Roads in the Highlands and beyond

[jshell]

Luke. said:

I was driving round that way over Christmas as my wife's family live in Invershin not far from there.

Get up there much? I used to live across the river from Invershin...would walk over the railway bridge at night to go drinking in the Invershin hotel - before they installed the pedestrian walkway so you had to time it between trains!

[Luke.]

jshell said:

Luke. said:

I was driving round that way over Christmas as my wife's family live in Invershin not far from there.

Get up there much? I used to live across the river from Invershin...would walk over the railway bridge at night to go drinking in the Invershin hotel - before they installed the pedestrian walkway so you had to time it between trains!

The in-laws are just up the road from there in a place called Linsidecroy. Got up 3-4 times a years. Really enjoy and it's a obviously a world away from London where I spend the rest of the year, and er back on topic, the roads are errm really good..

Edited by Luke. on Friday 7th January 19:42

[tinman0]

AJI said:

From the looks of google street view the roads up in that part of the UK seem to be wide and smooth enough for sports cars.
Anybody driven up and along the top coast of Britain that can vouch for the quality of road?

(Just trying to get ideas for an early summer driving mini-break and thinking of taking my pride an joy).

We have just come back from Invermorriston way, but I know the roads in your map you posted. All the roads north of Glasgow heading up to Fort William and that way are fantastic. Not a minger in them. Stick a pin in the map and it won't be bad.

(Although I wouldn't go as far as Thurso as it's a bit bleak that way and the roads are kinda boring. Boring but fast.)

We spent a week in a village called Dalchreitchart, and the roads round there just absolutely rock. And a week in a Mustang (despite being 4 up), and it was brilliant. Loved every minute of it. If you want fast and flowing the road you show gets a bit tiring once you hit the very north. It's still a beautiful road, but not as fast as you think as it comes down to single track and it's a bit bouncy. But everything up and past Ullapool is great fun.

However, even in high summer, I'm still not seeing loads of tourists up on those roads, especially not caravans. (Or I've always been hugely lucky).

If you've never driven in that bit of Scotland, you will find the locals to be some of the best drivers around. It's one of the few places where people actually want you to overtake for the most part.

We do have the details of the cottage in Dalchreitchart if you are interested. Modern warm cottage, with the owners next door, and very reasonable for a week. The owners were brilliant as well. We got diverted from one cottage near Ullapool to their cottage (the first cottage had frozen pipes). After driving 650 miles that day, I put in another tiring 100 miles in the dark, snow and ice (on the 23rd December), got to the cottage, and the owners had already got it warmed up, cleared the drive, and were waiting for us (with alcohol). After 750 miles I cannot say how much that was appreciated.

Again, stick a pin in the map and you can't go wrong! Enjoy.

[AJI]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

[thinfourth2]

Don't bother its a complete and utter sthole

Everyone loves gordon brown and is on the dole all the time

Just stay away

And the roads are crap

[perdu]

thinfourth2 said:

Don't bother its a complete and utter sthole

Everyone loves gordon brown and is on the dole all the time

Just stay away

And the roads are crap

this^^^^^^^^^+++

honest

[sjabrown]

Going to be heading up that direction tomorrow for a drive.

The roads up the west coast up to Inverness tend to be quite busy at any time of the year with caravans and tourists (A82, road to Skye) but once north and west of Inverness quieten significantly. As has already been said sheep are a danger, as are timber lorries that expect everything to give way and don't leave an inch to spare! The road along the top from Thurso to Durness is brilliant west of Dounraey - quiet enough to get up a fair lick of speed and plenty of opportunities to simply park and admire the views. If the car isn't too low slung then it's worth exploring the few B roads that criss-cross the north from Lairg upwards just for the sheer desolation of these parts. You really can drive miles without seeing another human. Petrol can be a problem though, best to fill up before venturing too far and if the fuel tank is a problem carry a spare can.

[SSC!]

This has some of the Applecross routing in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLfTM4zzpBE

And some with Ullapool routing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucv83Pvl1h4

You car would be fine on the roads up here. Durness is well worth a visit, my fav place to stay when camping as pub is right next door!!

[gca117]

sjabrown said:

Going to be heading up that direction tomorrow for a drive.

The roads up the west coast up to Inverness tend to be quite busy at any time of the year with caravans and tourists (A82, road to Skye) but once north and west of Inverness quieten significantly. As has already been said sheep are a danger, as are timber lorries that expect everything to give way and don't leave an inch to spare! The road along the top from Thurso to Durness is brilliant west of Dounraey - quiet enough to get up a fair lick of speed and plenty of opportunities to simply park and admire the views. If the car isn't too low slung then it's worth exploring the few B roads that criss-cross the north from Lairg upwards just for the sheer desolation of these parts. You really can drive miles without seeing another human. Petrol can be a problem though, best to fill up before venturing too far and if the fuel tank is a problem carry a spare can.

Fully agree with all the above. The road from Lairg up to Laxford Bridge and then to Durness is a peach. Mostly Single track but long stretches with good sight lines. The trucks can be interesting as mentioned. I get up to Durness a couple of times a year with work usually Oct and Apr and the roads are quite quiet. Would recommend the School House B&B at Kinlochbervie for a night.

[MGZRod]

OlberJ said:

motco said:

I gather that Ullapool is a very popular gay touring centre, so expect a 'different' clientele around there!

Absolute lies!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8E06oxDAB8

Heh, must have been outside the pub or at camp when this happened!
Lovely roads over there and I shall hopefully be driving In my first Hoon this year! Rather than being a passenger!

Just look out for us lot making traffic... Interesting:

[sjabrown]

To show you what the roads can be like in winter here's a couple of snaps from today - all taken on the B871 between Kinbrace and Syre. Didn't meet a single vehicle. Sorry bout the diesel spoiling the pics but didn't fancy taking one of the pugs out on ice! This road can be just about as quiet in summer - expect to meet no more than a single vehicle every 5 miles or so.