Scottish highlands - help me choose the best PH route option

[kiwifraser]

I know this is GetCarter's local territory, but all opinions and experiences on the best road are welcome.

I have maximum 2 1/2 hours of time available from leaving Achnasheen to arriving in Lochcarron. I need to fit in lunch on route at The Torridon Inn which will take around 45 Minutes - 1 Hour. I'm looking for the most enjoyable/ scenic/ best (in a PH sense) way to get there.

The times I have listed are what 'the internet thought', although I realise that the types of road, and unusual terrain these could well be over estimated.

Route 1 (60 Minutes)


Route 2 (1 hr 20 Minutes)


Route 3 (2 hrs)


Route 4 (2 hrs 20 Minutes)

[kiwifraser]

For those who have done the trip, but don't recognise the maps, the question is:

Drive the return trip down the side of Loch Maree from Kinlochewe to Slattadale.

or

Drive the Applecross loop from Sheildaig to Applecross and back over Bealach Na Ba.

or

Both (if we have time??)

[GetCarter]

3 or 4 - don't miss out the Applecross circuit. (It is better doing it clockwise mind).

By the way... if you drive fast and don't stop for photos etc route 3 will take only 1 hr 20ish - You have time to add Slatterdale.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 7th April 09:42

[kiwifraser]

Based on the 1hr 20, and the fact that we will want to spend a while at the Torridon for Lunch (given the reviews are so good!), I think it's going to be Applecross only (Route 3)... unless we manage to find more time by leaving earlier in the morning.

Cheers for the advise Steve

[JM]

I'd choose 3, but would consider going ove rthe Bealach from the Kishorn side, so doing a complete loop.

i.e Pass the first road to Applecross after Shieldaig and take the next one before you get to Kishorn, then over the Bealach to Applecross then head north up the coast and round towards Shieldaig, then turn right at the end and follow the short bit of the A896 you were on earlier.

Though having said that I do enjoy the run from Applecross over the Bealach...

[MC Bodge]

It was cold, foggy and hammering it down when I was there ...in August 2009.

[kiwifraser]

JM said:

I'd choose 3, but would consider going ove rthe Bealach from the Kishorn side, so doing a complete loop.

i.e Pass the first road to Applecross after Shieldaig and take the next one before you get to Kishorn, then over the Bealach to Applecross then head north up the coast and round towards Shieldaig, then turn right at the end and follow the short bit of the A896 you were on earlier.

Though having said that I do enjoy the run from Applecross over the Bealach...

I've looked at the maps, and considered our times and the drive/ roads. Given we did it clockwise on the trip last year, I think we will do it the other way around this time.

The question now is whether we bother going down the side of Loch Maree (assuming we have time), or spend more time at lunch at the Torridon regailing stories of the bloody brilliant roads that we have had the luxury of driving on!

[ezakimak]

thanks for the info, will try and use some of it.

Im heading this way in a couple of weeks (late May) leave Melbourne Australia next friday. One more question if i may, can anyone recommend a good web site for finding accommodation in scotland?

All help greatly appreciated.

regards Ryan

[GetCarter]

ezakimak said:

thanks for the info, will try and use some of it.

Im heading this way in a couple of weeks (late May) leave Melbourne Australia next friday. One more question if i may, can anyone recommend a good web site for finding accommodation in scotland?

All help greatly appreciated.

regards Ryan

For the Torridon area... mine: www.Torridon.org

Otherwise www.VisitScotland.com

[mikey k]

Getcarter - you still got your Aston?
I'm head up your way in mine in September and though a might be in order?

[craig2003]

GetCarter said:

3 or 4 - don't miss out the Applecross circuit. (It is better doing it clockwise mind).

By the way... if you drive fast and don't stop for photos etc route 3 will take only 1 hr 20ish - You have time to add Slatterdale.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 7th April 09:42

+1, fantastic drive clockwise, pretty good the other way too though

['Yadi]

Thanks to all who posted about this road and to getcarter for advice on other threads here on PH.

I took my breadvan clockwise around Applecross on Thursday having come from the North - effectively doubled up on part of the route but with that sort of scenery who cares :-)

I can see why clockwise would be better first route - I'm scared of heights and not used to single track and passing places so preferred the steep windy climb up to coming down. The roads were amazing and lived up to the praise they get.

I also took a route up from Hampshire over the Cairngorms earlier in the week and travelled back via Ft William and Glasgow through some more amazing scenery.

Saw very very little traffic all week. Fab trip.