Highlands

Author
Discussion

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Sunday 8th January 2017
quotequote all
Stayed in Torridon last Easter and the surrounding area was fantastic, looking for somewhere else this year but similar with enough of interest in the surrounding area so it isn't completely in the middle of nowhere. Maybe staying at a couple of different places over the week to get a good mix but not much further north than Kylesku.

Staying in a rented cottage saved a load of money and had a wonderful charm about it with a proper fire so would look for that again rather than any hotels I think.

Suggestions welcome.


GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Monday 9th January 2017
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
Stayed in Torridon last Easter and the surrounding area was fantastic, looking for somewhere else this year but similar with enough of interest in the surrounding area so it isn't completely in the middle of nowhere. Maybe staying at a couple of different places over the week to get a good mix but not much further north than Kylesku.

Staying in a rented cottage saved a load of money and had a wonderful charm about it with a proper fire so would look for that again rather than any hotels I think.

Suggestions welcome.
Well you could either head further north (we regularly visit Lochinver, Durness and Kylesku), but it does get even quieter up there - not as 'compact' as Torridon.... or South to the Oban area, which is nice and has ferries to Mull (Tobermory is well worth a visit)..

Or, I would suggest your best bet would be North Skye. You then have the scenery up there (Quiraing), the Cuillin Hills to the south (plus the boat from Elgol - well worth a drive down there at least), Portree (which is okay as a town). the Three Chimneys restaurant (book months in advance or it'll be full) and when you get decent weather drive to Uig and catch the ferry over to Harris for the day, drive south to the stunning beaches. (Be warned in Easter week the ferries will be full... but it's ESSENTIAL that you go to Harris in at least half good weather, so booking the day before is the way to go).

South Harris:





P.S. Just don't think about a holiday let between the Bridge and Broadford on Skye as it's B&B city and therefore rubbish.

FYI: https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/harris

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 9th January 06:50

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Monday 9th January 2017
quotequote all
Was in the Fort William area every couple of weeks for most of last year so will be looking further North. Cheers for those suggestions though, something to look into.

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
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Somewhere to look at, not so far from Fort Bill is off the A 830- Traigh , not far from the farm. The water is almost something you'd find in far off distance shores.

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
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Was there last summer, hottest I've ever seen in this country (25 Celsius) and absolutely stunning. Silver Sands of Morar nearby is also stunning.

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
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Just looking into Harris more, ferry times seem to be enough of a pain in the arse that it would require staying there. Would there be enough to do/see for a couple of days?

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
Just looking into Harris more, ferry times seem to be enough of a pain in the arse that it would require staying there. Would there be enough to do/see for a couple of days?
Harris is joined to Lewis, so between them, yes. I've spent a week hardly moving from South Harris, but that was because it was sunny. In the wet there is bugger all to do.

Have another beach:



..or two



Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th January 06:39

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
Patrick Bateman said:
Stayed in Torridon last Easter and the surrounding area was fantastic, looking for somewhere else this year but similar with enough of interest in the surrounding area so it isn't completely in the middle of nowhere. Maybe staying at a couple of different places over the week to get a good mix but not much further north than Kylesku.

Staying in a rented cottage saved a load of money and had a wonderful charm about it with a proper fire so would look for that again rather than any hotels I think.

Suggestions welcome.
Or, I would suggest your best bet would be North Skye. You then have the scenery up there (Quiraing),
yes

2015






2016








GetCarter said:
the Cuillin Hills to the south
ditto

2016


GetCarter said:
(plus the boat from Elgol - well worth a drive down there at least)










144mph

1 posts

86 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
Spent a few days in the Highlands over the New Year and the roads were superb.

One day was from Garve to Ullapool to Durness ( google map ). There was very heavy rain and low cloud, but still a brilliant drive despite no real views because of the low cloud (but occasional bursts of light were magnificent and Durness was pretty clear). Hardly any traffic all day long.

On New Year's Day was the Applecross and Torridon area ( google map ). This was just amazing. A mostly clear sunny day with a decent splattering of snow on the hills and peaks, again very little traffic and such a mixture of brilliant roads. Below are a few photos from this day.

Glen Coe was stunning but too much traffic, especially when compared to the above roads. Glen Etive and Glen Nevis were fine; it's quite ridiculous to describe these roads as merely being fine, but that's what the Ullapool, Durness, Applecross and Torridon roads do to you.

I tried to get to Mull but the Lochaline - Fishnish ferry had to turn back half way across because it didn't have enough power to beat the wind and the waves (I thought this was the ferry route the locals used because it never fails!). So I did a loop around Strontian and Lochailort instead ( google map ). The western stretch of the A830 was by far the best part of this route.

This thread has been brilliant. Thank you.











