Highlands

[Allyc85]

If this doesn't make you want to drive around the Highlands nothing will

https://vimeo.com/92762851

[Red Devil]

Start - https://goo.gl/maps/cDHebeurJY32
Finish - https://goo.gl/maps/F36NZr1JpWn

Just over 9 weeks to go before I'll be doing the same.

[sjabrown]

Allyc85 said:

If this doesn't make you want to drive around the Highlands nothing will

https://vimeo.com/92762851

Even though I live in the Highlands I don't get up to the far north-west often enough. Heading for a loop in May one side of the Manx rally to get my fix...

[Who me ?]

Sja- try heading down to Corran ,over the ferry and head to Strontian, taking the first side road in the left and head on till sunset. Plenty of good driving roads on your doorstep, down Ardnamurchan point way.

[snotrag]

Been reading here a while. tried and failed to get people interested in a roadtrip so screw 'em, I'm going on my own.

I can get to Ft William in a day from Leeds, done that before, but I've never ventured further north.

From there, I'll probably follow Steves route, then go from there maybe looping round to the Cairngorms then home. Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon maybe.

Do we reckon March is too early? I know you can't predict the rain etc but if the overall temperature is too low then I'll maybe wait a while.

Finally - my car has a pretty poor range - 200-ish miles when on it - is there a better resource other than google mpas for finding petrol stations - I am working on the presumption of not being able to fire up the smart phone and get on the internet - I'll need to plan ahead. And I'll be taking a spare gallon in the boot!

[sjabrown]

[quote=Who me ?]Sja- try heading down to Corran ,over the ferry and head to Strontian, taking the first side road in the left and head on till sunset. Plenty of good driving roads on your doorstep, down Ardnamurchan point way.
[/quote]

Aye, I know that area well from work and going to/from Mull by the various ferries. It's the far north west I'm not taking advantage of.

[Red Devil]

snotrag said:

Do we reckon March is too early? I know you can't predict the rain etc but if the overall temperature is too low then I'll maybe wait a while.

Finally - my car has a pretty poor range - 200-ish miles when on it - is there a better resource other than google mpas for finding petrol stations - I am working on the presumption of not being able to fire up the smart phone and get on the internet - I'll need to plan ahead. And I'll be taking a spare gallon in the boot!

GC is probably the best person to ask about the weather/temperatures in March as he resides up there.
Our group always goes in mid-April and we have had amazing weather for the last 7 years.

This was what greeted us in 2015. Hardly a cloud in the sky for 5 days.

Viewpoint on the A832 above Corrieschalloch Gorge (off camera to the right) - https://goo.gl/maps/EtobLSjrpQH2


Uig harbour looking towards Skye - https://goo.gl/maps/CeuoC212SMP2


Dornoch Firth from Struie Hill on the B9146 - https://goo.gl/maps/yL89FZx8UzF2


From the top of the Lecht - https://goo.gl/maps/mouXD1vnHio



Petrol stations that I know of:

- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Broadford & Portree (if doing Skye)
- Kinlochewe
- Ullapool
- Scourie
- Tongue
- Thurso
- Wick
- Lairg
- Inverness
- Grantown-on-Spey
- Braemar
- Blairgowrie

If going to the far north, be aware that opening times can be limited.
In the smaller/more remote places they will close pretty early too.
Scourie can be a life saver as it has a 24/7 card operated pay-at-pump.

HTH.

[GetCarter]

Red Devil said:

Petrol stations that I know of:

- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Broadford & Portree (if doing Skye)
- Kinlochewe
- Ullapool
- Scourie
- Tongue
- Thurso
- Wick
- Lairg
- Inverness
- Grantown-on-Spey
- Braemar
- Blairgowrie

HTH.

I can add to that:
Dingwall
Gairloch
Lochcarron (24 hr with card reader)
Applecross (24 hr with card reader)

[andym1603]

GetCarter said:

I can add to that:
Dingwall
Gairloch
Lochcarron (24 hr with card reader)
Applecross (24 hr with card reader)

Add to this as well, all Asda stores are pay at pump so that will include Wick, Tain and Inverness.

[Lancs Dave]

RD - think you mean Uig harbour looking towards Harris

We head up there on 16th, might see you around

[John A]

Lancs Dave said:

RD - think you mean Uig harbour looking towards Harris

No, he's quite correct. That's a picture from Uig (Skye) looking towards Waternish (also Skye)

[Craikeybaby]

Red Devil said:

GC is probably the best person to ask about the weather/temperatures in March as he resides up there.
Our group always goes in mid-April and we have had amazing weather for the last 7 years.

This was what greeted us in 2015. Hardly a cloud in the sky for 5 days.

On the other hand we had snow on the Applecross pass when we were there in April 2015. Later in the day it was sunny enough to have the roof down though.


MR2 Bealach na Ba by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

[snotrag]

Very useful list that guys.

I did think April probably a sweet spot.

[Who me ?]

andym1603 said:

Add to this as well, all Asda stores are pay at pump so that will include Wick, Tain and Inverness.

Crdit cards, no problem, but there's two types of debit card in use. Prepay and non prepay. It needs to be a prepay one at Asda ( and most possibly other places) pay at pump. As for fuel and types- log onto petrolprices.com and look at towns /villages for pumps and types of fuel.

[cat220]

snotrag said:

Very useful list that guys.

I did think April probably a sweet spot.

Just bear in mind the Easter weekend is the last weekend in March this year and the school easter holidays are also the first two weeks in April.

[GetCarter]

snotrag said:

Do we reckon March is too early? I know you can't predict the rain etc but if the overall temperature is too low then I'll maybe wait a while.

March is hit and miss.

26th March last year



27th March last year

[coppice]

I'd say there is no finer time to be in the Highlands than late May; March can be fine but can also be a bloody nightmare(and that's here in N Yorks , let alone 400miles North..)

[Patrick Bateman]

My experience of Fort William since last summer tells me it can be like that from one day to another in August too.

[GetCarter]

Patrick Bateman said:

My experience of Fort William since last summer tells me it can be like that from one day to another in August too.

True, but in August temps don't get to -20C.

I'm right by the sea so temps are never that low, but as a guide, last march the lowest I saw was +1C and the highest +14C. It's colder inland. Last March was the second wettest month of the year mind!


http://stevecarter.com/random/nurd.htm

[Lancs Dave]

John A said:

No, he's quite correct. That's a picture from Uig (Skye) looking towards Waternish (also Skye)

I stand corrected. It's looking further around to the left than it thought :-)