Highlands

[GetCarter]

Might be O/T but if you leave The Torridon at 09:30 and take the pretty route after Ullapool to Lochinver (via Inverkirkaig), you'll arrive at Kylesku at 12.00 - just as they start serving lunch.

Or take the A869 via Clachtoll route, which will have the same time effect >>

Just a thought. (I know this as do it a lot!)

I mention this as the food at Kylesku is by far the best on the route.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 25th July 13:40

[jock mcsporran]

GetCarter said:

Might be O/T but if you leave The Torridon at 09:30 and take the pretty route after Ullapool to Lochinver (via Inverkirkaig), you'll arrive at Kylesku at 12.00 - just as they start serving lunch.

Or take the A869 via Clachtoll route, which will have the same time effect >>

Just a thought. (I know this as do it a lot!)

I mention this as the food at Kylesku is by far the best on the route.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 25th July 13:40

Agreed, we always stop there for the Langoustine platter.

[coppice]

[quote=PJH1987]

I really need to go back, I had such a great time and although we did a lot of driving with long days in sometimes dismal weather, I came back more refreshed and relaxed than I ever could have hoped for. I never knew it was still possible to be so alone on this busy and crowded world.
To wake up, get in and just drive. You and the machine, the occasional sheep and just mile after mile of the most awesome scenery and nature. It truely is astonishingly beautiful and I think that everyone in this world should experience epicness of this magnitude. I have a feeling that we often forget just how awesome the planet can be, and to be able to drive through all of it is just mind blowing really.



Nicely put - and I think you identify the appeal of the Highlands very shrewdly.To me it is an adventure in my very small car in big empty spaces with astonishing scenery and wildlife I don't see at home . It isn't all that daft NC500 convoy thing - to drive up there is,at its best, a solo(or me and a friend ) thing.It isn't parking up at a layby with 30 identical cars only so as to take the same cliched picture.

[PJH1987]

I don't know.

Go alone? Yes, because I like to drive for hours and hours and most people can't handle that. I don't stop very often but when I do, I want to take my time and not feel like I am keeping up a group of people (like they keep me up when I want to make progress). To explore on your own and do what you want, whenever you want seems nice though.

But, what if you have a flat tire, lets say over here: https://www.google.nl/maps/@58.5135161,-3.8826616,...

I don't think I would take on a trip like this with only one car, especially because I sometimes choose to drive at dusk to take some nice pictures during gold/blue hour. If something happens in such a remote area, you could be in trouble. I remember that I didn't have any cellphone reception up north, sometimes for periods over 30 minutes. Try walking the distance you covered in a car in 30 minutes

I think that ideally I would travel in a group of 3 or 4 cars. All evenly matched in terms of driving habits (distance, time). Take the same route, but drive as if you are on your own. If you want to stop, the rest can stop or choose to continue, no hard feelings. But if a car is missing in the evening, at least they will notice it. Once all have arrived, have a drink near the fireplace and share the stories of how wonderful the day was, and think about how much better the next one will be

[coppice]

It's not Alaska! I am an old fart with the mechanical skills of an ant yet I drive my ten year old Seven up there every year.It let me down this year- but after fixed I went up again a fortnight ago. Unlike most of UK if you break down (or even are stopped at roadside) anybody passing will stop to see you are ok. Worst that can happen? You break down and are marooned for an hour or so - enjoy the scenery ......

[Jacobyte]

We're taking the Cobra Daytona up to the Highlands in August, including a day at Rest & Be Thankful with the Cobra Drivers Club.

On the 15th we need to get from Inveraray to Skye. I've driven Rannoch Moor / Glen Coe many times, so for a change of scenery I was thinking perhaps heading west and up the A828 coast road towards Fort William. Is that road OK for good average speed, or is it a bit slow, bumpy and singletracky with passing places? My worry is that we can't afford to be late for our ferry crossing at Mallaig.

[Patrick Bateman]

Oban to Fort William is quite a good road, much more enjoyable to drive than any stretch I can think of on the A82 (North Ballachulish to Fort William notwithstanding, although you will never, ever, ever get a proper run at that unless you're driving at irregular hours) providing it's not too busy. A few decent straights as well to pass anything. You certainly won't be held up any more than you would be on the A82.

As brilliant as the scenery is on the A82, I still don't rate it that highly in terms of driving.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Tuesday 26th July 12:21

[Jacobyte]

Patrick Bateman said:

Oban to Fort William is quite a good road, much more enjoyable to drive than any stretch I can think of on the A82 (North Ballachulish to Fort William notwithstanding, although you will never, ever, ever get a proper run at that unless you're driving at irregular hours) providing it's not too busy. A few decent straights as well to pass anything. You certainly won't be held up any more than you would be on the A82.

As brilliant as the scenery is on the A82, I still don't rate it that highly in terms of driving.

Thanks - looks like it's a goer then!

Can't wait now... I agree that the A82 is a bit unchallenging, hence seeking something more interesting, but it's a jolly useful link road.

I'd like to ask more questions, but as Mallaig is my only serious time commitment, I'll just enjoy the other unknowns as they come during our 2 weeks up there. My wife is less keen on surprises, but that's OK because I won't hear her over the sidepipes.

