Highlands

[cat220]

danpollard said:

Hi everyone. So after a few evenings of quite enjoyable road research, a lot through this thread, I've come up with a very grand tour of the highlands I hope. I'd be really interested to know what the wealth of knowledge of some of the local guys on here think about it.

I'm probably already at the top end for driving time (I've got 5 days including travel from the midlands, but comfortable with 8 hours driving a day as have done it before), so could probably do with trimming it a little to give us more chance to get out absorb the beauty, not just look through the windows.

Any comments on anything I've missed, or which bits I could cut, or definitely should keep? I'll probably be doing this in my 350Z, or if I'm lucky I may borrow something even quicker (but lower), so I'm wondering if some of the single track roads may be a tad too bumpy to enjoy?

I've planned it all on Furkot, which is great for allowing me loads of points, but a bit useless for showing you guys, so I'm hoping the picture attached is clear enough!

Thanks in advance!!

As mentioned your route looks good and takes in some fantastic roads with great scenery. It is a LOT of driving though in 5 days. If you're looking to trim it down then I'd suggest removing the loop onto Skye and unless you have a real desire to visit Thurso\John o'Groats then I'd go as far as Tongue and head south, down to Lairg.

[GetCarter]

cat220 said:

danpollard said:

Hi everyone. So after a few evenings of quite enjoyable road research, a lot through this thread, I've come up with a very grand tour of the highlands I hope. I'd be really interested to know what the wealth of knowledge of some of the local guys on here think about it.

I'm probably already at the top end for driving time (I've got 5 days including travel from the midlands, but comfortable with 8 hours driving a day as have done it before), so could probably do with trimming it a little to give us more chance to get out absorb the beauty, not just look through the windows.

Any comments on anything I've missed, or which bits I could cut, or definitely should keep? I'll probably be doing this in my 350Z, or if I'm lucky I may borrow something even quicker (but lower), so I'm wondering if some of the single track roads may be a tad too bumpy to enjoy?

I've planned it all on Furkot, which is great for allowing me loads of points, but a bit useless for showing you guys, so I'm hoping the picture attached is clear enough!

Thanks in advance!!

As mentioned your route looks good and takes in some fantastic roads with great scenery. It is a LOT of driving though in 5 days. If you're looking to trim it down then I'd suggest removing the loop onto Skye and unless you have a real desire to visit Thurso\John o'Groats then I'd go as far as Tongue and head south, down to Lairg.

This.

[jshell]

Oh! 5 days, I missed! You may/will struggle with that...

[danpollard]

jshell said:

6 posts 104 months, wow! Top lurking!

Haha, that is a fully justified comment! When I actually posted that I genuinely looked at it and thought, "wow, what an antisocial ####"!

Thanks all for the feedback - I must admit Skye was the last bit to be added, and as for John O'Groats, I just ended up so close to it that it seemed silly not to (I've seen Thurso to Tongue particularly highlighted.

Sadly, I think you're all correct about the 5 days. We did a summer one last year in the alps which was 2,200 miles in 3.5 days, so we are fairly hardcore when it comes to these, but I will admit that for that we were driving bits after sundown. That was fine when not on the scenic bits, but I think in this case, it's ALL the scenic bit!

The bit I'm wondering about it the section between Durness and Dornie, and whether it's worth sticking it out along the coast roads, or if they're too narrow and bumpy to keep a sufficient pace up without losing my nose. I've seen pictures of the road from Applecross, hence adding that - how about the bits further north? Is it much of the (stunning) same, that I'd be better stopping more on one part, then catching up the time on the slightly larger inland roads?

[GetCarter]

danpollard said:

Haha, that is a fully justified comment! When I actually posted that I genuinely looked at it and thought, "wow, what an antisocial ####"!

Thanks all for the feedback - I must admit Skye was the last bit to be added, and as for John O'Groats, I just ended up so close to it that it seemed silly not to (I've seen Thurso to Tongue particularly highlighted.

Sadly, I think you're all correct about the 5 days. We did a summer one last year in the alps which was 2,200 miles in 3.5 days, so we are fairly hardcore when it comes to these, but I will admit that for that we were driving bits after sundown. That was fine when not on the scenic bits, but I think in this case, it's ALL the scenic bit!

The bit I'm wondering about it the section between Durness and Dornie, and whether it's worth sticking it out along the coast roads, or if they're too narrow and bumpy to keep a sufficient pace up without losing my nose. I've seen pictures of the road from Applecross, hence adding that - how about the bits further north? Is it much of the (stunning) same, that I'd be better stopping more on one part, then catching up the time on the slightly larger inland roads?

You MUST stick it out on the coast roads. They are the best. I've done them in an Aston, R500, 911 tt etc and they are bumpy in places but never a problem. The drive from Dornie to Durness on the west coast is the best bit of the drive by far. Don't miss it. I'm sure you've seen my pics but : http://www.stevecarter.com/picaday/roads.htm

[matchmaker]

imagineifyeswill said:

Im not sure there is a ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney, I think its just the Shetland boat sails from Aberdeen. Orkney ferries are Northlink from Scrabster to Stromness, or Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay to St Margarets Hope.

