Land's End to John O'Groats
Discussion
Prof Prolapse said:
You won't need Jerry cans. I do these roads reasonably regularly on bikes with 100 miles range. Fuel is only an issue if you take the most remote roads, with a small tank (i.e. a motorcycle), on a Sunday. All you will need to do is fill slightly more regularly.
The only section of your route where it gets quiet is in the uppermost North-West coast. You want to fill up in Scourie, this petrol station is 24/7 (allegedly, it seems unlikely in reality, but the owner does come out to fill up).
Things become slightly more scarce if you avoid the coastal route, and drop off through the middle of the highlands towards Lairg. Even that has a filling station, and several more on your way to Inverness.
Also make sure you stop at "Dunnet's Head", contrary to popular belief, "John O'Groats" is not the most Nothern point of the UK mainland, it's just the one with a coffee shop and iconic sign.
Enjoy your trip.
That's good to know, thanks The only section of your route where it gets quiet is in the uppermost North-West coast. You want to fill up in Scourie, this petrol station is 24/7 (allegedly, it seems unlikely in reality, but the owner does come out to fill up).
Things become slightly more scarce if you avoid the coastal route, and drop off through the middle of the highlands towards Lairg. Even that has a filling station, and several more on your way to Inverness.
Also make sure you stop at "Dunnet's Head", contrary to popular belief, "John O'Groats" is not the most Nothern point of the UK mainland, it's just the one with a coffee shop and iconic sign.
Enjoy your trip.
Leaves more room for packs of Wine Gums and Pringles
The Triumph clubs mammoth reliability trial has been mentioned. But I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the other LeJog event.
HERO's LeJog Rally takes in the hardest roads and far from a direct route over four days of competitive driving in pre 86 Cars. Might be worth looking at some of the routes used over recent years. Read some of the reports too to get a feel for just how tough this is.
http://heroevents.eu/event-type/le-jog/
HERO's LeJog Rally takes in the hardest roads and far from a direct route over four days of competitive driving in pre 86 Cars. Might be worth looking at some of the routes used over recent years. Read some of the reports too to get a feel for just how tough this is.
http://heroevents.eu/event-type/le-jog/
The Mad Monk said:
No. No Whiskey.
Being Scotland they make whisky.
Knew that'd come back and bite me... whilst I may be of sound Scottish stock, sadly my phone is most definitely Japanese armed with English / American predictive text. I'm trying to teach it but it seems unwilling to accept such terms as "bawbag" and "blootered" and instead helpfully suggests "babbage" and "blood-red" instead. Being Scotland they make whisky.
jhonn said:
As you're planning camping make sure that you take midge nets and repellent with you - they'll make your life hell if you're not prepared!
Have a great trip!
Shouldn't be much of a midgie problem in October, the wind and rain might be an issue though! Have a great trip!
OP, October is the tail-end of he season so possibly some of the camp-sites will be closed, as might some hostels or bunk-houses.
Even things like public toilets could be closed in some more remote locations.
Some more progress this weekend. Some bits and bobs collected for my upcoming collection.
Also got some Walkie Talkies to collect later on in the week so we can ensure the constant flow of abuse
The Sierra Ute isn't looking promising. Finding a Grananda Cosworth engine is proving both difficult and expensive. Even the bottom end repair looks to be cost prohibitive for this trip. So the hunt is on for a suitable alternative. For less than £150
Unless anyone knows of a Granada Cosworth V6 or a Scorpio V6 going for cheapo? 
Hunt for accommodation is still on - looking at hostels and B&B's. Looking at Booking.com free cancellation the day before so we can have a hotel as a backup just in case the weather is abysmal.
Route is pretty much sorted also. I've listened to all the advice about making it shorter driving days and made the executive decision to completely ignore it
There's just too may good places to go. If we change out minds whilst we're out there, there's nothing stopping us taking a more direct route there and then
Also got some Walkie Talkies to collect later on in the week so we can ensure the constant flow of abuse
The Sierra Ute isn't looking promising. Finding a Grananda Cosworth engine is proving both difficult and expensive. Even the bottom end repair looks to be cost prohibitive for this trip. So the hunt is on for a suitable alternative. For less than £150
Unless anyone knows of a Granada Cosworth V6 or a Scorpio V6 going for cheapo? Hunt for accommodation is still on - looking at hostels and B&B's. Looking at Booking.com free cancellation the day before so we can have a hotel as a backup just in case the weather is abysmal.
Route is pretty much sorted also. I've listened to all the advice about making it shorter driving days and made the executive decision to completely ignore it
There's just too may good places to go. If we change out minds whilst we're out there, there's nothing stopping us taking a more direct route there and then
Riley Blue said:
That I agree which is why we'll take a week or so (at least) and bumble about all over the place. When you're putting so much effort into the trip it seems a shame for it to flash past in a high speed blur.
Would love to spend a week, or even more, on this trip. Just doesn't work with us unfortunately 
Will still be an epic trip though
Captain Benzo said:
My folks are in Berriedale,
although the sighting can be good, the roads can be atrocious, not a year went by at my highschool without a driving fatality. I lost several close friends over the years, so take it easy.
i'd advise a night stop in inverness, Las vegas of the highlands, or Aviemore. both an excellent night out.