[Speed.deman]

coppice said:

It's not Alaska! I am an old fart with the mechanical skills of an ant yet I drive my ten year old Seven up there every year.It let me down this year- but after fixed I went up again a fortnight ago. Unlike most of UK if you break down (or even are stopped at roadside) anybody passing will stop to see you are ok. Worst that can happen? You break down and are marooned for an hour or so - enjoy the scenery ......

This is a point you have raised at least once before. Again, I think the point you need to appreciate is that people enjoy things differently and are entitled to do so. You may not enjoy driving in a convoy, but other people do. You may be able to cope with being marooned but some people may not. You may think that something is cliched, but it might be exciting/new to someone else.

If you will recall, you slammed cars being transported to Scotland instead of being owner-driven. You climbed down from that position when you understood that one of the drivers was in chemotherapy and simply couldn't do long distance drives.

Each to their own, everyone has the right to enjoy things as they like. You don't have to agree with it, but it is probably sensible to just accept it.

Happy driving and entirely IMO. All the best.

[Red Devil]

AdvocatusD said:

I am really struggling to find a good lunch option in the Tongue/Durness area.

We'll be there first week of October 2016.

Can you guys help please?

We'll be leaving the Torridon hotel on a Sunday morning making our way past Loch Assynt towards Durness and Tongue. It'll be too early to eat the Kylesku hotel or Lochinver so we need to find a place that is open on a Sunday, for lunch in either Durness or Tongue.

Help! Thanks you guys.

If you're happy with 95RON rather than Super Unleaded for your inner tank, there is the Sango Sands Oasis in Durness.
Last time I was there on a Sunday (2014), it was definitely open for lunch, though IIRC only between midday and 2.30pm.
Best to check first.

Was about to tuck in into my main course when this couple dropped by and bagged the last outside table.





The following party of four were a bit miffed as I think they had already pre-booked.

[coppice]

Speed.deman said:

This is a point you have raised at least once before. Again, I think the point you need to appreciate is that people enjoy things differently and are entitled to do so. You may not enjoy driving in a convoy, but other people do. You may be able to cope with being marooned but some people may not. You may think that something is cliched, but it might be exciting/new to someone else.

If you will recall, you slammed cars being transported to Scotland instead of being owner-driven. You climbed down from that position when you understood that one of the drivers was in chemotherapy and simply couldn't do long distance drives.

Each to their own, everyone has the right to enjoy things as they like. You don't have to agree with it, but it is probably sensible to just accept it.

Happy driving and entirely IMO. All the best.

Each to their own indeed but from some of the locals I talked to the other week it was quite clear that some convoys of noisy sports cars travelling at inappropriate speed is pissing people off . By all means convoy if you must but I would suggest some discretion when it comes to driving , especially on single tracks , where encountering 20 strong groups of Elises (for example ) is a PITA .

Of course I 'climbed down ', as you put it ,when commenting about transporting a car up when it became apparent that the poor guy was ill- wouldn't anybody? - it's just good manners isn't it ? But , crucially , I didn't know that at first, nor could I have known - and I'd still take the view that for most , driving any modern car(and many vintage and classics)up to the Highlands is really no big deal- all part of the adventure.

[JM]

PJH1987 said:

But, what if you have a flat tire, lets say over here: https://www.google.nl/maps/@58.5135161,-3.8826616,...

I'd far rather get a flat tyre there than on a busy motorway, or any busy road without a hard shoulder or some safe refuge where you can change it.

[mikey k]

Red Devil said:

If you're happy with 95RON rather than Super Unleaded for your inner tank, there is the Sango Sands Oasis in Durness.
Last time I was there on a Sunday (2014), it was definitely open for lunch, though IIRC only between midday and 2.30pm.
Best to check first.

We tried it at Easter the food is very mediocre, in fact there is a cafe just a bit further up that was better.

Here it is

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g5...

[Who me ?]

Jacobyte said:

I'd like to ask more questions, but as Mallaig is my only serious time commitment, I'll just enjoy the other unknowns as they come during our 2 weeks up there. My wife is less keen on surprises, but that's OK because I won't hear her over the sidepipes.

In Mallaig- try looking in at the Heritage Centre ,next to the rail station (http://www.mallaigheritage.org.uk/), where you'll find a lot of interesting stuff on the history, and the hunt for the silver darlings ,AKA Herring of the port. Forget the tourist hype, this place started of as a fishing village, out of the need of one man from the North East to find a better life for his family. You will find a photo of him, with his medal in there, but look at him in the light of someone ,not wearing a sea Captains cap, but a Norse helmet ,and you might see his background,more especially in the photo of the four generations. And, if you spot the dog in the last photo- it's a Cairn, and I hold the pedigree.

but for those worried about mechanical problems up north- don't- to a highland bloke- some in trouble is someone to be helped. Least that was the view when I last drove on Highland roads.

[Red Devil]

coppice said:

Each to their own indeed but from some of the locals I talked to the other week it was quite clear that some convoys of noisy sports cars travelling at inappropriate speed is pissing people off. By all means convoy if you must but I would suggest some discretion when it comes to driving , especially on single tracks , where encountering 20 strong groups of Elises (for example ) is a PITA .

