Highlands

[Red Devil]

DangerDoom said:

Planning to head up next week

Likewise. Overnighter at Perth on Thursday 14th. Will be passing through Shieldaig on Sunday 17th en route to lunch at the Applecross Inn then over the Bealach na Bà. Mixing it up by going anti-clockwise this time. Weather forecast isn't great for that weekend though. Looks like our luck may have finally run out

[DangerDoom]

Appreciate the responses and will continue to keep an eye on the weather (thanks for the link; fingers crossed it stays reasonable).

Red Devil - it looks like our paths may just about cross but I'll be on my way back south by that point unfortunately.

I'm heading up from London so the plan is to do the heavy lifting on Monday and Friday which leaves Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for exploring, with a breakdown as follows:

Monday - London to Fort William.
Tuesday - Fort William to Tongue (scenic west coast route).
Wednesday - Tongue to Inverness (scenic west coast route; same as Tuesday in reverse).
Thursday - Inverness to Dumbarton (passing through the Cairngorms, over to Oban, and around the Trossachs - https://goo.gl/maps/Eidm4BS26tN2).
Friday - Dumbarton to London.

Does that seem sensible or would you suggest it's preferable to do the west coast route only once over Tuesday and Wednesday, staying in say Torridon or Ullapool on Tuesday night, make it up to Tongue on Wednesday night, and then do the run from Tongue down to Dumbarton through the Cairngorms and the Trossachs on Thursday?

[mikey k]

Any reason you are doing the reverse for Tongue to Inverness?
There is a cracking route down through the Highlands!
Your route to Dumbarton is a long old trek as well
I'd avoid the A9 and go Culloden, Cawdor & Ferness to Grantown, its a cracking road!

[DangerDoom]

Great to have some input - thank you.

Considered the reverse route as I wasn't aware there was such a good run through the highlands. Don't suppose you can point me in the right direction?

In the meantime will explore the route you suggest for Inverness to Dumbarton.

[mikey k]

DangerDoom said:

Great to have some input - thank you.

Considered the reverse route as I wasn't aware there was such a good run through the highlands. Don't suppose you can point me in the right direction?

In the meantime will explore the route you suggest for Inverness to Dumbarton.

Here's my thread from my trip last week based in Inverness

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

The Tongue route is A836 & B9176 South
You might want to look at this for part of the trip to Dumbarton as well
Our of Inverness B9090 to B9007
A938/9
Lunch @ Braemar in the Bothy
Pitlochry to Dalwhinnie
A86 to Spean Bridge

[mikey k]

DangerDoom said:

Great to have some input - thank you.

Considered the reverse route as I wasn't aware there was such a good run through the highlands. Don't suppose you can point me in the right direction?

In the meantime will explore the route you suggest for Inverness to Dumbarton.

Here's my thread from my trip last week based in Inverness

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

The Tongue route is A836 & B9176 South
You might want to look at this for part of the trip to Dumbarton as well
Our of Inverness B9090 to B9007
A938/9
Lunch @ Braemar in the Bothy
Pitlochry to Dalwhinnie
A86 to Spean Bridge

[AdvocatusD]

List of "best" restaurants in Scotland. http://www.wildernessscotland.com/blog/our-pick-of... Copied and pasted below for ease of reference.

Any comments/thoughts?

Going to try to hit a few on our annual run (which is a modified n500).

Our Pick of Scotland’s Best Restaurants – By Area

Outer Hebrides

North Harbour Bistro, Scalpay
A tiny restaurant with a big passion for fresh local produce and a real talent in the kitchen. We have been getting rave reviews from guides and clients alike who have enjoyed stunning dishes with incredible local ingredients.
Tripadvisor Link | Budget: £

Temple Cafe, Harris Our Pick of Scotland’s Best Restaurants
Low-key and rustic charm in spades at this friendly cafe in Northton on Harris. The food ranges from delicious homebaking to enjoy with a coffee to some fantastic meals prepared with a hearty Hebridean welcome. We recommend the pulled pork with bbq sauce followed by a slice of giant Strawberry shortcake.
Facebook Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £

