Driving Holiday in Scotland
Discussion
Hello everyone!
I have a week off of work at the end of August and I'd like to spend it exploring some of Scotland and seeing some of your breathtaking scenery.
I'd like to explore Loch Ness (childhood obsession with the monster which part of me believes that I'll spot and maybe have an intimate moment of eye contact with) and I think I'd like to see the Isle of Skye.
Where else would you all suggest? My Dad's family is from Currie and I'll try to arrange it that I take his uncle out for a meal at some stage but apart from that it will be just myself and the car. I'm a fan of B&B's rather than hotels for this type of trip, are there any that you'd recommend? I'd also like to find some good pubs, particularly ones with live music.
So, over to you Scottish Pistonheaders, where's best north of the border?
I have a week off of work at the end of August and I'd like to spend it exploring some of Scotland and seeing some of your breathtaking scenery.
I'd like to explore Loch Ness (childhood obsession with the monster which part of me believes that I'll spot and maybe have an intimate moment of eye contact with) and I think I'd like to see the Isle of Skye.
Where else would you all suggest? My Dad's family is from Currie and I'll try to arrange it that I take his uncle out for a meal at some stage but apart from that it will be just myself and the car. I'm a fan of B&B's rather than hotels for this type of trip, are there any that you'd recommend? I'd also like to find some good pubs, particularly ones with live music.
So, over to you Scottish Pistonheaders, where's best north of the border?
Edited by ajh38 on Monday 27th June 11:29
I'm sure that you'll get lots of great suggestions on this, especially with regard to the Highlands and Islands (island hopping is great just now because of the new 'road equivalent tarrifs' which mean that ferries are a lot cheaper than in the past), but don't forget the Lowlands. Get off the motorway system as soon as you cross the border and experience the fantastic empty A and B roads through the Borders on your way to Currie.
My favourite would be to get of the M74 at Moffat, take the A708 to Selkirk then to Edinburgh via the A707 and A72.
My favourite would be to get of the M74 at Moffat, take the A708 to Selkirk then to Edinburgh via the A707 and A72.
OK great, I'll look to incorporate that into my route, I don't intend upon using the motorways at all really, it will be about 12 hours up to Scotland in the first place, once I've got there I won't get on another unless I have to til I come back down.
Are there any roads that aren't to be driven down? Having once in my youth got a 206 stuck in the mud down a rural track and had to get a farmer and his tractor to tow me out it's always been on the back of my mind!
Are there any roads that aren't to be driven down? Having once in my youth got a 206 stuck in the mud down a rural track and had to get a farmer and his tractor to tow me out it's always been on the back of my mind!
i wouldnt bother with the NC500. I wasnt all that impressed by the roads north of Ullapool so unless you are more in to the scenery i think there are better roads to drive.
i'd go with something like this
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Carlisle,+Cumbri...
also check out the torridon hotel for accommodation.
i'd go with something like this
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Carlisle,+Cumbri...
also check out the torridon hotel for accommodation.
From Currie: Take the M9 to Stirling and head for Callander. Just after Callander at Kilmahog take the Dukes Pass road west to Loch Lomond. Maybe take lunch at the Duck Bay Marina/Hotel which has a nice view and nice food etc. Then head up the A82 and head straight on at Tarbet to the rest and be thankful. Head to Inverary (Castle worth a look and they do tea etc) after that and then back up to Tyndrum on the A82. From Tyndrum head to Glencoe and on to Fort William. You could maybe take in Glen Etive for the Skyfall Aston parking spot.
Take the road to the isles to Mallaig and catch the ferry to Skye. Then come back over Skye to the bridge at Kyle and over to Plockton and head for Applecross.
This route does: Dukes Pass, Loch Lomond, Rest and be thankful, Glencoe, Road to the Isles, Skye, Applecross hill climb and catches some lovely aspects of the western isles. Personally as I have said before the NC 500 is only really good clockwise to Kinlochbervie area up the west side but thats just my view as the top and east side a fairly dull in comparison from a driving point of view. Applecross is on the NC500 so you can get plenty advice from there on any nc500 thread.
Id do the above to applecross over three days or two nights and stay at Glenfinnan Hotel on night one on the road to the isles then probably Sheildaig on the second night.
On the way back just motor back on the best truck road you can find but probably the A9 from Inverness.
HTH!
Take the road to the isles to Mallaig and catch the ferry to Skye. Then come back over Skye to the bridge at Kyle and over to Plockton and head for Applecross.
This route does: Dukes Pass, Loch Lomond, Rest and be thankful, Glencoe, Road to the Isles, Skye, Applecross hill climb and catches some lovely aspects of the western isles. Personally as I have said before the NC 500 is only really good clockwise to Kinlochbervie area up the west side but thats just my view as the top and east side a fairly dull in comparison from a driving point of view. Applecross is on the NC500 so you can get plenty advice from there on any nc500 thread.
Id do the above to applecross over three days or two nights and stay at Glenfinnan Hotel on night one on the road to the isles then probably Sheildaig on the second night.
On the way back just motor back on the best truck road you can find but probably the A9 from Inverness.
HTH!
Thanks for all the replies guys, you've given me some great bits to work with, I'm looking forward to it, think I might spend the last weekend at the Edinburgh Fringe, a mate is going to fly up and after 5 days driving I'm sure I'll enjoy a few beers. Really can't wait!
Yeah, I know, old Mrs Sturgeon is really quite fierce! A bit of machine gun fire can only make the trip a bit more exciting.
Yeah, I know, old Mrs Sturgeon is really quite fierce! A bit of machine gun fire can only make the trip a bit more exciting.
ryanthescot said:
i wouldnt bother with the NC500. I wasnt all that impressed by the roads north of Ullapool so unless you are more in to the scenery i think there are better roads to drive.
i'd go with something like this
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Carlisle,+Cumbri...
also check out the torridon hotel for accommodation.
Yeah, north of Ullapool is awfuli'd go with something like this
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Carlisle,+Cumbri...
also check out the torridon hotel for accommodation.
If you're driving from England, West is best. Glasgow, then around Loch Lomond, follow road to Lochgilphead, taking in the Rest and be Thankful. Then North to Oban. Then North to Fort William, taking in a detour to kinlockleven. Then further north towards the Kyle of Lochalsh. Then an opportunity to do Applecross pass, before heading back to Skye for a spin around the magical island.
Then on your second day.........................
Then on your second day.........................
we did this recently, was a great trip, though it helped that the weather was unusually sunny
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/trackandtravel/292...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/trackandtravel/292...
GregorFuk said:
Ah yes. The great Scottish driving holiday. Fantastic stuff.
Only if you drive with the heard. Even in this (the busy season), you can drive 50 miles without seeing a car (I did yesterday). It's all about location and timing.O/P feel free to PM me as I know the roads/scenery here well.
http://www.stevecarter.com/faves/myfaves.htm
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 8th July 14:13
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