3-4 day driving trip to the Western Highlands!

[v15ben]

Right guys I've decided after reading so much about the great roads in Scotland and seeing so many amazing photos that I'm going to go for it!

I'm planning a trip in May but I'm a bit restricted as I only have 3 days to play with, 4 at the most! I live in Nottingham, but I reckon I can do Nottingham to Fort William (with breaks at my friends' places in Lancaster and Crianlarich) in a day and enjoy the roads from there.

The question is which roads do I go for? I've been reading Steve Carter's Fort Augustus to Ullapool route which looks amazing. I've heard good things about Applecross, Rannoch Moor, the A835 Dingwall to Ullapool and plenty more

So what would you suggest for a fun 2 days or so of Scottish driving? The car is a Clio 182 if that helps with thoughts on what type of road

[anonymous-user]

There are a few threads running on the Scotland regional forum.

[whirligig]

Maybe some ideas for you from this thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[jet_noise]

Dear v15ben,

you should easily make your journey in a day depending on breaks and when you start. If you've got young kids then it's a bit more difficult.

Mrs Noise & I yearly do Bristol to Lochcarron in 10 1/2 hours on a Saturday. Pack the car the day before. Up at 4, on the road by 5. Breakfast & fuel in Carlisle Tesco at 9. Fuel at Fort William. Holiday cottage by 15:30. Includes sundry wee stops as required,

regards,
Jet

[havoc]

whirligig said:

Maybe some ideas for you from this thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

The big problem with Scotland is the distances from place to place - AIUI you've got to get past L.Lomond to even start finding good roads, but LL is still ~6 hours from Cov or N'ham. And the A87 is probably another 3-4 hours on from LL (more?).

So if you're up to that much driving (and on your own in the Clio that's a big ask...I've got Becs to split the cruise up-and-back with me, plus a comfier car and cruise-control), then you could have 1-2 days in the heart of it all. Or you could have 2+ days in the LL / Oban / Glencoe area...some of those roads still look rather good fun.

[v15ben]

I've booked 13-16th May off work so it'll be a day to get to Fort William from Nottingham I think

I have cruise control and it's a pretty comfy place to be so shouldn't be an issue. I've driven Nottingham to the Nurburgring without any issues before and that is about 530 miles.

Just need to research some roads now, but I'm thinking of a couple of days based in Fort William and heading up the coast and into the glens

[havoc]

How about you get a 3-hour head-start by driving part-way up on the night before? Cost of an overnight in some B&B or travelodge, vs another 3 hours to play with on the first 'proper' day.

[v15ben]

Interesting plan. I have a mate who lives near Lancaster so could stay on his sofa or something.

[v15ben]

Right then folks, I've been reading up some more and highlighting roads on my mapbook with reckless abandon I'll be staying in hostels and lone driving in the 182. Can't wait to be honest!

Day 1: Leeds or perhaps Lancaster to Fort William taking in the A82 through Glencoe and on to Fort William. Stay in a hostel in Fort William.

Day 2: Quite simply Steve Carter's route from Fort William to Ullapool up the coast via Kyle of Lochalsh and a few amazing photo stops on the way no doubt. Stay in Ullapool

Day 3: Ullapool to Dingwall then to Grantown on Spey and Keith and across to Burghead and Findhorn (as recommended by friends) then back down towards Aviemore and finally to Pitlochory. A combination of decent roads and seeing some places I've visited before / holidayed in as a kid. Other suggestions welcome after the Burghead bit for where to drive / stay.

Day 4: Pitlochory to Rannoch Moor, Kenmore and possibly the A827 across the moors to Gleneagles as I wouldn't mind seeing the place, then back to Nottingham. Not sure what to do with the last day really as I have to get back home, but wouldn't mind some decent driving as well. Kenmore / Aberfeldy is a must as I went there every year for about 15 years, but open to ideas after that. Maybe head west through Killin and go from there?

Edited by v15ben on Friday 2nd April 21:05