Discussion
Was up in the Highlands for a long weekend last week , based around Inverness, did a bit of the NC500 along with some good twisties shown to me by a local highlander, views were absolutely stunning and roads very quiet.
But……. The state of the roads!!!, I thought the roads were shocking in West Yorkshire but the roads up proper north were absolutely diabolical, fortunately it was fairly dry so could see the plentiful potholes but I would imagine in the rain/dark it would be an absolute lottery as to potential wheel/tyre/suspension damage.
Better news is that I have discovered “Harry Gows” , a bakery based in Inverness and has a number of stores based around the area, the pies they make are absolutely out of this world and I’m no stranger to a good pie being northern English. I can recommend the tattie pie along with the steak and gravy pie, proper travel food , if any of you are heading up to the highlands for a drive I suggest you give them a go, great travel food.
But……. The state of the roads!!!, I thought the roads were shocking in West Yorkshire but the roads up proper north were absolutely diabolical, fortunately it was fairly dry so could see the plentiful potholes but I would imagine in the rain/dark it would be an absolute lottery as to potential wheel/tyre/suspension damage.
Better news is that I have discovered “Harry Gows” , a bakery based in Inverness and has a number of stores based around the area, the pies they make are absolutely out of this world and I’m no stranger to a good pie being northern English. I can recommend the tattie pie along with the steak and gravy pie, proper travel food , if any of you are heading up to the highlands for a drive I suggest you give them a go, great travel food.
We’re heading up for a few days in mid March. Looking at some of those photos of snow covered roads has got me a little worried.
Our car has P Zero Corsas fitted so I imagine even the slightest bit of snow will be a big problem. Do I need to get them changed for the trip or is it likely to mild enough for summer tyres?
Our car has P Zero Corsas fitted so I imagine even the slightest bit of snow will be a big problem. Do I need to get them changed for the trip or is it likely to mild enough for summer tyres?
DeuceDeuce said:
We’re heading up for a few days in mid March. Looking at some of those photos of snow covered roads has got me a little worried.
Our car has P Zero Corsas fitted so I imagine even the slightest bit of snow will be a big problem. Do I need to get them changed for the trip or is it likely to mild enough for summer tyres?
Generally no snow in March at lower levels. Reasonably often some at high levels. So A9, Bealach na Ba etc. Gritters do a good job so 99% of the time any tyre will do.Our car has P Zero Corsas fitted so I imagine even the slightest bit of snow will be a big problem. Do I need to get them changed for the trip or is it likely to mild enough for summer tyres?
knight said:
Spent a few days last week in the Highlands checking out potential areas to move to, ended up doing over 760 miles in a Fiat 500 hybrid!! Generally found the roads in an ok condition compared to back home (south east England)
Did you decide on an area?Bear in mind that quite a few properties never make it to an estate agent/solicitor, and are sold by word of mouth.
GetCarter said:
knight said:
Spent a few days last week in the Highlands checking out potential areas to move to, ended up doing over 760 miles in a Fiat 500 hybrid!! Generally found the roads in an ok condition compared to back home (south east England)
Did you decide on an area?Bear in mind that quite a few properties never make it to an estate agent/solicitor, and are sold by word of mouth.
Family would be a proper schlep away, though, which is the downside (or a bonus, depending on your situation
lol)GetCarter said:
knight said:
Spent a few days last week in the Highlands checking out potential areas to move to, ended up doing over 760 miles in a Fiat 500 hybrid!! Generally found the roads in an ok condition compared to back home (south east England)
Did you decide on an area?Bear in mind that quite a few properties never make it to an estate agent/solicitor, and are sold by word of mouth.
seen a few places on rightmove but nothing that has yet screamed that's the one! Probably thinking of more on the west, Lochinver/Ullapool and possibly as far south as Fort William (daughter likes it round there) or possibly the CairngormsHaven't yet approached any estate agents as I'm still not 100% sure but it's definitely something I'd love to do
TheFungle said:
With my family originally being from the NW Highlands and having lived in in England for the last 20 years, I seem to get the itch every 7 years or so to visit.
On one hand this is good because I'm familiar with the area and can drive like one of the local posties; on the other hand, it's bad because I have a mis-placed romanticised expectation that it should be what it was like in the late 80s / early 90s.
But I digress.
I planned a 3 night trip from North Yorkshire and visiting Gairloch and Montrose was a must for family reasons.
Realistically, this ruled out going to the far North but being honest, this wasn't something I was that bothered about.
The weather on Monday was as perfect as I can recall in the Highlands, it was as if every picture postcard ever taken had come to life.
