Highlands

Author
Discussion

C70R

17,596 posts

103 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Red Devil said:
C70R said:
Glasgow isn't the start point. For me, SW London is the start point.

The reason for picking Glasgow is that the only slot that works for the whole group is 4 days. Thus, two of those days are going to be spent driving 7+hrs to/from Scotland.

Adding 3-4 hours onto both of those drives to get to Inverness is out of the question. Adding an extra 30min to get to Stirling doesn't really seem to buy us much in the grand scheme of things. Perth is the wrong side of the country for the roads we want to see, so that a no-go too.

If I was doing this on my own, I'm sure I'd do it much differently and spend longer. But I also know that I'd have much less fun than doing it with a group of my best mates.
I would recommend getting well past Glasgow for the first night's stay.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm going to reiterate what I've said multiple times - it's not going to happen.

andym1603

1,799 posts

171 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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openroads.be said:
Does anyone know where this is?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LpttDK4zT/?utm_sourc...

Looks spectacular smile

Edit: nevermind, it's the A82 on the top of Loch Ness smile Near Dochgarroch

Edited by openroads.be on Wednesday 18th December 07:03
Not that exciting, couple of hundred yards long, if that.

skatty

491 posts

189 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Thanks both, appreciate the advice. Both of you plus the seller have warned about weather / ice so I will keep it in mind and take no chances. I'll be flying up on Friday, staying the night in Ardersier and then starting the drive at the crack of dawn hopefully catching sunrise.

Staying in the Star? Say hello to Katie from me...

flatlemon

92 posts

74 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
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Gooly said:
Just found this thread. I'm picking up an E39 530i Manual from Nairn on the weekend - only issue is I live in SW London and have never been to Scotland. I was originally looking to go up with one or two pals and make a few days out of it but timing and cost of flights put a stop to that, so I'll be on my own. Can anyone recommend a good route to take south from Nairn? I'm planning on stopping off at a friend's place in Leeds on Saturday night, so Saturday afternoon will be spent whizzing down from Nairn to Leeds.

Current route planned is Nairn - Grantown on Spey - Cock Bridge - Braemer - Blairgowrie - Perth. Not really sure if I should bother taking a scenic route from there onwards or just blast down the motorway to Leeds. Does anyone have any tips on routes, stops, etc? I won't be able to indulge too much but I want to be able to sample at least a few scottish roads before I consign the E39 to being stuck in 20mph traffic for the rest of its life.
Perfect route. That Nairn to Grantown road is superb, and the drive through Glenshee is stunning - definitely take it easy this time of year. Both the Lecht and Glenshee will be snowy no doubt but will hopefully make for some epic photos if nothing else biggrin

flatlemon

92 posts

74 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
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GetCarter said:
I'd just like to point out (for future ref)... that the good driving roads generally start about 30 miles north of Fort William, and continue for about 200 miles - north and west.
North West is definitely my favourite, but the drive through Glenshee and on to Grantown then Nairn is amazing!

Gooly

965 posts

147 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
quotequote all
skatty said:
Thanks both, appreciate the advice. Both of you plus the seller have warned about weather / ice so I will keep it in mind and take no chances. I'll be flying up on Friday, staying the night in Ardersier and then starting the drive at the crack of dawn hopefully catching sunrise.

Staying in the Star? Say hello to Katie from me...
Inchrye Bed & Breakfast, I should have asked on here for recommendations really! Reviews look good though so I'm hoping it'll be good. Glad to see the route I'm taking comes with recommendation!

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
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Quick safety tip- if in doubt of outside temps - a hand outside is often the best indicator.

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Friday 20th December 2019
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flatlemon said:
GetCarter said:
I'd just like to point out (for future ref)... that the good driving roads generally start about 30 miles north of Fort William, and continue for about 200 miles - north and west.
North West is definitely my favourite, but the drive through Glenshee and on to Grantown then Nairn is amazing!
Mr Catchpole agrees with you. biggrin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8

flatlemon

92 posts

74 months

Friday 20th December 2019
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Red Devil said:
Mr Catchpole agrees with you. biggrin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8
Watched that video a few times now - never gets old!

Big Henry loves Scotland so always keep an eye out for his Carfection videos. They shot another one in Scotland recently of the Porsche.

Gooly

965 posts

147 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
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Wanted to say thank you for the advice. I now have a very lovely 530i sitting outside my flat in South London and an amazing set of memories from doing without a doubt the best set of driving roads I've ever seen or driven - genuinely stunning. Few pics from the trip. A manual 530i was the perfect car for the trip, engaging and surprisingly fun down the incredible roads through Glenshee and Grantown from Nairn, and then absolutely effortless down the motorway slog from Perth. My only regret was that I didn't stay another night in Scotland to spend another day on those roads.

I grabbed a few photos on the way, but not as many as I'd like as I was having way too much fun driving to stop and take pics!

Started with by fuelling up, both for the car and I:






Left at the crack of dawn:






Amazing crisp sunny weather and a winter colour palette made for an amazing drive:




Up through the mountains:








Then slogged down the motorway for a bit, making a little detour out of boredom and the need for fuel to Shell in Kendal near the Lake District:






And then eventually back to London. Did the whole 570 miles in a day, was surprisingly easy - E39s really do live up to the hype.

Definitely want to go back and explore those roads more, especially after watching the Catchpole video above. Hopefully next time with an LSD, which is the only thing I felt the 530i could have really done with up there.


BrotherMouzone

3,169 posts

173 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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Just had a look at the historic calendar for the Cairngorms ski season; many ended in mid/late April.

So am I right to say a March / April visit to Cairngorms and then the west coast would be too early in the season for the chance of good (dry) weather and salt-free roads?

I’m suffering from SAD and itching to go back laugh

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
quotequote all
BrotherMouzone said:
Just had a look at the historic calendar for the Cairngorms ski season; many ended in mid/late April.

So am I right to say a March / April visit to Cairngorms and then the west coast would be too early in the season for the chance of good (dry) weather and salt-free roads?

I’m suffering from SAD and itching to go back laugh
Should have done it today smile

BrotherMouzone

3,169 posts

173 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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Ha ha, only 518miles from where I live to Braemar. laughfrown

leggly

1,780 posts

210 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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BrotherMouzone said:
Ha ha, only 518miles from where I live to Braemar. laughfrown
But it’s all easy roads if you leave at the right time biggrin

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Sunday 2nd February 2020
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The Bealach na Ba this morning:


Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
quotequote all
driving


BrotherMouzone said:
Just had a look at the historic calendar for the Cairngorms ski season; many ended in mid/late April.

So am I right to say a March / April visit to Cairngorms and then the west coast would be too early in the season for the chance of good (dry) weather and salt-free roads?

I’m suffering from SAD and itching to go back laugh
I've done 10 trips in mid April. Both before and after the NC500 was a 'thing'.
It definitely not too early. Most of the tourists haven't arrived, nor have the midges.


Blown2CV

28,697 posts

202 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
quotequote all
Red Devil said:
driving


BrotherMouzone said:
Just had a look at the historic calendar for the Cairngorms ski season; many ended in mid/late April.

So am I right to say a March / April visit to Cairngorms and then the west coast would be too early in the season for the chance of good (dry) weather and salt-free roads?

I’m suffering from SAD and itching to go back laugh
I've done 10 trips in mid April. Both before and after the NC500 was a 'thing'.
It definitely not too early. Most of the tourists haven't arrived, nor have the midges.
April is an odd month, just as it is in the rest of the UK. It could be any season, and extremes to boot! This year is showing signs of being more springlike maybe?

Riley Blue

20,915 posts

225 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
April is an odd month, just as it is in the rest of the UK. It could be any season, and extremes to boot! This year is showing signs of being more springlike maybe?
I do hope so. We shall be tackling the NC500 between March 30 - April 8 so a hint of spring will be very welcome.

Blown2CV

28,697 posts

202 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
Blown2CV said:
April is an odd month, just as it is in the rest of the UK. It could be any season, and extremes to boot! This year is showing signs of being more springlike maybe?
I do hope so. We shall be tackling the NC500 between March 30 - April 8 so a hint of spring will be very welcome.
end of March is a different ballgame... bring your sleeping bags and a shovel!!

Riley Blue

20,915 posts

225 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
Riley Blue said:
Blown2CV said:
April is an odd month, just as it is in the rest of the UK. It could be any season, and extremes to boot! This year is showing signs of being more springlike maybe?
I do hope so. We shall be tackling the NC500 between March 30 - April 8 so a hint of spring will be very welcome.
end of March is a different ballgame... bring your sleeping bags and a shovel!!
We'll be in our '63 Riley - what could possibly go wrong? biggrin