Driving Tour of West Scotland
Discussion
Planning a 7 day driving tour of West Scotland in the Spring and I am after ideas and inspiration.
The plan is to drive just one way from the Midlands through the lakes, overnighting in the lakes, and heading up to Scotland, driving all the way to Inverness where we will leave the car and fly home.
Any inspiration would be good, michelin star restaurants, must see sites, good distilleries, good hotels etc.... and of course good roads!
The plan is to drive just one way from the Midlands through the lakes, overnighting in the lakes, and heading up to Scotland, driving all the way to Inverness where we will leave the car and fly home.
Any inspiration would be good, michelin star restaurants, must see sites, good distilleries, good hotels etc.... and of course good roads!
Dear matts,
If you're doing a once only tourist thing then the slow pretty way is the way to go
If you're going soon then be aware the A890 is shut 'twixt Kyle and Lochcarron - rockfall,
regards,
Jet
mattcov said:
If you're driving up from midlands, I thought the route via Fort William up A82 via Loch Ness to Inverness was nicer than A9 via Aviemore.
Nicer but slower.If you're doing a once only tourist thing then the slow pretty way is the way to go
If you're going soon then be aware the A890 is shut 'twixt Kyle and Lochcarron - rockfall,
regards,
Jet
jet_noise said:
Nicer but slower.
True, I thought there were too many "touristy types" in the way on the A9 though. Following them when they're pondering whether they were able to exceed 38mph in a 60 gets tiring when there is more than 100miles to go on fairly straight roads... 
Thought the scenery was better the other way.I drove the west coast and over the top of Scotland last July - some brilliant driving. I was very impressed with http://www.tomdoun.com/. It's an old sporting lodge with spectacular views. The accomodation isn't 5 star but it's clean has a lovely bar and lounge. If you like walking it's located on the old road to Skye and see's a car about ever hour or so. To get their you travel along a 9 mile single track road with passing places; the road is in good condition and is fun to drive. Have fun - you lucky, lucky man.
Sorry for bumping, but I go this Friday. Just looking at Steve's link. Does anyone know exactly where that 'SLOW' photo is?
I am struggling to follow his route on google maps. We are staying Oban - Glencoe - Plockton - Torridon - Inverness.
I know I am in the right part of the world, but could do with some tips on getting the best route (based on overnight stays at the above).
I am struggling to follow his route on google maps. We are staying Oban - Glencoe - Plockton - Torridon - Inverness.
I know I am in the right part of the world, but could do with some tips on getting the best route (based on overnight stays at the above).
SLOW is half way between Achnasheen and Kinlochewe at the top of Glen Docharty (Though they saw sense and tarmacked over 'SLOW'). When you leave Torridon to go towards Inverness you will turn right at Kinlochewe - it's about 3 miles from there. There is a car park at the top. It's worth stopping and looking back.
ETA make sure you go via Applecross when you do the Plockton > Torridon Journey.
ETA make sure you go via Applecross when you do the Plockton > Torridon Journey.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 9th July 11:11
Depending on the car, some roads are better than others (all are in the 'good' category or better vs your typical English country road).
Applecross is stunning but mainly single-track, so limited hoonage.
A87 is probably my favourite road in the UK, especially like the up-and-over-the-hill stretch which cuts the corner before the A82 reaches Fort Augustus. But then it goes up towards Eilean Donan, so you need to do the rest (which is still brilliant, and even faster) just to ge to ED.
Steve's road (the 'Slow' one) is an awesome mile of tarmac, esp. if you're happy to do M-way speeds or more down it - not found another road where 9 corners link together all at thoroughly illegal speeds even in the wet!
In terms of restaurants, there's a bunch of good ones. Steve can tell you what The Torridon is like, we had a very good meal at one of the fine-dining fish rest'ts in Oban, and had a rather decent meal all round when we stayed in The Inch in Ft Aug earlier this year. The Lodge on Loch Lomond is also well worth a visit if you're passing at the right time.
Applecross is stunning but mainly single-track, so limited hoonage.
A87 is probably my favourite road in the UK, especially like the up-and-over-the-hill stretch which cuts the corner before the A82 reaches Fort Augustus. But then it goes up towards Eilean Donan, so you need to do the rest (which is still brilliant, and even faster) just to ge to ED.
Steve's road (the 'Slow' one) is an awesome mile of tarmac, esp. if you're happy to do M-way speeds or more down it - not found another road where 9 corners link together all at thoroughly illegal speeds even in the wet!
