Highlands

[Hooli]

coppice said:

Don't underestimate the ballistic pace some of the locals drive at either. Last year whilst driving North from Lairg a gamekeeper's Land Rover Defender pulled over for me when I caught him in my Seven. I set off at a brisk pace on an open road and the Defender diminished to a dot behind me. I stopped to let somebody pass from the North- Defender within 100m. Long story short, by the time I got to Altnaharra the Defender was a minute behind me and I was going very quickly indeed - when I could see where I was going . So 400bhp per tonne and about 80bhp per tonne ended up almost in a score draw. And the BT vans are all driven by wannabe Hamiltons in Q3 mode too

My first trip up there on a motorbike included being passed by a Merc Sprinter (with roof racked ladders). He must have wound it up right from the top of the hill as I was touching triple figures when he came past!

[danpollard]

So, the time is finally here, and we're really excited to be getting on the road in about 15 mins! First stop Scarborough, ready for the North York Moors in the morning, and up to Edinburgh. For those interested (not anyone connected to the police force), this is our route. About 7 hours of driving a day, give or take. Hopefully we can manage it all. Will try to post the odd picture or two as we go - thanks again to everyone who helped me create it.

How's the weather looking up there at the moment - I'm a bit nervous by reports of snow I'm hearing, as the Zed doesn't like snow - I can drive sensibly around a morning frost though. Anywhere still under snow that anyone's aware of?

[GetCarter]

Have a good trip.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 2nd April 08:01

[Who me ?]

Reports on another forum of snow /hail etc around west Yorkshire and reports of snow on high A9

[danpollard]

Thanks chaps. Just arrived in Scarboroughand the car is already filthy! Hopefully no sign of that snow in the bits I'm going to.

[Humper]

GetCarter said:

No problem with the M5 on any of the roads. I live up here and have owned an RS6 and a couple of BM 5's. You should definitely do the Applecross loop (clockwise best).

...and as mentioned... this passed me this morning

I find Fergussons drivers can give a lot of folk a run for the money

[Humper]

s2kjock said:

As new limits are generally paid attention to by the Polis and roads policing having been diverted off the A9 following the success of the A9 average speed cameras there must be an increased risk of being done on this stretch - the problem is that speeds a "good bit higher" than 50 are easily achievable on this road unless traffic is heavy (rare out of summer daytime tourist season) so if you are caught, the penalties will be painful.

This is sad news, planning a wee run up to Plockton in May on the bike, it's one of my favourite roads for keeping above the speed limit.

[Who me ?]

Humper said:

I find Fergussons drivers can give a lot of folk a run for the money

How about City Link ( or whatever they are called these days)buses in Glencoe . if they have a limiter fitted. I'll bet it only pays lip service to 60

[CashRS]

Red Devil said:

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.

Thanks, i adjusted our route.
Just after joining the A9, there is the Tomatin Distillery. Is that worth a visit?
Since we are in Scotland, we wanted to visit at least one distillery, not to drink there (since we'll be driving afterwards), But just to have a look around.

[Red Devil]

Singh911 said:

I am organising a 5 day trip in the Highlands on 20 April.

You're starting out on the day our 5 day thrash is finishing (see below).

Singh911 said:

I would welcome thoughts on how do-able this is for 5 days and how suitable some of the roads are for the M5.

You'll be OK on the Bealach na Bà. My car is much lower than a M5. This road is the back way from Eriboll to Altnaharra (instead of via Tongue) beside Loch Hope with Ben Hope in the background. It's narrower in some places and quite a bit rougher than the road to Applecross, but I didn't encounter any issues. It just meant going a bit slower on the bad bits.



Photo taken on April 20th last year in brilliant sunshine without a cloud in the sky - http://goo.gl/0KtkA9 -

Singh911 said:

Also would be grateful for any points to really good routes south from Lairg?

This is the route we will be taking on 20th April this year - https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=1%2FA836&... - the only difference is we're starting from Ullapool so will be cutting out Lairg and joining the A836 at Invershin. Unless you have a special reason to visit Nairn I wouldn't bother. The B roads via Culloden are much more fun than the A96. The A93 from Blairgowrie to Perth is nothing special either and can get quite busy hence the loop via Dunkeld and Murthly. Point N is Broxden Junction. From there it's a straight run down the M90 to the Forth Bridge.

If you want to avoid Blairgowrie (I would if it were my choice) then leave the A93 prior to Bridge of Cally and go via the B970/A924 then the minor road past the Edradour Distillery to the A9 - https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=B950&dadd... - if you do, don't forget that the A9 is now infested with average speed cameras

There are a couple of options south of Edinburgh if you want some more great roads before beginning the slog down a motorway to London.

