Discussion
crispyshark said:
Morning all,
We are setting off on our Highlands/Western Scotland tour tomorrow and I was wondering if anyone can help re high octane fuel.
Are there filling stations in Fort William and Ullapool (or in between them) that stock anything above 98 Ron?
TIA
Kyle of Localsh & Ullapool both have super U/L (Nowhere in the west has anything 'above' 98). Haven't been to Ft William for a while, but last time I went they had Super.We are setting off on our Highlands/Western Scotland tour tomorrow and I was wondering if anyone can help re high octane fuel.
Are there filling stations in Fort William and Ullapool (or in between them) that stock anything above 98 Ron?
TIA
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 15th September 11:01
Worth noting that Gleaner (Ullapool and Kyle) seems to be 97 rather than 98, or at least that is the impression I've got. I was running a bottle of CVL Turbo with each tank of SUL from Ullapool when I was up in July to keep things running properly (mapped for 99 so don't really have a choice if I want some fun).
crispyshark said:
Thanks guys.
I've stocked loads of octane booster so hopefully it will keep the Scooby running sweet!
It's worth noting if you haven't spent much time up there before that the Gleaner in Ullapool shuts at 8pm but in both Gairloch and Scourie there are 24hr filling stations. Granted, they're only 95RON but it beats walking if you're on fumes!I've stocked loads of octane booster so hopefully it will keep the Scooby running sweet!
AdvocatusD said:
In the event of the worst happening, what's the mobile signal like above Fort William?
Glad the zanzibar GT3 above got home ok in the end all things considered!
Last time I was up, O2 2G was pretty reliable. As for 3/4G, forget it. Assume Vodafone will be similar. Orange/T/EE should also be OK, but again will be 2G. If the worst happens, I believe you can get a 999 call out on any available network.Glad the zanzibar GT3 above got home ok in the end all things considered!
BBC FM radio works OK as well most of the time as well, though there's some spots heading north of Ullapool towards Durness where you lose it. On the coast it's reliable because the big transmitters are on Orkney/Lewis!
On the deer issue, be aware that it's not just the Highlands - my write-off happened next to farmland within the Glasgow boundary & last month I saw deer grazing on the embankments next to the M77 in the Pollok/Darnley area.
Also in the Highlands, beware the cattle. These are absolutely enormous & will never get out of your way in any sort of hurry.
Mobile signal on my steam powered O2 phone is surprisingly good - often better than North Yorkshire.
One other point re accidents - if you have one in most of UK another vehicle will pass by soon; not in far north though. My record - in daytime on a Sunday morning- is nearly an hour without seeing a single vehicle .I can think of several places where if you bin it at night nobody will arrive till the next day . The ambulance station is not often 'just down the road' either. I am sure you all would do this anyway but the highlands do bring out the good samaritan in us all , even though he may be asleep when he's with you on the M1. See somebody in trouble - you stop.
One other point re accidents - if you have one in most of UK another vehicle will pass by soon; not in far north though. My record - in daytime on a Sunday morning- is nearly an hour without seeing a single vehicle .I can think of several places where if you bin it at night nobody will arrive till the next day . The ambulance station is not often 'just down the road' either. I am sure you all would do this anyway but the highlands do bring out the good samaritan in us all , even though he may be asleep when he's with you on the M1. See somebody in trouble - you stop.
Well, where to start ?
I have to say the thing that's saddened me most is the parlous state of a lot of the roads up here. Previously when I've arrived back in England, I've extolled the virtues of the Scottish road surfaces, not so this time I fear. Like the roads in England, the Scottish roads have been poorly maintained, but worse still, when they have been repaired, it looks (and feels) like bunch of
's have been given the task......
Now under normal circumstances this wouldn't be too troubling, but........ this latest GT3 (I've had it approximately a month) was previously owned by an individual who liked to drive round and round in circles. It's thus approximately 10-15mm lower than optimal, runs frankly ridiculous amounts of camber front and rear, AND it's dampers and springs are well past their best.
All the above make for a less than easy (or indeed relaxing) drive.
ANNNND, I'm struggling with a recalcitrant camera that doesn't seem to know it's aperture from it's exposure (not to mention an operative that doesn't know his ar** from his elbow !
But here goes anyway, not up to Steve's standard I'm afraid, but you get the idea :
Oh, and apparently my front number plate has fallen off (again)
I have to say the thing that's saddened me most is the parlous state of a lot of the roads up here. Previously when I've arrived back in England, I've extolled the virtues of the Scottish road surfaces, not so this time I fear. Like the roads in England, the Scottish roads have been poorly maintained, but worse still, when they have been repaired, it looks (and feels) like bunch of
's have been given the task......Now under normal circumstances this wouldn't be too troubling, but........ this latest GT3 (I've had it approximately a month) was previously owned by an individual who liked to drive round and round in circles. It's thus approximately 10-15mm lower than optimal, runs frankly ridiculous amounts of camber front and rear, AND it's dampers and springs are well past their best.
All the above make for a less than easy (or indeed relaxing) drive.
ANNNND, I'm struggling with a recalcitrant camera that doesn't seem to know it's aperture from it's exposure (not to mention an operative that doesn't know his ar** from his elbow !
But here goes anyway, not up to Steve's standard I'm afraid, but you get the idea :
Oh, and apparently my front number plate has fallen off (again)
I suspect the road that gave you especial grief was the one running from Strathnaver due east down Strath Halladale and is the first one pictured I'd guess? Worst I have encountered recently up there but vast majority better than here in Yorkshire. Whilst driving the road in question in my Seven care was needed but didn't ground once- unlike one of our party in a Cupra FR with a low splitter who was at walking pace sometimes
Red Devil said:
The mountain on the left is one of the most recognisable in Scotland - An Teallach.
Get some decent weather and it's well worth the whole day it will take you do it.
http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=82
Indeed. I finally got around to doing it in July and can re-iterate how awesome it is when the weather's good. I did it mid week and saw two people in the entire twenty odd miles I walked (I added in Glas Mhall Mor too). Sensational views in all directions and a definite difference from when I've normally been on it in winter. Get some decent weather and it's well worth the whole day it will take you do it.
http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=82
Ennoch said:
Indeed. I finally got around to doing it in July and can re-iterate how awesome it is when the weather's good.
Slightly iffy weather here:http://www.therewaslight.co.uk/pans/teallach.htm
A bit busy too, given the date. Not that you can tell from the pics though.
coppice said:
I suspect the road that gave you especial grief was the one running from Strathnaver due east down Strath Halladale and is the first one pictured I'd guess?
That's miles away! 
The one pictured is the A832 between Breamore Junction and Dundonnell.
Most of the others are all locations which have been posted before in this thread.
The railway line in the last one means it can only be Loch Carron.
Slippydiff said:
Oh, and apparently my front number plate has fallen off (again)
We found the road service to be very good but then again it was our first Highlands trip.
I'll post some of my pics later.
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