Edited by 144mph on Thursday 12th January 20:32

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Red Devil said:
GetCarter said:
Patrick Bateman said:
Stayed in Torridon last Easter and the surrounding area was fantastic, looking for somewhere else this year but similar with enough of interest in the surrounding area so it isn't completely in the middle of nowhere. Maybe staying at a couple of different places over the week to get a good mix but not much further north than Kylesku.

Staying in a rented cottage saved a load of money and had a wonderful charm about it with a proper fire so would look for that again rather than any hotels I think.

Suggestions welcome.
Or, I would suggest your best bet would be North Skye. You then have the scenery up there (Quiraing),
yes
Set for 3 nights on Skye around Staffin and 3 nights on Harris close to Tarbert.

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
Red Devil said:
GetCarter said:
Patrick Bateman said:
Stayed in Torridon last Easter and the surrounding area was fantastic, looking for somewhere else this year but similar with enough of interest in the surrounding area so it isn't completely in the middle of nowhere. Maybe staying at a couple of different places over the week to get a good mix but not much further north than Kylesku.

Staying in a rented cottage saved a load of money and had a wonderful charm about it with a proper fire so would look for that again rather than any hotels I think.

Suggestions welcome.
Or, I would suggest your best bet would be North Skye. You then have the scenery up there (Quiraing),
yes
Set for 3 nights on Skye around Staffin and 3 nights on Harris close to Tarbert.
Pray for good weather smile

Callanish Stones on Lewis are worth a visit. I'm not easily spooked, but it's a pretty spooky place! (Much more so than Stonehenge IMO). Take some dowsing rods (broken wire coat hanger will make), and see what happens.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Divining-or-Dowsing-Ro...

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 17th January 18:43

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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Another visit to Skye is part of our club itinerary for April. Slumming it overnight here. smile

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Hi Everyone

I am looking to do a day trip to Skye as part of a larger Highlands road trip. I'm thinking of going over from Applecross on the ferry and wanted to ask what access was like - I'm going in a Cayman GT4 and am concerned about clearances.

I've done some research and see the ferry has its own Instagram (!) but hard to get a sense of how easy it is to get a low car on or how cooperative they are. They come across as friendly and obliging on their social media and site so I'm optimistic but it would be good to hear of anyone's experiences - good or bad.

Thanks


Alex

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
quotequote all
Mutema said:
Hi Everyone

I am looking to do a day trip to Skye as part of a larger Highlands road trip. I'm thinking of going over from Applecross on the ferry and wanted to ask what access was like - I'm going in a Cayman GT4 and am concerned about clearances.

I've done some research and see the ferry has its own Instagram (!) but hard to get a sense of how easy it is to get a low car on or how cooperative they are. They come across as friendly and obliging on their social media and site so I'm optimistic but it would be good to hear of anyone's experiences - good or bad.

Thanks


Alex
You do know that you can get from Applecross to Skye over a bridge in less than an hour I presume? .. and I'm afraid there is no Applecross car ferry... Are you thinking of the Glenelg ferry? >>> http://skyeferry.co.uk

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 19th January 06:48

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
Was there last summer, hottest I've ever seen in this country (25 Celsius) and absolutely stunning. Silver Sands of Morar nearby is also stunning.
Word of warning for those who think the water ( mixture of salt and fresh) looks inviting. It can be, but it can also house dangerous rip & undercurrents at various stages of the tide.
For those looking for bigger waves for surfing etc, there's an area ( mostly now private beach) ,not shown on maps etc between Morar and Traigh ( on the B8008) called Camasdarach where access is via a private track.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
You do know that you can get from Applecross to Skye over a bridge in less than an hour I presume? .. and I'm afraid there is no Applecross car ferry... Are you thinking of the Glenelg ferry? >>> http://skyeferry.co.uk

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 19th January 06:48
Ignore me, I was being a twit. I think I must have set Google Maps to walking or something, I had about 20 windows open and must have gotten snow blind.

I'll get me coat.

M838T

84 posts

86 months

Monday 23rd January 2017
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
Did you like the Torridon Inn? I was there at about 4.30 having a beer (outside) on the Sunday... also it wasn't you that bought one of these was it? (I sold two that weekend)




Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 25th August 11:10
Hi, I've read every page of this thread and think it's fabulous. Appreciate this image is a few years old, but I've never been able to pin down exactly where this location and road is, can someone enlighten me please? BTW great photo Steve 👍

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Monday 23rd January 2017
quotequote all
Close, but no cigar. wink - https://goo.gl/maps/JoUkG5mhrS92

M838T

84 posts

86 months

Tuesday 24th January 2017
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Many thanks chaps, looks awesome but it's just not quite on the route I've been planning for later in the year with a group I'm in.

I've heard stories over police presence with traffic cars and camera vans catching out the unfortunate. Just how active are they? A87 has about 12 or more locations listed as possible camera van positions. How cautious should someone be around the Ft WM - Skye areas?