bit of the whole route, even better than the more famous Highlands sections.
The other highlight of highlights for me which I see you've already included, is the B863 from North/South Ballachulish that follows the perimeter of the tiny Loch Leven. Only about 16 miles in total, but go early in the morning for a clear run and I guarantee you a drive you won't soon forget.
I specifically avoided the A9 from Perth as I gather it is boring and infested with cameras. On the other hand, the A93 and A939 combo from Perth to Grantown-on-Spey are absolutely stunning driver's roads (in terms of pure technical driving better than the ones further north IMO), and passes through the Cairngorms for some good scenery (not a patch on the Highlands on that front though).
The long northern section from Ullapool to Tongue doesn't look great on paper (mostly single-track) but the visibility is so good that you can barrel along, and have a bundle of fun, without having to break the NSL. Combined with the mind-blowing views, this actually was for me the best bit of the whole route, even better than the more famous Highlands sections.
The other highlight of highlights for me which I see you've already included, is the B863 from North/South Ballachulish that follows the perimeter of the tiny Loch Leven. Only about 16 miles in total, but go early in the morning for a clear run and I guarantee you a drive you won't soon forget.
plenty said:
I did a very similar route last year but in the opposite direction.
I specifically avoided the A9 from Perth as I gather it is boring and infested with cameras.
boring yes, not exactly infested with cameras there's a few about or that's the case when i was up that way a week or two agoI specifically avoided the A9 from Perth as I gather it is boring and infested with cameras.
If you're heading to this part of the world listen to Mr Carter, he knows what he is talking about! I did a similar trip in May following his advice. Epic, awesome, superb, amazing...etc!
I had plenty of info about the route up the West coast and it didn't disappoint, a truly outstanding couple of days that I will find hard to beat in my car.
Ullapool is ok for a cuppa and fuel, but I'd suggest stopping here for a great lunch http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk/ if it fits with your plans before carrying on to Durness.
Durness... what a place. If you fill up with fuel there at the single pump and want to pay by card your bill is written on a scrap of paper and you take it to the Spa shop over the road. With 6 cars and 7 bikes in our group it took ages us ages!!
Details for the southern leg on the Eastern side were more patchy but this stretch is just as fantastic, although there were a few more cars. However, that is all relative, there were only a FEW cars, whereas going north to Ullapool and Durness there were NONE!! As suggested above, go further east for the best roads so you go OVER the Cairngorms rather than round them
Head to Nairn, turn right and hang on as you ride the roller coaster roads up and down passed the ski lifts (Grantown > Ballater > Blairgowrie > Perth)
You WILL have a great time
I had plenty of info about the route up the West coast and it didn't disappoint, a truly outstanding couple of days that I will find hard to beat in my car.
Ullapool is ok for a cuppa and fuel, but I'd suggest stopping here for a great lunch http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk/ if it fits with your plans before carrying on to Durness.
Durness... what a place. If you fill up with fuel there at the single pump and want to pay by card your bill is written on a scrap of paper and you take it to the Spa shop over the road. With 6 cars and 7 bikes in our group it took ages us ages!!
Details for the southern leg on the Eastern side were more patchy but this stretch is just as fantastic, although there were a few more cars. However, that is all relative, there were only a FEW cars, whereas going north to Ullapool and Durness there were NONE!! As suggested above, go further east for the best roads so you go OVER the Cairngorms rather than round them
Head to Nairn, turn right and hang on as you ride the roller coaster roads up and down passed the ski lifts (Grantown > Ballater > Blairgowrie > Perth) You WILL have a great time
From B - do indeed to round to inverary, then up loch awe and back via dalmally to tyndrum and then on through glencoe on the a82 to ballachulish then down to oban. overnight there dine www.eeusk.com then first ferry over to mull then head turn left off ferry - and clockwise round island a849, b8035, b8073, (some clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7bDf9drlvU&fea... or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn-w5dEc74 ) round to tobermory, blatt down to fishish ferry on a849 then over to lochaline....and back up to your point F. Dare you!
I live in Helensburgh. Give us a shout if you're anywhere near. Have a look at the Glen Fruin road from Garelochead to Luss (the A road, not the unclassified). It's only about 5 miles long, but a good fun road all the same.
There's also a lot of roadworks on the A82 up along Loch Lomond, so be prepared for queues and just relax and enjoy the view until you get past Crianlarich and can start to open up a bit.
There's also a lot of roadworks on the A82 up along Loch Lomond, so be prepared for queues and just relax and enjoy the view until you get past Crianlarich and can start to open up a bit.
As Get Carter said - there's a ferry and bridge to Sky - how about going up through Oban , thence via Kinlochleven to Fort William ,turn right on to the A830 , go to Mallaig ( approx 40 min drive now, though you could divert onto some of ye olde road to get a flavour of what driving up there was like up untill only a few years ago .Lochailort -Glenfinnan section is approx 45 -50 year old ) .Then over the water on the ferry to Sky ,up Sky and over the bridge .Coming back down ,look at the B roads from Inverness to Spean Bridge ( misses out the A9 ) ,and from Spean, go through Fort William to gp back on the A82- turning left at Crainlarech to go via Lochearnhead to Stirling /Edinburgh .Can recommend the A697 ( if it's not now camera heaven) to Newcastle - leaves the A68 ,a few miles south of Dalkieth ( from memory just south of Carter Bar )heading to Newcastle
Slightly different alternative going north - bypass Fort William in way up , go via Corran Ferry ,Strontian and Glenfinnan.Further North- not my neck of woods .
Another nice route to miss out the lower end of Loch Lomand is to go through Helensburgh ,up through Garelochhead ,Faslane and over from Tarbet ( Loch Long ) to Tarbet ( LochLomand).
Slightly different alternative going north - bypass Fort William in way up , go via Corran Ferry ,Strontian and Glenfinnan.Further North- not my neck of woods .
Another nice route to miss out the lower end of Loch Lomand is to go through Helensburgh ,up through Garelochhead ,Faslane and over from Tarbet ( Loch Long ) to Tarbet ( LochLomand).
Who me said:
Can recommend the A697 ( if it's not now camera heaven) to Newcastle - leaves the A68 ,a few miles south of Dalkieth ( from memory just south of [b]Carter Bar[b] )heading to Newcastle
Soutra not Carter Bar, the latter is the border crossing on the A68 south of Jedburgh.Edited by JM on Tuesday 13th July 14:50
JM said:
Who me said:
Can recommend the A697 ( if it's not now camera heaven) to Newcastle - leaves the A68 ,a few miles south of Dalkieth ( from memory just south of [b]Carter Bar[b] )heading to Newcastle
Soutra not Carter Bar, the latter is the border crossing on the A68 south of Jedburgh.Edited by JM on Tuesday 13th July 14:50
KB_S1 said:
On the latter stage of your route you can come off the M74 at Larkhall and follow the B7078 -B7076 all the way down to Gretna.
It hugs the M74 within about 15m all the way and is far more interesting.
And you'll bypass the cash van ( if it still sits on the bridge ) above the 74 at the Abington turn off ( A702),and possibly othersIt hugs the M74 within about 15m all the way and is far more interesting.
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