Discussion
He could also visit this on his way back to England. 
Castle Anthrax & Guy de Loimbard’s castle ( Monty Python and the Holy Grail ) / Winterfell (Game of Thrones)
Castle Anthrax & Guy de Loimbard’s castle ( Monty Python and the Holy Grail ) / Winterfell (Game of Thrones)
can i gather your thoughts on car choice for the 500.
we're planning a 2 week trip of the Coastal route. This is to take time for walking, detours and also Skye.
coming from London i can either take a Morgan or fly to Inverness and hire a car
Morgan - absolute heaven when on the coastal route. no doubt.
- but, shoes can go in passenger footwell, all other clothing for dinner, walking etc for 3 weeks (need to drive up/down to Scot)
needs to fit in a bag equivalent to a mid-size plane carry-on (not even full size). This will be limiting, esp for OH.
- driving from London will be painful, a chore. 1000 miles motorway return to do 1000 miles when there.
to be clear, in a small car like this you're vulnerable, dwarfed by trucks and suffer a LOT of noise from trucks and tyres.
- in bad weather, it's clearly less than ideal. noisy, wet etc.
Hire Car - boring, but we are taking our time to stop and walk. 2 nights in many hotels.
we're up for the Morgan, but i do wonder. we're planning fixed dates ahead, in mid-late September. So weather could be great, or not. If i could forecast that the decision would be easier, but the odds are on a mixed bag of sun/rain/wind.
The Morgan (and us) can easily do long tours through France, but then the roads are empty, weather pleasant and clothing needs light. So it's not as though the car is unused and enjoyed on tour. Of course some of you will say, man up, endure the motorway and enjoy the coast when up there. What plays on me is the combination of downsides: lack of luggage, motorway unpleasantness, variable weather.
Motor Rail, why did you stop!
we're planning a 2 week trip of the Coastal route. This is to take time for walking, detours and also Skye.
coming from London i can either take a Morgan or fly to Inverness and hire a car
Morgan - absolute heaven when on the coastal route. no doubt.
- but, shoes can go in passenger footwell, all other clothing for dinner, walking etc for 3 weeks (need to drive up/down to Scot)
needs to fit in a bag equivalent to a mid-size plane carry-on (not even full size). This will be limiting, esp for OH.
- driving from London will be painful, a chore. 1000 miles motorway return to do 1000 miles when there.
to be clear, in a small car like this you're vulnerable, dwarfed by trucks and suffer a LOT of noise from trucks and tyres.
- in bad weather, it's clearly less than ideal. noisy, wet etc.
Hire Car - boring, but we are taking our time to stop and walk. 2 nights in many hotels.
we're up for the Morgan, but i do wonder. we're planning fixed dates ahead, in mid-late September. So weather could be great, or not. If i could forecast that the decision would be easier, but the odds are on a mixed bag of sun/rain/wind.
The Morgan (and us) can easily do long tours through France, but then the roads are empty, weather pleasant and clothing needs light. So it's not as though the car is unused and enjoyed on tour. Of course some of you will say, man up, endure the motorway and enjoy the coast when up there. What plays on me is the combination of downsides: lack of luggage, motorway unpleasantness, variable weather.
Motor Rail, why did you stop!
CABC said:
can i gather your thoughts on car choice for the 500.
we're planning a 2 week trip of the Coastal route. This is to take time for walking, detours and also Skye.
coming from London i can either take a Morgan or fly to Inverness and hire a car
Morgan - absolute heaven when on the coastal route. no doubt.
- but, shoes can go in passenger footwell, all other clothing for dinner, walking etc for 3 weeks (need to drive up/down to Scot)
needs to fit in a bag equivalent to a mid-size plane carry-on (not even full size). This will be limiting, esp for OH.
- driving from London will be painful, a chore. 1000 miles motorway return to do 1000 miles when there.
to be clear, in a small car like this you're vulnerable, dwarfed by trucks and suffer a LOT of noise from trucks and tyres.
- in bad weather, it's clearly less than ideal. noisy, wet etc.
Hire Car - boring, but we are taking our time to stop and walk. 2 nights in many hotels.
we're up for the Morgan, but i do wonder. we're planning fixed dates ahead, in mid-late September. So weather could be great, or not. If i could forecast that the decision would be easier, but the odds are on a mixed bag of sun/rain/wind.
The Morgan (and us) can easily do long tours through France, but then the roads are empty, weather pleasant and clothing needs light. So it's not as though the car is unused and enjoyed on tour. Of course some of you will say, man up, endure the motorway and enjoy the coast when up there. What plays on me is the combination of downsides: lack of luggage, motorway unpleasantness, variable weather.
Motor Rail, why did you stop!
Doesn't have to be boring - check out the sports cars available:we're planning a 2 week trip of the Coastal route. This is to take time for walking, detours and also Skye.
coming from London i can either take a Morgan or fly to Inverness and hire a car
Morgan - absolute heaven when on the coastal route. no doubt.
- but, shoes can go in passenger footwell, all other clothing for dinner, walking etc for 3 weeks (need to drive up/down to Scot)
needs to fit in a bag equivalent to a mid-size plane carry-on (not even full size). This will be limiting, esp for OH.
