Planning a road trip to Orkney

[JohnS]

LarJammer said:

I have been listening, I promise. BUT the purpose of the trip is to go to Orkney, reading some of the other threads has got me wanting to spend time in Scotland - I have to compromise. So the current plan is:

Day1 - Milton Keynes to Glencoe (8hrs, no pissing about)
Day2 - Glencoe to Tongue (4hrs, plenty of time for tourism and the A386)

I wouldn't take the direct route from Glencoe to Tongue, but instead head up the west coast a bit for some spectacular driving roads and scenery.

Glencoe -> Invergarry -> Dornie (see Eilean Donan castle) -> Strathcarron -> Applecross (if you have time, otherwise take the direct route to Sheildaig) -> Garve -> Ullapool -> Kylesku -> Laxford Bridge -> Tongue.

Probably adds 100 miles of driving, but plenty of nice places to stop off, have lunch, take photos etc. and during May/June it will be light from about 4am until after 10pm so you have plenty of time.

The Ferry from JOG to Orkney is for foot passengers only, so if you are driving you'll need to catch the catamaran from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope - it's quicker and cheaper than the Northlink Ferry from Scrabster to Stromness.

[JM]

LarJammer said:

Day3 - Tongue to Orkney via JoG (2hrs including ferry)

More likely 2+ hours to travel the 60ish miles to Gills Bay from Tongue.

Ferry will be over an hour due to having to be there 30 minutes before sailing time for loading.



Also your 4 hours from Glen Coe to Tongue looks a bit optimistic, what way were you planning going?

Edited by JM on Monday 20th February 16:02

[exitwound]

Don't expect much if your travelling between Cumbria M6/M74 and Glasgow (avoid Ayrshire as its crap roads will really do your head in and add eons to your trip, ..I live in Ayr so I know).

From Glasgow, head west along the M8 to the Erskine Bridge and onwards towards Loch Lomond as this is where the great times really start. So take your time and follow your nose for some great driving and views. Its not about racing/hooning etc, so forget that as you WILL be punished for it (..the coppers drive some seriously high performance cars and take no prisoners), just enjoy. The roads are awesome and well maintained. Keep the tank topped up when you can to avoid high fuel prices.

As a basic guide, Loch Lomond, to Crianlarach, to Glencoe and beyond to Skye etc, is a great run. We would just call in at the Tourist info shop in Portree and they would fix us up with excellent B&B accommodation. Portee's a lovely and lively place to stay, busy with backpackers and student types crowding the bars etc, but I'm sure you can find your own way around as there's so much to see.

Beware of visiting small remote communities as that 30 mile trip you made to get there is also the only way back out!