Scotland Road Trip Oct 2014 (Photo heavy)

[Oliiiiiiiii]

I thought 2014 was going to be road trip free; fortunately that changed. In September I booked 2 weeks off work for October and got planning. This year’s destination would be Scotland. The aim was to enjoy driving some fantastic roads whilst taking in the beautiful scenery.

My Nan lives in Lochearnhead, so the plan was to drive up, spend a few nights at hers, head all the way up the west coast, pop over to the other coast to see my best mate who moved to Aberdeen, head to back to my Nan’s for another night, then finally to head back home to Cornwall via some friends in Leeds.

I had high expectations and I can happily say they were exceeded. The roads were fantastic (and so very quiet), the scenery stunning and, luckily for us, the weather kind (90% of the time we were on dry roads).

Below I have added links to Google maps for the roads we travelled each day (upon leaving my Nan’s) and some photos from each of day. I hope you enjoy them.

13/10/14, Day 1: Lochearnhead to Skye

https://goo.gl/maps/6tQaa









Day 2: Skye

https://goo.gl/maps/SvVEu










Day 3: Skye to Ullapool

https://goo.gl/maps/1a6VO











Day 4: Ullapool to Evanton

https://goo.gl/maps/ijIh2






Day 5: Evanton to Aberdeen

https://goo.gl/maps/NSRB8




Day 6: Aberdeen to Lochearnhead

https://goo.gl/maps/ODJlo




Thanks for reading!

Oli

[Oliiiiiiiii]

Itsallicanafford said:

Thanks for sharing, amazing pictures, really looking forward to my weekend to Torridon later this month, my first trip to this area...

One point, not sure if the google estimate fuel usage would be strictly accurate with your car on those road!

I am sure you will love it. Some fantastic roads and sights there.

Ha, I havent looked at the Google fuel estimates. I did a quick calculation before we left for the whole trip and we came in about £20 under, so was happy with that! The best tank was 34mpg from mainly motorway on the way up, the worst tank was 26mpg on the Ullapool to Evanton stint, which isn't too bad really.

[Oliiiiiiiii]

AlasdairMc said:

Some great pics, especially of the bridge at Kylesku.

How did you get to Lochearnhead? One of my favourite roads in Scotland is the Braco to Comrie road; my gran lives in Comrie so I've driven it many a time.

We took the A84, which was nice especially the stretch along Loch Lubnaig. Next time I'll make sure I check out the road you've mentioned, thanks for the info.

ChickenvanGuy said:

Fantastic pics, thanks for sharing.

Did you travel to Skye via the Glenelg ferry? We've done that (we holiday on Eilean Ban, the island under the main Skye Bridge, in Gavin Maxwell's last home) and it's a great little thing - the rotating car deck! Fabulous roads on both sides of that little route.

Any pics of you crossing the main bridge?

Skye is a magical place, can't wait to get back there next year. You chose a great route round it, too.

Yes we used the Glenelg ferry. Was keeping my fingers crossed it would still be open, I think that was the last week it ran this year. I agree the roads either side of the ferry are great.

No unfortunately not, no photos going over the Skye bridge. Just one of many reasons to head back up there

[Oliiiiiiiii]

Burrito said:

Some beautiful shots in there.

Incidentally I think I saw you driving out of Newquay this afternoon.

Thanks. Probably was me as I live in Newquay. I was driving into Newquay earlier this afternoon, then I had to drop someone off on the other side of town later this afternoon, so maybe it was the latter time you spotted me.

jimbop1 said:

Fantastic photos!! I suspect that is probably one of the best cars for those types of roads.

What camera did you use? Just out of interest.

Cheers. I have a Canon 7D and several lenses (mainly used my 10-22 and 24-105). Additionally, a lot of these photos were taken using various ND graduated filters.

[Oliiiiiiiii]

Red Devil said:

+1

But they should all be in the Highlands thread, not just the three that are posted there!
I have no idea where the autumn colours pic is but I recognised the locations of all but one of the others.
It's bugging me because it looks familiar but I can't pinpoint it. Where was it taken?



The one of Eilean Donan castle is cheating btw: it's not on your Google Maps route...

Hi Red Devil,

I am shocked! A location you can't recognise

The one that is bugging you is on Skye shortly after getting off the Glenelg ferry:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.2220413,-5.72326...

And if you are interested, the autumn colours one is located here:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@56.7068409,-4.08966...

Ha, you are correct. Eilean Donan castle we visited after leaving Skye via the bridge, drove those few extra miles off route then doubled back. I tried to include it in the Google maps route but it kept wanting me to turn around much further east so I gave up and just left that bit off.

[Oliiiiiiiii]

jimbop1 said:

Awesome This is why I need a good camera and why I'm now going to get myself up their for a road trip next year. Maybe on my bike though.

I have you listed anywhere what accommodation you stayed in? Could it be done cheaply?

We were lucky enough to stay with friends/family for parts of the trip. We only paid for accommodation on 4 nights:

2 nights in Skye here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551872-...
The hotel in Skye was good, the decor inside was a bit dull but fortunately not in the room which was also a very good size with a lovely view. The breakfast was also great.

1 night in a Ullapool here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g316004-...
This place was ok but i'd probably try somewhere else if I was in Ullapool again. I just didn't click with the place.

1 night in Evanton here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g644371-...
This place was very good. A lovely house in a fantastic setting, very comfy room and again, a great breakfast.

As for cost, we just set a budget then looked for the best rated places on TripAdvisor that we could afford in the areas we wanted to stay. I am sure it could be done on a reasonably low budget with enough planning.

Nors said:

Hi Oliii

I organised a trip to Skye (with a few fellow car nuts)a couple of weeks back, so recognise many of your locations. You're obviously a bit more handy with the photography though. Most of ours were taken on our phones and don't have quite the dramatic effeft of yours. Caracking shots!!

Incidently, I live in Killin and get to drive down the A84 every day to work! Beats driving in traffic jams from Glasgow or Edinburgh!

Not a bad commute at all!

Killin was very busy when we passed through but it looked very nice. I had to wait at one end of the bridge for what seemed like ages as cars just kept coming!