Discussion
I am chilled, thanks. It's just a bit inconsiderate using passing places as parking spots when there is plenty of provision to pull in safely.
Was also a stupid place considering you're forcing other users onto the wrong side on a blind bend. I feel for the locals that have to live with it. Most people behaved and were polite, much different to driving in London
https://goo.gl/maps/cxsG3MpnSSq
Was also a stupid place considering you're forcing other users onto the wrong side on a blind bend. I feel for the locals that have to live with it. Most people behaved and were polite, much different to driving in London
https://goo.gl/maps/cxsG3MpnSSq
Edited by Janesy B on Saturday 3rd September 14:18
Anyway, I had a fantastic time and this thread was a great resource. Can't believe I didn't do it sooner.
Helmsdale by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Kyle of Tongue Causeway by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Achnasheen by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Applecross Inn by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Applecross Pass by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Applecross Pass by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Isle of Skye by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
A939 Old Military Road by Bryan Janes, on Flickr
Helmsdale by Bryan Janes, on FlickrKyle of Tongue Causeway by Bryan Janes, on FlickrAchnasheen by Bryan Janes, on FlickrApplecross Inn by Bryan Janes, on FlickrApplecross Pass by Bryan Janes, on FlickrApplecross Pass by Bryan Janes, on FlickrIsle of Skye by Bryan Janes, on FlickrEilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh by Bryan Janes, on FlickrA939 Old Military Road by Bryan Janes, on FlickrJanesy B said:
There was a parking area about a mile up the road.
A parking area? Really? Show and tell.Janesy B said:
It's just a bit inconsiderate using passing places as parking spots when there is plenty of provision to pull in safely.
It's more than inconsiderate. It's a clear breach of the code for single track Highland roads - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZownCGnYg
Also, I'm struggling to think of anywhere on that part of the A896 where you can get safely off the carriageway.
It's more than inconsiderate. It's a clear breach of the code for single track Highland roads - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZownCGnYg
Also, I'm struggling to think of anywhere on that part of the A896 where you can get safely off the carriageway.
Red Devil said:
A parking area? Really? Show and tell.
This one here, it's what we used and where I took one of the pics above from.https://goo.gl/maps/gaKnT3VjzTx
Anyway, enough of that
Edited by Janesy B on Saturday 3rd September 20:15
Hangs head in shame. 
Heading north on Saturday morning via Glenshee and the old military road you imagine our surprise when we came across not only traffic but large amounts of police at 07:00 in and around Breamar. Nobody told me there was a gathering going on Anyway, I'm so glad we were heading north and not south as the traffic was the heaviest I've ever seen on that stretch. After an overnight stop in Rosemarkie to watch Bottlenosed Dolphins off Chanonry Point we headed off to the West Coast and our first ever visit to Gairloch and the surrounding area. Well worth the journey and a more involved trip is defiantly on the cards soon. Following a Nissan GTR all the way along the coast back to the main road was more fun than it should be in an old SAAB estate but flowing roads allowed for easy progress at legal speeds. The day ended in Ullapool and we're now getting ready for the last leg of the trip north. If this is what retirement is like I think I'll start mine at the first opportunity. 
Anyway, I'm so glad we were heading north and not south as the traffic was the heaviest I've ever seen on that stretch. After an overnight stop in Rosemarkie to watch Bottlenosed Dolphins off Chanonry Point we headed off to the West Coast and our first ever visit to Gairloch and the surrounding area. Well worth the journey and a more involved trip is defiantly on the cards soon. Following a Nissan GTR all the way along the coast back to the main road was more fun than it should be in an old SAAB estate but flowing roads allowed for easy progress at legal speeds. The day ended in Ullapool and we're now getting ready for the last leg of the trip north. If this is what retirement is like I think I'll start mine at the first opportunity. leggly said:
Nobody told me there was a gathering going on
Any fule knows that the annual Braemar Gathering takes place on the first Saturday in September. It's a major event in that part of the UK but it will always attract a large attendance due to the guaranteed presence of the monarch.Watching a guy chucking a 20ft larch pole end over end is quite a spectacle. It requires considerable skill. Guess what those who take part are called...
leggly said:
If this is what retirement is like I think I'll start mine at the first opportunity.
I can definitely recommend it (8 years and counting). I'll be heading north on Friday for a 6 day tour. 
Retirement is bloody brilliant and mine is enabling me to go the NW Highlands for the third time this year next tuesday. But not in a noisy Seven this time but a rampaging 125bhp Focus with SWMBO . Never mind , at least the Ford doesn't need its tank filled every five minutes and turn you half deaf . And as my first trip up there , in 1983 , was in a 55bhp Visa Super E- three up- I know that where you can drive is more important than what you drive.
f1ten said:
any other pics from roadtrips in the highlands?! its Monday and I need reminding of what Im missing!
I post a photo a day on my site (have done for 6 years) if you need a fix... http://SteveCarter.comHere's some from this last week or so:
From the ground:
From the air:
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 5th September 10:47
Amazing photos!
Annoyingly it was super misty when I was in Applecross on Thursday, this is from further down the hill, couldn't see anything at the top!
https://youtu.be/y7uoobY0x04
Annoyingly it was super misty when I was in Applecross on Thursday, this is from further down the hill, couldn't see anything at the top!
https://youtu.be/y7uoobY0x04
A few more from our trip in August:
Heading southwards after the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on the A855 towards Portree, amazing piece of road:
Skye again "a few" minutes later... approaching the Fairy Pools, with the Cuillin Mountains now much closer than in the photo above.
The northern spur of Loch Quoich in mixed sun and rain:
And the Applecross pass looking up and then looking down, we were fortunate to have rather better weather than the previous poster:
Heading southwards after the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on the A855 towards Portree, amazing piece of road:
Skye again "a few" minutes later... approaching the Fairy Pools, with the Cuillin Mountains now much closer than in the photo above.
The northern spur of Loch Quoich in mixed sun and rain:
And the Applecross pass looking up and then looking down, we were fortunate to have rather better weather than the previous poster:
Phunk said:
That's quality.Wish we took a drone
I was part of JanesyB's party with the Civic above.
Phunk said:
Fantastic footage - thanks for sharing!leggly said:
Heading north on Saturday morning via Glenshee and the old military road you imagine our surprise when we came across not only traffic but large amounts of police at 07:00 in and around Breamar. Nobody told me there was a gathering going on Anyway, I'm so glad we were heading north and not south as the traffic was the heaviest I've ever seen on that stretch. After an overnight stop in Rosemarkie to watch Bottlenosed Dolphins off Chanonry Point we headed off to the West Coast and our first ever visit to Gairloch and the surrounding area. Well worth the journey and a more involved trip is defiantly on the cards soon. Following a Nissan GTR all the way along the coast back to the main road was more fun than it should be in an old SAAB estate but flowing roads allowed for easy progress at legal speeds. The day ended in Ullapool and we're now getting ready for the last leg of the trip north. If this is what retirement is like I think I'll start mine at the first opportunity.
Made the same mistake. Was planning to visit Braemar castle and only found out the night before about this, traffic from Aberdeen all the way through to Braemar was horrific, much better from Braemar south though. Castle was closed too but thought we'd check and see, any excuse to drive the A93. Anyway, I'm so glad we were heading north and not south as the traffic was the heaviest I've ever seen on that stretch. After an overnight stop in Rosemarkie to watch Bottlenosed Dolphins off Chanonry Point we headed off to the West Coast and our first ever visit to Gairloch and the surrounding area. Well worth the journey and a more involved trip is defiantly on the cards soon. Following a Nissan GTR all the way along the coast back to the main road was more fun than it should be in an old SAAB estate but flowing roads allowed for easy progress at legal speeds. The day ended in Ullapool and we're now getting ready for the last leg of the trip north. If this is what retirement is like I think I'll start mine at the first opportunity. Patrick Bateman said:
Made the same mistake. Was planning to visit Braemar castle and only found out the night before about this, traffic from Aberdeen all the way through to Braemar was horrific, much better from Braemar south though. Castle was closed too but thought we'd check and see, any excuse to drive the A93.
The journey north was fine, I was just pleased I wasn't going the other way Yet another marvellous day skirting the NC 500 but avoiding most of it as far as Kylesku. A quick dash to Strathy found us at our base for the next week. The Summer Isles have finally been ticked off the places to see list as has Achmelvich. It seems each time we travel the west coast we find more places we'd like to spend some time. What a wonderful problem to have eh. GetCarter said:
I post a photo a day on my site (have done for 6 years) if you need a fix... http://SteveCarter.com
Just had a look at this, absolutely stunning photos. PS Found your site very interesting, I'm a professional musician too and like your work.
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