Dunrobin castle is a good shout, Dornoch beach is another.
Indeed, the section from the Dornoch bridge all the way to Wick is very dangerous and the temptation to drive flat out, even on what appears to be a safe 'straight' should be avoided. My best time up that road was in an old mini where flat out was possible, but only because we almost never broke 60! The climb at Berriedale has us down in first gear at one point!although the sighting can be good, the roads can be atrocious, not a year went by at my highschool without a driving fatality. I lost several close friends over the years, so take it easy.
i'd advise a night stop in inverness, Las vegas of the highlands, or Aviemore. both an excellent night out.
Dunrobin castle is a good shout, Dornoch beach is another.
It's also annoying when the hairpin gets a lorry stuck (quite common) as the road is blocked and the shortest alternative is 100 miles!
MikeDrop said:
Riley Blue said:
That I agree which is why we'll take a week or so (at least) and bumble about all over the place. When you're putting so much effort into the trip it seems a shame for it to flash past in a high speed blur.
Would love to spend a week, or even more, on this trip. Just doesn't work with us unfortunately Will still be an epic trip though
eein said:
Indeed, the section from the Dornoch bridge all the way to Wick is very dangerous and the temptation to drive flat out, even on what appears to be a safe 'straight' should be avoided. My best time up that road was in an old mini where flat out was possible, but only because we almost never broke 60! The climb at Berriedale has us down in first gear at one point!
It's also annoying when the hairpin gets a lorry stuck (quite common) as the road is blocked and the shortest alternative is 100 miles!
Quite. It's astonishing how many leptons a Hertz Corsa SRI can do on that road It's also annoying when the hairpin gets a lorry stuck (quite common) as the road is blocked and the shortest alternative is 100 miles!
Especially when you have a flight to catch...
Someone's mentioned the drink drive limit difference, but also be aware that the current practice in Scotland is that 30mph over the limit is charged as dangerous driving which risks a prison sentence and has a mandatory 1 year ban, no matter what the circumstances. Unless you want to be the guy who takes this shocking precedent to a higher and more intelligent court with the objective of getting the case law overturned (I'm sure this will happen one day), then be careful with speed!
Regarding the note about speed - we do not have any speed awareness courses this side of the border, so it is straight in with the points! - Also the BiB are (rightly so, IMO) getting tired of people trying to do the NC500 in as shorter time as possible.
Drive for the views, they are not to be missed! - Oh, and the roads over on the west are sublime, really well surfaced, nice and flow-ey.
It is NOT viewed as a bad thing in the slightest to pull over and let a local past, they have seen the views, and will see them again tomorrow, just take it easy, when someone comes up behind you, pull over and let them by when you are on those single track roads!
Drive for the views, they are not to be missed! - Oh, and the roads over on the west are sublime, really well surfaced, nice and flow-ey.
It is NOT viewed as a bad thing in the slightest to pull over and let a local past, they have seen the views, and will see them again tomorrow, just take it easy, when someone comes up behind you, pull over and let them by when you are on those single track roads!
Somewhatfoolish said:
Someone's mentioned the drink drive limit difference, but also be aware that the current practice in Scotland is that 30mph over the limit is charged as dangerous driving which risks a prison sentence and has a mandatory 1 year ban, no matter what the circumstances. Unless you want to be the guy who takes this shocking precedent to a higher and more intelligent court with the objective of getting the case law overturned (I'm sure this will happen one day), then be careful with speed!
In reality this simply isn't true...A true, not indicated, 85+ mph on a 60mph NSL can (and usually will) result in a magistrate appearance in Scotland. Sometimes the police will let you off with a b
king and 3 points. So that's being caught at an indicated 90mph+, in a 60 road, with usually a poor surface, and limited visibility, when frankly, you should be keeping an eye out for hazards of all descriptions.The most likely outcome of this is 6 points and a hefty fine. Whilst I am happy to agree Scottish law does tend to more readily associate DD charges with speed alone, you will not get a dangerous driving charge as a default position if you exceed 85mph on an NSL.
Not from the quote above, but I'm a bit concerned about this chat about the drink drive limit? Unless you're driving like you're pissed, or involved in significant accident, the police won't be breathalysing you routinely. It should be an absolute irrelevance beyond perhaps considering having a weaker beer with your lunch.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Tuesday 27th June 09:51
Somewhatfoolish said:
Someone's mentioned the drink drive limit difference, but also be aware that the current practice in Scotland is that 30mph over the limit is charged as dangerous driving which risks a prison sentence and has a mandatory 1 year ban, no matter what the circumstances. Unless you want to be the guy who takes this shocking precedent to a higher and more intelligent court with the objective of getting the case law overturned (I'm sure this will happen one day), then be careful with speed!
Luckily as it pisses down all the time I have no desire to go to Scotland which is just as well as anywhere that gives a mandatory 1 year ban and possible prison sentence for doing 100mph on a 70mph road is clearly not somewhere where logic or common sense is especially prevalent in the authorities!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff