Discussion
GetCarter said:
nice!we arrive in 2 weeks time. hoping for good weather, less tourists & midges!
i've taken a lot of advice form you guys. thx.
Mr Dripping said:
Is there anything particularly worth a visit on the A894/A838 between the Kylesku Bridge and Durness (I won't have time to go to Cape Wrath, or to take the A838 leg past Loch Shin to Lairg)? I need to return to Gairloch so I'm slightly averse to heading all the way to Durness, just finding a small community with little to do then needing to turn round and retrace my steps. Is that stretch of road particularly stunning in its own right?
Apart from it being one of my favourite drives , anywhere, that is ...? I guess this scenery is defined by its absences as much as by what is there .so there's water, rock and air and not much else - and that is what make it so special. Try a walk along the Dionard towards the eponymous loch - good place for eagles and great views of the mountains - or a walk along the shoreline of the Kyle. coppice said:
Mr Dripping said:
Is there anything particularly worth a visit on the A894/A838 between the Kylesku Bridge and Durness (I won't have time to go to Cape Wrath, or to take the A838 leg past Loch Shin to Lairg)? I need to return to Gairloch so I'm slightly averse to heading all the way to Durness, just finding a small community with little to do then needing to turn round and retrace my steps. Is that stretch of road particularly stunning in its own right?
Apart from it being one of my favourite drives , anywhere, that is ...? I guess this scenery is defined by its absences as much as by what is there .so there's water, rock and air and not much else - and that is what make it so special. Try a walk along the Dionard towards the eponymous loch - good place for eagles and great views of the mountains - or a walk along the shoreline of the Kyle. I wouldn't live there, but love driving up.
Great suggestions chaps - consider me convinced. I'll head all the way up to Durness and look at the Loch Dionard walk if the weather's behaving itself.
Considering taking the Cape Wrath minibus trip, but from several accounts it involves an awful lot of waiting around with 'tourists' for buses which may or may not turn up - I really won't have all the time in the world.
Considering taking the Cape Wrath minibus trip, but from several accounts it involves an awful lot of waiting around with 'tourists' for buses which may or may not turn up - I really won't have all the time in the world.
Please do it - it is a fabulous trip, one I've done many times over last 30 years, usually with my fly rod . It's all splendidly ad hoc ,and John Morrison the ferryman runs to his own timetable, determined by tide, weather and demand but Sutherland is not a deadline sort of place - that is why I love it .
Scenery is extraordinary - miles of wilderness, mountain , huge cliffs, wildlife ( I've seen everything from red deer to eagles, lizards , otters and even a polecat in this area) , the odd unexploded bomb (it's a live firing range ) and an amazing view at the Cape itself , where you can stand literally on the join between N and W coast .
If you are lucky you wont be able to go because there's a military exercise on - and hearing naval guns being fired miles out to sea , complemented by fast jets at low level is amazing . The target is an island off the coast between Kyle and Cape , and sometimes they miss ....
Scenery is extraordinary - miles of wilderness, mountain , huge cliffs, wildlife ( I've seen everything from red deer to eagles, lizards , otters and even a polecat in this area) , the odd unexploded bomb (it's a live firing range ) and an amazing view at the Cape itself , where you can stand literally on the join between N and W coast .
If you are lucky you wont be able to go because there's a military exercise on - and hearing naval guns being fired miles out to sea , complemented by fast jets at low level is amazing . The target is an island off the coast between Kyle and Cape , and sometimes they miss ....
GetCarter said:
Mr Dripping said:
Hi,
Saturday daytime - M74, M80, A9 - then either A86 to Spean Bridge, A82 to Invergarry then A87 to Kyle and Uig, with a detour on Skye to take in the Old Man of Storr and the Quirang before I board the ferry. Alternatively, A9 to Inverness (average speed cameras all the way - I have no desire to bomb it anyway), followed by A835, A832 and A890 via Achnaseen and Strathcarron. The latter route may take longer, but could well be more scenic?
If you want scenic then M8 to the Eirskine Bridge, then: Loch Lomond, Tarbet, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, Spean Bridge etc.. That will take longer but is well worth it. Avoid the A9 if you possibly can!Saturday daytime - M74, M80, A9 - then either A86 to Spean Bridge, A82 to Invergarry then A87 to Kyle and Uig, with a detour on Skye to take in the Old Man of Storr and the Quirang before I board the ferry. Alternatively, A9 to Inverness (average speed cameras all the way - I have no desire to bomb it anyway), followed by A835, A832 and A890 via Achnaseen and Strathcarron. The latter route may take longer, but could well be more scenic?
Is the A9 all that bad on a September Saturday? A stream of HGVs and caravanners I'm sure, but I'd rather be stuck behind vehicles doing a steady 50mph on the SC sections and then have the opportunity to bomb past them on the DC sections (where I understand there are no average speed cameras?), than spend hours snaking through Glencoe with little opportunity to overtake and stress levels rising at the thought of missing the ferry.
I'd leave the A9 at Dalwhinnie before taking the A889/A86/A87 via Spean Bridge - therefore avoiding a huge chunk of A9 SC section.
Does Saturday morning traffic back up a lot on the A9 roundabouts around Perth?
coppice said:
Please do it - it is a fabulous trip, one I've done many times over last 30 years, usually with my fly rod . It's all splendidly ad hoc ,and John Morrison the ferryman runs to his own timetable, determined by tide, weather and demand but Sutherland is not a deadline sort of place - that is why I love it .
Scenery is extraordinary - miles of wilderness, mountain , huge cliffs, wildlife ( I've seen everything from red deer to eagles, lizards , otters and even a polecat in this area) , the odd unexploded bomb (it's a live firing range ) and an amazing view at the Cape itself , where you can stand literally on the join between N and W coast .
If you are lucky you wont be able to go because there's a military exercise on - and hearing naval guns being fired miles out to sea , complemented by fast jets at low level is amazing . The target is an island off the coast between Kyle and Cape , and sometimes they miss ....
It would seem an awful long way to travel all that way and not take in Cape Wrath. Is it worth calling ahead and checking John Morrison will be there, or should I just turn up and, if disappointed, go for a lengthy wander into the wilderness?Scenery is extraordinary - miles of wilderness, mountain , huge cliffs, wildlife ( I've seen everything from red deer to eagles, lizards , otters and even a polecat in this area) , the odd unexploded bomb (it's a live firing range ) and an amazing view at the Cape itself , where you can stand literally on the join between N and W coast .
If you are lucky you wont be able to go because there's a military exercise on - and hearing naval guns being fired miles out to sea , complemented by fast jets at low level is amazing . The target is an island off the coast between Kyle and Cape , and sometimes they miss ....
Mr Dripping said:
Hi - returning to this, I have a ferry deadline at Uig on Saturday which I cannot miss. I have done the A82 route many moons ago and can always do it again on my return leg, when I won't have a ferry deadline. I appreciate the A82 (particularly past Loch Lomond) is beautiful but notorious for queues of caravanners with precious few overtaking opportunities. I'd rather make up as much time as possible and have a bit of leeway to take in the Quirang and Old Man of Storr when I get to Skye.
Is the A9 all that bad on a September Saturday? A stream of HGVs and caravanners I'm sure, but I'd rather be stuck behind vehicles doing a steady 50mph on the SC sections and then have the opportunity to bomb past them on the DC sections (where I understand there are no average speed cameras?), than spend hours snaking through Glencoe with little opportunity to overtake and stress levels rising at the thought of missing the ferry.
I'd leave the A9 at Dalwhinnie before taking the A889/A86/A87 via Spean Bridge - therefore avoiding a huge chunk of A9 SC section.
Does Saturday morning traffic back up a lot on the A9 roundabouts around Perth?
I wouldn't want to hack up the west coast if you have a deadline, especially as you can do it on the way back.Is the A9 all that bad on a September Saturday? A stream of HGVs and caravanners I'm sure, but I'd rather be stuck behind vehicles doing a steady 50mph on the SC sections and then have the opportunity to bomb past them on the DC sections (where I understand there are no average speed cameras?), than spend hours snaking through Glencoe with little opportunity to overtake and stress levels rising at the thought of missing the ferry.
I'd leave the A9 at Dalwhinnie before taking the A889/A86/A87 via Spean Bridge - therefore avoiding a huge chunk of A9 SC section.
Does Saturday morning traffic back up a lot on the A9 roundabouts around Perth?
Mr Dripping said:
It would seem an awful long way to travel all that way and not take in Cape Wrath. Is it worth calling ahead and checking John Morrison will be there, or should I just turn up and, if disappointed, go for a lengthy wander into the wilderness?
Check on ferry website - but he normally runs till mid October. I turn up to the landing at Keoldale at 9 ish and wait. Take binoculars- always something to see when you are waiting. If ferry not running , walk up the Kyle and back by Loch Borralaidh , or drive to the old church at Balnakeil and walk North over the dunes.Or park up by Loch Eriboll and walk . Or drive down the minor road to Altnaharra by Loch Hope and just wander . Or , finally , go and see Lotte Glob , the Danish sculptor who lives on west bank of Eriboll- she is quite amazing (think Pattie Smith ) and so is her work. If you make an appointment you can walk around acres of wild sculpture 'garden'. Surreal , wonderful but beware- I spent 700 quid last time we met ....
Mr Dripping said:
Is the A9 all that bad on a September Saturday? A stream of HGVs and caravanners I'm sure, but I'd rather be stuck behind vehicles doing a steady 50mph on the SC sections and then have the opportunity to bomb past them on the DC sections (where I understand there are no average speed cameras?), than spend hours snaking through Glencoe with little opportunity to overtake and stress levels rising at the thought of missing the ferry.
I'd leave the A9 at Dalwhinnie before taking the A889/A86/A87 via Spean Bridge - therefore avoiding a huge chunk of A9 SC section.
Does Saturday morning traffic back up a lot on the A9 roundabouts around Perth?
It won't be too bad, depending on which weekend. There are 'September weekend' Monday holidays in Glasgow and Edinburgh, different weeks for each, so it could be busier on one of those weekends. And it will also depend on the time of day. Earlier the better. I'd leave the A9 at Dalwhinnie before taking the A889/A86/A87 via Spean Bridge - therefore avoiding a huge chunk of A9 SC section.
Does Saturday morning traffic back up a lot on the A9 roundabouts around Perth?
Correct about the speed cameras on DC north of Perth but there is still chance of a patrol car on camera van in a few places. DC before Pitlochry, they park a camera van at the lay-by near the end of the long straight just before the junction, you can usually see it if it's there from the crest of the hill.
The road to Spean Bridge can be pretty busy as well and overtaking laces can be limited.
Just wanted to say thanks for all of the good info posted on this thread. I'm currently in Ullapool having driven up from a wedding by Loch Goil, via Applecross. Traffic has been pretty good so far, and most drivers have been very courteous. I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen many obviously PH cars. Just three or four possibles that come to mind. Will carry on north tomorrow.
gweaver said:
Just wanted to say thanks for all of the good info posted on this thread. I'm currently in Ullapool having driven up from a wedding by Loch Goil, via Applecross. Traffic has been pretty good so far, and most drivers have been very courteous. I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen many obviously PH cars. Just three or four possibles that come to mind. Will carry on north tomorrow.
is the road trip high season earlier in the year? Not sure. I'd always make the trip in late Spring or early Summer to try and beat the midges - not sure how many other people think like me!Blown2CV said:
is the road trip high season earlier in the year? Not sure. I'd always make the trip in late Spring or early Summer to try and beat the midges - not sure how many other people think like me!
We've only had half a dozen 'midge' days this year. Sitting outside in late evening August! (It was 7 weeks with no rain that screwed their breeding cycle I think). Never known it before.Blown2CV said:
gweaver said:
I'd always make the trip in late Spring or early Summer to try and beat the midges - not sure how many other people think like me!
I do. Mid to late April every year. Not just the absence of biting midges: a merciful dearth of tourists in SUVs and campervans! 
coppice said:
Check on ferry website - but he normally runs till mid October. I turn up to the landing at Keoldale at 9 ish and wait. Take binoculars- always something to see when you are waiting. If ferry not running , walk up the Kyle and back by Loch Borralaidh , or drive to the old church at Balnakeil and walk North over the dunes.Or park up by Loch Eriboll and walk . Or drive down the minor road to Altnaharra by Loch Hope and just wander .
Or , finally , go and see Lotte Glob , the Danish sculptor who lives on west bank of Eriboll- she is quite amazing (think Pattie Smith ) and so is her work. If you make an appointment you can walk around acres of wild sculpture 'garden'. Surreal , wonderful but beware- I spent 700 quid last time we met ....
Very sound advice sir. Much appreciated. I wouldn't be at Keoldale until 2pm or so, but I'll see how things work out. It would be a shame to make it this far and not bag the U70 to Cape Wrath in an MOT-exempt old Mercedes minibus.Or , finally , go and see Lotte Glob , the Danish sculptor who lives on west bank of Eriboll- she is quite amazing (think Pattie Smith ) and so is her work. If you make an appointment you can walk around acres of wild sculpture 'garden'. Surreal , wonderful but beware- I spent 700 quid last time we met ....
I'd love to go down the Loch Hope road but I'm slightly averse to doing so because that will quickly rack up into mega-miles in the wrong direction. I don't think the track from Allnabad to the A838 Loch Merkland is really a motorable road? (The Google Street View car made it up there...)
I may avoid Lotte Glob as the whole point of this trip was to not spend £700 on sculptures - made that mistake last year!
Mr Dripping said:
I don't think the track from Allnabad to the A838 Loch Merkland is really a motorable road? (The Google Street View car made it up there...)
It was a walker not a car that did that track on streetview. Though the track certainly looks like you could drive along it, maybe not in a low sports car though!
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff