Discussion
Thanks to GetCarter and others- just completed a week long 1000 mile run from Carlisle to Pitlochry taking in many of the suggestions on here; Skye, Applecross, on to Ullapool then Durness and Tongue, finally the Old Military Road down to Pitlochry. Fantastic roads, only a few campers and slowcoaches and very fortunate with the weather and lack of midges. Chased round with the Hero Scottish Malts Rally boys and girls as well as a team over from Belgium with their Astons who are staying with us at the Atholl Palace at Pitlochry.
The obligatory shot at the top of Bealach Na Ba
The obligatory shot at the top of Bealach Na Ba
gred said:
Thanks to GetCarter and others- just completed a week long 1000 mile run from Carlisle to Pitlochry taking in many of the suggestions on here; Skye, Applecross, on to Ullapool then Durness and Tongue, finally the Old Military Road down to Pitlochry. Fantastic roads, only a few campers and slowcoaches and very fortunate with the weather and lack of midges. Chased round with the Hero Scottish Malts Rally boys and girls as well as a team over from Belgium with their Astons who are staying with us at the Atholl Palace at Pitlochry.
The obligatory shot at the top of Bealach Na Ba
Did the loop at 8 to 9 a.m. this morning and saw one moving car. (Farmer).The obligatory shot at the top of Bealach Na Ba
Here's a vid of my fav road in the Highlands taken yesterday (Friday morning rush hour - though it's not a drivers road... it's just stupidly pretty) : http://stevecarter.com/random/inverkirkaig1.mov (10 mins long 65mb). You'll notice zero cars!
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 3rd May 14:49
I had to delay my trip up to Scotland for a week but made it up here yesterday for the week.
I'm only at Fort William so the best is yet to come but can I just say, what a beautiful part of the country. I'm so glad to have mad it up here, I expected the drive from the midlands to be motorways and dual carriageways.
My face was a constant smile as we came off the M8 after Glasgow and up onto the A82 through Loch Lomond and the national park. Empty, stunning scenery and some roads that wouldn't look out of place in the Alps. Roll on the rest of the week!
I'm only at Fort William so the best is yet to come but can I just say, what a beautiful part of the country. I'm so glad to have mad it up here, I expected the drive from the midlands to be motorways and dual carriageways.
My face was a constant smile as we came off the M8 after Glasgow and up onto the A82 through Loch Lomond and the national park. Empty, stunning scenery and some roads that wouldn't look out of place in the Alps. Roll on the rest of the week!
PHuzzy said:
I had to delay my trip up to Scotland for a week but made it up here yesterday for the week.
I'm only at Fort William so the best is yet to come but can I just say, what a beautiful part of the country. I'm so glad to have mad it up here, I expected the drive from the midlands to be motorways and dual carriageways.
My face was a constant smile as we came off the M8 after Glasgow and up onto the A82 through Loch Lomond and the national park. Empty, stunning scenery and some roads that wouldn't look out of place in the Alps. Roll on the rest of the week!
Glad you're enjoying it. It gets better the further north and west you go! Watch for deer, especially if your travelling early morning or in the evening. Enjoy!I'm only at Fort William so the best is yet to come but can I just say, what a beautiful part of the country. I'm so glad to have mad it up here, I expected the drive from the midlands to be motorways and dual carriageways.
My face was a constant smile as we came off the M8 after Glasgow and up onto the A82 through Loch Lomond and the national park. Empty, stunning scenery and some roads that wouldn't look out of place in the Alps. Roll on the rest of the week!
cat220 said:
Glad you're enjoying it. It gets better the further north and west you go! Watch for deer, especially if your travelling early morning or in the evening. Enjoy!
...indeed. Have fun... also watch out for lambs on one side of the road, and mum on the other... this will see the young cross the road whatever is coming - young lambs up here are kamikaze.Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 7th May 06:52
Lancs Dave said:
Went up for a few days at Easter.
It's uncanny how often you're up in the Highlands at the same time as me. 
An added bonus was the superb weather. Wall to wall sun every day.
gwm said:
Fantastic photo, what road is this on?
