Highlands

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GordonL

258 posts

201 months

Friday 4th May 2018
quotequote all
Glen Coe Lochan is nice, not far from the Clachaig. You can walk round it in an hour or less.
Oban chocolatiers is worth a visit before you get on the road.

Red Devil

13,060 posts

208 months

Friday 4th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
After some big miles today, we only have to get to Fort William tommorrow night. So most of tommorow will be a tourist. Any suggestions welcomed. Though obvioisly we will go to glencoe, and also do the loch leven loop as recommended on these very pages.
Two ways to get there.

The more direct one doesn't include Glencoe, so you would have to detour back along the A82 to include it - https://goo.gl/maps/izYofARkFqQ2
The other does and you could also include the road to Loch Etive including the Skyfall film location - https://goo.gl/maps/BJfcPTwq4sw

Touristy stuff:
In Oban itself, take in the view from McCaig's Tower. The climb will make you thirsty, so visit the Oban Distillery. smile
Dunstaffnage Castle 4 miles north off the A85

Route 1.
Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary on the southern shore of Loch Creran - https://goo.gl/maps/iej2eGpCrYE2
Kinlochlaich Garden and Plant Centre - https://goo.gl/maps/mVpbdvzZBV82
Castle Stalker can be seen from the cafe here - https://goo.gl/maps/LPvES6hNKzB2
It featured in the final scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail as the Castle of Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh.
Highland Titles Nature Reserve - https://goo.gl/maps/45BQMYkwnT12

Route 2.
Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace and Kilchurn Castle - https://goo.gl/maps/5nJ6jRvejht

More info on the relevant webpages

There may well be other things to take in that I have forgotten to mention.

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Friday 4th May 2018
quotequote all
Red Devil said:
Two ways to get there.

The more direct one doesn't include Glencoe, so you would have to detour back along the A82 to include it - https://goo.gl/maps/izYofARkFqQ2
The other does and you could also include the road to Loch Etive including the Skyfall film location - https://goo.gl/maps/BJfcPTwq4sw

Touristy stuff:
In Oban itself, take in the view from McCaig's Tower. The climb will make you thirsty, so visit the Oban Distillery. smile
Dunstaffnage Castle 4 miles north off the A85

Route 1.
Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary on the southern shore of Loch Creran - https://goo.gl/maps/iej2eGpCrYE2
Kinlochlaich Garden and Plant Centre - https://goo.gl/maps/mVpbdvzZBV82
Castle Stalker can be seen from the cafe here - https://goo.gl/maps/LPvES6hNKzB2
It featured in the final scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail as the Castle of Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh.
Highland Titles Nature Reserve - https://goo.gl/maps/45BQMYkwnT12

Route 2.
Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace and Kilchurn Castle - https://goo.gl/maps/5nJ6jRvejht

More info on the relevant webpages

There may well be other things to take in that I have forgotten to mention.
You sir, are a legend. Really helpful. Just discussing what to do. Shame we cant do it all.

Sunday is Fort William to Isle of Skye via Armadale Bay ferry. Ive failed totally to really get to grips with what to do/go on Skye. Any ideas gratefully recieved.

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Friday 4th May 2018
quotequote all
GordonL said:
Glen Coe Lochan is nice, not far from the Clachaig. You can walk round it in an hour or less.
Oban chocolatiers is worth a visit before you get on the road.
Saw the chocolatiers this evening, or rather my wife did smile

s70rmp

655 posts

129 months

Friday 4th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
You sir, are a legend. Really helpful. Just discussing what to do. Shame we cant do it all.

Sunday is Fort William to Isle of Skye via Armadale Bay ferry. Ive failed totally to really get to grips with what to do/go on Skye. Any ideas gratefully recieved.
Doing that you miss out an amazing drive and great roads !

Unless you driving back via the A82

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Friday 4th May 2018
quotequote all
s70rmp said:
Doing that you miss out an amazing drive and great roads !

Unless you driving back via the A82
Do you mean i miss out the A82? If so, i have driven that route many times so im good with that, or have i not understood what you meant?

gazapc

1,321 posts

160 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
Got back last Sunday from our 11 day trip.

Following an after work stopover in the Lakes we then went North Ballachnulish->Skye->Harris->Applecross (via Ullapool ferry)->Mull->Bristol

Weather was generally good, only ever odd showers and had some fab sunny days towards the end on Mull. It's just nice to not have to put up with so many people around on over congested roads.

Although some of the more scenic, roads on Skye were by far the worst condition of the lot. Must be the weight of tourist traffic. Pot holes on the single track roads were bad.
Harris and Lewis had the best condition roads (although some 40 zones in places have gone too far).
Had a nice drive from the Corran Ferry to Lochaline to just about make the ferry - thought we had still missed it as we turned up but fortunately the ro-ro was pulling in not leaving.
The A82 down the Great Glen and Loch Lomond is such a pain - fortunately only a small part on our journey.

The etiquette of pulling in and letting someone who has come up behind you pass works well - I only wish the courtesy extended down here to when you see people on a NSL road doing 40 mph.

Nice long sweeping bends on Harris


Road heading north


Obligatory Bealach na Ba photo


Mull had the highest % single track roads but was still lovely.


We also hit a nice symmetical mileage milestone just as we came off the motorway. 2157 miles for the total trip. Next stop, 1/3 million.

s70rmp

655 posts

129 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
s70rmp said:
Doing that you miss out an amazing drive and great roads !

Unless you driving back via the A82
Do you mean i miss out the A82? If so, i have driven that route many times so im good with that, or have i not understood what you meant?
I was meaning your going to miss out great views and the road, I love driving on that road up to Kyle of Lochalsh and on to Skye

s70rmp

655 posts

129 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
s70rmp said:
monkfish1 said:
s70rmp said:
Doing that you miss out an amazing drive and great roads !

