Scotland Road Trip
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I've been looking around the forum for a while now, but i've decided to get a bit more involved so this is my first ever post!
Since last year i've been trying to plan a road trip round Scotland, i've been trying to find the best driving roads in the country and link them all together into one big route, so i've decided that this year is going to be the year i'm going to head off and go for it, but one of the problems is that its not so much fun on your own, and with only a handful of friends who would be up for going, i'm offering a bit of an open invitation if anybody is interested to tag along, here's the route i've got planned out so far,
google maps link
The next bit of my idea is to leave on a Friday morning and be back home on a monday night, probably in late may or early june (try and beat midgie season on the west coast)the easiest (and cheaper) way to solve the accommodation problem is just to chuck a tent in the boot of the car and camp over the long weekend, since there's plenty of campsites in the highlands,
anyway, i was wondering if anybody wants to have a little look at my route and give a little constructive criticism? any obvious good roads i'm missing? and of course if anyone likes the look of the route and the idea of a wee road trip they are free to come along, the more the merrier!!
I'm starting to think that this would probably be more at home in the roads section or events but then again who is going to know the roads of scotland better than my fellow Scotsmen?
Cheers,
Scotty
I've been looking around the forum for a while now, but i've decided to get a bit more involved so this is my first ever post!
Since last year i've been trying to plan a road trip round Scotland, i've been trying to find the best driving roads in the country and link them all together into one big route, so i've decided that this year is going to be the year i'm going to head off and go for it, but one of the problems is that its not so much fun on your own, and with only a handful of friends who would be up for going, i'm offering a bit of an open invitation if anybody is interested to tag along, here's the route i've got planned out so far,
google maps link
The next bit of my idea is to leave on a Friday morning and be back home on a monday night, probably in late may or early june (try and beat midgie season on the west coast)the easiest (and cheaper) way to solve the accommodation problem is just to chuck a tent in the boot of the car and camp over the long weekend, since there's plenty of campsites in the highlands,
anyway, i was wondering if anybody wants to have a little look at my route and give a little constructive criticism? any obvious good roads i'm missing? and of course if anyone likes the look of the route and the idea of a wee road trip they are free to come along, the more the merrier!!
I'm starting to think that this would probably be more at home in the roads section or events but then again who is going to know the roads of scotland better than my fellow Scotsmen?
Cheers,
Scotty
Hi - looks good. Did something similar (well similar-ish) with some mates in old cars (Spitfires and an old Alfa GTV) last summer.
Some ideas to consider.
Between D&E I would consider including the Glen Lyon and Ben Lawers road. Good lunch opportunity at the Fortingall Inn.
At H (Applecross) you're planning to do the pass in both directions but don't rule out the coastal road to Sheildaig which is well worth it too.
I'd also consider carrying on North from Ullapool and then cutting over to the Dornoch Firth (might be a bit shorter but very scenic).
Enjoy
EDIT :- as far as I can make out there are midges at Applecross Campsite all year..... don't pitch your tent too near the trees.
Some ideas to consider.
Between D&E I would consider including the Glen Lyon and Ben Lawers road. Good lunch opportunity at the Fortingall Inn.
At H (Applecross) you're planning to do the pass in both directions but don't rule out the coastal road to Sheildaig which is well worth it too.
I'd also consider carrying on North from Ullapool and then cutting over to the Dornoch Firth (might be a bit shorter but very scenic).
Enjoy
EDIT :- as far as I can make out there are midges at Applecross Campsite all year..... don't pitch your tent too near the trees.
Edited by Spitfire2 on Wednesday 19th January 21:32
Hi
2 things
At 'H' you go to Applecross and turn back, you may as well do the 'loop' (so carry on past Applecross and do it clockwise), you'll get some great views of the Torridon hills and the Hebrides. (I did it yesterday...they've finally finished roadworks). it only adds about 5 mins to the journey, and you won't have to retrace your steps.
Also, you say late May early June. There is Whitsun week hols around then and the place is packed with tourists. If you do it mid May or Mid June it's MUCH quieter. We are talking 10 times the amount of traffic - (10 cars per few miles rather than 1 ish)...and remember it's mostly single track round here.
Mid May and you'll almost certainly also miss the midges.
Top tip... if you can get up early enough it's light at 5 am and the roads on the west coast are completely empty apart from deer and sheep. (And me in my Caterham!) FYI here is said road at 5 am
http://www.stevecarter.com/911turbo-scotland.wmv (imagine how tedius that would be behind a caravan!)
2 things
At 'H' you go to Applecross and turn back, you may as well do the 'loop' (so carry on past Applecross and do it clockwise), you'll get some great views of the Torridon hills and the Hebrides. (I did it yesterday...they've finally finished roadworks). it only adds about 5 mins to the journey, and you won't have to retrace your steps.
Also, you say late May early June. There is Whitsun week hols around then and the place is packed with tourists. If you do it mid May or Mid June it's MUCH quieter. We are talking 10 times the amount of traffic - (10 cars per few miles rather than 1 ish)...and remember it's mostly single track round here.
Mid May and you'll almost certainly also miss the midges.
Top tip... if you can get up early enough it's light at 5 am and the roads on the west coast are completely empty apart from deer and sheep. (And me in my Caterham!) FYI here is said road at 5 am
http://www.stevecarter.com/911turbo-scotland.wmv (imagine how tedius that would be behind a caravan!)
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 20th January 10:16
Our proposed route for a road trip full of good roads may give you so roads to consider -
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
cstrachan said:
Our proposed route for a road trip full of good roads may give you so roads to consider -
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
Like the look of that route, so will save it as you must live not far from me!http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
Doing an alfaowner run to Sky, Applecross and Ullapool in May this year.
Did Ullapool last year too but that time we went right round the North coast, the year before I did a bit of Sky, the Applecross loop and only up as far as Gairloch.
It was foggy at Applecross that time so back there again this year hoping the weatehrs better!
cstrachan said:
Our proposed route for a road trip full of good roads may give you so roads to consider -
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
Well shttp://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
t. I've been planning a similar trip for this year, getting a few bods together and setting off early, early hours and making a good long day out of it. That's almost identical to the route I've planned!!
Most PH blats (that don't lunch in the Applecross Inn) lunch here: http://www.thetorridon.com/inn/ ... decent grub and if it's good weather fab views outside. (See below, taken standing about 100 yards from the Inn) pm me when you're coming - if it's decent weather I'll probably be out in the R500 anyway - Torridon Inn is only 10 mins away. (5 in the Caterham!)
Steve
Steve
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 20th January 12:45
I'd also consider carrying on North from Ullapool and then cutting over to the Dornoch Firth (might be a bit shorter but very scenic).
Yes, the road heading north from Ullapool to Laxford Bridge is a superb driving road just remember to stop at Kylesku Bridge for some pictures. Who need the Ring when we have roads like this on our door step.
Yes, the road heading north from Ullapool to Laxford Bridge is a superb driving road just remember to stop at Kylesku Bridge for some pictures. Who need the Ring when we have roads like this on our door step.
Thanks for all the comments folks, it's easy to see applecross is a popular place to head to for a good drive!! Well I'll be making some changes to my route now, heading north from Ullapool is the first cutting across to Dornoch firth, and taking the B976 road on the way to ballater (never even knew that road existed!)
On a slightly similar note does anybody know when the cairn o mount road is going to be good enough to have a weekend blast along? I dunno if it's still affected by the winter weather or if it's cleared up yet, the radio at work has only recently stopped saying it's closed?
Scotty
On a slightly similar note does anybody know when the cairn o mount road is going to be good enough to have a weekend blast along? I dunno if it's still affected by the winter weather or if it's cleared up yet, the radio at work has only recently stopped saying it's closed?
Scotty
slipstream 1985 said:
what sort of date are you thinking of doing this?
btw the cairnomount last year was snowy still in late march. infact on one of our runs it was still a "little" dodgy.
but its a bloody good road!
My big trip or a cairn o mount run?btw the cairnomount last year was snowy still in late march. infact on one of our runs it was still a "little" dodgy.
but its a bloody good road!
Big trip, middle of June
Cairn o mount road, I was thinking middle to end of march (depending on the road conditions!)
Yeah it is a brilliant road! One of my favourites
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