From the A720 Southern bypass take the A703/B7026/A6094/A701 to Moffat then the A74(M) to Gretna (J45). From there the A6071 via Longtown to Brampton, A689 to Alston, B6277 to Barnard Castle and the A66 to Scotch Corner. Alternatively stay on the bypass until the A68. Follow that (beware Gatsos!) to south of Jedburgh, then the B6357/A6088/B6357 to Saughtree. Unclassified through Kielder Forest to Bellingham, A6320 to Chollerford, then B6318/A6079/A69/A6079 to Hexham. B6306 via Blanchland to Edmondbyers, followed by the B6278 via Stanhope and Eggleston to Barnard Castle. Then A67/B6277/A66 to Scotch Corner. Having done both, I can promise you neither will disappoint.

s2kjock said:

Singh911 said:

I have come up with two must do roads having read all the material - these being the A87 from Invergarry to Dornie

I used to drive this road a lot, but have not been up it since the Autumn last year, since when AIUI there have been permanent 50mph restrictions put in place from Invergarry West to the top of the hill, and again from Cluanie Lodge to Shiel Bridge or part thereof I think.

Not so. A concerted campaign by the local inhabitants has kicked both of these proposals into the long grass. Win!
http://www.whfp.com/2015/03/06/delight-as-proposed...

Edited by Red Devil on Thursday 2nd April 17:58

[Red Devil]

CashRS said:

Red Devil said:

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.

Thanks, i adjusted our route.
Just after joining the A9, there is the Tomatin Distillery. Is that worth a visit?
Since we are in Scotland, we wanted to visit at least one distillery, not to drink there (since we'll be driving afterwards), But just to have a look around.

Why not? Any distillery is worth visiting.

You don't have to drink there if you don't want to. Go prepared and bottle your own! - http://www.tomatin.com/about

[GetCarter]

All deer are stupid. This one more than most.... playing 'chicken' with a two ton Land Rover.

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 4th April 13:42

[s2kjock]

Red Devil said:

Not so. A concerted campaign by the local inhabitants has kicked both of these proposals into the long grass. Win!
http://www.whfp.com/2015/03/06/delight-as-proposed...

Edited by Red Devil on Thursday 2nd April 17:58

That's brillant. Cheered me up no end

I objected in the official consultation and last I heard was it was being implemented and even that the 50 limit repeater posts were being installed.

Do you think we could get 1000 signatures together to have the A9 average speed cameras turned off too?

[Davidonly]

s2kjock said:

Red Devil said:

Not so. A concerted campaign by the local inhabitants has kicked both of these proposals into the long grass. Win!
http://www.whfp.com/2015/03/06/delight-as-proposed...

Edited by Red Devil on Thursday 2nd April 17:58

That's brillant. Cheered me up no end

I objected in the official consultation and last I heard was it was being implemented and even that the 50 limit repeater posts were being installed.

Do you think we could get 1000 signatures together to have the A9 average speed cameras turned off too?

This success for common sense needs much higher profile so others being bullied by these desk-bound civil servants can learn how to resist them effectively..... Now just PRAY you don't get more avg speed cams even at 60 mph limit all over (highland) Scotland's main roads.....

[z4goon]

I've just got back from a trip to the Highlands. This is the third one I've done in the Z and probably the best one yet. I've previously gone in May and September and although they were quiet in terms of traffic, I had the roads to myself this time! Was great to see the snow on the mountains too, luckily the roads were clear apart from the odd patch here and there.

Hands down these are the best driving roads in the UK, so jealous of those who live up there and have these roads on their doorstep! Every time I come home I spend a bit of time on Rightmove dreaming lol.

Enjoy...

[Craikeybaby]

I'm up in Perth, but got a couple of nights booked in Lochcarron, I'm thinking of going to the Applecross Inn for dinner one evening, can anyone suggest somewhere for the other evening?

It looks like I've got authentic Scottish weather for our trip.

[GetCarter]

Craikeybaby said:

I'm up in Perth, but got a couple of nights booked in Lochcarron, I'm thinking of going to the Applecross Inn for dinner one evening, can anyone suggest somewhere for the other evening?

It looks like I've got authentic Scottish weather for our trip.

Wednesday looks great - tomorrow crap. I would wait until Wednesday to do Applecross etc.

Eats: Walled Garden at Applecross good. Torridon Inn is good. Shieldaig bar variable. Lochcarron Bistro cute.

Wave as you pass!

You in the MR2?... I'll look out for you.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 13th April 18:55

[Craikeybaby]

The plan was for Applecross on Wednesday, so that works well! The plan for tomorrow is to drive the Old Military road up to Inverness, then across to Lochcarron.

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations! Will report back.

Yes, we're in the MR2, although the girlfriend can't quite understand why "we've gone on holiday to a country where it always rains, in a car which she can't fit all her luggage into"

[Red Devil]

GetCarter said:

Wave as you pass!

You in the MR2?... I'll look out for you.

Then be ready for a whole gaggle of them on Friday as we head up the Bealach to Applecross and thence to Shieldaig.

I'll be starting the long haul up country tomorrow morning to meet up with the rest of the gang at Dumbarton. Overnight stopover then 5 days of sights and sounds.

[GetCarter]

This is the weather forecast the local fishermen use. Looking good Wed onwards.

http://xcweather.co.uk/forecast/shieldaig