Inner Hebrides & Skye

Our Pick of Scotland's Best RestaurantsThe Three Chimneys, Skye
This michelin-starred restaurant in the north west of Skye offers a very special dining experience. Surrounded by rugged coastline, the approach at the Three Chimneys is all about sampling Scotland’s rich culinary heritage and the best in local ingredients.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £££

The Small & Cosy Teahouse, Skye
Drop in and sample a pot from their vast collection of unusual loose-leafed teas, washed down with a selection of top-notch home-baking.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget £

Relish, Portree Skye
This deli offers a veritable smorgasbord of the freshest in local produce and their own menu of tasty treats. Take away a selection for devouring at home or sample something prepared. The langoustine, lime and garlic mayo sandwich comes highly recommended.
Website Link | Tel:[phone] | Budget: £

North West Highlands

Lochinver Larder

Our Pick of Scotland's Best Restaurants
Lochinver
Possibly THE most popular and infamous eatery within the Wilderness Scotland team. This unassuming cafe and bistro in the village of Lochinver produces some of the most delicious pies on the planet.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £

West Highlands & Knoydart

Gille Brighde, Diabaig
This wee restaurant located on the shores of Loch Torridon offers a bounty of fresh local ingredients prepared with a real love of the area. Fantastic seafood and local venison comes highly recommended.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £

Applecross Inn
An absolute gem of a place. Award-winning seafood to die for in a cosy wee pub-like atmosphere bathed in some of the most stunning views of the west coast possible. A real favourite with us.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: ££

Doune, Knoydart
One of our most favourite places to visit, Doune is a tiny settlement on the tip of the Knoydart peninsula. The food served there by Liz and Martin in the kitchen is an award-winning collection of the freshest seafood and local produce, often collected from the sea the same day. A very special place. (Click here for our short film about food culture on Knoydart, featuring Doune).
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: ££

Our Pick of Scotland's Best RestaurantsEeusk, Oban
Located on the pier in Oban harbour, this seafood restaurant offers a invigorating dive into the heart of Scottish seafood culture! Enjoy views of the sun setting over the bay as you crack open annother lobster claw.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: ££

Kerrera Tea Garden, Oban
Cosy wee cafe located on the island of Kerrera, across the bay from Oban. Definitely in the running for best scones this side of the border! An ideal place for a refuel after a walk around the island.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £

Cairngorms and Central Scotland

Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles
Scotland’s only 2 Michelin starred restaurant and previous winner of UK’s best restaurant in the Sunday Times. This is a dining experience to be remembered!
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £££

Scottish Deli, PitlochryOur Pick of Scotland's Best Restaurants
If you re anywhere near Pitlochry make sure you head over to the Scottish Deli where you can pick up a range of Scottish delights. They offer an incredible selection of fresh sandwiches and goodies to take away.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: £

Mountain Cafe, Aviemore
As our office is only a mile down the road, we have built up a pretty strong relationship with this friendly wee cafe. They offer a fantastic menu for breakfast and lunch of fresh and tasty dishes but perhaps are most famous for their award-winning home baking and mouthwatering cake selection.
Website Link | Tel:[phone] | Budget: £

The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
Another local favourite with the Wilderness Team who visit this absolute gem of a pub and restaurant perhaps a little too often! The Old Bridge is not only one of the best pubs in the highlands with a fantastic range of local beers, whiskies and a cracking live-music lineup but also offers a very impressive menu of top-notch food. Not to be missed.
Website Link | Tel: [phone] | Budget: ££

Andersons, Boat of Garten
Relaxed eatery with delicious comforting food and a welcoming atmosphere. Try the exploding ice cream for a post-dinner pick-me-up.

[DangerDoom]

Awesome. Thank you. Will take a look and adjust the plan.

[GetCarter]

I'd add Kylesku Hotel/Inn to that list. I regularly drive there for lunch (204 mile round trip).

http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk

[Red Devil]

DangerDoom said:

Red Devil - it looks like our paths may just about cross but I'll be on my way back south by that point unfortunately.

