Highlands

Author
Discussion

Mitch_TCF

24 posts

76 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Hi everyone,

Just read through most of this thread! All I can say is WOW!!

I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.

We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.

What would you guys recommend as a route? I've done a draft (here: https://goo.gl/maps/zDDxFbzbDQT2). I've picked up some places to go from this thread, but some extra pointers would be handy. Also does the route and venues on the route cater well for groups? At the moment there are around 7 of us hoping to make the trip.

Thanks,
Mitch.

s70rmp

649 posts

128 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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that's a lot of driving for a 4/5 days

wont give you much time to stop and enjoy the places you see/find

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Mitch_TCF said:
Hi everyone,

Just read through most of this thread! All I can say is WOW!!

I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.

We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.

What would you guys recommend as a route? I've done a draft (here: https://goo.gl/maps/zDDxFbzbDQT2). I've picked up some places to go from this thread, but some extra pointers would be handy. Also does the route and venues on the route cater well for groups? At the moment there are around 7 of us hoping to make the trip.

Thanks,
Mitch.
I wouldn't double back from Applecross, just follow the coast road round to Shieldaig.

And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.

Mitch_TCF

24 posts

76 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
s70rmp said:
that's a lot of driving for a 4/5 days

wont give you much time to stop and enjoy the places you see/find
GetCarter said:
I wouldn't double back from Applecross, just follow the coast road round to Shieldaig.

And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
Thanks for the advice guys!! I will try and make the route last as long as possible, but it depends on what everyone can do. We've always wanted to go to Jon O'Groats, one of those places to say you've been. But if the drive is that drab then I think driving through the middle of the highlands would be a better route.

AMG Merc

11,954 posts

252 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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GetCarter said:
Just back from another wee trip north. Roadworks on the bridge finally finished:

That is a gorgeous looking piece of engineering. Where is it? smile

Jambo85

3,311 posts

87 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Mitch_TCF said:
Thanks for the advice guys!! I will try and make the route last as long as possible, but it depends on what everyone can do. We've always wanted to go to Jon O'Groats, one of those places to say you've been. But if the drive is that drab then I think driving through the middle of the highlands would be a better route.
It's really pretty disappointing by all accounts so we gave it a miss. The drive from Tongue to Lairg is decent. Especially if you only have 4/5 days. Groups are fine but you will have to book well ahead, and don't be surprised if you are asked for deposits.

AMG Merc said:
That is a gorgeous looking piece of engineering. Where is it? smile
That's Kylesku I believe?



Mitch_TCF

24 posts

76 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Thanks for the heads up! I'll change the route accordingly smile

davidexige

481 posts

205 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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We normally go to Skye this time of year but this time decided to do the West coast section of the NC500. We stayed one night at the Kylesku hotel and the other at the Torridon, both were extremely good with the highlight of the Kylesku being able to watch a 14 point stag enjoying his evening meal from the balcony of our room. The Torridon was fantastic and especially so as they upgraded our room to the master suite.
Even with two days I don't think there was enough time to be able to do this section of the NC500 justice, there was far to much to see than was possible, I don't suppose it helps with doing it at this time of year and the days being so short, though the good thing about doing it in Novemebr is that the roads were really quite, doing the loop around Applecross we came across about six other cars which was great as it made for very relaxed driving, I don't know what its like in the summer but I bet fifty miles of single track road with lots of traffic wouldn't be quite so much fun. Overall it was a great trip, the scenery is fantastic, I remember coming round one bend heading towards Torridon just as the sun was setting to hear the wife go "wow" and it was one of those wow moments to see the sun setting on the hills was stunning. The funniest bit was at one point was when the wife thought she saw a cat walking along the road and commenting how it was a bit strange for a cat to be out here in the middle of nowhere, only to find when we got a bit closer it was actually an otter, think I've only ever seen a couple of these in the wild.
The tough decision is do we do it again next year or go back to Skye.












Edited by davidexige on Monday 20th November 10:36

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Mitch_TCF said:
Thanks for the heads up! I'll change the route accordingly smile
Just a heads up... when you get to the single track roads, don't convoy in groups of more than 3 or you can get seriously snarled up... just leave 10 mins between each group and you'll end up getting there quicker.