In terms of restaurants, there's a bunch of good ones. Steve can tell you what The Torridon is like, we had a very good meal at one of the fine-dining fish rest'ts in Oban, and had a rather decent meal all round when we stayed in The Inch in Ft Aug earlier this year. The Lodge on Loch Lomond is also well worth a visit if you're passing at the right time.
Another view of the 'slow road'.
This was the bit that brought the smile back to my face after an 11 hour journey up from the South Coast. The only thing that kept me going after Birmingham was the realisation that each additional mile driven was a mile further away from Birmingham
3 figure speeds may be possible if you like that sort of thing 
We stayed in Torridon for a week and didn't bother with fine dining. Liked the atmosphere in the Torridon Inn. Other favourite eat/drink places were the Badachro Inn and the Plockton Hotel, both have outdoor seating places with great scenery.
Thought the Tigh an Eilean Hotel in Shieldaig was overrated for both food and service, the night we went anyway. Lots of interesting books to look through in the bar though . . . Steve, most of them look pretty dog-eared and could do with replacing
The real 'Local Hero' moment was at Applecross. Sat outside with a beer and a sunset when an accordionist started up inside
Liked the area so much we've already reserved to go back next year.
This was the bit that brought the smile back to my face after an 11 hour journey up from the South Coast. The only thing that kept me going after Birmingham was the realisation that each additional mile driven was a mile further away from Birmingham
3 figure speeds may be possible if you like that sort of thing We stayed in Torridon for a week and didn't bother with fine dining. Liked the atmosphere in the Torridon Inn. Other favourite eat/drink places were the Badachro Inn and the Plockton Hotel, both have outdoor seating places with great scenery.
Thought the Tigh an Eilean Hotel in Shieldaig was overrated for both food and service, the night we went anyway. Lots of interesting books to look through in the bar though . . . Steve, most of them look pretty dog-eared and could do with replacing
The real 'Local Hero' moment was at Applecross. Sat outside with a beer and a sunset when an accordionist started up inside
Liked the area so much we've already reserved to go back next year.
Thunderace said:
Another view of the 'slow road'.
This was the bit that brought the smile back to my face after an 11 hour journey up from the South Coast. The only thing that kept me going after Birmingham was the realisation that each additional mile driven was a mile further away from Birmingham 3 figure speeds may be possible if you like that sort of thing
We stayed in Torridon for a week and didn't bother with fine dining. Liked the atmosphere in the Torridon Inn. Other favourite eat/drink places were the Badachro Inn and the Plockton Hotel, both have outdoor seating places with great scenery.
Thought the Tigh an Eilean Hotel in Shieldaig was overrated for both food and service, the night we went anyway. Lots of interesting books to look through in the bar though . . . Steve, most of them look pretty dog-eared and could do with replacing
The real 'Local Hero' moment was at Applecross. Sat outside with a beer and a sunset when an accordionist started up inside
Liked the area so much we've already reserved to go back next year.
Indeed. The Tigh an Eilean is crap - we've all boycotted it and go to the Torridon Inn.This was the bit that brought the smile back to my face after an 11 hour journey up from the South Coast. The only thing that kept me going after Birmingham was the realisation that each additional mile driven was a mile further away from Birmingham
3 figure speeds may be possible if you like that sort of thing We stayed in Torridon for a week and didn't bother with fine dining. Liked the atmosphere in the Torridon Inn. Other favourite eat/drink places were the Badachro Inn and the Plockton Hotel, both have outdoor seating places with great scenery.
Thought the Tigh an Eilean Hotel in Shieldaig was overrated for both food and service, the night we went anyway. Lots of interesting books to look through in the bar though . . . Steve, most of them look pretty dog-eared and could do with replacing
The real 'Local Hero' moment was at Applecross. Sat outside with a beer and a sunset when an accordionist started up inside
Liked the area so much we've already reserved to go back next year.
Nice pic BTW
Just posted this route on another thread, which I am sure you can adapt easily. Really if you avoid the A9 you can't go wrong though. If you haven't been to the north before, you'll be amazed how quiet all the roads are.
Just to add that I can't really think of many 'must see' places, I love Scotland for the land that it comprises, not the things built on it. Pretty much ever corner you turn will reveal an amazing view. However, I'd recommend Handa Island as worth a trip if you like wildlife. The ferry is good too - the boatman took us on a loop seal-spotting on the way back last time I went.
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