Highlands

[Craikeybaby]

I really enjoyed my trip to Lewis/Harris/Bernerey/Skye a few years back, would love to go again.

[GetCarter]

Blown2CV said:

have reworked the may trip... thinking skye and harris. Feedback please??

Harris is stunning in good weather... sod all to do in the rain. Depending on what time of year you are here there ferries will either be full or have 'last minute' space.

Check out the beaches on Harris (which is why you need sunshine!) >>> http://www.stevecarter.com/beaches/beaches.htm

[ant leigh]

GetCarter said:

Harris is stunning in good weather... sod all to do in the rain. Depending on what time of year you are here there ferries will either be full or have 'last minute' space.

Check out the beaches on Harris (which is why you need sunshine!) >>> http://www.stevecarter.com/beaches/beaches.htm

The beaches of all the outer Hebrides are stunning, particularly Berneray and Luskantyre.
Had a fantastic drive down the Hebrides from Port Nis to Vatersay a couple of years ago, taking three days.
It's a must drive for anyone who loves driving, has a soul, and likes to get away from the crowds.

However I can confirm the water is cold

[OvalOwl]

ant leigh said:

Had a fantastic drive down the Hebrides from Port Nis to Vatersay a couple of years ago, taking three days.
It's a must drive for anyone who loves driving, has a soul, and likes to get away from the crowds.

However I can confirm the water is cold

I cycled from Barra to Stornoway in three days a few years back and still managed to take in the sights. It's one of those trips that just has to be done. Go in summer and it doesn't get dark TILL GONE MIDNIGHT.

[stevoknevo]

OvalOwl said:

ant leigh said:

Had a fantastic drive down the Hebrides from Port Nis to Vatersay a couple of years ago, taking three days.
It's a must drive for anyone who loves driving, has a soul, and likes to get away from the crowds.

However I can confirm the water is cold

I cycled from Barra to Stornoway in three days a few years back and still managed to take in the sights. It's one of those trips that just has to be done. Go in summer and it doesn't get dark TILL GONE MIDNIGHT.

And then for not very long!

We went to the islands on honeymoon in 2008: Oban-Barra-Eriskay-up through the Uists-125 over the causeway to Berneray to catch the ferry(which they held for us, the ferryman had a right good laugh at my smoking brakes) Harris-Lewis back to the Uists and got the ferry from South Uist to Oban.

Wonderful.

[GetCarter]

Half way up the Bealach this morning.

1920 px wide so I'll just post a link >> http://stevecarter.com/random/UpTheHill15.jpg

View from the top:

[Red Devil]

Stunning.

Can you please arrange for similar weather on Friday 17th April? Thanks.

We'll be having lunch at the Applecross Inn and probably a photo op in Shieldaig later that afternoon.
If you're down there that afternoon come and say hello. We'll be the ones causing the traffic jam.

All 20 of us...

[Craikeybaby]

Are you going to be up there all week? I'm up there 12th, 13th & 14th April.

[GetCarter]

Red Devil said:

Stunning.

Can you please arrange for similar weather on Friday 17th April? Thanks.

We'll be having lunch at the Applecross Inn and probably a photo op in Shieldaig later that afternoon.
If you're down there that afternoon come and say hello. We'll be the ones causing the traffic jam.

All 20 of us...

I'll listen out for you

[Red Devil]

Craikeybaby said:

Are you going to be up there all week? I'm up there 12th, 13th & 14th April.

Unfortunately our paths won't cross. Our group is coming from all over (Kent to Co. Meath) and converging at Dumbarton on Wednesday evening (15th). Leaving the next morning after breakfast and finishing in Perth on Monday evening (20th).

GetCarter said:

I'll listen out for you

The lead car (not me) might have a sat nav malfunction and turn down your drive by mistake...

[Lancs Dave]

I'll be picking up the batton the following week with my lot, heading north on my annual trip. Can't wait !

[CashRS]

Hi,

Me and 3 friends from Belgium will go to Scotland in the summer for a road trip.
We'll be driving 2 Megane RS'es and 2 S2000's.

I have gone trough most of this thread and it has been really helpful, I found some good tips in here.
I have attached a map of the route we intend on taking, any comments on it ?

Also I was wondering, in this youtube clip the road that starts at around 03:50, does anyone know where this is?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLRL7qEaWOg&fe...




Kind regards !

[GetCarter]

CashRS said:

Hi,


Also I was wondering, in this youtube clip the road that starts at around 03:50, does anyone know where this is?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLRL7qEaWOg&fe...




Kind regards !

It's on Skye, between Broadford and Portree. It's a decent road, but usually busy. There are similar roads with much less traffic in Wester Ross and Sutherand.

[CashRS]

Thx for the info!

[ant leigh]

CashRS said:

Hi,

Me and 3 friends from Belgium will go to Scotland in the summer for a road trip.
We'll be driving 2 Megane RS'es and 2 S2000's.

I have gone trough most of this thread and it has been really helpful, I found some good tips in here.
I have attached a map of the route we intend on taking, any comments on it ?

Also I was wondering, in this youtube clip the road that starts at around 03:50, does anyone know where this is?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLRL7qEaWOg&fe...




Kind regards !

It's a good route choice.
I would always try the Hebrides but the ferry out and back adds a good few days

Good choice of vehicles to.
Here is my Megane just outside Unapool a couple of years ago

[OvalOwl]

ant leigh said:

I would always try the Hebrides but the ferry out and back adds a good few days

It doesn't take that long!

Oban Castlebay is five hours but the passages across The Minch are much shorter. Uig to Tarbert or Lochmaddy about 1H45 and Ullapool to Stornoway in 2H30

Check in closes 45 minutes before sailing.

[ant leigh]

OvalOwl said:

It doesn't take that long!

Oban Castlebay is five hours but the passages across The Minch are much shorter. Uig to Tarbert or Lochmaddy about 1H45 and Ullapool to Stornoway in 2H30

Check in closes 45 minutes before sailing.

True.
But once you have factored in both ferries and sufficient time for a meaningful drive, especially if you do the Uists (another ferry) as well as Lewis/Harris then it's going to be pretty much 3 days extra on any tour.

My three days :-
1st Day
Ullapool to Stornoway AM
Drive to Port Ness and then down to Tarbert PM with time on the beach at Port Ness

2nd Day
Driving around Harris down the east coast then back up the West with a few hours for the beaches incl Luskantyre
Ferry to Berneray

3rd Day
Beach at Berneray
Drive around the Uists and then ferry back to Oban

Edited by ant leigh on Friday 27th March 22:11

[Red Devil]

GetCarter said:

CashRS said:

Hi,


Also I was wondering, in this youtube clip the road that starts at around 03:50, does anyone know where this is?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLRL7qEaWOg&fe...




Kind regards !

It's on Skye, between Broadford and Portree. It's a decent road, but usually busy. There are similar roads with much less traffic in Wester Ross and Sutherand.

Here - http://goo.gl/eds55t

I would make one very small change to the route. When joining the A9 from the B851, I would head north not south then take the next right onto the B9154. It rejoins the A9 before you reach Tomatin. It has two plus points. A much safer way to reach the southbound carriageway of the A9 and, because it doesn't go anywhere except Moy, it will be devoid of traffic.

[GJB73]

A wee heads up whilst heading up to Applecross today there was an unmarked white BMW 5 series parked up as you come through the 49 limit in Achnasheen.

[blazito]

Let me just quickly say hello, as this is my first post to forum.

I've recently (nearly) completed a 1000 mile lap around Scottish Highlands, mostly inspired by this topic. A big thank you to GetCarter and all other posters who contributed to my planning and organising of this amazing adventure.
I'll post the exact route (similar to what CashRS has posted recently) later on.

Having said that, here's what Bealach Na Ba looked like on Friday, 20th March. (Can anyone guess why I was there?)



And also:


(compare: http://stevecarter.com/random/UpTheHill15.jpg)

Edited by blazito on Monday 30th March 12:35