Don't think so. You'll be traversing the Cairngorms heading south on Thursday. I'll be going in the opposite direction the following day.

DangerDoom said:

Wednesday - Tongue to Inverness (scenic west coast route; same as Tuesday in reverse).

I would use mikey k's route but rather than Inverness I would crack on all the way to Pitlochry - https://goo.gl/maps/BsbZxEbq31p
From Ferness you have the choice of staying on the A939 direct via Grantown-on-Spey or mikey k's suggestion via the B9007/A938/A95

DangerDoom said:

Thursday - Inverness to Dumbarton (passing through the Cairngorms, over to Oban, and around the Trossachs - https://goo.gl/maps/Eidm4BS26tN2).

Staying in Pitlochry instead of Inverness on Wednesday night means equal length distance and time on both days - https://goo.gl/maps/ZFi8rhw6WJq
This splits both days evenly in both mileage and time which makes for a more pleasant drive in every way.
From Arrochar take the A814 to Garelochhead then the A817 (Haul Road). It cuts out much of the slog along the A82 from Tarbet.

DangerDoom said:

Does that seem sensible or would you suggest it's preferable to do the west coast route only once over Tuesday and Wednesday, staying in say Torridon or Ullapool on Tuesday night, make it up to Tongue on Wednesday night, and then do the run from Tongue down to Dumbarton through the Cairngorms and the Trossachs on Thursday?

You've got to be jesting: Tongue to Dumbarton via your route in one hit? Your existing plan from Inverness is over 7hrs.
After factoring in time for lunch and photo opportunities that alone would be more than enough imo.

[mikey k]

Interesting list!
After many years of touring holidays in Scotland I've only used one of those (Applecross Inn) and wasn't that impressed with it

[stupidbutkeen]

Im staying just outside fort william from sat 16th- tues 19th with the plan to do the islands and applecross etc. We may cross paths

[DangerDoom]

Thanks Red Devil and Mikey K. This sounds much more sensible.

Tuesday - Fort William to Tongue.
Wednesday - Tongue to Pitlochry.
Thursday - Pitlochry to Dumbarton.

Very appreciative of the input. First Scottish tour so hoping to fit in as much as possible.

[ianrb]

GetCarter said:

I'd add Kylesku Hotel/Inn to that list. I regularly drive there for lunch (204 mile round trip).

http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk

Is it generally easy to get in there for lunch, or do you need to book?

Just been trying to book accomodation there & they appear to be full right through to October! Must be doing something right.

[GetCarter]

ianrb said:

GetCarter said:

I'd add Kylesku Hotel/Inn to that list. I regularly drive there for lunch (204 mile round trip).

http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk

Is it generally easy to get in there for lunch, or do you need to book?

Just been trying to book accomodation there & they appear to be full right through to October! Must be doing something right.

Lunch is fine, turn up soon after 12 and you'll def get in. Two nice ladies (one chef, one FOH) took it over a few years ago and have completely transformed it. Food is fab. If you do book a room, go for the newly built 'Willy's hoose' Rooms small but upstairs 2 rooms have a balcony with great view. (This taken from said balcony)

[Lancs Dave]

Staying there in a couple of weeks with my gang. Can't wait.

[Patrick Bateman]

I read so much about the Bealach na Bá that I'd never even heard of the Bealach na Gaoithe. As ever, pictures don't do it justice and the road to Diabaig is an absolute cracker too-

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Saturday 9th April 11:06

[GetCarter]

Patrick Bateman said:

I read so much about the Bealach na Bá that I'd never even heard of the Bealach na Gaoithe.

Also, in really bad weather the folk from Applecross can get out via the coast road, but anyone in Diabaig will need a boat!

[dazren]

GetCarter said:

I'd add Kylesku Hotel/Inn to that list. I regularly drive there for lunch (204 mile round trip).

http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk

Was there this week. Huge refurbishment done in the last few years. Excellent seafood. If making a lunch stop during the week, the kitchens close at 2:30.

[dazren]

About 30 Lamborghini Aventadors and Hurracans spotted on the A83 this morning between Tarbet and Inverary.