Highlands

Author
Discussion

Lancs Dave

146 posts

188 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Not injured Steve

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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Lancs Dave said:
Here's a pic from the annual road trip I organise, earlier this year.



Please take care on this road. I would hate for another driver to have to go through what I have recently.

My moments indiscretion means I am in the passenger seat for the next four months.

Otherwise, enjoy.
You're not alone. I know someone who suffered the same fate a few years ago.

The trap was set up here. Whichever direction you're coming from, by the time you clock them it's too late.




A832

902 posts

141 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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Nice to see our taxes are being spent wisely etc ranting

Every time I see a photo taken from the top of Glen Docherty I rack (what's left of) my brain and dream of what car I'd use for my first visit to the new road. Traversed the old, single track incarnation many times on my regular trips to Aultbea - including an epic turn through a blizzard made even more interesting by countless deer bedding down for the night on the tarmac..

Thing is, call me mad, but I really want to whizz down in a soapbox! silly

It would probably more reliable than the Ford Sierra I regularly borrowed and almost certainly less likely to let in water.


Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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A832 said:
Traversed the old, single track incarnation
For those who only know the current road, some images from the past








GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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Red Devil said:
A832 said:
Traversed the old, single track incarnation
For those who only know the current road, some images from the past





Remember it well. The new road has cut 10 mins off the time to Inverness, which is good, but I do miss the single track. If anybody suggests upgrading the road from Kinlochewe to Torridon, I'll shoot them. We value some privacy!

plenty

4,655 posts

185 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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I never had the pleasure of driving the old A832 single-track, but I expect it would have been more rewarding than today's incarnation which is so smooth, wide and well-sighted that it is utterly boring (by Highland standards) at the NSL.

As for setting up traps on a lightly-trafficked road that can so easily handle higher speeds with little effort and no compromise in safety - it's indefensible.

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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plenty said:
utterly boring at the NSL
It is indeed. I'm guessing of course.


Edited by GetCarter on Friday 7th September 15:47

skatty

491 posts

189 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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Red Devil said:
For those who only know the current road, some images from the past





That reminds me of the advert that was filmed on that road, I think it was, something to do with the Scottish tourist board, Honk that horn and pull into that passing place..

Anyone remember it????

CapriV6S

421 posts

141 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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Don't go parkin in that passing place,
Someone needs that yard of space. He he.

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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skatty said:
That reminds me of the advert that was filmed on that road, I think it was, something to do with the Scottish tourist board, Honk that horn and pull into that passing place..

Anyone remember it????
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZownCGnYg
Yee ha!

CapriV6S

421 posts

141 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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That vid so reminds me of having my bare legs burnt on hot black vinyl seats of my dad's red Capri Mk1 1600GT OAV 361H. Many summer tours of the West-Highlands and Skye in that car in late 70s. Thx for post.

skatty

491 posts

189 months

Saturday 8th September 2012
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Red Devil said:
Excellent that's the one remember it from my youth....

With the view down to Loch Maree, that everyone get's a picture of......

Edited by skatty on Sunday 9th September 17:13

coppice

8,564 posts

143 months

Saturday 8th September 2012
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Few people have a picture of Loch Marie. A lot more of Loch Maree though. Sorry.

skatty

491 posts

189 months

Sunday 9th September 2012
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coppice said:
Few people have a picture of Loch Marie. A lot more of Loch Maree though. Sorry.
Sorry for my spelling mistake, it's sorted for you now..

Token Jock

866 posts

238 months

Sunday 9th September 2012
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Myself and a couple of mates will be on our Highland tour next Friday through to Monday smile

Be good to get the Aston up on some of these fabulous roads again smile

TheFive

84 posts

212 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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PH Gents,

Long time lurker but only very occasional poster here wavey

First of all a big thanks to all the contributors, especially GetCarter as this is a true gold mine of information and inspiration!

OK, due to still having some annual leave that I need to use before the end of the year, and having it been signed off by the missus (her, run-flats and very long journeys don't mix), it looks like I should be on for a Scotland epic!

Timing wise I'm looking at early October, and I know that weather wise it's a bit risky but it's that or nothing as we have a full program next year which means I probably won't have time to do it in the spring. Besides which, life's too short to wait for the weather. cool

So, if anyone with 'the knowledge' would be prepared to take five minutes to look over my route proposal then it would be very much appreciated. It is a bit tight for time, I have a max of five full days including driving up and back from the south east. On the plus side the only stops will be for photos and there is no requirement to keep the missus happy given that she won't be coming. I'll be travelling up with a passenger but he's OK with it being an endurance run. Wheels are a Z4 coupe 3.0si so it doesn't have to be sunny. But, if at the last minute the forecast is for wall-to-wall rain then we might can it or move it...


So, over to the panel:

Day 1 Brentwood to Fort William: 510miles, 9hr 41 mins
http://goo.gl/maps/iLhK0

Day 2
Fort William to Ullapool via Applecross: 220miles, 5hr 53 mins

http://goo.gl/maps/xl8yI

Day 3
Ullapool Durness loop: 179 miles, 4hrs 39 mins

http://goo.gl/maps/nYYNF

Day 4
Ullapool to Edingburgh: 226miles, 5hr 55 mins

http://goo.gl/maps/GxkbI

Day 5
Edinburgh to Brentwood: 384 miles, 7hr 21 mins

http://goo.gl/maps/dLte7

So, what do we think? A tad ambitious? Are the shorter days likely to spoil the trip? And is it possible to predict the Scottish weather with half reasonable accuracy a few days in ahead?

Thanks in advance, TheFive








Edited by TheFive on Friday 14th September 21:13

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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'Nout wrong with that.

TheFive

84 posts

212 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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Blimey that was quick! Half the route is from your pages so cheers for that. The rest I've cobbled together from the other posts to try and arrive at a "Best of Scotland in three days..." loop.

If there are no suggestions for enhancements then I'll go with it and stick some pics up in a month or two... Watch this space!

TheFive

84 posts

212 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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One more question actually - Would it be worth extending the Ullapool -> Durness loop on to Thurso at all and then doubling back to Tongue? This adds 90 miles and 2hrs according to Google, but I guess this depends on how open/fast this section is...

CardShark

4,190 posts

178 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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TheFive said:
PH Gents,


Day 1 Brentwood to Fort William: 510miles, 9hr 41 mins
http://goo.gl/maps/iLhK0

Day 2
Fort William to Ullapool via Applecross: 220miles, 5hr 53 mins

http://goo.gl/maps/xl8yI
My road trip started from Braintree smile Chose the A1/M north myself, took me 7hrs including a couple of stops to get to the west side of Glasgow, I left Braintree at 7.15am and found the road to be clear enough for a good run. The A66 has some good views and crosses MOD land, driven the road a few times now but haven't seen any tanks yet... I spent 5h driving from Lochcarron to Ullapool via Applecross so you may want to add a little time to the one quoted, having said that I did stop at just about every opportunity for photos and coffee and cake hehe

ETA that I see that you miss the B863 aka "The Scotsburgring", the loop that runs around Loch Leven, just south of Fort William. It would be at the end of your first day in the saddle but it would be a wasted opportunity if you drive right past it. Give it a go clockwise, will be a great taster for what's in store after thumbup


Edited by CardShark on Monday 10th September 23:29