Day 1: North Yorkshire > A66 > A701 > Callander > Fort William
Day 2: Fort William > Invergarry > Dornie > Bealach na Ba > Kinlochewe > Gairloch > Braemore > Inverness
Day 3: Inverness > Nairn > Grantown on Spey > Tomintoul > Tarland > Aberdeen > Montrose
Day 4: Montrose > Fettercairn > Aboyne > Braemar > Pitlochry > North Yorkshire
What a trip!
I can't put into words how fortunate I was with traffic conditions, from the minute I dropped off the M74 and joined the A701 at Moffat all the way to reaching Pitlochry on day 4 which was the end of the driving roads before the slog back home.
Although I was privileged to have Glencoe almost to myself in the fading light, I don't especially rate it as a road.
My top three sections:
Gairloch > Braemore > Garve. Fast, flowing, spectacular and only 3 cars that I had to over take. Heaven.
Braemar > Spittal of Glen Shee. Magnificent.
Nairn > Grantown on Spey. An unexpected treat. It twisted, it turned, it flowed and it didn't feel at all 'heavy' the higher up road to Tomintoul did.
Honourable mention:
Tarland > Aberdeen on the B9119. Thanks to a diversion, Waze took me down this fabulous country road which was completely unexpected. Not sure if it could really be planned into a road trip but the perfect local 'going for a drive' road.
In total it was just 1100 miles, an impressive amount of which driven enthusiastically.
As a solo traveller it's definitely do-able and I'd highly recommend going out of season. I have to say, I could not imagine doing it with a large volume of slow moving tourist traffic.
It's that time again when I look to plan another trip home to visit family but this time I'll be in my GR86.On one hand this is good because I'm familiar with the area and can drive like one of the local posties; on the other hand, it's bad because I have a mis-placed romanticised expectation that it should be what it was like in the late 80s / early 90s.
But I digress.
I planned a 3 night trip from North Yorkshire and visiting Gairloch and Montrose was a must for family reasons.
Realistically, this ruled out going to the far North but being honest, this wasn't something I was that bothered about.
The weather on Monday was as perfect as I can recall in the Highlands, it was as if every picture postcard ever taken had come to life.
Day 1: North Yorkshire > A66 > A701 > Callander > Fort William
Day 2: Fort William > Invergarry > Dornie > Bealach na Ba > Kinlochewe > Gairloch > Braemore > Inverness
Day 3: Inverness > Nairn > Grantown on Spey > Tomintoul > Tarland > Aberdeen > Montrose
Day 4: Montrose > Fettercairn > Aboyne > Braemar > Pitlochry > North Yorkshire
What a trip!
I can't put into words how fortunate I was with traffic conditions, from the minute I dropped off the M74 and joined the A701 at Moffat all the way to reaching Pitlochry on day 4 which was the end of the driving roads before the slog back home.
Although I was privileged to have Glencoe almost to myself in the fading light, I don't especially rate it as a road.
My top three sections:
Gairloch > Braemore > Garve. Fast, flowing, spectacular and only 3 cars that I had to over take. Heaven.
Braemar > Spittal of Glen Shee. Magnificent.
Nairn > Grantown on Spey. An unexpected treat. It twisted, it turned, it flowed and it didn't feel at all 'heavy' the higher up road to Tomintoul did.
Honourable mention:
Tarland > Aberdeen on the B9119. Thanks to a diversion, Waze took me down this fabulous country road which was completely unexpected. Not sure if it could really be planned into a road trip but the perfect local 'going for a drive' road.
In total it was just 1100 miles, an impressive amount of which driven enthusiastically.
As a solo traveller it's definitely do-able and I'd highly recommend going out of season. I have to say, I could not imagine doing it with a large volume of slow moving tourist traffic.
Edited by TheFungle on Thursday 30th March 14:48
^^^^ Was a fantastic route but I feel like a change, I feel like I'd like to go further north and also explore different routes around the general Ft.William area. That said, quality of the driving experience takes precedence over scenery.
Over to you lot!
Definitely worth heading north of Ullapool, take in Kylesku and carry on up to Durness and Tongue. Mostly two lanes if memory serves (weather was grim). I've not carried on to JOG yet but enjoyed the track down from Tongue to Lairg - single track but very well sighted.
Maybe don't repeat Bealach - it's fun to do once but more an event than driving experience. Although the subsequent coast road from Applecross is nice, it ultimately puts you on the single lane approach to Torridon (which is very pretty but but but).
If it's open (post landslide), the A816 from Lochgilphead to Oban is mega. Closer to Fort Bill I'm a big fan of the short bit of the A830 between Glenfinnan and Lochailort, although getting there from FB is a minor chore (stop and check out the Corpach Wreck maybe?). You can work it into a loop of the Ardnamurchan peninsula and take in the Corran ferry if you like. More good than great.
Noting (and agreeing with) you comment on the A82 through Glencoe, the more fun way to get between Tyndrum and Ballachulish is the A85 and A828 (take in Castle Stalker on the way, maybes).
Take care and have fun whatever you try - quite envious (yet inspired!)
Nick
Maybe don't repeat Bealach - it's fun to do once but more an event than driving experience. Although the subsequent coast road from Applecross is nice, it ultimately puts you on the single lane approach to Torridon (which is very pretty but but but).
If it's open (post landslide), the A816 from Lochgilphead to Oban is mega. Closer to Fort Bill I'm a big fan of the short bit of the A830 between Glenfinnan and Lochailort, although getting there from FB is a minor chore (stop and check out the Corpach Wreck maybe?). You can work it into a loop of the Ardnamurchan peninsula and take in the Corran ferry if you like. More good than great.
Noting (and agreeing with) you comment on the A82 through Glencoe, the more fun way to get between Tyndrum and Ballachulish is the A85 and A828 (take in Castle Stalker on the way, maybes).
Take care and have fun whatever you try - quite envious (yet inspired!)
Nick
knight said:
Not really seen a few places on rightmove but nothing that has yet screamed that's the one! Probably thinking of more on the west, Lochinver/Ullapool and possibly as far south as Fort William (daughter likes it round there) or possibly the Cairngorms
Haven't yet approached any estate agents as I'm still not 100% sure but it's definitely something I'd love to do
Bear in mind prices are offers over and you'll need to add on about 20%. Your lender will only lend on home report value, so make sure you have plenty of cash. seen a few places on rightmove but nothing that has yet screamed that's the one! Probably thinking of more on the west, Lochinver/Ullapool and possibly as far south as Fort William (daughter likes it round there) or possibly the CairngormsHaven't yet approached any estate agents as I'm still not 100% sure but it's definitely something I'd love to do
Inverness has been booming the past few years.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
knight said:
Not really seen a few places on rightmove but nothing that has yet screamed that's the one! Probably thinking of more on the west, Lochinver/Ullapool and possibly as far south as Fort William (daughter likes it round there) or possibly the Cairngorms
Haven't yet approached any estate agents as I'm still not 100% sure but it's definitely something I'd love to do
Bear in mind prices are offers over and you'll need to add on about 20%. Your lender will only lend on home report value, so make sure you have plenty of cash. seen a few places on rightmove but nothing that has yet screamed that's the one! Probably thinking of more on the west, Lochinver/Ullapool and possibly as far south as Fort William (daughter likes it round there) or possibly the CairngormsHaven't yet approached any estate agents as I'm still not 100% sure but it's definitely something I'd love to do
Inverness has been booming the past few years.
Patrick Bateman said:
20%??
That's mad.
Around us a popular house will go significantly above that. I've one at the end of our road which in the craziness of lockdown went 34% over...That's mad.
The last two I've bid on were over 20%.
And agree with getcarter - but then I know someone who went on that programme and how fake much of it is. Like show a house that was already sold... Like telling the couple to say that they want to do outdoor sports when they've never/no interest in them.
GetCarter said:
T_S_M said:
I did the west coast and Skye over the summer but I'd absolutely go up during winter.
Do things get pretty rough up there with snow in general?
No. Stick to the coast and it's only a few days in an average winter that you'll get held up. It's much warmer here than it is in middle England due to the proximity to the sea.Do things get pretty rough up there with snow in general?
In the middle, you can get seriously stuck... just make sure you're behind rather than in front of the gritter!
Hoofty said:
Definitely worth heading north of Ullapool, take in Kylesku and carry on up to Durness and Tongue. Mostly two lanes if memory serves (weather was grim). I've not carried on to JOG yet but enjoyed the track down from Tongue to Lairg - single track but very well sighted.
Apart from a short stretch in Durness itself this section of the A838 is single track - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EzX9G6PMg6UJBgxG7The A836 Tongue to Lairg is a cracking drive. Pause at the amazingly remote Crask Inn for a fortifying beverage.
JoG is nothing more than a tick on a bucket list imo. Hugely underwhelming. YMMV. The only thing worth a vistng in that area is the lighthouse and the walk over the headland to view the sea stacks from Duncansby Head. It's a lot of additional mileage to do so though. From Melvich take the A897 direct to Helmsdale via Forsinard.
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