- driving from London will be painful, a chore. 1000 miles motorway return to do 1000 miles when there.
to be clear, in a small car like this you're vulnerable, dwarfed by trucks and suffer a LOT of noise from trucks and tyres.
- in bad weather, it's clearly less than ideal. noisy, wet etc.
Hire Car - boring, but we are taking our time to stop and walk. 2 nights in many hotels.
we're up for the Morgan, but i do wonder. we're planning fixed dates ahead, in mid-late September. So weather could be great, or not. If i could forecast that the decision would be easier, but the odds are on a mixed bag of sun/rain/wind.
The Morgan (and us) can easily do long tours through France, but then the roads are empty, weather pleasant and clothing needs light. So it's not as though the car is unused and enjoyed on tour. Of course some of you will say, man up, endure the motorway and enjoy the coast when up there. What plays on me is the combination of downsides: lack of luggage, motorway unpleasantness, variable weather.
Motor Rail, why did you stop!
https://www.sixt.co.uk/luxury-cars/inverness/
or
http://northernferrarihire.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI...
There are others.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 16th August 07:44
Red Devil said:
He could also visit this on his way back to England.
Castle Anthrax & Guy de Loimbard’s castle ( Monty Python and the Holy Grail ) / Winterfell (Game of Thrones)
Better tell him where it is - Doune Castle.Castle Anthrax & Guy de Loimbard’s castle ( Monty Python and the Holy Grail ) / Winterfell (Game of Thrones)
GetCarter said:
Doesn't have to be boring - check out the sports cars available:
https://www.sixt.co.uk/luxury-cars/inverness/
or
http://northernferrarihire.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI...
There are others.
i looked into a couple of these. given i have a few silly cars (to quote someone else in the household) that cost won't fly. 2 weeks in a compact is 300, which is acceptable. £1500 and OH is squeezing herself into the Mog.https://www.sixt.co.uk/luxury-cars/inverness/
or
http://northernferrarihire.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI...
There are others.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 16th August 07:44
CABC said:
i looked into a couple of these. given i have a few silly cars (to quote someone else in the household) that cost won't fly. 2 weeks in a compact is 300, which is acceptable. £1500 and OH is squeezing herself into the Mog.
Fair point.I've driven London Inverness many times and it's a pig (as you say). I used to leave at about 10 pm, refuel at Teebay and arrive at Inverness as the rush hour begun - nasty trip... especially in the rain, but no traffic to worry about. Easily done if you are in a comfortable car with an audio book!
Considering you are doing two weeks and want a relaxed trip, I'd probably opt for the fly / drive. Heathrow > Inverness is only 65 minutes, but Gatwick is cheaper, but 90 mins. I pay the extra and use Heathrow as I hate Gatwick and Luton is a joke.
If you're looking for any inspiration / accommodation round here, then >>> http://Torridon.org - feel free to PM me for any other local info.
Looking for a bit of help! In a few weeks 4 cars are heading from Aberdeenshire, via the Lecht to Newtonmore, then the A86-A82-A830 to Mallaig to get the ferry to Skye. I know the roads relatively well (especially E of Aviemore) solo, but does anyone have any ideas for good photo stops/must sees on the way? Food stops are sorted, and staying at the Skeabost House Hotel. Timings for the ferry are tight-ish in that we won't have time to spend an hour looking at something specific.
The next day we're getting the bridge back to the mainland, then taking the A890-A832 through Achnasheen to get back to Inverness; again, any ideas of decent places to stop/get photos?
The next day we're getting the bridge back to the mainland, then taking the A890-A832 through Achnasheen to get back to Inverness; again, any ideas of decent places to stop/get photos?
CABC said:
Morgan - absolute heaven when on the coastal route. no doubt.
- but, shoes can go in passenger footwell, all other clothing for dinner, walking etc for 3 weeks (need to drive up/down to Scot)
needs to fit in a bag equivalent to a mid-size plane carry-on (not even full size). This will be limiting, esp for OH.
- driving from London will be painful, a chore. 1000 miles motorway return to do 1000 miles when there.
to be clear, in a small car like this you're vulnerable, dwarfed by trucks and suffer a LOT of noise from trucks and tyres.
- in bad weather, it's clearly less than ideal. noisy, wet etc.
Excuses, excuses... - but, shoes can go in passenger footwell, all other clothing for dinner, walking etc for 3 weeks (need to drive up/down to Scot)
needs to fit in a bag equivalent to a mid-size plane carry-on (not even full size). This will be limiting, esp for OH.
- driving from London will be painful, a chore. 1000 miles motorway return to do 1000 miles when there.
to be clear, in a small car like this you're vulnerable, dwarfed by trucks and suffer a LOT of noise from trucks and tyres.
- in bad weather, it's clearly less than ideal. noisy, wet etc.
matchmaker said:
Better tell him where it is - Doune Castle.
