Highlands

[GetCarter]

macroo said:

Bogbain Farm by any chance?

Great photo of Achmelvich Carter - is that taken from the little beach to the right of the main one? Hoping to head up there myself soon.

Just above it. (As you know... Much nicer than the other beach as it's away from the crowds... well, crowds means about 20)

[vrsmxtb]

Just spent the last couple of hours revisiting all the posts in this thread I started two years ago as I'm back up next weekin my Mk1 Mx5. I'm debating getting the jack out tomorrow and raising my coilovers a little as I'm about 20-30mm lower than standard, and know the Highland roads can be pretty uncompromising. Does that sound wise?

One question to those in the know - any bright ideas on an interesting route Windermere to Glasgow and also from New Lanark across/down to the A1. Noticed Kielder forest can be on the way.

Here's my plan by the way.

Day 1 - Windermere (working there by happy coincidence) - Glasgow (any interesting route for this is welcome)

Day 2 - Glasgow - Applecross:
via - A82 / A811 / A81 / A821 / A82 / A84 / A85 / A82 / then either A82 or A85/A828 loop / B863 (never done the Scotsburgring!)/ A82 / A87 / A890 / A896 / Bealach Na Ba.

Day 3 and 4 - Walks / photography / maybe boat trip in Wester Ross area.

Day 5 - Applecross - Achmelvich Beach
via - A896 / A832 (maybe whale watch boat from Gairloch) / A835 / road to Inverkirkaig / Lochinver / Achmelvich Beach

Day 6 - Walks / photography in Assynt area or A894 / A838 /A836 / A837 loop back to Achmelvich

Day 7 - Achmelvich Beach - New Lanark
via: A837 / A836 / B9176 / A9 then Red devil's route through Cawdor to A939 / A93 / A924 / A827 / back to Glasgow via A821 etc round Glasgow to New Lanark.

Day 8 - New Lanark to Gainsborough, lincolnshire
Routes welcomed!!

Day 9 - Mx5OC track day at Blyton park, Lincs.

Day 10 - Gainsborough, Lincs - Rochester, Kent (Home!!)
via: A1, A14, M11, M25 (bleeeurgh, comedown time!)

Typing that all out, this is going to be pretty epic

[GetCarter]

vrsmxtb said:

as I'm about 20-30mm lower than standard, and know the Highland roads can be pretty uncompromising. Does that sound wise?

Not sure how low that is... I've had two Caterham R500s here, and only grounded badly once (mega stiff suspension mind), but there are a fair few pot holes, and I see next week is sun & showers, so puddles may hide some deep holes. Wouldn't do any harm to raise it (except when you are on track when you'll regret it!).

[Red Devil]

vrsmxtb said:

I'm debating getting the jack out tomorrow and raising my coilovers a little as I'm about 20-30mm lower than standard, and know the Highland roads can be pretty uncompromising. Does that sound wise?

Depends on what the standard ride height is. I have 30mm drop coilovers on my MR2. Did 2000 miles from Kent to the Highlands and back in April. No issues at all, even on the remotest single track roads.

vrsmxtb said:

Day 1 - Windermere (working there by happy coincidence) - Glasgow (any interesting route for this is welcome)

A592/A66/M6/A75/A76/B797 (Mennock Pass)/A702/B7078 to M74 J10.

vrsmxtb said:

Day 8 - New Lanark to Gainsborough, lincolnshire
Routes welcomed!!

A743/A70/A721/A72/A707/A708/A7/A698/A6088/B6397/Unclassified (Kielder Forest)/B6320/B6318/
A6079/A69/A6079/B6305/B6306/B6278/B6282/B6278/A67/B6277/A66/A1&A1(M)/M62/M18/M180/A15/B1205.

or

A73/A70/B7078/A702/B7076/A701/B7076/A74(M)J22/M6/A689/B6277/A67/B6277/A66/A1&A1(M)/M62/M18/M180/A15/B1205.

vrsmxtb said:

Day 10 - Gainsborough, Lincs - Rochester, Kent (Home!!)
via: A1, A14, M11, M25 (bleeeurgh, comedown time!)

How about - B1205/Station Road & Pilham lane to A631/B1398/B1273/A57/A15/A1139/A1(M)/A14.

This route takes you through Lincoln but it's not that bad outside peak periods. My sister lives near Humberside Airport and I always go/return via Caistor, Market Rasen, and Lincoln rather than the A1(M)/M18/M180 which, being all d/c & motorway, is somewhat quicker.

I may also be doing a track day at Blyton next month.

[RealSquirrels]

GetCarter said:

Fly Inverness, hire, drive. Some great cars out there to hire.

what can you get there? (and where?)

[GetCarter]

RealSquirrels said:

GetCarter said:

Fly Inverness, hire, drive. Some great cars out there to hire.

what can you get there? (and where?)

Short repeat: If you google 'Sports car hire Highlands' you'll find Caterhams, MGs, Ferraris etc. All their websites give a clue as to how many miles are allowed without extra cost. (e.g. 101st mile will cost) Bear in mind how much you will save not driving 1300 mile round trip to London (for example)

[RealSquirrels]

sadly i live in Edinburgh but after a recent trip to applecross keen to try it again in a better car than a Hertz Nissan Juke... thanks for the tip

[GetCarter]

RealSquirrels said:

sadly i live in Edinburgh but after a recent trip to applecross keen to try it again in a better car than a Hertz Nissan Juke... thanks for the tip

(I was just copy pasting from a previous question). Highland Caterham mmmmmmmmm

[vrsmxtb]

Red Devil, thanks so much, these all look incredible! Just ploughing through them now, and they look spot on - this is going to cost a fortune in petrol but I'm so excited now.

[Blown2CV]

macroo said:

Blown2CV said:

Well, torridon looks very nice but we are viewing a farm...

Bogbain Farm by any chance?

Yep

[AdvocatusD]

The issue is the mileage. I've found a few unlimited mile cars.

Elise - http://www.northyorkshireclassiccarhire.co.uk/cars (North Yorkshire)

Caterham - http://www.caledonianclassics.co.uk/html/caterham.... (Clackmannanshire)

Morgan 4/4 - http://www.caledonianclassics.co.uk/html/morgan.ht... (Clackmannanshire)

I've been looking for a bit and these are the only one's I've found. Nothing more "exotic" available with enough mileage to make it worth it. I breeze through 120 miles by lunch when I'm in Scotland.

Steve, have you got any other ideas or links?

[JM]

vrsmxtb said:

Day 6 - Walks / photography in Assynt area or A894 / A838 /A836 / A837 loop back to Achmelvich

Take the road north from Achmelvich to Clachtoll, Stoer and then turn left out to the lighthouse at Stoer point. Then head to Drumbeg and on to Kylesku, great single track road, (not fast) great views.

You could also walk along the coast from Achmelvich to Clachtoll, stunning!

[vrsmxtb]

AdvocatusD said:

The issue is the mileage. I've found a few unlimited mile cars.

Elise - http://www.northyorkshireclassiccarhire.co.uk/cars (North Yorkshire)

Caterham - http://www.caledonianclassics.co.uk/html/caterham.... (Clackmannanshire)

Morgan 4/4 - http://www.caledonianclassics.co.uk/html/morgan.ht... (Clackmannanshire)

I've been looking for a bit and these are the only one's I've found. Nothing more "exotic" available with enough mileage to make it worth it. I breeze through 120 miles by lunch when I'm in Scotland.

Steve, have you got any other ideas or links?

How deep are your pockets?

http://www.seescotlanddifferently.co.uk/ferrari-sc...

or if they are a bit shallower:

http://www.seescotlanddifferently.co.uk/mini-coope...

Edited by vrsmxtb on Saturday 7th June 21:02

[vrsmxtb]

I meant to post this earlier but I've found a great bit of free software which converts waypoints on a google map into satnav points of interest including Tom Tom's which don't support itineraries. It's called Tyre and developed by a couple of Dutch bikers, there's a free version at www.tyretotravel.com.

Just mapped out my entire trip on it, should make it that bit easier to navigate some of Red Devils's creative routing for me!

[GetCarter]

JM said:

You could also walk along the coast from Achmelvich to Clachtoll, stunning!

The Clachtoll sign makes me laugh... spelt in Gaelic and English... er...

[imagineifyeswill]

There was a chap in Cannich, Strathglass started a classic hire business 5 years ago, I think it was called Highland Classic Car Hire, he had an MGB, Triumph Stag and a Jensen Interceptor at the time, dont know if he still hires or not but if he does would deliver the car to the airport.

[imagineifyeswill]

Correction, its just called Highland Classic Cars, check there website.

[Humper]

RochdalePioneers said:

Achmelvich - in the hostel? Fab place

And don't forget to visit the castle when you're there

[mini1380cc]

I'm going to do this trip over the weekend:

https://goo.gl/maps/vRn1v

First night camping in Dunkeld, then Saturday drive through ballater/aviemore and stopping at Glencoe for more camping and a few drinks at Clachaig Inn. Sunday will be heading back to Edinburgh as scenically as possible, which wont be much since it is back into the built up areas.

So what car to take.. Legacy GTB or tuned classic mini?

[cat220]

mini1380cc said:

I'm going to do this trip over the weekend:

https://goo.gl/maps/vRn1v

First night camping in Dunkeld, then Saturday drive through ballater/aviemore and stopping at Glencoe for more camping and a few drinks at Clachaig Inn. Sunday will be heading back to Edinburgh as scenically as possible, which wont be much since it is back into the built up areas.

So what car to take.. Legacy GTB or tuned classic mini?

I'd take the mini make sure you pack the midge repellent!