Highlands

[coppice]

I find I can get worryingly used to it .....

[vrsmxtb]

Anyone know if Europcar Inverness stick winter tyres on their cars in the winter months? Got a Fiat 500 or similar for 5 days mid-Feb next year and just curious, as I'll be going out to Gairloch for the week so fairly remote.

[s2kjock]

I'd be stunned if any car hire outfits in the UK fitted winter tyres. I can't see it being economical for them.

[vrsmxtb]

s2kjock said:

I'd be stunned if any car hire outfits in the UK fitted winter tyres. I can't see it being economical for them.

Yes, I suppose I'm used to places in Europe doing it but it's a legal requirement in many countries. If I was renting cars I'd stick all seasons on at least, surely the savings from reducing people sticking them into ditches or needing recovery would balance any cost. Well, hope it's not a harsh February then!

[Patrick Bateman]

It's amazing how some snow can make places look even better. Glen Nevis at the weekend-

[GetCarter]

Patrick Bateman said:

It's amazing how some snow can make places look even better. Glen Nevis at the weekend-

Meanwhile, the start of a new week and the daily commute:

[Red Devil]

GetCarter said:

Patrick Bateman said:

It's amazing how some snow can make places look even better. Glen Nevis at the weekend-

Stunning (as always) .

GetCarter said:

Meanwhile, the start of a new week and the daily commute:

If this was a thread about Wales I would worry about your interest in sheep...

[andydax]

Hi Steve
Were heading up on Saturday again to stay at Minch View for the week .
Are there any current road closures or issues that we should be aware of ?
Coming up from Edinburgh via shopping at Tesco in Inverness .
Our first proper run upto the highlands in our S4 , keep an eye out for the PH sticker !
looking forward to the Bond film in the screen machine on Sunday.
Any info much appreciated .
cheers
Andy

[JM]

A9 average speed cameras and a large(ish) 40mph section with cameras between Kingussie and Aviemore.

Other than that just the normal traffic as far as I know, including the FRB 40 section.

[GetCarter]

andydax said:

Hi Steve
Were heading up on Saturday again to stay at Minch View for the week .
Are there any current road closures or issues that we should be aware of ?
Coming up from Edinburgh via shopping at Tesco in Inverness .
Our first proper run upto the highlands in our S4 , keep an eye out for the PH sticker !
looking forward to the Bond film in the screen machine on Sunday.
Any info much appreciated .
cheers
Andy

As mentioned. loads of roadworks on the A9. Over this side it's fine - though the weekend looks wet! There's a couple of nasty pot holes between Shieldaig & Torridon (two people have had punctures), so watch out for the puddles.

They are keeping the Torridon Inn open until 8.30 on Sunday … serving food - to link with the Screen Machine times. I've seen it so won't be there.

Bound to see you in Shieldaig. It's deserted.

ETA Shieldaig pub open most of the time, Jo's cafe in Torridon Wed -Sat. from 10a.m. Torridon Inn Thurs - Sun. Cafe in Shieldaig shut, but The Bealach cafe is due to open agin in Dec… could well be from Tuesday.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 26th November 11:25

[GetCarter]

andydax said:

Hi Steve
Were heading up on Saturday again to stay at Minch View for the week .
Are there any current road closures or issues that we should be aware of ?
Coming up from Edinburgh via shopping at Tesco in Inverness .
Our first proper run upto the highlands in our S4 , keep an eye out for the PH sticker !
looking forward to the Bond film in the screen machine on Sunday.
Any info much appreciated .
cheers
Andy

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

[andydax]

GetCarter said:

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

Oh well , we wernt coming for the sun , we drove to italy for that
Just looking forward to some nice dinners and lunches and a real fire , with a fabtastic view
...and a few bottles of red ....
Thanks for the info .
Andy

[sjabrown]

First snow down to sea level here. The notices are up for the forthcoming drop in speed limit from 60 to 50mph between Fort William and Ballachulish.

[mikey k]

sjabrown said:

The notices are up for the forthcoming drop in speed limit from 60 to 50mph between Fort William and Ballachulish.

Is that a permanent drop?

[GordonL]

Afraid so. Although it's rare to get a chance to go more than 40 for any length of time on that stretch.

[Who me ?]

That's sacrilege,as it used to be a fast fun road, if you knew how to drive it. Though over the years I've seen the 40 & 30 stretch stretch further out toward Onich ,so perhaps one day the killjoys will succeed in getting the FW- Onich section down to 40 .

[coppice]

It should be a nice road but no matter how quiet it may have been over Glencoe or the E side of FW it is always busy. I love the sense of elation I always get from the invariably quiet road to the isles from Invergarry - where whatever traffic there was just evaporates .

[sjabrown]

At this time of year even the normally busy stretch between Fort William and Ballachulish goes quiet at times. When you do get a good run down the road the corners and nice and fast and flowing. But in summer it is just a 35-40mph procession behind caravans and motorhomes.

Thankfully no talk of the limit being lowered on the B863.

[Red Devil]

sjabrown said:

Thankfully no talk of the limit being lowered on the B863.

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V3SqxUomwk -

[Patrick Bateman]

Winter wheels and tyres will be getting swapped over imminently I think!