Highlands

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Discussion

ryanm3evo

66 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
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Red Devil said:
I'm guessing you were short of time, because it's well worth continuing on the A87 to Uig, then the minor road over the top to the Quiraing and Brogaig. Return to Portree on the A855.
Yeah i was a little short on time and wanted to get over the bealach na ba while it was still nice weather


CardShark said:
I'll be there a week from now, staying in Lochcarron Friday night and Bealach Na Ba will pretty much be the first road I hit Saturday morning before heading further north via Ullapool and beyond. My Go Pro Motorsport gear was delivered today, tried out a few camera positions on the car this afternoon, should be bloody awesome smokin
Where did you get the kit from if you dont mind me asking? Im looking for the same thing and seem to have found it cheapest on Amazon. Whats included in the package though as it seems a little clouded. You find it easy enough to fit to the car?

ryanm3evo

66 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
I thought id throw up some pics on here of my trip i did in the middle of June. Will be doing pretty much the same trip in August also

Cant remember the names of every road and a lot of the pics was taken by my other half through the window so sorry for them

Route took us from

Aberdeen-Lecht-Aviemore-Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh(day 1)

Kyle of lochalsh-Broadford-Portree-Broadford-Bealach Na Ba-Applecross-Sheildeg-Fortrose(day 2)

Fortrose-Lecht-Alford-Aberdeen(day 3)

Next months route will be modified slightly as we are heading up to Ullapool and staying the night there.

Heres the pics

A87 Invergarry-Kyle of lochalsh






Broadford-Portree








Dornie-Applecross




Bealach Na Ba














Fantastic roads and advise all petrolheads to take there cars on these kind of roads. I have never tracked my car or anything but it was great to finally push the car and open it up. Loads of fast straights and tight corners! Cant wait until next month where im doing it as part of a group smile

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
ryanm3evo said:
You find it easy enough to fit to the car?
It's a piece of piss.

Here's a GoPro vid of my R500 going up the Bealach. Car was 1 day old so I was short shifting

http://www.stevecarter.com/R5005.wmv



ryanm3evo

66 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
It's a piece of piss.

Here's a GoPro vid of my R500 going up the Bealach. Car was 1 day old so I was short shifting

http://www.stevecarter.com/R5005.wmv
Nice one! Which kit did you go for then to acheive that? I dont want to fork out £400 when i dont need to

Did you just buy the GoProHd2 Motorsports camera and used everything that came in the pack?

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
ryanm3evo said:
GetCarter said:
It's a piece of piss.

Here's a GoPro vid of my R500 going up the Bealach. Car was 1 day old so I was short shifting

http://www.stevecarter.com/R5005.wmv
Nice one! Which kit did you go for then to acheive that? I dont want to fork out £400 when i dont need to

Did you just buy the GoProHd2 Motorsports camera and used everything that came in the pack?
That's what I bought, but I only really use the transparent housing with 'sucker' plus a couple of the attachments to change the orientation of the camera (so you can stick it on the side of the car etc)

ryanm3evo

66 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
That's what I bought, but I only really use the transparent housing with 'sucker' plus a couple of the attachments to change the orientation of the camera (so you can stick it on the side of the car etc)
Excellent thanks man

You find no problems with using the sucker attachment? Also what about external mics etc? Or think i will be fine with the kit just as it is?

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
ryanm3evo said:
GetCarter said:
That's what I bought, but I only really use the transparent housing with 'sucker' plus a couple of the attachments to change the orientation of the camera (so you can stick it on the side of the car etc)
Excellent thanks man

You find no problems with using the sucker attachment? Also what about external mics etc? Or think i will be fine with the kit just as it is?
You get two backs for the mount... one has holes in to let the sound in. I find ALL cameras I've used, getting a decent noise is tricky, It's ok on a Caterham cos it's right above the vents over the engine. It was crap for my 911. Suck it and see I guess. The sucker is really good. I have heard of one coming off, but I've been blimmin' fast and it's held firm. I've seen one with some string as a 'backup' but that's liable to do damage to the bodywork methinks.

ETA... most people use them inside the car... which of course is far more sensible!


ryanm3evo

66 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
You get two backs for the mount... one has holes in to let the sound in. I find ALL cameras I've used, getting a decent noise is tricky, It's ok on a Caterham cos it's right above the vents over the engine. It was crap for my 911. Suck it and see I guess. The sucker is really good. I have heard of one coming off, but I've been blimmin' fast and it's held firm. I've seen one with some string as a 'backup' but that's liable to do damage to the bodywork methinks.
Ah so the holes of the back will hopefully quite the windnoise a bit and allow the exhaust sound to be heard. I guess ill just have to try a few diff places. I reacon on the front window(inside the car)with the hood down will probs give me the best engine/exhaust noise allthough i would love one attached to the driver side door looking at the wheel and past the front bonnet

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
If you do the same drive twice, you can keep one soundtrack, but use different visuals. I've used music here, but it could just as easily be exhaust: >> www.stevecarter.com/Highlands2.wmv

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
Hello, I'm planning to take my elise sc on a long trip north as far as Durness.

I have previously visited everywhere on the west side as far as up as Arisaig/Mull/Oban, but have missed out on a couple of great recommended roads near Fort William such as the Loch Leven "ring" and Achriabhach.

My starting point is Glasgow and my route out of it will be a road I discovered very recently, the B822 from Lennoxtown to Callander. Its fantastic. Good surface, v twisty, and was very low traffic on the two occasions I have driven it, only 2 or 3 ot's. The optional detour around the Trossachs through the Duke's Pass is irresistible...
I now avoid the Loch Lomond A82 at all costs, particularly southbound late afternoon when you are virtually certain to be at crawling speed in nose to tail traffic for a loooong time. I would pick B822 over the A82 even if there was no traffic! And it is also much more interesting route north than the A81 toward Aberfoyle wink

If you have never seen Loch Lomond and want to drive along side it, do it north bound as it will be much quieter, and come back via the Trossachs, catching the Duke's pass along the way.

