Highlands

[Red Devil]

nfcf said:

Red Devil missed one up in Thurso
Bridgend Filling Station https://goo.gl/maps/GREr1Pdu5932

In my defence, I hardly ever venture to the east side.
Why would I when all the best roads are on the other?
The only two times I have been to Wick/JoG/Thurso I haven't need to refuel.

nfcf said:

On the east coast you don't need to travel all the way to Inverness for fuel. You should be able to get super unleaded at these petrol stations:
Tesco Superstore Dingwall https://goo.gl/maps/eDxZSWQ8WJF2
Tesco Superstore Tain https://goo.gl/maps/ERn8u1izzsL2
I am not 100% sure about the one in Tain but have used Dingwall.

So does the Gleaner filling station in Dingwall.
https://goo.gl/maps/nBR8KFBh1UC2

Btw, you missed one too.
Skiach Services at the junction of the B9176/A9.
https://goo.gl/maps/KT9Pg51Qhsx

SouthernSkye said:

pump #1 Broadford petrol Station, at the CoOp, Isle of Skye. Open 24/7 except Christmas day and over Hogmanay

You're a bit late to the party. See my post on Friday.

[SouthernSkye]

Red devil, sorry about that, just thought the pump number and opening hours may have been of interest for future ref.

Edited by SouthernSkye on Wednesday 20th December 17:38

[Red Devil]

No problem.

Wasn't aware of it being 24/7 as I've only used it during the day on the way back to the mainland.
Useful to know for future reference though.

[SouthernSkye]

Red Devil said:

No problem.

Wasn't aware of it being 24/7 as I've only used it during the day on the way back to the mainland.
Useful to know for future reference though.

Aye, it' just a mile from my place and I usually fill up late in the day, then no-one sees just how much unleaded I need to feed my 4l Grand Cherokee useful for those unplanned Pringles and Snickers moments too! BTW, the CoOp itself is open until 10pm.
All the best from an unseasonably mild Skye.

[lou_m]

I'm travelling up to Applecross on the 29th and staying in the area for 4 nights. Looking at the forecast it could be interesting in the GT86.

[SouthernSkye]

looks very reasonable indeed for this time of year up/over here. bit of a blow/hold yer had on the 2nd, otherwise fine
http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/applecross

[nfcf]

Red Devil said:

nfcf said:

Red Devil missed one up in Thurso
Bridgend Filling Station https://goo.gl/maps/GREr1Pdu5932

In my defence, I hardly ever venture to the east side.
Why would I when all the best roads are on the other?
The only two times I have been to Wick/JoG/Thurso I haven't need to refuel.

I agree the west is far nicer but the Thurso station is useful to know if you want to visit JoG (I don't see the appeal either).

Red Devil said:

So does the Gleaner filling station in Dingwall.
https://goo.gl/maps/nBR8KFBh1UC2

Btw, you missed one too.
Skiach Services at the junction of the B9176/A9.
https://goo.gl/maps/KT9Pg51Qhsx

Wasn't aware of that one. I've now added it to my list in the unlikely event I use that bit of the A9.

[Rojibo]

Hi Guys,

First of all I must say a massive thank you to everyone on this thread, it has been excellent at helping me plan my trip and been really good reading, also the photos posted are fantastic inspiration.

I'm planning on taking my car on a road trip up to the highlands shortly after I get it, around the end of March. I'd like your opinions on my preliminary itinerary, please let me know if I've missed something, also suggestions at spots to stop for lunch are also greatly appreciated. I've tried to aim for around 5 hours of driving as dictated by google maps a day, I don't know if thats too much or too little, I'll be taking my girlfriend so we want some time to relax too, anyway, plan is as follows:

Day One
Manchester to Blairgowrie - just going to leave Manchester in the afternoon to head to a hotel in Blairgowrie to experience the Cairngorrns.

Day Two
Plan here is to head up the Cairngorns and over to Applecross all in the same day, here's the google maps link:
maps

We plan to stay at the Applecross Inn.

Day Three
Applecross to Rhiconich:
maps
I think I've got the important coast roads checked here, please tell me if I haven't. Rhiconich seems to be a good place to break up the Journey unless im missing something? This is to set us up for the run the next day.

Day Four
Rhiconich to Glen Coe
maps
So this is coming down that wonderful road I've heard all about on here, and then going over to the glen coe area to spend the night, I've been trying to avoid the A82 but Im not sure I can do much about that here.

Day Five
Glen Coe to home
maps
This is quite a long drive, is it worth taking in the road from Skyfall while I'm here?

I do wonder if I'm doing too little driving during the day, and could easily shave a day off? Car will be a new Cayman, so I don't suspect to have any issues with the roads, as it's not too big.

Thanks for all the help so far anyway.

[GetCarter]

Rojibo said:

Hi Guys,

First of all I must say a massive thank you to everyone on this thread, it has been excellent at helping me plan my trip and been really good reading, also the photos posted are fantastic inspiration.

I'm planning on taking my car on a road trip up to the highlands shortly after I get it, around the end of March. I'd like your opinions on my preliminary itinerary, please let me know if I've missed something, also suggestions at spots to stop for lunch are also greatly appreciated. I've tried to aim for around 5 hours of driving as dictated by google maps a day, I don't know if thats too much or too little, I'll be taking my girlfriend so we want some time to relax too, anyway, plan is as follows:

Day One
Manchester to Blairgowrie - just going to leave Manchester in the afternoon to head to a hotel in Blairgowrie to experience the Cairngorrns.

Day Two
Plan here is to head up the Cairngorns and over to Applecross all in the same day, here's the google maps link:
maps

We plan to stay at the Applecross Inn.

Day Three
Applecross to Rhiconich:
maps
I think I've got the important coast roads checked here, please tell me if I haven't. Rhiconich seems to be a good place to break up the Journey unless im missing something? This is to set us up for the run the next day.

Day Four
Rhiconich to Glen Coe
maps
So this is coming down that wonderful road I've heard all about on here, and then going over to the glen coe area to spend the night, I've been trying to avoid the A82 but Im not sure I can do much about that here.

Day Five
Glen Coe to home
maps
This is quite a long drive, is it worth taking in the road from Skyfall while I'm here?

I do wonder if I'm doing too little driving during the day, and could easily shave a day off? Car will be a new Cayman, so I don't suspect to have any issues with the roads, as it's not too big.

Thanks for all the help so far anyway.

Couple of things. Book soon if you want to stay in the Applecross Inn... may already be too late!

...and when you leave Applecross, don’t double back the way you came, take the coast road round the peninsula - then glen Torridon to Kinlochewe... great views.

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 29th December 14:53

[s70rmp]

We're driving up[ from Manchester at the end of March for a week, it's a long trek up, we're basing ourselves in an apartment just outside Fort William.

Your First day is going to be a long one, once you get near Glasgow you always get stuck in traffic.

We did the Skyfall road on the way back ourselves last year and defo worth going to see the spot. it's about 5- 10 mins on the main road.

[Rojibo]

Cheers guys, was planning on sticking to the peninsula! Would not want to miss out on some of the views you've posted, and thanks for the tip about the Applecross inn, I'm going to have to speak to the Porsche garage in the new year and see what the status of the cars build is, I'll look to book it asap, if it does fill up can you recommend somewhere nearby?

Will plan to see the road from Skyfall then, and thanks for the trip about the traffic round Glasgow, didn't consider that, not sure how I can break that journey up otherwise.

[GetCarter]

Rojibo said:

Cheers guys, was planning on sticking to the peninsula! Would not want to miss out on some of the views you've posted, and thanks for the tip about the Applecross inn, I'm going to have to speak to the Porsche garage in the new year and see what the status of the cars build is, I'll look to book it asap, if it does fill up can you recommend somewhere nearby?

Will plan to see the road from Skyfall then, and thanks for the trip about the traffic round Glasgow, didn't consider that, not sure how I can break that journey up otherwise.

Some others... Torridon Inn is good.

http://www.stevecarter.com/ansh/ansh7.htm

[Jambo85]

Rojibo said:

about the Applecross inn, I'm going to have to speak to the Porsche garage in the new year and see what the status of the cars build is, I'll look to book it asap

I dream about writing a sentence like that some day

Congratulations and enjoy the trip!

[Dr Jekyll]

s70rmp said:

We're driving up[ from Manchester at the end of March for a week, it's a long trek up, we're basing ourselves in an apartment just outside Fort William.

Your First day is going to be a long one, once you get near Glasgow you always get stuck in traffic.

Pah! Fly to Inverness and hire something.

[I Love Cake]

Wonderful thread, will have a good read over the next week or two.

Thinking of heading up on the 17th of Feb for around 10 days. Would this be too early?

[chalda]

GetCarter said:

Torridon Inn is good.

From recent (well, 12 months is recent in the Highlands) expecience, I would not say so.

[Rojibo]

As long as it’s clean, serves food and beer I’ll be happy.

Thanks for all the advice, especially Mr Carter, you’re doing a public service.

I’m guessing the weather in March can be a bit of a lottery? At least the roads will be quiet I guess.

Jambo85 said:

I dream about writing a sentence like that some day

Congratulations and enjoy the trip!

Thanks! Still have to pinch myself occasionally as I can’t quite believe it myself.

[GetCarter]

Rojibo said:

As long as it’s clean, serves food and beer I’ll be happy.

It's very clean, and has a new chef

https://www.thetorridon.com/inn/

[Lancs Dave]

I returned from Skye on Wednesday

[SouthernSkye]

Lancs Dave said:

I returned from Skye on Wednesday

Yup, we've had an occasional dram o the white stuff up here . Clear as a bell here in Southern part of Skye today mind.Anyone heading this way and uses FaceBook, search for A82 road watch and Skye to Inverness road watch. Useful info on there and often quicker than Traffic Scotland.