Highlands

[s70rmp]

looking at the forcast for our trip next week its looking like a few days of wintery mix - which is a bugger

we're leaving Manchester tomorrow about 10am for Fort William but going to stop along the way.

[GetCarter]

Rojibo said:

How are the roads looking Steve? I'm slightly concerned about this forecast of snow over the Easter weekend, when I'm meant to be up in Tounge.

Roads are fine on the west coast - and no snow due at sea level for the next week. On higher ground especially inland - there's a chance, but it wont last.

[GetCarter]

FYI... this is a good site to check before you drive: Live traffic cameras. https://trafficscotland.org/livetrafficcameras/

[dazren]

Steve. What is the pothole situation like at the moment.

[GetCarter]

dazren said:

Steve. What is the pothole situation like at the moment.

Hi Daz

They've been filling them in round here, and it's been dry for 4 weeks (though it's raining today), so not too bad... just avoid the sides of the roads whenever you can.

[dazren]

Great news. Thanks Steve.

[GJB73]

Hi,
Myself and my wife will be staying in Applecross over the Easter weekend for our wedding anniversary. We’ve been many times over the past few years and we were even married there.
This year we will be bringing our 8 month old springer spaniel and I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for walks? He loves the beach so Sands is a definite, is there anywhere else that might be suitable in the area where he can be off is lead? It’s lambing season so preferably no where near sheep.
Cheers GJB

[GetCarter]

GJB73 said:

Hi,
Myself and my wife will be staying in Applecross over the Easter weekend for our wedding anniversary. We’ve been many times over the past few years and we were even married there.
This year we will be bringing our 8 month old springer spaniel and I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for walks? He loves the beach so Sands is a definite, is there anywhere else that might be suitable in the area where he can be off is lead? It’s lambing season so preferably no where near sheep.
Cheers GJB

As you probably know I live here with a dog, so can help with that... Would your's chase deer? (ie will you never see it again if it does!?)

[GJB73]

GetCarter said:

As you probably know I live here with a dog, so can help with that... Would your's chase deer? (ie will you never see it again if it does!?)

He has no interest in deer, sheep, rabbits or even other dogs, which are plentiful on our daily walks. But he does have a very high hunting instinct for birds which has been breed into him over generations.
My only concern would be he spotted a bird in a field amongst sheep, then he would engage his spaniel deafness!

[GetCarter]

GJB73 said:

He has no interest in deer, sheep, rabbits or even other dogs, which are plentiful on our daily walks. But he does have a very high hunting instinct for birds which has been breed into him over generations.
My only concern would be he spotted a bird in a field amongst sheep, then he would engage his spaniel deafness!

Ha... I'll get back to you tomorrow with a map that'll help.

[GetCarter]

Here are our regular dog walks around Applecross:



The walk at Achintraid is dog walk central, so if you want dog company that's the place to go.

[GJB73]

GetCarter said:

Here are our regular dog walks around Applecross:



The walk at Achintraid is dog walk central, so if you want dog company that's the place to go.

Thanks for the info which is greatly appreciated. Achintraid is ideal, as we where planning on stopping for lunch at the Kishorn restaurant on the way up.

[GetCarter]

Lovely here at the moment

[Stonecarver]

jimmybell said:

Red Devil said:

jimmybell said:

ignore some of the labels, they were just stopping points or POI on route.

will start just south of the border, and stop for the night roughly at Invergarry, Lochinver, Inverness/Loch Ness, and near Loch Lomond on the way down. In rough order visiting Eileen Donan, Applecross, some NC500 roads, Tongue, Castle of Mey, Lairg, Loch ness (had to really, also seems like has the better hotels nearby), one of the distilleries nearby - probably Glenfarclas and then Doune castle before heading home. Gives us 4-5 days spent in Scotland.

Er, your map clearly shows you heading south from Tongue. That's the A836 to Lairg.
If you take that route you have zero chance of visting the late QM's holiday home.
It's over 50 miles to the east: quite close to JoG - https://goo.gl/maps/bWuxLhWLyQ72

GetCarter said:

jimmybell said:

Also - any points where i absolutely must fill up else get stranded? North west looks quite shy of fuel and i don't think my new toy is particularly efficient.

Ullapool has Super, Lochinver has regular (but is closed on Sundays).

it might also be worth mentioning for newbies to the far north west that filling stations don't stay open late.
Ullapool is 'base camp' for our club's annual bash each April.
It's by far the biggest population centre in that region, yet the Gleaner closes at 8pm.
There is only one place you can get fuel 24/7: Scourie - http://www.scouriefillingstation.uk/
Ullapool is your only choice if your chariot needs the higher octane rocket fuel.
Failing that it's a trek of over 120 miles north east to Thurso - https://goo.gl/maps/nTA7pHfJeS22

Ahh you are correct - i cut off the J O'G leg and forgot to remove Castle of Mey. Perhaps i can find something near Tongue to explore during the day.

I imagine i'm going to have to accept some lower octane if i'm going to make it from Ullapool->Inverness via Tongue+Lairg, so perhaps Scourie it is

Any idea where the next filler would be on the way from Tongue->Inverness?

EDIT: Ahh i see a Gulf in Lairg.

Durness has had 24 hour pumps for the past 3 years.

[GetCarter]

There's also now self service 24 hour pumps in Lochcarron and Applecross

[s70rmp]

We had a great drive out yesterday, just did a loop of the A861 only thing to watch out for are locals in the single track bits who don’t like to slow down or give way

Plan was to get ferry back across to Fort William but we were enjoying the road we carried on.



Today onwards to Avimore and the old military road

[Stonecarver]

Mezzanine said:

GetCarter said:

No traffic to speak of here at the moment. Drove for two hours yesterday, saw one car... the postie.

Click for full size \/

Many jobs going up there?!

Imagine seeing this stuff everyday.

I drive on the NC500 everyday. I do the school bus and a service bus. Start my run in Durness at 7am and drive down to Kylesku to pick up the high school kids for Kinlochbervie. It is absolutely spectacular at these times, never really the same twice. Love it.

[Jambo85]

s70rmp said:

only thing to watch out for are locals in the single track bits who don’t like to slow down or give way

I'd imagine the locals have a different perspective on this!

[Stonecarver]

Jambo85 said:

s70rmp said:

only thing to watch out for are locals in the single track bits who don’t like to slow down or give way

I'd imagine the locals have a different perspective on this!

There are lots of things to watch out for:
People stopping in inappropriate places to take a photo (one guy in a blind dip, parked in the road with his tripod set up !!).
Slow moving camper vans.
Folks who pull into the wrong side of the road or who cant reverse back the length of their own vehicle to get into a passing place.
Sheep, deer, otters and other furry things (including shepherds).
Convoys of vehicles that act like rolling road blocks.

The locals, in general are not the problem.

Give all road users the respect they deserve and let the traffic flow.

[s70rmp]

I agree but when you’ve just drove passed a passing point in your side of the road and you clearly know I have no where to go but you hurtle towards me that’s just dangerous

Edited by s70rmp on Monday 26th March 21:03