How many days do you think I would need to do this comfortably without rushing too much?

Recommended places to stay? I could live in a tent but the OH is rather picky...

What would you change?

My plans for the trip back from Durness is less certain, I originally had thoughts about coming back via the Cairgorms, via Inverness/Tomintoul/Braemar avoiding the A9 wherever possible, is it worth it given the sights I will have seen on the west side?

Thanks!
S


GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
First up, the roads get MUCH better/quieter north of Ft William.

You've gone to Applecross and then doubled back. I'd continue on and do the loop (round the coast to Shieldaig). It's worth it for the views. You could then drive down Glen Torridon to Kinlochewe v Pretty, or go back via Lochcarron very fast. In an Elise, I'd do Glen Torridon. (I had one up here for a few years and a few Caterhams - the Lochcarron > Achnasheen road is more suited to larger tin tops).

Great place to stay is the Torridon Inn. I've been in most Inns on the west coast and it ticks most of the boxes best. Stay in the hotel if you have the budget. Very fine dining. www.Torridon.com

There's a newly refurbished hotel just past Durness... can't remember what it's called, but looks good.

Lastly. 4 days, 3 nights would be very comfortable. You could do it in 3 days if you press on. (2 if you drive it like you stole it)... though it's the ferry to Skye that really slows you down. Bridge at Kyle is obviously much quicker... you get the best castle in Scotland, but miss Glenfinnan.

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 28th July 17:24

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks Carter,
So I guess I should stay 1 night halfway up (Maybe Skye, or Hotel Torridon but it may be too far over on the expensive side), 1 night at the top (Durness), then last night halfway down somewhere like Ft Augustus for some nessie spotting I guess smile
The stays will be somewhat at a leisurely pace, the trips between not so much smile

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
SergSC said:
Thanks Carter,
So I guess I should stay 1 night halfway up (Maybe Skye, or Hotel Torridon but it may be too far over on the expensive side), 1 night at the top (Durness), then last night halfway down somewhere like Ft Augustus for some nessie spotting I guess smile
The stays will be somewhat at a leisurely pace, the trips between not so much smile
Yep. To give you an idea.... pressing on, driving from Glasgow to Shieldaig (not visiting Skye) takes about 4 hrs 45 with no stops... Shieldaig to Durness about 6 hrs via the route you take (which is good)

ETA Applecross to Portree is 2 hrs via the bridge - pressing on)

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks again GetCarter, no substitute for expert advice smile

Not sure about Skye, maybe stay there the first night then do the Applecross fresh the next day and up to Durness, but that would be a very long second day... google wants 7.5 hours to do that and hit all the good roads.

I have driven to London a couple times before so I'm not that much of stranger to long distances, but I guess doing the same hours on the twisties will be alot more demanding. I dont want to be losing concentration and ruin a nice day. So maybe leave Skye for another day, or add another night in Ullapool... decisions decisions...





GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
If you cut out Skye, then you kinda follow my 'best UK drive from Ft Willaim up to Ullapool

http://www.stevecarter.com/bestuk.htm

This means you take in the '5 sisters' - always voted 'best UK road' by bikers. And let's face it the Lotus is really a bike with four wheels wink

vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

155 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
quotequote all
SergSC said:
Thanks again GetCarter, no substitute for expert advice smile

Not sure about Skye, maybe stay there the first night then do the Applecross fresh the next day and up to Durness, but that would be a very long second day... google wants 7.5 hours to do that and hit all the good roads.

I have driven to London a couple times before so I'm not that much of stranger to long distances, but I guess doing the same hours on the twisties will be alot more demanding. I dont want to be losing concentration and ruin a nice day. So maybe leave Skye for another day, or add another night in Ullapool... decisions decisions...
Whatever you do...

a) plan in lunch at the Applecross Inn
b) Carry on round the Applecross loop clockwise - the views round the Northern part are absolutely epic.

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Sunday 29th July 2012
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
If you cut out Skye, then you kinda follow my 'best UK drive from Ft Willaim up to Ullapool

http://www.stevecarter.com/bestuk.htm

This means you take in the '5 sisters' - always voted 'best UK road' by bikers. And let's face it the Lotus is really a bike with four wheels wink
If time allows then take what I think is by far the most interesting and rewarding way to get to Skye. The A87 as mentioned above but turn off here and go over the Mam Ratagan pass. If you like hairpin bends this road is for you. As you climb higher the views of Kintail are stunning. For example this and this.

The ferry crossing is much shorter than from Mallaig and is cheaper. The capacity is limited but the turnaround is quicker.


DonkeyApple

54,914 posts

168 months

Sunday 29th July 2012
quotequote all
Zed 44 said:
Are you talking about the A836? On Google Earth it doesn't look as twisty as some roads I've seen in Lincolnshire.confused
It's all 3/4th gear stuff with ups and downs.

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Sunday 29th July 2012
quotequote all
check this out:

http://goo.gl/maps/JPvnG

Doesnt matter where you drop street view along this gorgeous single track road, everywhere is a post card smile
Def on my route towards Durness.

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Sunday 29th July 2012
quotequote all
SergSC said:
check this out:

http://goo.gl/maps/JPvnG

Doesnt matter where you drop street view along this gorgeous single track road, everywhere is a post card smile
Def on my route towards Durness.
Don't tell them that... it's the prettiest road in the UK and I thought I was the only one that knew about it. I've been up there three times since Easter (staying in the Roux owned Lochinver Lodge). mmmm posh nosh.