Discussion
TameRacingDriver said:
stuff
You've been on PH almost as long as I have... took you long enough to get up here! 
Next time, don't stop at Skye, keep going north (following the west coast), you'll be even more impressed!
March in decent weather is the best time.
ETA... see: https://www.stevecarter.com/gallery1/MyFaves.htm
(most of which are north of the most northerly spot you visited on the mainland)
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 9th October 18:02
TameRacingDriver said:
Agreed, and as for the 697, if that's the one that goes through Wooler, then it's a nice fast road with lots of overtaking points, and few or no cameras when I last drove on it a few months ago.
It is. Left at the roundbout at Carfraemill on the A68. Then via Coldstream and Wooler to the A1. According this article there are several cameras on the A697 in the Scottish Borders but they appear to be out of use - https://www.thenational.scot/news/25488789.see-ful...
Edited by Red Devil on Thursday 9th October 23:23
GetCarter said:
TameRacingDriver said:
stuff
You've been on PH almost as long as I have... took you long enough to get up here! Next time, don't stop at Skye, keep going north (following the west coast), you'll be even more impressed!
March in decent weather is the best time.
ETA... see: https://www.stevecarter.com/gallery1/MyFaves.htm
(most of which are north of the most northerly spot you visited on the mainland)
yes I know, I know, one of those things I kept meaning to do and never quite got around to it somehow.I was a little disappointed I didn't have more time to drive further north, but it is what it is.
Mrs TRD would quite like to go up, so I'll suggest March.
I'll check your photos out, cheers!
Red Devil said:
TameRacingDriver said:
Agreed, and as for the 697, if that's the one that goes through Wooler, then it's a nice fast road with lots of overtaking points, and few or no cameras when I last drove on it a few months ago.
It is. Left at the roundbout at Carfraemill on the A68. Then via Coldstam and Wooler to the A1. According this article there are several cameras on the A697 in the Scottish Borders but they appear to be out of use - https://www.thenational.scot/news/25488789.see-ful...
Saying that I guess I didn't see any on the 697 because I only went from Wooler to Morpeth and I don't think there are any on the English side.
TameRacingDriver said:
5 In a Row said:
Also A68/A696 from Edinburgh to Newcastle would be nicer - and possibly quicker - than the A1.
Or the A697, although I haven't actually been on that for years so it might not be as good as it was.
Agreed, and as for the 697, if that's the one that goes through Wooler, then it's a nice fast road with lots of overtaking points, and few or no cameras when I last drove on it a few months ago.Or the A697, although I haven't actually been on that for years so it might not be as good as it was.
On the English side they remain (as they should) in the villages en route
Edited by Kenty in Weardale on Thursday 9th October 21:40
Kenty in Weardale said:
TameRacingDriver said:
5 In a Row said:
Also A68/A696 from Edinburgh to Newcastle would be nicer - and possibly quicker - than the A1.
Or the A697, although I haven't actually been on that for years so it might not be as good as it was.
Agreed, and as for the 697, if that's the one that goes through Wooler, then it's a nice fast road with lots of overtaking points, and few or no cameras when I last drove on it a few months ago.Or the A697, although I haven't actually been on that for years so it might not be as good as it was.
On the English side they remain (as they should) in the villages en route
Edited by Kenty in Weardale on Thursday 9th October 21:40
Thanks all for the suggestions!
Good shout for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry to bypass Glasgow and the A82 up Loch Lomond - we'll do that.
The Inverness - Aberfeldy options look good too.
The Aberfeldy to Newcastle leg will be against the clock a little as I have to do an airport drop off at EDI en route, but the A68/A697 alternative to the A1 looks good.
Can't wait - hoping early April treats us to at least a handful of decent days weather wise during our trip!
Cheers
Good shout for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry to bypass Glasgow and the A82 up Loch Lomond - we'll do that.
The Inverness - Aberfeldy options look good too.
The Aberfeldy to Newcastle leg will be against the clock a little as I have to do an airport drop off at EDI en route, but the A68/A697 alternative to the A1 looks good.
Can't wait - hoping early April treats us to at least a handful of decent days weather wise during our trip!
Cheers
GetCarter said:
jimmybell said:
Was just browsing highlands property. Cant ever seem to find something to buy.
Longbarn with a smallholding and a view, please. Ideally looking out at some islands.
Most good stuff up here never reaches the open market - often sold by word of mouth. It's how we got ours.Longbarn with a smallholding and a view, please. Ideally looking out at some islands.
Also, remember that there are very few properties that match your ideal, even fewer that overlook a nice view, fewer with land, and so you end up alongside hundreds of others looking for the needle in the haystack on properties.
Various agents that deal with rural sales along with the local sites are worth a look too.
Savilles, Strutt and Parker, Galbraiths for rural stuff.
HSPC - probably not quite as universal as the ASPC is for Aberdeenshire but still important.
ANM Property - more commercial/land focused but good stuff does come up from time to time
Savilles, Strutt and Parker, Galbraiths for rural stuff.
HSPC - probably not quite as universal as the ASPC is for Aberdeenshire but still important.
ANM Property - more commercial/land focused but good stuff does come up from time to time
jock mcsporran said:
Had a wee run up north last weekend just before the storm hit. Back up this weekend unexpectedly so if you see me give a wave or say hello.
B862 Suidhe Viewpoint - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLDhM75SqZk3ve4w6TameRacingDriver said:
I went past Loch Lomond on the way back to Newcastle, very nice but bloody hell it was slow and a lot of roadworks. Be warned!
My least favourite section of road in Scotland. Even without roadworks. it's a PITA.POIDH said:
GetCarter said:
jimmybell said:
Was just browsing highlands property. Cant ever seem to find something to buy.
Longbarn with a smallholding and a view, please. Ideally looking out at some islands.
Most good stuff up here never reaches the open market - often sold by word of mouth. It's how we got ours.Longbarn with a smallholding and a view, please. Ideally looking out at some islands.
Also, remember that there are very few properties that match your ideal, even fewer that overlook a nice view, fewer with land, and so you end up alongside hundreds of others looking for the needle in the haystack on properties.
I imagine they don't want a million Bovis boxes popping up in AONB or amazing landscapes, and gone are the Edwardian days of just building what you want, where you want, if you are monied. lol
RSTurboPaul said:
What's it like in terms of securing new plots in decent locations up there?
I imagine they don't want a million Bovis boxes popping up in AONB or amazing landscapes, and gone are the Edwardian days of just building what you want, where you want, if you are monied. lol
Plots do turn up, but very few with really good views. One thing you can consider is finding a derelict house, discover who owns it, try and buy it and do it up. Seen quite a lot of that over the past decade or so.I imagine they don't want a million Bovis boxes popping up in AONB or amazing landscapes, and gone are the Edwardian days of just building what you want, where you want, if you are monied. lol
This (taken 18 years ago) has been rebuilt and is a holiday let. Fab view.
ETA, council planners are fairly keen to get wrecks rebuilt, so much easier to get permission.
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 11th October 05:27
That time of year again albeit this time in October rather than March and with slightly less tread on the PS4's to use up before swapping to CrossClimates for winter 
Once again I'll be heading from North Yorkshire > Angus via the west coast but this time I'm thinking of going no further north than Oban and taking in Campbeltown, I'm also keen to take in some of the roads on the west side on the M74 for the first time.
Thoughts so far are:
North Yorkshire > Campbeltown via Alston and dropping down the A83.
Campbeltown > Angus via Oban, A86, Pitlochry, Braemar and Cairn O'Mount.
Posts from last two years below as a reminder for myself and perhaps inspiration for others.
Once again I'll be heading from North Yorkshire > Angus via the west coast but this time I'm thinking of going no further north than Oban and taking in Campbeltown, I'm also keen to take in some of the roads on the west side on the M74 for the first time.
Thoughts so far are:
North Yorkshire > Campbeltown via Alston and dropping down the A83.
Campbeltown > Angus via Oban, A86, Pitlochry, Braemar and Cairn O'Mount.
Posts from last two years below as a reminder for myself and perhaps inspiration for others.
TheFungle said:
With my family originally being from the NW Highlands and having lived in in England for the last 20 years, I seem to get the itch every 7 years or so to visit.
On one hand this is good because I'm familiar with the area and can drive like one of the local posties; on the other hand, it's bad because I have a mis-placed romanticised expectation that it should be what it was like in the late 80s / early 90s.
But I digress.
I planned a 3 night trip from North Yorkshire and visiting Gairloch and Montrose was a must for family reasons.
Realistically, this ruled out going to the far North but being honest, this wasn't something I was that bothered about.
The weather on Monday was as perfect as I can recall in the Highlands, it was as if every picture postcard ever taken had come to life.
Day 1: North Yorkshire > A66 > A701 > Callander > Fort William
Day 2: Fort William > Invergarry > Dornie > Bealach na Ba > Kinlochewe > Gairloch > Braemore > Inverness
Day 3: Inverness > Nairn > Grantown on Spey > Tomintoul > Tarland > Aberdeen > Montrose
Day 4: Montrose > Fettercairn > Aboyne > Braemar > Pitlochry > North Yorkshire
What a trip!
I can't put into words how fortunate I was with traffic conditions, from the minute I dropped off the M74 and joined the A701 at Moffat all the way to reaching Pitlochry on day 4 which was the end of the driving roads before the slog back home.
Although I was privileged to have Glencoe almost to myself in the fading light, I don't especially rate it as a road.
My top three sections:
Gairloch > Braemore > Garve. Fast, flowing, spectacular and only 3 cars that I had to over take. Heaven.