Unless you driving back via the A82
Do you mean i miss out the A82? If so, i have driven that route many times so im good with that, or have i not understood what you meant?
I was meaning your going to miss out great views and the road, I love driving on that road up to Kyle of Lochalsh and on to Skye
I'm having a senior moment, I meant the A87 !

Red Devil

13,060 posts

208 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
Sunday is Fort William to Isle of Skye via Armadale Bay ferry. Ive failed totally to really get to grips with what to do/go on Skye. Any ideas gratefully recieved.
We did Skye 2 weeks ago. smile

From the bridge to Broadford is a dull as ditchwater. Carries quite a lot of traffic too.
In fact probably more than the whole of the rest of the Highlands during our trip last month!

Some suggestions;
Elgol - https://goo.gl/maps/qQtEhjPNjbJ2
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RbbUeXgQcMuOCP3p...
If you have the inclination and the time - http://www.bellajane.co.uk/
Weather dependent though.
Fairy Pools - https://goo.gl/maps/13r72o1Y8Z92 (you'll have to park and walk)
Talisker Distillery - https://goo.gl/maps/UEDaQCK2T9m
Dunvegan Castle and Gardens - https://goo.gl/maps/WvfJNKabxU82
Can recommend the Uig Hotel for lunch - https://goo.gl/maps/Hy9Ur3ce1pu
Skye Museum of Island Life and Duntulm Castle - https://goo.gl/maps/3XkErVSfcgT2
The Quiriang - https://goo.gl/maps/doUEG2wFfR72 - (if do decide on that one watch out for potholes).
Kilt Rock/Mealt Falls - https://goo.gl/maps/7XyBQBV9zGr
Lealt Falls - https://goo.gl/maps/7gzDBp2yLJx

gazapc said:
Although some of the more scenic, roads on Skye were by far the worst condition of the lot. Must be the weight of tourist traffic. Pot holes on the single track roads were bad.
Seconded. The one from Uig to the Quirang is a real car wrecker. Not so bad from Staffin end but still not great.
Depends on what you're driving though. A 4x4 is one thing. A low 2 seater is something else!
The view at the top is spectacular though.

I already knew it would be bad and chose to avoid it (my companions didn't and regretted it).
I went round the top of the island instead. A fair chunk of the A855 has been resurfaced and is in decent nick.
The second half to Staffin is not too bad. Just need to take extra care in a few places.


monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
Red Devil said:
Seconded. The one from Uig to the Quirang is a real car wrecker. Not so bad from Staffin end but still not great.
Depends on what you're driving though. A 4x4 is one thing. A low 2 seater is something else!
The view at the top is spectacular though.

I already knew it would be bad and chose to avoid it (my companions didn't and regretted it).
I went round the top of the island instead. A fair chunk of the A855 has been resurfaced and is in decent nick.
The second half to Staffin is not too bad. Just need to take extra care in a few places.
Top advice once again. Cheers smile

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
s70rmp said:
I'm having a senior moment, I meant the A87 !
Ahh, i see. Yes, i am going to miss most of it. Cant do them all! I do need to spend some time not driving as im with my wife .

s70rmp

655 posts

129 months

Saturday 5th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
s70rmp said:
I'm having a senior moment, I meant the A87 !
Ahh, i see. Yes, i am going to miss most of it. Cant do them all! I do need to spend some time not driving as im with my wife .
That's just plain old crazy talk ! seek out the nearest Doctor !

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Sunday 6th May 2018
quotequote all
Torridon Inn tommorow night via Applecross. should be fun!

For those interested, tonights stop is here: https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-bridge-b-amp-...

Definitely recommended if you need accomodation up here. Good off road parking behind the property too. Still to have breakfast, but i doubt i'll be disappointed.

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Sunday 6th May 2018
quotequote all
Jambo85 said:
If the West gets the same weather as the rest of the country then tomorrow would be a nice day to be sitting outside Clachaig Inn with a burger and a pint taking in the Glencoe scenery smile
Whilst sitting outside would have been a bit chilly, the place itself and the food was indeed, very good. Solid recommendation there smile

Jambo85

3,319 posts

88 months

Sunday 6th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
Jambo85 said:
If the West gets the same weather as the rest of the country then tomorrow would be a nice day to be sitting outside Clachaig Inn with a burger and a pint taking in the Glencoe scenery smile
Whilst sitting outside would have been a bit chilly, the place itself and the food was indeed, very good. Solid recommendation there smile
Glad to hear it! Went there on a Saturday evening once and was surprised to find it absolutely rammed - hill walkers, their dogs, and plenty of locals. Great night!

Blink982

767 posts

104 months

Tuesday 8th May 2018
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Just passed a very impressive convoy of Ferraris and Lambos heading south on the A835 a few miles north of Ullapool? Anyone here?

VerySideways

10,238 posts

272 months

Tuesday 8th May 2018
quotequote all
Blink982 said:
Just passed a very impressive convoy of Ferraris and Lambos heading south on the A835 a few miles north of Ullapool? Anyone here?
That would be me and my group this week:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiheuoulE9p/

The solitary Lambo is red because it really, really, really wants to be a Ferrari biggrin

monkfish1

11,057 posts

224 months

Tuesday 8th May 2018
quotequote all
ahh, yes. Passed you just south of Kylescu.

I was in the ailing Triumph Stag coming down the hill.

Lots of good noise going up the hill smile

VerySideways

10,238 posts

272 months

Wednesday 9th May 2018
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
ahh, yes. Passed you just south of Kylescu.

I was in the ailing Triumph Stag coming down the hill.

Lots of good noise going up the hill smile
Nice car to go touring in! Hope the weather holds out for you wavey