Highlands

[Red Devil]

If you are referring to the one at Tongue that's useful information. Obviously the locals will be aware, but why isn't it readily available to visitors? I can't find any reference to it on Gordon Brown's intergalactic websphere.

[plenty]

Patrick Bateman said:

Frio3535 said:

Touring with friends is a different experience to driving by yourself, who'd of thought it.

That's not lost on anyone, I struggle to see the appeal from a driving perspective though.

With the right people it can be transcendental. I don't mean a large group of cars pottering along enjoying the scenery at different speeds and holding people up - I mean a small, closely-matched convoy of competent and well-matched drivers, moving at pace.

In the right group, it's how I imagine flying in the Red Arrows to be like. There is something telepathic about how it feels to be part a group of like-minded enthusiasts, making progress in formation, flowing across the countryside, revelling in a shared sense of euphoria that is yours and yours alone.

Fortunately I know a few people who share the same passion, meaning that a good convoy is not too hard to find.

[assadahmed]

Red Devil said:

How much time do you have available?

Here's a suggestion which totals a whisker under 1000 miles. It starts and finishes on the opposite side in Glasgow.

https://goo.gl/maps/cMrfwxHmgq42
https://goo.gl/maps/BryYunc62go
https://goo.gl/maps/5zi4zwnAAtn

A few sections use the NC500 route but most of it is completely different. It's in three consecutive parts which is simply due to Google Maps limiting the number of waypoints (it was too much faff to drag and drop). Accordingly I haven't broken it down into manageable daily mileage nor by places to stay each night.

Thanks very much!

[andym1603]

It's not just the cars you have to look out for on the single track roads on the west coast.

[GetCarter]

Just a heads up.

The Celtman Extreme Triathlon is this Saturday (25th June). 250 ultra keen people start swimming at Shieldaig and then cycle Torridon, Kinlochewe, Gairloch, Ullapool and back all with support vehicles , then run over two munros - so it's kinda mad all day round these parts and not a good time to be driving here.

Feel free to PM me for exact times.

[Red Devil]

It's not just the competitors. Every entrant requires a support car/crew.
http://www.cxtri.com/index-3.html

These are the roads to avoid. In particular the single track A896 - Torridon to Kinlochewe
Competitors only on that bit though: no support vehicles permitted.
http://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_2870547.htm...

Often considered to be the world's toughest event of its type.
http://cxtri.com/

GC gets a mention on page 23.
http://www.cxtri.com/rm.pdf

[pb450]

Still planning our epic tour for spring next year. Route pretty much sorted now, so turning attention to accommodation. Looking for a mixture of hotels and guest houses / B&Bs. Some luxury along the way, coupled with some good value without the oppulence.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Good parking is a must for the Tiv and perhaps a memorable breakfast, view, hospitality, etc. to support a thumbs up.

Overnight stops are planned after Edinburgh (staying with friends) as follows:

Oban
Uig (Skye)
Torridom (obvious one here!)
Lochinver
John o'Groats
Nairn
Glencoe

All responses appreciated.

[GetCarter]

pb450 said:

Still planning our epic tour for spring next year. Route pretty much sorted now, so turning attention to accommodation. Looking for a mixture of hotels and guest houses / B&Bs. Some luxury along the way, coupled with some good value without the oppulence.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Good parking is a must for the Tiv and perhaps a memorable breakfast, view, hospitality, etc. to support a thumbs up.

Overnight stops are planned after Edinburgh (staying with friends) as follows:

Oban
Uig (Skye)
Torridom (obvious one here!)
Lochinver
John o'Groats
Nairn
Glencoe

All responses appreciated.

I won't mention The Torridon (But bear in mind, you can stay in the Inn and eat in the hotel if you want the fine dining (or vice versa)

As for Lochinver. We stay here about 4 times a year http://inverlodge.com/

Not the prettiest building from the outside but very, very comfortable (5 star), and the food is Chez Roux. GREAT view from all the rooms.

ETA Re: Lochinver - if you get up early you can have the beaches at Achmelvich to yourselves (the right hand one is better - no caravans)

Clicky (possibly twice) to see full size:

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 23 June 09:53

[Arnd]

pb450 said:

Still planning our epic tour for spring next year. Route pretty much sorted now, so turning attention to accommodation. Looking for a mixture of hotels and guest houses / B&Bs. Some luxury along the way, coupled with some good value without the oppulence.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Good parking is a must for the Tiv and perhaps a memorable breakfast, view, hospitality, etc. to support a thumbs up.

Overnight stops are planned after Edinburgh (staying with friends) as follows:

Oban
Uig (Skye)
Torridom (obvious one here!)
Lochinver
John o'Groats
Nairn
Glencoe

All responses appreciated.

I've stayed at Inver Lodge and it's really good and great food

http://inverlodge.com/

Also try Forss House Hotel, near Thurso, excellent small hotel with a surprisingly good restaurant.

http://www.forsshousehotel.co.uk/

Just last week we stayed at Muckrach House, near Grantown on Spey, and again, excellent, can't fault it, good food, nice rooms.

http://www.muckrach.com/

Forgot to add, the car parking is fine, driveways are decent, all roads leading to them are ok and single carriageway. Those are the first thing I look at when checking out a hotel!!

Edited by Arnd on Thursday 23 June 18:12

[JM]

pb450 said:

Still planning our epic tour for spring next year. Route pretty much sorted now, so turning attention to accommodation. Looking for a mixture of hotels and guest houses / B&Bs. Some luxury along the way, coupled with some good value without the oppulence.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Good parking is a must for the Tiv and perhaps a memorable breakfast, view, hospitality, etc. to support a thumbs up.

Overnight stops are planned after Edinburgh (staying with friends) as follows:

Oban
Uig (Skye)
Torridom (obvious one here!)
Lochinver
John o'Groats
Nairn
Glencoe

All responses appreciated.

Oban: Isle of Eriska Hotel. On its own island with a bridge to get there, its own golf course and spa. Not in Oban but not far away.

Uig: Never stayed in a hotel on Skye.

Lochinver: As aboves, Inver Lodge, though have heard good reviews of the Albanach nearby or the Kylesku which is a bit further away. Not been for a few years but Drumbeg Hotel did very good food last time I was in it, not sure about rooms though.

John O'Groats: as above Forse at Thurso, or MacKays in Wick, not sure about parking for there though. Other option I stayed in recently is the Norseman in Wick, was reasonable in a travel lodge(ish) style. Room was okay and food was edible. Car park across the road but was a large public one.

Nairn: Newton Hotel.

Glencoe: Holly Tree Hotel or Isles of Glencoe.



HTH

[GetCarter]

JM said:

Lochinver: As aboves, Inver Lodge, though have heard good reviews of the Albanach nearby or the Kylesku which is a bit further away.

Kylesku has great food (though the rooms are smaller), but it's on the NC500 and is completely full this year and already filling up for next year.

[pb450]

That's great feedback from everyone; many thanks. More research based on these details.

What's the big attraction of the Kylesku if it is booking up so fast? Sure, it looks great and I may well be tempted. Plan to start booking stuff around early October for April/May the following year. Just have to see what availability is like then.

Thanks again to all for the input.

[GetCarter]

pb450 said:

That's great feedback from everyone; many thanks. More research based on these details.

What's the big attraction of the Kylesku if it is booking up so fast? Sure, it looks great and I may well be tempted. Plan to start booking stuff around early October for April/May the following year. Just have to see what availability is like then.

Thanks again to all for the input.

Kylesku is directly on the NC500 route (next to the very famous bridge.. see below). So is the Torridon, Applecross Inn etc.... which are all mega busy. The landlady of the Applecross Inn mentioned she could have sold all her rooms 3 times over this year.

Inver Lodge isn't on the route (and is £100 more per room) so isn't as affected.



If you do book Kylesku.. try and get into the new 'Willy's Hoose'. Nicer (esp upstairs which have balconies).

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 24th June 08:58

[pb450]

Is last week of April / first week of May likely to be any slacker in your opinion Steve?

[GetCarter]

pb450 said:

Is last week of April / first week of May likely to be any slacker in your opinion Steve?

Not sure when Easter is... but the first week of May is pretty busy as it's a bank holiday weekend. Late April a very good time to come. Usually sunny!

ETA - Just checked: Easter Sun is 16th April - so last week April would be good.

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 24th June 09:45

[GetCarter]

The nutters have started:



(Sea swim at 5 a.m., 200k bike ride, then run a marathon up a 3000 ft hill - and they pay to do it).

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 25th June 18:01

[pb450]

They're nuts!

[mikey k]

JM said:

Glencoe: Isles of Glencoe

Views are great but the rooms are very tired and the food not very inspiring

[coppice]

1200 miles in 4 days in my Seven and a delight as ever. Didn't do Bealach as cloud heavy but Torridon and Loch Maree sublime - even stayed dry on one day . Stayed- for old times sake when I used to fish Loch Sionascaig and Assynt- at the legendary Culag in Lochinver- great haddock but never mistaken for a ..ahem..boutique hotel.

Suprisingly briliant drive from Laggan to Invergarry on day 2 -quiet , only two vehicles overtaken in first 40m ; sinous and enchanting road .

[s2kjock]

coppice said:

Suprisingly briliant drive from Laggan to Invergarry on day 2 -quiet , only two vehicles overtaken in first 40m ; sinous and enchanting road .

Dalwhinnie/Laggan to Spean Bridge is often overlooked, and while dreary if busy due to lack of easy overtaking opportunities and sightlines, if you get a clear run late summer evening or very early morning its marvellous.

Great fun in the right traffic conditions on 4 wheels or 2 - one of those roads that really rewards smoothness and planning.