There is. Some Aberdeen - Shetland sailings go via Orkney and have done so for years.

[Hooli]

GetCarter said:

cat220 said:

danpollard said:

Hi everyone. So after a few evenings of quite enjoyable road research, a lot through this thread, I've come up with a very grand tour of the highlands I hope. I'd be really interested to know what the wealth of knowledge of some of the local guys on here think about it.

I'm probably already at the top end for driving time (I've got 5 days including travel from the midlands, but comfortable with 8 hours driving a day as have done it before), so could probably do with trimming it a little to give us more chance to get out absorb the beauty, not just look through the windows.

Any comments on anything I've missed, or which bits I could cut, or definitely should keep? I'll probably be doing this in my 350Z, or if I'm lucky I may borrow something even quicker (but lower), so I'm wondering if some of the single track roads may be a tad too bumpy to enjoy?

I've planned it all on Furkot, which is great for allowing me loads of points, but a bit useless for showing you guys, so I'm hoping the picture attached is clear enough!

Thanks in advance!!

As mentioned your route looks good and takes in some fantastic roads with great scenery. It is a LOT of driving though in 5 days. If you're looking to trim it down then I'd suggest removing the loop onto Skye and unless you have a real desire to visit Thurso\John o'Groats then I'd go as far as Tongue and head south, down to Lairg.

This.

^^ He's the expert but I was going to say the same. Past Tongue it's only worth going to say you've been to JoG or get the ferry to Orkney etc.

[danpollard]

GetCarter said:

You MUST stick it out on the coast roads. They are the best. I've done them in an Aston, R500, 911 tt etc and they are bumpy in places but never a problem. The drive from Dornie to Durness on the west coast is the best bit of the drive by far. Don't miss it. I'm sure you've seen my pics but : http://www.stevecarter.com/picaday/roads.htm

Great stuff - thanks! I'd imagined it would be the best bit, but had wondered whether all of it was worth doing. I consider myself told!! I've seen some of your photos before - I too am a keen photographer, so got digging the other night - but hadn't found this roads page. Where's the one with the rather insulting 'slow' sign - that looks stunning!

I feel like JoG is probably an error, but the other half is keen to keep it in there just to see it, which in exchange for days of enthusiastic driving is probably a fair exchange!

[Red Devil]

Totally agree with others about not bothering to venture east of Tongue unless you have a compelling reason.
Tongue -> Altnaharra -> Lairg is superb. Single track but with excellent sightlines and blindingly fast.

These are just a snapshot.
http://goo.gl/ueCMaU
http://goo.gl/De6GXg
http://goo.gl/ybK6SM

From Lairg head to Bonar Bridge. Stay on the A836 then via the B9176 over the Struie to the A9.
You won't miss much and you will cut a massive chunk of time from your schedule.

[GetCarter]

danpollard said:

Where's the one with the rather insulting 'slow' sign - that looks stunning!

Assuming you are doing the route clockwise, when you get to Kinlochewe, you would turn left. It's worth turning right and driving a few miles, then turning round. That's where the photo was taken.

A couple from this morning:

[Red Devil]

GetCarter said:

danpollard said:

Where's the one with the rather insulting 'slow' sign - that looks stunning!

Assuming you are doing the route clockwise, when you get to Kinlochewe, you would turn left. It's worth turning right and driving a few miles, then turning round. That's where the photo was taken.

.
http://goo.gl/xJOrtR

[danpollard]

GetCarter said:

Assuming you are doing the route clockwise, when you get to Kinlochewe, you would turn left. It's worth turning right and driving a few miles, then turning round. That's where the photo was taken.

A couple from this morning:

Good tip - that was actually the road I was considering using as opposed to the coast road that you'd be coming off. That's not happening now, based on the feedback I've got here! Will make the effort to go up and double back though - I imagine it's worth going past the loch and back ideally?

I particularly like the second picture - I'm also very jealous that you can just pop out to scenery like that!

[GetCarter]

danpollard said:

I imagine it's worth going past the loch and back ideally?

If you turn right at Kinlochewe and drive to the roundabout at Achnasheen you will be on this road:



...and pass my fave tree

[danpollard]

GetCarter said:

...and pass my fave tree

What a likeable tree! You have just introduced a new level of complication to this trip though, in that I've now realised that I want to plan in where I'm going to be for sunset (or sunrise if I'm really keen!). I think a lot of that will depend on where I can find accommodation, and places to eat at the appropriate times!

Probably a difficult question for locals, but I wonder how accurate Google maps timing is for these areas. Looking at what I can see at the moment, with 8 hour driving days (as we did last year, plus an hour or so for lunch, and some leg stretches every time we wanted to take photos) I think this is achieveable. We were originally looking at going anti-clockwise (for no great reason other than I started it that way), but I'm now thinking that we go the other way, so if we do take it more easily around the west, we can make up time by skipping bits of the south-east, which I take it aren't as impressive.

[GetCarter]

danpollard said:

What a likeable tree! You have just introduced a new level of complication to this trip though, in that I've now realised that I want to plan in where I'm going to be for sunset (or sunrise if I'm really keen!). I think a lot of that will depend on where I can find accommodation, and places to eat at the appropriate times!

Probably a difficult question for locals, but I wonder how accurate Google maps timing is for these areas. Looking at what I can see at the moment, with 8 hour driving days (as we did last year, plus an hour or so for lunch, and some leg stretches every time we wanted to take photos) I think this is achieveable. We were originally looking at going anti-clockwise (for no great reason other than I started it that way), but I'm now thinking that we go the other way, so if we do take it more easily around the west, we can make up time by skipping bits of the south-east, which I take it aren't as impressive.

On the single track roads you'll average less than 30 mph. On the other roads you can easily average 55mph. It's really down to the time of year and the time of day. I regularly take a trip up to Kylesku which is 102 miles, and I almost always do it in just over 90 mins. But I do the journey when it's quiet... not on a Sunday lunchtime in August. (Which would double the time it would take).

I highly reccommend The Torridon Inn (or hotel if you're rich). The Applecross Inn is charming, the Kylesku hotel very friendly.

The sun will be mostly behind you on the west coast if you do it clockwise. The Applecross peninsula is IMHO best done clockwise for the views (and the hill climb) http://www.stevecarter.com/R5005.wmv

What time of year are you coming? (Avoid July / August if you can, it rains all the time and the place is full of motor caravans.... April / May avoiding Easter and Whitsun is the best time - long days, empty roads - I know it's keen but 5 am is THE best time to drive. You won't see a car for 2 hours anywhere on the west coast north of Fort William).

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 22 February 11:56

[ianrb]

GetCarter said:

On the single track roads you'll average less than 30 mph. On the other roads you can easily average 55mph. It's really down to the time of year and the time of day. I regularly take a trip up to Kylesku which is 102 miles, and I almost always do it in just over 90 mins. But I do the journey when it's quiet... not on a Sunday lunchtime in August. (Which would double the time it would take).

I highly reccommend The Torridon Inn (or hotel if you're rich). The Applecross Inn is charming, the Kylesku hotel very friendly.

The sun will be mostly behind you on the west coast if you do it clockwise. The Applecross peninsula is IMHO best done clockwise for the views (and the hill climb) http://www.stevecarter.com/R5005.wmv

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 22 February 11:51

What's the Kylesku Hotel like these days? Stayed there years ago & it was a bit tired at the edges, was in for lunch last spring & they appeared to be in the process of selling up.

[GetCarter]

ianrb said:

What's the Kylesku Hotel like these days? Stayed there years ago & it was a bit tired at the edges, was in for lunch last spring & they appeared to be in the process of selling up.

It was bought by two lovely ladies and they have completely turned it round. They are currently rebuilding it and adding 4 more rooms. I'm off there in a couple of weeks - if they open on time, which may or may not happen, so I'll post some pics on this thread once it's up and running. The bar food is great these days. Not fine dining, but really good... and they allow dogs in the bar and rooms (which is one of the reasons I go there).

[danpollard]

GetCarter said:

On the single track roads you'll average less than 30 mph. On the other roads you can easily average 55mph. It's really down to the time of year and the time of day. I regularly take a trip up to Kylesku which is 102 miles, and I almost always do it in just over 90 mins. But I do the journey when it's quiet... not on a Sunday lunchtime in August. (Which would double the time it would take).

I highly reccommend The Torridon Inn (or hotel if you're rich). The Applecross Inn is charming, the Kylesku hotel very friendly.

The sun will be mostly behind you on the west coast if you do it clockwise. The Applecross peninsula is IMHO best done clockwise for the views (and the hill climb) http://www.stevecarter.com/R5005.wmv

What time of year are you coming? (Avoid July / August if you can, it rains all the time and the place is full of motor caravans.... April / May avoiding Easter and Whitsun is the best time - long days, empty roads - I know it's keen but 5 am is THE best time to drive. You won't see a car for 2 hours anywhere on the west coast north of Fort William).

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 22 February 11:56

Good - Google seems to have that about right then. My days are worked around 08:00-19:00 (stopping once the sun sets basically) with an hour for lunch and two hours to while away wherever takes our fancy along the way. No doubt you're right about setting off at dawn - we may look at shifting our days earlier perhaps.

Unfortunately, we need to go at Easter for one reason or another (from Thurs night/Fri lunch until Tuesday evening), so I'm fully expecting to have more traffic than were we to go a week later, but hopefully the light will be nice, and I can generally assume ice isn't a worry.

Clockwise it is then! Thanks for the lodging tips - I need to work out the Thursday evening/Friday lunchtime scenarios and work out where we'll actually be at the right sort of time - hopefully near one of these.

[GetCarter]

danpollard said:

I can generally assume ice isn't a worry.

Ice not a problem unless you are above +/- 2000 ft in April

[GetCarter]

danpollard said:

Unfortunately, we need to go at Easter

It will take you twice the time to do the same miles, I'm afraid. Roads are full at Easter.