Tour of the Highlands & Islands

[Sylvias_Father]

Hi all. We did the NC500 in April this year and were absolutely smitten by the landscape. We want to return next autumn, but concentrate on the West Coast and Hebrides. My initial thoughts are to drive up the west coast and then back via island hopping though the Hebrides.

Can anyone recommend a driving route (don't need to go further than Ullapool as we've already been there), places to visit and hotels? Also, after following the "Scottish Politics... etc" thread, should we be concerned about ferries?

Thanks all.

[a311]

Where are you driving from? Obvious route is up past Loch Lomond and either on to Oban or continue to Mallaig for the ferries or up and over to Skye and make your way back via ferry. I've seen a lot of the inner and outer Hebrides my MiL is from South Uist and my wife still has family on various islands. I've not done the Island hopping thing. Each Island has something different to offer. Less ambitious you could do Mull and maybe Tiree and Coll. Tiree is very nice, the landscape isn't anything remarkable as its really flat but the beaches..... It can feel like a bit of an arse getting from A to B as very much single track roads everywhere.

The Ferries can be fickle. High season with a vehicle you've really got to book in advance and arranging accommodation around the ferries can be difficult I.e. lots of places like to do week long Saturday to Saturday bookings in high season. You can rock up on the day/time of a sailing if you're not booked and chance getting on the ferry but wouldn't recommend it if you're moving on to somewhere you've got accommodation booked.

Weather can and does cancel the ferries frequently and the capacity of the aging fleet between breakdowns and servicing is cocking up the timetables worse and worse.

[Sylvias_Father]

Thanks a311. We'll be driving from Cheshire and planned on a stop around Loch Lomond before continuing up to Ullapool (with maybe another stop in between).
We plan on going in Sept/Oct to avoid the busy season (and midges...!), so hopefully accommodation will be ok, but it's the ferries that worry me. Fully expect to pre-book, it's just if they break down and/or heavy seas.

[flatlemon]

Depends if you're looking for good driving roads in terms of surface, because you're probably not going to find them on the islands, and as already stated they are mostly singletrack.

Mull is a brilliant island, and big enough to spend a decent amount of time there. There's also the Mull car rally in October time which is worth spectating.

Another wee tip would be to catch the Glenelg ferry to Skye - just turn up and queue, runs till October and a great way to get onto Skye.

[a311]

Sylvias_Father said:

Thanks a311. We'll be driving from Cheshire and planned on a stop around Loch Lomond before continuing up to Ullapool (with maybe another stop in between).
We plan on going in Sept/Oct to avoid the busy season (and midges...!), so hopefully accommodation will be ok, but it's the ferries that worry me. Fully expect to pre-book, it's just if they break down and/or heavy seas.

My wife is Scottish and from Oban. In all my years of going up there including getting married outdoors I'd never experienced the much feared Scottish Midge until with went to the Hebrides. They took a particular liking to me, really like being stabbed by hundred of little needles (which I guess is exactly what it is!)

[POIDH]

a311 said:

Obvious route is up past Loch Lomond and either on to Oban or continue to Mallaig for the ferries or up and over to Skye and make your way back via ferry. .

I think this misses some amazing places in Argyll and inner Hebrides.

If you are up for multiple ferries:

- Ardrossan - Arran.
-Arran off at Lochranza to Tarbert

(Alternative start instead of Arran is Gourock-Dunoon and then Portavadie to Tarbert)

- Tarbert out to Islay (whisky!)
- Islay long ferry via Colonsay to Oban for overnight
- Oban to Mull
- Mull / Lochaline Ferry and out to Ardnamurchan
- Ardnamurchan back to Fort William

Come back for Outer Hebrides and Skye on another trip...

[JamieF78]

The Ullapool to Stornoway ferry is the most reliable, very rarely is it ever cancelled. Just be sure to book in advance and you'll be fine. From Stornoway head for Port of Ness then drive back down A858 and head for Uig Sands, there are some incredible stretches of tarmac that you'll have all to yourself. I highly recommend a night or a meal at Uig Sands restaurant.

[Sylvias_Father]

Thanks all - looks like it's a tour of the southern islands (thanks POIDH) or the Outer Hebrides via Ullapool (thanks JamieF78).

Just one more question; other forums say North and South Uist are fantastic for walks or bird watching, but is there anything else there worth a visit/detour?

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

POIDH said:

I think this misses some amazing places in Argyll and inner Hebrides.

If you are up for multiple ferries:

- Ardrossan - Arran.
-Arran off at Lochranza to Tarbert

(Alternative start instead of Arran is Gourock-Dunoon and then Portavadie to Tarbert)

- Tarbert out to Islay (whisky!)
- Islay long ferry via Colonsay to Oban for overnight
- Oban to Mull
- Mull / Lochaline Ferry and out to Ardnamurchan
- Ardnamurchan back to Fort William

Come back for Outer Hebrides and Skye on another trip...