Otoh encountering convoy of car enthusiasts can be beneficial.

Earlier this year a local woman was quite grateful to our group (16 cars). Somehow she had managed to reverse her SUV off the road here. The front wheels were airborne and there was zero traction to the rears which had both gone over the edge. She (and her young daughter) had been stuck for nearly 25 minutes, with no phone or any sign of passing traffic until we turned up en masse, and was in a right state. The SUV was teetering on the edge and looked like it might even roll over. Without further ado we got mother and daughter out of the SUV and comforted by the women in our party.

It was then just a matter of figuring out how to extract it without it slipping further or rolling. We slung a towrope between it and one of our cars to stabilise it then, with the owner's permission, one of the group got behind the wheel while eight more formed strategically positioned muscle power. Then, maintaining tension on the rope, we slowly inched it forward back onto the hard surface. Took about 10 minutes to complete as it was quite a delicate operation. Result: one very relieved owner who was able to continue to her destination without any need to call out a recovery company. Win, win.

The local postie in his van got a bit held up though.

[pb450]

It all has its merits. One man's meat is another man's poision. Live and let live, say I. (How prophetic! )

[Speed.deman]

coppice said:

Each to their own indeed but from some of the locals I talked to the other week it was quite clear that some convoys of noisy sports cars travelling at inappropriate speed is pissing people off . By all means convoy if you must but I would suggest some discretion when it comes to driving , especially on single tracks , where encountering 20 strong groups of Elises (for example ) is a PITA .

"Some" of the locals will be pissed off by that behaviour from a convoy, some will not. Some of the locals would be pissed off by a single car travelling at inappropriate speed, some will not. That's the point.

coppice said:

Of course I 'climbed down ', as you put it ,when commenting about transporting a car up when it became apparent that the poor guy was ill- wouldn't anybody? - it's just good manners isn't it ? But , crucially , I didn't know that at first, nor could I have known - and I'd still take the view that for most , driving any modern car(and many vintage and classics)up to the Highlands is really no big deal- all part of the adventure.

It wasn't your point of view that I disagreed with in principle (after all, you are welcome to your opinion), but "crucially" what I felt was a sarcastic and rather aggressive tone that it was delivered in. I think making your point in a more pleasant fashion would have been a more suitable example of "good manners".

Anyway... each to his own, yada yada.

Edited by Speed.deman on Wednesday 27th July 10:47

[Jacobyte]

Who me said:

In Mallaig- try looking in at the Heritage Centre ,next to the rail station (http://www.mallaigheritage.org.uk/), where you'll find a lot of interesting stuff on the history...

I certainly will if we have time, thanks for that.

[sjabrown]

Jacobyte said:

We're taking the Cobra Daytona up to the Highlands in August, including a day at Rest & Be Thankful with the Cobra Drivers Club.

On the 15th we need to get from Inveraray to Skye. I've driven Rannoch Moor / Glen Coe many times, so for a change of scenery I was thinking perhaps heading west and up the A828 coast road towards Fort William. Is that road OK for good average speed, or is it a bit slow, bumpy and singletracky with passing places? My worry is that we can't afford to be late for our ferry crossing at Mallaig.

The A828 is a cracking bit of road. Some lovely bends that open up to great views, with Castle Stalker half way up between Connel and Ballachulish. Far quieter road than the A82. Only downside is that the limit on a chunk of it is set to drop to 50mph.

But then the stretch of the A82 between Glencoe and Fort William is about to see a number of speed limit changes. I think in an 18 mile stretch from Glencoe Village to the Fort the limits will be 60-40-60-50-40-50-40-30. Nice and confusing, especially with a proliferation of signs.

[Red Devil]

Speed.deman said:

coppice said:

Each to their own indeed but from some of the locals I talked to the other week it was quite clear that some convoys of noisy sports cars travelling at inappropriate speed is pissing people off . By all means convoy if you must but I would suggest some discretion when it comes to driving , especially on single tracks , where encountering 20 strong groups of Elises (for example ) is a PITA .

"Some" of the locals will be pissed off by that behaviour from a convoy, some will not. Some of the locals would be pissed off by a single car travelling at inappropriate speed, some will not. That's the point.

Indeed. Some locals can travel a fair lick faster than any convoy.

I vividly recall the occasion when all of us (14 cars) were making good progress and were overtaken in one go here by a local plumber* in his van! He kept his right foot buried and passed the lead car near the last of the trees on the right. He was going that quick he was soon out of sight and gone. I was 'tail end Charlie' that day and had noticed him in my mirrors. None of the others would have seen him at first though owing to the preceding right hand bend. I don't think any of us were expecting our entire group to be left eating dust.

One of the beauties of the Highlands is the general lack of trees/hedges/roadside vegetation (the conifers in the location above are well set back from the road) which makes for excellent sightlines. Overtakes are possible which are a distant dream in most of the rest of the UK.

 * It must have been one hell of a leak or he was getting 'others' at whichever house he had been called out to.