My money says here. The Glen Etive road a few hundred yards down from the junction with the A82.Would anyone care to critique my route from the Knoydart Peninsula, which we will be visiting for two nights in September?
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car.
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car.
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
heebeegeetee said:
Would anyone care to critique my route from the Knoydart Peninsula, which we will be visiting for two nights in September?
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car.
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
Not sure whether Google Maps takes full account of ferry timings and frequency or number and length of stops to rest, refuel, and eat. It's definitely ambitious and I wouldn't want to do it unless I shared the driving 50/50. I once did Applecross to Kent in 12 hours (4pm - 4am) and wouldn't try it again (although to be fair I had already driven 250 miles around the Highlands earlier that same day). https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car.
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
GetCarter said:
Haven't checked the route, but I'd just warn you that high winds would scupper anything with ferries... though Sept isn't usually that windy. I'd suggest a Plan B as a backup.
Inverie - MallaigCorran - Argour
Tarbert - Portavadie
Dunoon - Gourock
I would think the one from Knoydart is probably most at risk of cancellation in any adverse weather.
Edited by Red Devil on Wednesday 7th May 17:05
heebeegeetee said:
Would anyone care to critique my route from the Knoydart Peninsula, which we will be visiting for two nights in September?
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car.
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
Be aware, if the Corran is off you add 30-40 minutes at least, if Tarbert is off probably more. Miss it and it's an hour between. Western Ferries (Dunoon-Gourock) will sail in a hurricane https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car.
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
Quite a bit of your route is single track, I reckon you can allow quite a wee bit more time because of it.
Nice route if you like(lots of) driving, download the CalMac app before you go, handy if it's windy.
gwm said:
Red Devil said:
My money says here. The Glen Etive road a few hundred yards down from the junction with the A82.
Looks right to me, thanks. My parents are on a Scottish Road trip at the moment and asked me to come up with a route for them. I am now a little jealous as I have spent the last few months reading up on the best roads in Scotland and Im now sitting in work getting regular updates on how amazing the roads are up there! Anyway this is a quick thank you to everyone for their suggestions on this thread.
The route is just over 2000 miles long and spread over nearly 2 weeks, they are currently on Day 3 of the trip at the moment (Mostly spent on the Isle of Skye), tomorrow they head up to Ullapool via the Applecross Road. They are in a Grey Evoque, if you see them give them a wave!
Anyway the route...
There is also this bit not shown on the one above. (Points G and H look to be on some fantastic roads!)
The route is just over 2000 miles long and spread over nearly 2 weeks, they are currently on Day 3 of the trip at the moment (Mostly spent on the Isle of Skye), tomorrow they head up to Ullapool via the Applecross Road. They are in a Grey Evoque, if you see them give them a wave!
Anyway the route...
There is also this bit not shown on the one above. (Points G and H look to be on some fantastic roads!)
heebeegeetee said:
Would anyone care to critique my route from the Knoydart Peninsula, which we will be visiting for two nights in September?
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car. smile
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
And another thing you may like to try ,if you get time .On the way to Mallaig ,there's a right turn marked !"Glasnacardoch" ( about a mile from out). it's up over the narrow railway bridge and follow the road down on the old road. Now it's B8008 , in days gone past ,apart from Lochailort -Glenfinnan ,it was all that style. B8008 takes you out to the left of the station. Another place worth a visit is the fish shop next to the station . Cooked prawns to die for .
Would anyone care to critique my route from the Knoydart Peninsula, which we will be visiting for two nights in September?
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Inverie+Ferry...
The one issue is, we have to do it in one day. Probably in a smart car. smile
The route involves four ferries in total. This could turn the day very long, but it does give me a sense of adventure about the trip.
And another thing you may like to try ,if you get time .On the way to Mallaig ,there's a right turn marked !"Glasnacardoch" ( about a mile from out). it's up over the narrow railway bridge and follow the road down on the old road. Now it's B8008 , in days gone past ,apart from Lochailort -Glenfinnan ,it was all that style. B8008 takes you out to the left of the station. Another place worth a visit is the fish shop next to the station . Cooked prawns to die for .
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