Highlands

[jimmybell]

GetCarter said:

Ullapool has Super, Lochinver has regular (but is closed on Sundays).

I had a Vantage here for three years and it never caused me any grief - no grounding etc.

Very handy to know - thanks!

mon the fish said:

I'm based on the edge of the Cairngorms, here's my advice on this part. On your return leg from Inverness (fill up here), IMO don't take the A9 to Aviemore as it'll bore you to tears. Instead, take the B9006 past Culloden towards Cawdor (Culloden and the Clava Cairns worth stopping at), then the A939 over Dava Moor towards Grantown. This is a great road that is plenty wide enough for supercars.

The only narrow sections with passing places on this part are the B976 between Corgarff and Balmoral, and a small section of the A939 at Bridge of Brown. From Balmoral west, you can really get the hammer down

Brilliant, thanks. That also ties in with my idea of visiting Glenfarclas' Distillery, so should work nicely.


I've stayed in/around Malaig before in the past but never taken the ferry, so i'm thinking i could stay in Portree instead of Invergarry (and get to repeat the Fort William to Malaig road...!). Does anyone know if the Malaig->Skye ferry would be suitable with a v12 vantage? It's not THAT low of a car, but the front rbon lip does protrude quite a bit.

[Red Devil]

jimmybell said:

ignore some of the labels, they were just stopping points or POI on route.

will start just south of the border, and stop for the night roughly at Invergarry, Lochinver, Inverness/Loch Ness, and near Loch Lomond on the way down. In rough order visiting Eileen Donan, Applecross, some NC500 roads, Tongue, Castle of Mey, Lairg, Loch ness (had to really, also seems like has the better hotels nearby), one of the distilleries nearby - probably Glenfarclas and then Doune castle before heading home. Gives us 4-5 days spent in Scotland.

Er, your map clearly shows you heading south from Tongue. That's the A836 to Lairg.
If you take that route you have zero chance of visting the late QM's holiday home.
It's over 50 miles to the east: quite close to JoG - https://goo.gl/maps/bWuxLhWLyQ72

GetCarter said:

jimmybell said:

Also - any points where i absolutely must fill up else get stranded? North west looks quite shy of fuel and i don't think my new toy is particularly efficient.

Ullapool has Super, Lochinver has regular (but is closed on Sundays).

it might also be worth mentioning for newbies to the far north west that filling stations don't stay open late.
Ullapool is 'base camp' for our club's annual bash each April.
It's by far the biggest population centre in that region, yet the Gleaner closes at 8pm.
There is only one place you can get fuel 24/7: Scourie - http://www.scouriefillingstation.uk/
Ullapool is your only choice if your chariot needs the higher octane rocket fuel.
Failing that it's a trek of over 120 miles north east to Thurso - https://goo.gl/maps/nTA7pHfJeS22

[jimmybell]

Red Devil said:

jimmybell said:

ignore some of the labels, they were just stopping points or POI on route.

will start just south of the border, and stop for the night roughly at Invergarry, Lochinver, Inverness/Loch Ness, and near Loch Lomond on the way down. In rough order visiting Eileen Donan, Applecross, some NC500 roads, Tongue, Castle of Mey, Lairg, Loch ness (had to really, also seems like has the better hotels nearby), one of the distilleries nearby - probably Glenfarclas and then Doune castle before heading home. Gives us 4-5 days spent in Scotland.

Er, your map clearly shows you heading south from Tongue. That's the A836 to Lairg.
If you take that route you have zero chance of visting the late QM's holiday home.
It's over 50 miles to the east: quite close to JoG - https://goo.gl/maps/bWuxLhWLyQ72

GetCarter said:

jimmybell said:

Also - any points where i absolutely must fill up else get stranded? North west looks quite shy of fuel and i don't think my new toy is particularly efficient.

Ullapool has Super, Lochinver has regular (but is closed on Sundays).

it might also be worth mentioning for newbies to the far north west that filling stations don't stay open late.
Ullapool is 'base camp' for our club's annual bash each April.
It's by far the biggest population centre in that region, yet the Gleaner closes at 8pm.
There is only one place you can get fuel 24/7: Scourie - http://www.scouriefillingstation.uk/
Ullapool is your only choice if your chariot needs the higher octane rocket fuel.
Failing that it's a trek of over 120 miles north east to Thurso - https://goo.gl/maps/nTA7pHfJeS22

Ahh you are correct - i cut off the J O'G leg and forgot to remove Castle of Mey. Perhaps i can find something near Tongue to explore during the day.

I imagine i'm going to have to accept some lower octane if i'm going to make it from Ullapool->Inverness via Tongue+Lairg, so perhaps Scourie it is

Any idea where the next filler would be on the way from Tongue->Inverness?

EDIT: Ahh i see a Gulf in Lairg.

[mon the fish]

jimmybell said:

I've stayed in/around Malaig before in the past but never taken the ferry, so i'm thinking i could stay in Portree instead of Invergarry (and get to repeat the Fort William to Malaig road...!). Does anyone know if the Malaig->Skye ferry would be suitable with a v12 vantage? It's not THAT low of a car, but the front rbon lip does protrude quite a bit.

I hope it is, I've arranged for 4 Ferrari's to go in it on Sep 9th! Never been on it before, and my 550 has a long front overhang. Sure it's fine though.

Let me know if you have a problem

[GetCarter]

mon the fish said:

jimmybell said:

I've stayed in/around Malaig before in the past but never taken the ferry, so i'm thinking i could stay in Portree instead of Invergarry (and get to repeat the Fort William to Malaig road...!). Does anyone know if the Malaig->Skye ferry would be suitable with a v12 vantage? It's not THAT low of a car, but the front rbon lip does protrude quite a bit.

I hope it is, I've arranged for 4 Ferrari's to go in it on Sep 9th! Never been on it before, and my 550 has a long front overhang. Sure it's fine though.

Let me know if you have a problem

I've not been on that particular Ferry with a low slung, but I have on others. When you 'check in' have a word with the staff that guide the vehicles on.. they have planks of wood to alter the angle and will put you on either first or last.

Remember - angle changes with the tide!

ETA... ringing them up and asking before you go would be wise... they'll know the score.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th August 14:02

[mikey k]

mon the fish said:

I'm based on the edge of the Cairngorms, here's my advice on this part. On your return leg from Inverness (fill up here), IMO don't take the A9 to Aviemore as it'll bore you to tears. Instead, take the B9006 past Culloden towards Cawdor (Culloden and the Clava Cairns worth stopping at), then the A939 over Dava Moor towards Grantown. This is a great road that is plenty wide enough for supercars.

The only narrow sections with passing places on this part are the B976 between Corgarff and Balmoral, and a small section of the A939 at Bridge of Brown. From Balmoral west, you can really get the hammer down

- I've had my McLaren along there a couple times, nice road

[AdvocatusD]

Hi all, off to do our annual trip of the Highlands at the end of September. Just the weekend this time so our route is:

Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/qsSGVpMBfVM2



Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/DcMsw9rrcXE2



My question is what is the best route from Kinlochleven to Inverness station?

Places to stop, viewing points, etc where we can take in the view between Kinlochleven and Inverness would be great too.

We’re picking the train up in Inverness at 2026 to return to London and we suspect we’ll be done in Kinlochleven by 5pm.

I’d be grateful if someone could give us 2 options: (a) the fastest route (in case we have to hotfoot it!) and (b) the best driving/scenic route.

Edited by AdvocatusD on Thursday 31st August 11:52

[Red Devil]

jimmybell said:

Ahh you are correct - i cut off the J O'G leg and forgot to remove Castle of Mey. Perhaps i can find something near Tongue to explore during the day.

Smoo Cave, 1 mile east of Durness.
https://goo.gl/maps/LgNWNYDUjHE2
https://goo.gl/maps/ssh9aBSHHxu
http://smoocavetours.weebly.com/

Pic taken by a friend of mine during our trip in April this year.

jimmybell said:

I imagine i'm going to have to accept some lower octane if i'm going to make it from Ullapool->Inverness via Tongue+Lairg, so perhaps Scourie it is

Any idea where the next filler would be on the way from Tongue->Inverness?

EDIT: Ahh i see a Gulf in Lairg.

Don't think it has Super unleaded but can't say for sure as I have never needed to fill upthere.
The most I have ever done in one day is 270 miles. My car will do that on one tank: no problem.
If I refuel in Ullapool I'll always be able to reach the next Super unleaded pump whichever way I go.

AdvocatusD said:

My question is what is the best route from Kinlochleven to Inverness station?

Places to stop, viewing points, etc where we can take in the view between Kinlochleven and Inverness would be great too.

We’re picking the train up in Inverness at 2026 to return to London and we suspect we’ll be done in Kinlochleven by 5pm.

I’d be grateful if someone could give us 2 options: (a) the fastest route (in case we have to hotfoot it!) and (b) the best driving/scenic route.

Return whence you came as far as Invergarry, then A82 along Loch Ness - https://goo.gl/maps/baeP5ST7R2t
That should tick the (a) box unless you become enmeshed in a camel train.

As for (b) there are a whole raft of options on the east side of the Loch from Fort Augustus.
All should have less traffic but if you do encounter a dawdler overtaking may be tricky.
It very much depends on where you come across them: a sizeable amount is single track with passing places.
Tourists frequently don't understand the etiquette of letting faster traffic past on such roads.

B862/B852/B862 via Foyers - https://goo.gl/maps/JWAbBoc2n732:
Runs close to the shore with some nice views: e.g. here.
B862 throughout - https://goo.gl/maps/JWAbBoc2n732
B862 then unclassified past Loch Ashie via Essich - https://goo.gl/maps/BPpYFe3hiKw
B862/B851 then unclassified past Loch Duntelchaig and Loch Ashie as above - https://goo.gl/maps/QHhQWJ6aHwy
B862/B851/B861/B8082 - https://goo.gl/maps/H1AvaM9y87x

What I do when planning routes is 'drive' them using Google Maps Street View.*
The best (fastest) method is:
Open the Street View image browser wherever you want to start.
Go to the embedded window at the bottom left of the screen and click Expand.
You'll get a horizontal split screen: you can adjust the relative sizes by dragging the tab in the middle up or down.
Make the bottom section as large as possible and use the minus tab on the right to zoom out.

Navigate the route by using the cursor arrow.
Left click in the bottom pane, hold down the mouse/touchpad button, and drag the pane as required.
Pick your next point on the route and left click on it. The little man in the circle will automatically jump to that location.
The view in the upper pane will adjust likewise.

Give it a go.

HTH.

 * You may know the above technique already in which case my apologies, but it might be useful for those who don't.

[AdvocatusD]

Thank you Red Devil.

[Slippydiff]

GetCarter said:

mon the fish said:

jimmybell said:

I've stayed in/around Malaig before in the past but never taken the ferry, so i'm thinking i could stay in Portree instead of Invergarry (and get to repeat the Fort William to Malaig road...!). Does anyone know if the Malaig->Skye ferry would be suitable with a v12 vantage? It's not THAT low of a car, but the front rbon lip does protrude quite a bit.

I hope it is, I've arranged for 4 Ferrari's to go in it on Sep 9th! Never been on it before, and my 550 has a long front overhang. Sure it's fine though.

Let me know if you have a problem

I've not been on that particular Ferry with a low slung, but I have on others. When you 'check in' have a word with the staff that guide the vehicles on.. they have planks of wood to alter the angle and will put you on either first or last.

Remember - angle changes with the tide!

ETA... ringing them up and asking before you go would be wise... they'll know the score.

Rest assured, if I could get this (lowered ridiculously by a previous owner) on in 2014. you'll get any Aston or Fezza on :

[Who me ?]

jimmybell said:

I've stayed in/around Malaig before in the past but never taken the ferry, so i'm thinking i could stay in Portree instead of Invergarry (and get to repeat the Fort William to Malaig road...!). Does anyone know if the Malaig->Skye ferry would be suitable with a v12 vantage? It's not THAT low of a car, but the front rbon lip does protrude quite a bit.

Not being pedantic, mate. But ( as an ex native - grandfather founded the port as a major herring port at the turn of the century) the place is called MaLLaig , which comes from Gaelic . No idea on ramps on the modern boats, but if you ( as said ) contact the folks up there , they are only too willing to help . As I've mentioned, before- try some of the B8008 sections( but slowly as there are some nasty dips and badly cambered corners) to see what the old road was like to drive.

[Longers]

An epic day today with our group of 33 TVRs, 1 Boxster and an MG Midget travelling from Fort William to Aviemore via Applecross, Torridon and a bit of the Cairngorms

We're really looking forward to more of the same tomorrow

[GetCarter]

Longers said:

An epic day today with our group of 33 TVRs, 1 Boxster and an MG Midget travelling from Fort William to Aviemore via Applecross, Torridon and a bit of the Cairngorms

We're really looking forward to more of the same tomorrow

Ta for the beer Ian.

[Red Devil]

AdvocatusD said:

Thank you Red Devil.

Happy to help.

Forgot to mention. Whichever side of the Loch you use to reach Kinlochleven, use the other when you depart.
Then you'll have done a complete lap of the 'Scotsburgring'.
The north is great either way but I prefer doing the south side anti-clockwise. YMMV.

[Patrick Bateman]

Worth noting clockwise is easier on the brakes, especially on the southern section. Completely worth doing both ways though.

[Longers]

GetCarter said:

Longers said:

An epic day today with our group of 33 TVRs, 1 Boxster and an MG Midget travelling from Fort William to Aviemore via Applecross, Torridon and a bit of the Cairngorms

We're really looking forward to more of the same tomorrow

Ta for the beer Ian.

No problem Steve

Another fantastic trip

[GetCarter]

You wait for ages for a McLaren to turn up, then three turn up at the same time:



(actually there were 16)

[Who me ?]

Admin, I've posted this here as there's a few roads up north that PH'ers love ,and I can sadly see the likes of a 20 limit being extended beyond say Kinlochleven . Some legal blokes with a love of roads up there might like to ad some weight , before the likes of Glencoe become slower tomorrow than in the days of the horse & cattle drive .

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Red Devil]

How long before we revert to the time when it was compulsory to have a man walking in front with a red flag?
Then we could have a competition to be the next John Henry Knight
The red flag was abolished in November 1896 and the maximum limit raised to the giddy height of 14mph.

[Who me ?]

RD- I'd hoped you might take up the flag. IMHO-most of the questions in this survey are leading questions, and as you have training, perhaps you MIGHT like to respond to get some arguments against this daft proposal by this lot . How long before there's a 20 limit from Glencoe village to Onich. FFS- I drove this road in the 70's and it was safe ( in even vans of that era) --I'm still proof of that, and I don't hang around ,even in low powered cars of that era. I once lost a Spitfire on the section from Kinlochleven to OnIch in a beat up old A40 FARINA (MK 2).