Braemar > Spittal of Glen Shee. Magnificent.
Nairn > Grantown on Spey. An unexpected treat. It twisted, it turned, it flowed and it didn't feel at all 'heavy' the higher up road to Tomintoul did.
Honourable mention:
Tarland > Aberdeen on the B9119. Thanks to a diversion, Waze took me down this fabulous country road which was completely unexpected. Not sure if it could really be planned into a road trip but the perfect local 'going for a drive' road.
In total it was just 1100 miles, an impressive amount of which driven enthusiastically.
As a solo traveller it's definitely do-able and I'd highly recommend going out of season. I have to say, I could not imagine doing it with a large volume of slow moving tourist traffic.
On one hand this is good because I'm familiar with the area and can drive like one of the local posties; on the other hand, it's bad because I have a mis-placed romanticised expectation that it should be what it was like in the late 80s / early 90s.
But I digress.
I planned a 3 night trip from North Yorkshire and visiting Gairloch and Montrose was a must for family reasons.
Realistically, this ruled out going to the far North but being honest, this wasn't something I was that bothered about.
The weather on Monday was as perfect as I can recall in the Highlands, it was as if every picture postcard ever taken had come to life.
Day 1: North Yorkshire > A66 > A701 > Callander > Fort William
Day 2: Fort William > Invergarry > Dornie > Bealach na Ba > Kinlochewe > Gairloch > Braemore > Inverness
Day 3: Inverness > Nairn > Grantown on Spey > Tomintoul > Tarland > Aberdeen > Montrose
Day 4: Montrose > Fettercairn > Aboyne > Braemar > Pitlochry > North Yorkshire
What a trip!
I can't put into words how fortunate I was with traffic conditions, from the minute I dropped off the M74 and joined the A701 at Moffat all the way to reaching Pitlochry on day 4 which was the end of the driving roads before the slog back home.
Although I was privileged to have Glencoe almost to myself in the fading light, I don't especially rate it as a road.
My top three sections:
Gairloch > Braemore > Garve. Fast, flowing, spectacular and only 3 cars that I had to over take. Heaven.
Braemar > Spittal of Glen Shee. Magnificent.
Nairn > Grantown on Spey. An unexpected treat. It twisted, it turned, it flowed and it didn't feel at all 'heavy' the higher up road to Tomintoul did.
Honourable mention:
Tarland > Aberdeen on the B9119. Thanks to a diversion, Waze took me down this fabulous country road which was completely unexpected. Not sure if it could really be planned into a road trip but the perfect local 'going for a drive' road.
In total it was just 1100 miles, an impressive amount of which driven enthusiastically.
As a solo traveller it's definitely do-able and I'd highly recommend going out of season. I have to say, I could not imagine doing it with a large volume of slow moving tourist traffic.
TheFungle said:
Another phenomenal trip, this time in the GR86 as opposed to the Megane RS. from last year.
They are both fantastic cars and I'm lucky to have owned both but the GR edges it for driver involvement. That said, the Megane is/was easier to live with in almost all respects.
Highlights of this trip:
A83 to Lochgilphead. Wow. Fast, flowing, well-sighted, smooth. What a road.
A87 Invergarry to Dornie. A highland masterpiece. Fast, wide, vast and smooth.
A93 Ballater to Blairgowrie. Spectacular up high, technical down low. A challenge to master.
March may just be the perfect time of year as for the most part I had the roads to myself, I'm well aware that even the best roads when heavy with traffic are nothing but frustrating.
They are both fantastic cars and I'm lucky to have owned both but the GR edges it for driver involvement. That said, the Megane is/was easier to live with in almost all respects.
Highlights of this trip:
A83 to Lochgilphead. Wow. Fast, flowing, well-sighted, smooth. What a road.
A87 Invergarry to Dornie. A highland masterpiece. Fast, wide, vast and smooth.
A93 Ballater to Blairgowrie. Spectacular up high, technical down low. A challenge to master.
March may just be the perfect time of year as for the most part I had the roads to myself, I'm well aware that even the best roads when heavy with traffic are nothing but frustrating.
[b]
Braemar > Spittal of Glen Shee. Magnificent.
Nairn > Grantown on Spey. An unexpected treat. It twisted, it turned, it flowed and it didn't feel at all 'heavy' the higher up road to Tomintoul did.[/b]
Shhh, next thing you know you will be sharing things like the B827 to Comrie in Perthshire, or the B842 in Argyll....
Braemar > Spittal of Glen Shee. Magnificent.
Nairn > Grantown on Spey. An unexpected treat. It twisted, it turned, it flowed and it didn't feel at all 'heavy' the higher up road to Tomintoul did.[/b]
Shhh, next thing you know you will be sharing things like the B827 to Comrie in Perthshire, or the B842 in Argyll....
Edited by POIDH on Tuesday 14th October 12:43
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