Just factor in the Lochgilphead to Oban road is shut due to a landslip so divert via Inveraray and Dalmally. This is no hardship but does take longer for ferry planning

[cptsideways]

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

POIDH said:

I think this misses some amazing places in Argyll and inner Hebrides.

If you are up for multiple ferries:

- Ardrossan - Arran.
-Arran off at Lochranza to Tarbert

(Alternative start instead of Arran is Gourock-Dunoon and then Portavadie to Tarbert)

- Tarbert out to Islay (whisky!)
- Islay long ferry via Colonsay to Oban for overnight
- Oban to Mull
- Mull / Lochaline Ferry and out to Ardnamurchan
- Ardnamurchan back to Fort William

Come back for Outer Hebrides and Skye on another trip...

Just factor in the Lochgilphead to Oban road is shut due to a landslip so divert via Inveraray and Dalmally. This is no hardship but does take longer for ferry planning

There's currently a lot of road closures all over the Cowal Peninsular after the rain and multiple land slips and bridge collapses. If your not local it's difficult to find out and work out routes.

However it's worth it if you can make it up here. Alternatively charter a yacht far more reliable than the ferries and currently quicker lol. I'm seriously planning on taking our boat to Glasgow next week from Portavardie.

The Waverley paddle steamer could seriously make a fortune if it did a regular round robin this winter.

[GetCarter]

Sylvias_Father said:

Hi all. We did the NC500 in April this year and were absolutely smitten by the landscape. We want to return next autumn, but concentrate on the West Coast and Hebrides. My initial thoughts are to drive up the west coast and then back via island hopping though the Hebrides.

Can anyone recommend a driving route (don't need to go further than Ullapool as we've already been there), places to visit and hotels? Also, after following the "Scottish Politics... etc" thread, should we be concerned about ferries?

Thanks all.

North to Crianlarich > Fort William > Spean Bridge > Lochcarron > Applecross > Torridon > Kinlochewe > Garve > Ullapool > Tarbert (Harris) > Leverburgh > Lochmaddy (Uist) > Lochboinsdale (then either Castlebay on Barra or Oban) > Crianlarich... South.

I know all these places as I live in Torridon and regularly travel to the Hebrides.

Hope that's of some help.

ETA: feel free to PM me for more help.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th October 13:56

[Sylvias_Father]

Thanks GetCarter. Did the first half of your suggestions as part of the 500 in April - beautiful places.

Like the suggestion of Ullapool to Harris and the North & South Uist. Is it worth staying on the island, or more of a drive through?

[bern]

GetCarter said:

North to Crianlarich > Fort William > Spean Bridge > Lochcarron > Applecross > Torridon > Kinlochewe > Garve > Ullapool > Tarbert (Harris) > Leverburgh > Lochmaddy (Uist) > Lochboinsdale (then either Castlebay on Barra or Oban) > Crianlarich... South.

I know all these places as I live in Torridon and regularly travel to the Hebrides.

Hope that's of some help.

ETA: feel free to PM me for more help.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th October 13:56

This. There's some fast roads on Lewis. The locals don't seem to acknowledge speed limits much! Worth doing a full loop of Harris as well from Tarbert down the east side (golden road) and then back up west coast to all the beaches ending up at Luskentyre.

[bern]

Another thing. Depending on when you go you might have to wait to see what the winter timetable is. This year the winter one starts on 23rd October I think and wasn't released until a few weeks ago.

[dxg]

bern said:

GetCarter said:

North to Crianlarich > Fort William > Spean Bridge > Lochcarron > Applecross > Torridon > Kinlochewe > Garve > Ullapool > Tarbert (Harris) > Leverburgh > Lochmaddy (Uist) > Lochboinsdale (then either Castlebay on Barra or Oban) > Crianlarich... South.

I know all these places as I live in Torridon and regularly travel to the Hebrides.

Hope that's of some help.

ETA: feel free to PM me for more help.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th October 13:56

This. There's some fast roads on Lewis. The locals don't seem to acknowledge speed limits much! Worth doing a full loop of Harris as well from Tarbert down the east side (golden road) and then back up west coast to all the beaches ending up at Luskentyre.

I came here to suggest Lewis. I *loved* driving up there. Generally great sightlines, flowing roads. Often narrow, but in generally great condition.

The added bonus is the quality of the light up there. Simply love it. Didn't get much time on Harris, though. Next time.

[GetCarter]

Sylvias_Father said:

Thanks GetCarter. Did the first half of your suggestions as part of the 500 in April - beautiful places.

Like the suggestion of Ullapool to Harris and the North & South Uist. Is it worth staying on the island, or more of a drive through?

With the ferry times, you'll find it difficult to do in a day.