If you can imagine what happens when 7 cars going down this hill meet 7 going up... or some caravans (eek)... you'll see what I mean:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn8xzp7fUlI





Longers

4,492 posts

227 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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GetCarter said:
This a.m.

thumbup

Looks like some more of the white stuff will be heading your way this week...

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Longers said:
thumbup

Looks like some more of the white stuff will be heading your way this week...
Pref not this much ...from last year:


Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Mitch_TCF said:
I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.
I recommend spring not summer: mid May at the latest. We always go mid/late April.*
No midges and before all the motorhomes/caravanners start clogging up the roads. smile

 * I'm counting down the days already! biggrin

Mitch_TCF said:
We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.
It partly depends on whether the primary focus is on just driving or frequent stops for food/culture/taking pics etc.
The north west Highlands are lot further than most people realise. You'll need the full 5 days to get the most from it imo.

If you haven't been that far up before be aware that fuel stations are not plentiful and close quite early.
There is a 24/7 pay-by-card pump at Scourie though.

If time permits I would suggest one or both of these route modificatons on Day 1.
Go via Dumfries and the A702 over the Dalveen Pass - https://goo.gl/maps/SsTJP554RHK2
I'm not a great fan of the A82 along Loch Lomond tbh, especially if you're in a camel train behind a HGV.
This is my preferred route - https://goo.gl/maps/cFUeADDKNTN2
The A817 Haul Road is a great drive. Rest And Be Thankful photo op on the A83.
Inverary is good for places to eat and has an excellent whisky shop. wink
If time is an issue stay on the A85/A82 instead of the B8074.
Much less traffic on the latter though and a bit more fun.

GetCarter said:
I wouldn't double back from Applecross, just follow the coast road round to Shieldaig.

And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
+1

Unless you have a pressing need to tick off an item on a bucket list, JoG is a waste of time and fuel. imo
If you must go there leave asap and take the dead end road up to the lighthouse at Duncansby Head.
Park up and walk over the head for the view of the magnificent cliffs and sea stacks.

Otherwise, from Tongue take the A836 to Lairg. I can recommend the Pier cafe for lunch or tea.
Then continue to Bonar Bridge: stay on the A836 across the bridge over the Kyle of Sutherland.
After that the B9176 over The Struie to the A9 near Alness.

Alternatively continue east from Tongue via Bettyhill and Melvich then the A897 to the A9 at Helmsdale.
The A897 scenery is quite different from the A836. Try 'driving' them both using Google Street View and see.




Mitch_TCF

24 posts

76 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Thanks RedDevil!! Appreciate the help :-)

M838T

84 posts

86 months

Monday 27th November 2017
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Fully endorse GetCarter's and Red Devil's suggestions, we took a load of McLarens around the best bits of the Nc500 (renamed the Mc500) a few months back and cut out the top bit. Following the coast road after Applecross around towards Torridon will take you past Steve C's house (remember to stop and get a selfie by his recycling bin!) it's a much nicer road than we first thought with some great viewing points.

Would also suggest you try and fit the loop around Loch Leven known as the Scotsburgring near Glencoe village.

It can be tiring though, try and keep the mileage within reason each day. By day four we were all exhausted!

Tasters...



Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Monday 27th November 2017
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M838T said:
Tasters...
B863 north side - https://goo.gl/maps/8LuAhWzHV9u
Coast road from Applecross - https://goo.gl/maps/4zdLgewXurM2
smile

M838T

84 posts

86 months

Tuesday 28th November 2017
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Red Devil said:
B863 north side - https://goo.gl/maps/8LuAhWzHV9u
Coast road from Applecross - https://goo.gl/maps/4zdLgewXurM2
smile
Ha ha, I did leave a couple of clues in there, but your knowledge of Scotland's highways and laybys is impressive!

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Wednesday 29th November 2017
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Thanks. smile

Our annual April bash includes many, if not most, of them. Next year will be my 9th.
It would have been my 10th on the bounce but I was forced to miss 2011 owing to circumtances beyond my control.

leggly

1,780 posts

210 months

Wednesday 29th November 2017
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The roads are awful and there's nothing to see, do yourselves a favour and don't bother. driving
Ben Loyal by Squiffy1308, on Flickr

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
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Allyc85

7,225 posts

185 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
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leggly said:
The roads are awful and there's nothing to see, do yourselves a favour and don't bother. driving
Ben Loyal by Squiffy1308, on Flickr
Heaven looks and sounds awful!