Where's the fun in that? Not hard to Google 'Castle Anthrax location'.
mon the fish said:
Looking for a bit of help! In a few weeks 4 cars are heading from Aberdeenshire, via the Lecht to Newtonmore, then the A86-A82-A830 to Mallaig to get the ferry to Skye. I know the roads relatively well (especially E of Aviemore) solo, but does anyone have any ideas for good photo stops/must sees on the way? Food stops are sorted, and staying at the Skeabost House Hotel. Timings for the ferry are tight-ish in that we won't have time to spend an hour looking at something specific.
Take your pick. View from the Lecht.
Looking South: https://goo.gl/maps/Qb8mBzGAfpy
Looking North: https://goo.gl/maps/6A99GKjTd5D2
Bridge of Brown.
Looking West: https://goo.gl/maps/s6VucNLoAat
Looking East: https://goo.gl/maps/ZFdJeVzc3YT2
I wouldn't go via Aviemore unless I needed to stop there for fuel or food.
The B970 from Speybridge to Kingussie isn't particularly quick but much more fun with far less traffic.
Rapids at Feshiebridge: https://goo.gl/maps/duKci9DzcDk
A86 Laggan Dam: https://goo.gl/maps/Je4cPjz1XXH2
A830 Glenfinnan: park here and walk up the hill to the viewpoint.
Jacobite Monument/Loch Shiel: https://goo.gl/maps/bMef9B8YhfJ2
Viaduct: https://goo.gl/maps/4BWAunZv2j22
B8088 (old A830).
Eigg, Rum, & Skye: https://goo.gl/maps/Z8gHdkWnqHn
Not sure what you're planning to do while on Skye.
Some pics I took last September are on page 151.
mon the fish said:
The next day we're getting the bridge back to the mainland, then taking the A890-A832 through Achnasheen to get back to Inverness; again, any ideas of decent places to stop/get photos?
Loch Alsh:Looking East: https://goo.gl/maps/ujoV3GXrtdy
Looking West: https://goo.gl/maps/utEntYpZwWn
From the A890: https://goo.gl/maps/JMbqjzFLUw12
You won't get the same pic as GC of Stromeferry without a drone.
The A890 viewpoint is here: https://goo.gl/maps/tsRUFYy6Xev
You could go the long way round from Strathacrron to Anchnasheen.
A896 above Lochcarron: https://goo.gl/maps/CsnNJ2CrpY42
Upper Loch Torridon: https://goo.gl/maps/LpDGNG7RvJx
Liathach: https://goo.gl/maps/7pp9JYumsCU2
Beinn Eighe: https://goo.gl/maps/jVfBegKsi912
The ubiquitous Loch Maree: https://goo.gl/maps/8ushDBkbcNQ2
A835 Rogie Falls near Contin: https://goo.gl/maps/eYtvP3PCKe72
Red Devil said:
You won't get the same pic as GC of Stromeferry without a drone.
The A890 viewpoint is here: https://goo.gl/maps/tsRUFYy6Xev
Actually, that's taken hand held. The A890 viewpoint is here: https://goo.gl/maps/tsRUFYy6Xev
Having done NW Scotland many times in a Seven , it is worth the tedious motorway bits en route to experience such brilliant roads and scenery in a car which maximises enjoyment of both . I've seen lots of Morgans touring up there - it's not such a big deal driving a few hundred miles in an old fashioned car- it's all part of the adventure. JFDI
Red Devil said:
You could go the long way round from Strathacrron to Anchnasheen.
A896 above Lochcarron: https://goo.gl/maps/CsnNJ2CrpY42
Upper Loch Torridon: https://goo.gl/maps/LpDGNG7RvJx
Liathach: https://goo.gl/maps/7pp9JYumsCU2
Beinn Eighe: https://goo.gl/maps/jVfBegKsi912
This is a much prettier /photogenic route.A896 above Lochcarron: https://goo.gl/maps/CsnNJ2CrpY42
Upper Loch Torridon: https://goo.gl/maps/LpDGNG7RvJx
Liathach: https://goo.gl/maps/7pp9JYumsCU2
Beinn Eighe: https://goo.gl/maps/jVfBegKsi912
Mose of these were taken on said road >>>> http://www.stevecarter.com/latest/latesttorridon17...
Red Devil said:
I wouldn't go via Aviemore unless I needed to stop there for fuel or food.
Just to say for anyone planning stop in Aviemore for fuel; There is no fuel station open in Aviemore at the moment.
It's been knocked down and a new BP/M&S food is being built and will be opening in the near future.
coppice said:
Having done NW Scotland many times in a Seven , it is worth the tedious motorway bits en route to experience such brilliant roads and scenery in a car which maximises enjoyment of both . I've seen lots of Morgans touring up there - it's not such a big deal driving a few hundred miles in an old fashioned car- it's all part of the adventure. JFDI
oh... alright.i also just got some Snugs - fitted earpieces. very good.
GetCarter said:
It also depends when you are doing it... if August, you'll be in a convoy of motor caravans and not enjoy the Morgan. If out of season, then the Morgan will be much more fun.
starting Sept 12th. hopefully less people, but far from empty i know. hoping for less midges and late summer.Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff