Discussion
I've driven in the Highlands in everything from a 55 bhp Citroen Visa to Sevens (from 130 to 220 bhp ) and it's always been a joy , regardless of the car. But on the right day , in the right weather , the Sevens have eclipsed everything else by a huge margin. There's an intimacy with your surroundings which makes such a difference - not only do you see a lot with top down but you can get the smells (ah ..peat smoke) and sounds too.The tiny size makes it far more wieldy on narrow roads too.
Buggers when it's wet though, and the tiny tank tends to give the sort of range anxiety we expect Nissan Leaf pilots to experience
Buggers when it's wet though, and the tiny tank tends to give the sort of range anxiety we expect Nissan Leaf pilots to experience
Hi chaps, I thought I'd post on here in case any of you kind people can advise. I'm currently up in Inverkirkaig, just south of Lochinver and north of Ullapool. I hit a pothole earlier and burst my front tyre... Luckily I was able to fit the spacesaver. Does anyone know of any garages in the area where I can get a new tyre ASAP. We're due to travel to Poolewe tomorrow so need to get back on the road and continue our holiday without wasting any more time.
Slight problem is that I need a 235/35/19 tyre which isn't a common size and may not be in stock... Ideally need a continental contact 5P to match the other front. Any suggestions gratefully received!
Slight problem is that I need a 235/35/19 tyre which isn't a common size and may not be in stock... Ideally need a continental contact 5P to match the other front. Any suggestions gratefully received!
logit said:
Hi chaps, I thought I'd post on here in case any of you kind people can advise. I'm currently up in Inverkirkaig, just south of Lochinver and north of Ullapool. I hit a pothole earlier and burst my front ty
re... Luckily I was able to fit the spacesaver. Does anyone know of any garages in the area where I can get a new tyre ASAP. We're due to travel to Poolewe tomorrow so need to get back on the road and continue our holiday without wasting any more time.
Slight problem is that I need a 235/35/19 tyre which isn't a common size and may not be in stock... Ideally need a continental contact 5P to match the other front. Any suggestions gratefully received!
The nearest to you would be https://www.ullapool-tyres.co.uk - though they won't even wake until 8 am tomorrow. Good luck.re... Luckily I was able to fit the spacesaver. Does anyone know of any garages in the area where I can get a new tyre ASAP. We're due to travel to Poolewe tomorrow so need to get back on the road and continue our holiday without wasting any more time.
Slight problem is that I need a 235/35/19 tyre which isn't a common size and may not be in stock... Ideally need a continental contact 5P to match the other front. Any suggestions gratefully received!
Just back from a weekend fly-drive. Europcar offer a range of interesting vehicles to rent with unlimited mileage from Inverness and Aberdeen. I took the first Easyjet flight from Gatwick that lands in Aberdeen at 0800 and returns at 2230 (although was delayed last night by 90 minutes), meaning a full 2-3 days touring is in within easy reach.
A few notes from the trip:
- From chatting to the locals there appears to be increasing resentment of the tourist traffic and questionable driving standards that the likes of the NC500 have brought.
- Perhaps related to the above, the “pull over and let others overtake” etiquette seems to be in decline, if my experience with a couple of obstinate locals is anything to go by (I think they were locals based on what they were driving). For example on the Tongue to Lairg section which is one of my favourite bits I was held up almost the entire 40 mile length by a Peugeot Partner van who simply wouldn’t let me past.
- An Abarth 595 is just about the perfect vehicle for the Highlands – light and wieldy, nice and narrow for the single-tracks with lots of ground clearance, nice compliant suspension (this is the base 595 not the Turismo or Competizione which are stiffer), and having previously taken 400+ bhp cars on this route I never found myself wanting for power. Just a shame about the diabolical driving position.
- As long as interesting rentals are on offer I think this will be my preferred means of getting my Highlands fix as it’s so more convenient and time-efficient than schlepping there and back, not to mention no attrition on the P+J.
A few notes from the trip:
- From chatting to the locals there appears to be increasing resentment of the tourist traffic and questionable driving standards that the likes of the NC500 have brought.
- Perhaps related to the above, the “pull over and let others overtake” etiquette seems to be in decline, if my experience with a couple of obstinate locals is anything to go by (I think they were locals based on what they were driving). For example on the Tongue to Lairg section which is one of my favourite bits I was held up almost the entire 40 mile length by a Peugeot Partner van who simply wouldn’t let me past.
- An Abarth 595 is just about the perfect vehicle for the Highlands – light and wieldy, nice and narrow for the single-tracks with lots of ground clearance, nice compliant suspension (this is the base 595 not the Turismo or Competizione which are stiffer), and having previously taken 400+ bhp cars on this route I never found myself wanting for power. Just a shame about the diabolical driving position.
- As long as interesting rentals are on offer I think this will be my preferred means of getting my Highlands fix as it’s so more convenient and time-efficient than schlepping there and back, not to mention no attrition on the P+J.
I don't really share the expectation for vans in front to pull over. Especially local working vans.
My approach to tourist driving, is I'm the guest. If the road isn't free, that's my problem. Recreational use of the road should be secondary.
Stop for 5 mins, walk the dog or whatever. Are you really in a rush?
My approach to tourist driving, is I'm the guest. If the road isn't free, that's my problem. Recreational use of the road should be secondary.
Stop for 5 mins, walk the dog or whatever. Are you really in a rush?
plenty said:
Just back from a weekend fly-drive. Europcar offer a range of interesting vehicles to rent with unlimited mileage from Inverness and Aberdeen. I took the first Easyjet flight from Gatwick that lands in Aberdeen at 0800 and returns at 2230 (although was delayed last night by 90 minutes), meaning a full 2-3 days touring is in within easy reach.
A few notes from the trip:
- From chatting to the locals there appears to be increasing resentment of the tourist traffic and questionable driving standards that the likes of the NC500 have brought.
- Perhaps related to the above, the “pull over and let others overtake” etiquette seems to be in decline, if my experience with a couple of obstinate locals is anything to go by (I think they were locals based on what they were driving). For example on the Tongue to Lairg section which is one of my favourite bits I was held up almost the entire 40 mile length by a Peugeot Partner van who simply wouldn’t let me past.
- An Abarth 595 is just about the perfect vehicle for the Highlands – light and wieldy, nice and narrow for the single-tracks with lots of ground clearance, nice compliant suspension (this is the base 595 not the Turismo or Competizione which are stiffer), and having previously taken 400+ bhp cars on this route I never found myself wanting for power. Just a shame about the diabolical driving position.
- As long as interesting rentals are on offer I think this will be my preferred means of getting my Highlands fix as it’s so more convenient and time-efficient than schlepping there and back, not to mention no attrition on the P+J.
The pull over issue, as you have stated, is quite common. I would pull over and wait for 10-20 mins and let them trundle on and you can enjoy the roads a little more. I find the stop start annoying so tend to avoid the single track as much as possible due to the increasing amounts of near missed with camper vans coming around corners in the middle or my side forcing me into the verge.A few notes from the trip:
- From chatting to the locals there appears to be increasing resentment of the tourist traffic and questionable driving standards that the likes of the NC500 have brought.
- Perhaps related to the above, the “pull over and let others overtake” etiquette seems to be in decline, if my experience with a couple of obstinate locals is anything to go by (I think they were locals based on what they were driving). For example on the Tongue to Lairg section which is one of my favourite bits I was held up almost the entire 40 mile length by a Peugeot Partner van who simply wouldn’t let me past.
- An Abarth 595 is just about the perfect vehicle for the Highlands – light and wieldy, nice and narrow for the single-tracks with lots of ground clearance, nice compliant suspension (this is the base 595 not the Turismo or Competizione which are stiffer), and having previously taken 400+ bhp cars on this route I never found myself wanting for power. Just a shame about the diabolical driving position.
- As long as interesting rentals are on offer I think this will be my preferred means of getting my Highlands fix as it’s so more convenient and time-efficient than schlepping there and back, not to mention no attrition on the P+J.
CABC said:
Driving Applecross in both directions yesterday I was mulling over the ideal car for a days driving in the highlands. The roads are far from the best driving roads but they sure are great road trip roads. A hot hatch or Lotus would be overkill and underused. It needs to be a convertible. The engine that immediately came to mind (and still the case a day later) is the lazy Rover V8, great for repeated pulls out of passing places and round low speed corners. The car could be a Morgan or TVR.
I know GC has a Caterham, and that’s great if you live there. But for one day I’d take a Griff.
Poor mans choice, MX5.
I'd tend to agree with MX-5, or even an MR2 Roadster, I've driven both in the Highlands and never felt like they were underpowered, but did appreciate the compact size.I know GC has a Caterham, and that’s great if you live there. But for one day I’d take a Griff.
Poor mans choice, MX5.
zubzob said:
I don't really share the expectation for vans in front to pull over. Especially local working vans.
My approach to tourist driving, is I'm the guest. If the road isn't free, that's my problem. Recreational use of the road should be secondary.
Stop for 5 mins, walk the dog or whatever. Are you really in a rush?
No rush whatsoever. I'm on holiday and driving for fun.My approach to tourist driving, is I'm the guest. If the road isn't free, that's my problem. Recreational use of the road should be secondary.
Stop for 5 mins, walk the dog or whatever. Are you really in a rush?
However pulling over for faster traffic to overtake is an integral part of driving etiquette in the Highlands and is essential in order for the single-tracks to function properly. Whether or not I have much of a right to use the road as a local is neither here nor there. My point is that historically it's been tourists unaware of proper etiquette that have been guilty of this, hence my surprise to encounter what appeared to be a local causing a (comparative) jam. By the time we got to Lairg there were three cars backed up behind him, not just myself.
plenty said:
zubzob said:
I don't really share the expectation for vans in front to pull over. Especially local working vans.
My approach to tourist driving, is I'm the guest. If the road isn't free, that's my problem. Recreational use of the road should be secondary.
Stop for 5 mins, walk the dog or whatever. Are you really in a rush?
No rush whatsoever. I'm on holiday and driving for fun.My approach to tourist driving, is I'm the guest. If the road isn't free, that's my problem. Recreational use of the road should be secondary.
Stop for 5 mins, walk the dog or whatever. Are you really in a rush?
However pulling over for faster traffic to overtake is an integral part of driving etiquette in the Highlands and is essential in order for the single-tracks to function properly. Whether or not I have much of a right to use the road as a local is neither here nor there. My point is that historically it's been tourists unaware of proper etiquette that have been guilty of this, hence my surprise to encounter what appeared to be a local causing a (comparative) jam. By the time we got to Lairg there were three cars backed up behind him, not just myself.
ker! )Been up here nearly 2 weeks now. Tourists have been mostly good/ok. Occasional incompetence rather than aggression. I've witnessed 3 aggressive incidents and I strongly believe they were locals. Men driving trade vans fast on single track bullying others out the way and flying past passing places they should have pulled into. It's ok now but I can imagine August is not pleasant.
Currently in Skye which really is stunning. Better roads than 500 too.
Currently in Skye which really is stunning. Better roads than 500 too.
chalda said:
The Glenelg ferry. How nice! Did you try the Inn, too?
I was originally planning to take the Mallaig-Armadale boat and drive the A830 Road to the Isles, but was running short of time so decided to head up to Kyle to Lochalsh. I didn't even know about the Glenelg ferry until I saw the signs as I was heading to the bridge. Lovely, unexpected experience.As for the Inn sadly no, all of my trips so far have been 100% about the driving and I stay in cheap Airbnbs and eat Snickers and pork pies in car parks to maximise my seat time. One day I'll bring the wife and we'll stay at nice hotels and lunch at Kylesku!
chalda said:
plenty said:
I didn't even know about the Glenelg ferry until I saw the signs as I was heading to the bridge. Lovely, unexpected experience.
It surely is!
By far the best way to get to/from Skye.All true PH petrolheads should do so and help to keep it operating.
The view of the the 5 Sisters of Kintail from near the top of the Bealach Ratagan is superb.
https://goo.gl/maps/wyH8LQnfanL2
The climb up from/drop down to Kylerhea.
https://goo.gl/maps/3ot1HgcryPT2
The other side of the Bealach Udal looking towards the Red Cuillins.
https://goo.gl/maps/LgEnFTD3c2R2
giveitfish said:
How do you think a lowish car would cope on it?
This will give you an idea of what you will be facing.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfG-X_kCI8M
Get the approach angle right and you should be OK.
It's the only working turntable ferry in the world.
Plus it has a collie (or two) as part of the crew.
If you're in luck you'll get to see seals/dolphins or porpoises/sea eagles.
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