A82 Fort William....
Discussion
Stuart - I can't recall any but all I know is this: I'm immediately and passionately jealous of you - a Chimp on the A82? I recently piloted my small clan up there and beyond (carry on up to Fort Augustus - bloody FANTASTIC) in a Lexus and even that was fun but in a TVR missile? Yesssireeee! Be prepared for a max speed run through the breathtaking plains of Glencoe, south of Fort William and generally some of the very best driving roads in Europe. If there are any pubs you'll be going too quick to notice.
I hope it stays dry for you. Let me know how you get on 'cos I loved it up there - some pics would be good too!
I hope it stays dry for you. Let me know how you get on 'cos I loved it up there - some pics would be good too!
Erm... Unless I won the lottery then.... No 
It's an Orion
Although I know that road is excellent but this is my first day experiencing it past Tarbet (the point where it leaves the shores of Loch Lomond and buggers off towards Fort William!)
If the weather brightens up a touch then I do intend to head to Fort Augustus but I reckon we'll hit FW around lunch time!
As the schools go back tomorrow here I'm hoping there won't be too much touristy traffic, just the odd sunday numpty!
Cheers
It's an Orion
Although I know that road is excellent but this is my first day experiencing it past Tarbet (the point where it leaves the shores of Loch Lomond and buggers off towards Fort William!) If the weather brightens up a touch then I do intend to head to Fort Augustus but I reckon we'll hit FW around lunch time!
As the schools go back tomorrow here I'm hoping there won't be too much touristy traffic, just the odd sunday numpty!
Cheers
Sorry Stuart!
Must've been hitting the G&Ts a bit too early there!
Listen, the roads up there are so bloody fantastic you'll still have a blast in the Orion; just driving up there is enough.
Enjoy!
P.S. I was at Tarbet too - great base for exploring the territory. My recommendation is the road to Inverrary for a quick pot of tea at Mrs. Miggin's pie shop and then a tootle up to Fort Augustus (avoiding the Japanese tourists when you get there, BTW) via Fort William. Love it, love it, love it!
Must've been hitting the G&Ts a bit too early there!
Listen, the roads up there are so bloody fantastic you'll still have a blast in the Orion; just driving up there is enough.
Enjoy!
P.S. I was at Tarbet too - great base for exploring the territory. My recommendation is the road to Inverrary for a quick pot of tea at Mrs. Miggin's pie shop and then a tootle up to Fort Augustus (avoiding the Japanese tourists when you get there, BTW) via Fort William. Love it, love it, love it!
quote:
I used to drive this road twice a week in my M5. Not a lot of speed cameras on that roadOnce made it from Tarbert (not Tarbet) to Glasgow in 1 hour and 20 mins in the middle of the night. I passed only one car.
Quite simply, paradise on wheels!
If you've got the time, about half way btwn Tarbet and Fort William, you can take a left at Bridge of Orchy down into Glen Orchy, B8074. The river is a fantastic series of shoots and wateralls and great for a leg stretch and quick explore.
p.s. Derestrictor ... that stretch over to Inverary, know it well. Cycled it a few years ago. The pass above Aarochar is not called "Rest and Be Thankful" for nothing...
p.p.s AT the top of Rest and Be Thankful there is a small loch, Lock Restil. The surrounding landscape creats a bizarre optical illusion which makes it look like the loch is sloping down hill to the north. This is particulalry awful when you are on a bike ... because your eyes are telling you you've got to the top, while your legs strongly disagree.
>> Edited by ATG on Wednesday 21st August 15:09
p.s. Derestrictor ... that stretch over to Inverary, know it well. Cycled it a few years ago. The pass above Aarochar is not called "Rest and Be Thankful" for nothing...
p.p.s AT the top of Rest and Be Thankful there is a small loch, Lock Restil. The surrounding landscape creats a bizarre optical illusion which makes it look like the loch is sloping down hill to the north. This is particulalry awful when you are on a bike ... because your eyes are telling you you've got to the top, while your legs strongly disagree.
>> Edited by ATG on Wednesday 21st August 15:09
Hi there, ATG - the land where the haggis roams free; just the best, n'est-ce pas?
One of the really wierd things I noticed up there were the numerous Scandanavian backpackers/hikers on what appeared to be survival courses.
Odd that, because I've noticed the high propensity of continental folk who seem to be well into this mountain trekking business. Must be a killer on a bicycle, what the hell is it like walking round there?
For them, a compass, swiss army knife and the pale glint of the northern star for guidance. Personally, the simple power of lard serves me well.
One of the really wierd things I noticed up there were the numerous Scandanavian backpackers/hikers on what appeared to be survival courses.
Odd that, because I've noticed the high propensity of continental folk who seem to be well into this mountain trekking business. Must be a killer on a bicycle, what the hell is it like walking round there?
For them, a compass, swiss army knife and the pale glint of the northern star for guidance. Personally, the simple power of lard serves me well.
Have to say the Rest and be Thankful is one of my fav roads (lived over that way for a while) keep on it (and watch for plod on the really long straight before the Dunoon turn off!) take the Dunoon road and then turn off to go over the 'Leanach' great two mile straight section, max it out!
Bloody Fantastic!
What a Drive. Even though the sunday numpties got in the way at times, the road is incredible, there are no words to describe it!
Anyone who does go to Fort Augustus, I can highly recommend heading the 13 or so miles further up Loch Ness to Urquart castle! Very Interesting
quote:
Bloody Fantastic!
What a Drive. Even though the sunday numpties got in the way at times, the road is incredible, there are no words to describe it!
Anyone who does go to Fort Augustus, I can highly recommend heading the 13 or so miles further up Loch Ness to Urquart castle! Very Interesting
If you pass Inverary and head for Campbeltown you are in for some seriously good driving roads. As you pass Tarbert and head through a lot of other little towns you approach the Tayinloan straights. Miles upon miles of straight road and some of the best coastline scenery Scotland has to offer. Well worth a trip.
Just watch out for those tractors!
Deester...
Just watch out for those tractors!
Deester...
Ah. The A82. My girlfriend lives in Fort William so I get to drive that road from Glasgow a lot. Its loads of fun even in a Skoda....
I remember myself and 4 mates were going up to the Mountain Biking World cup race in Fort William all sqaushed into a the skoda with tents etc etc, hammering up the road with Ride of The Valkreies blaring from the stereo going round corners with them mudguards scraping along the ground. Ahh. Utter madness.
I would love to get a motorbike up there. A superb tool for dealing with numpties.
Andy
I remember myself and 4 mates were going up to the Mountain Biking World cup race in Fort William all sqaushed into a the skoda with tents etc etc, hammering up the road with Ride of The Valkreies blaring from the stereo going round corners with them mudguards scraping along the ground. Ahh. Utter madness.
I would love to get a motorbike up there. A superb tool for dealing with numpties.
Andy
quote:
I remember myself and 4 mates were going up to the Mountain Biking World cup race in Fort William all sqaushed into a the skoda with tents etc etc, hammering up the road with Ride of The Valkreies blaring from the stereo...
Andy
Andy, you're a man of rare taste and discretion. The boy Wagner and a bit of vaguely Norse based jovialty whilst skirting - with no small mercy, by the sound of things, being shown to the accelerative anvil of yer right foot - the best scenery in Europe?
Tremendous, Sir!
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