Road Trip - Scotland - any thoughts?

[PMacanGTS]

Red Devil said:

For your consideration. I would recommend 'driving' them using Google Street View.
It will help you decide whether they 'fit the profile' of your trip. I like 'em. YMMV.

Day 2
Alternative route to Tarbet - https://goo.gl/maps/aNmPiFZ3rbu
Take this turning onto the A817 Haul Road to Garelochhead - https://goo.gl/maps/heke1w7Wycw
At the roundabout turn right onto the A814 along Loch Long to Arrochar. Then the A83 to Tarbet.
The A82 can get pretty busy. There is an awkward TOTSO in Tarbet which can cause tailbacks.
Approaching from the A83 you have priority and the left turn is a lot easier.

Day 3
As GC said, definitely go from Applecross to Shieldaig via the coast road - https://goo.gl/maps/19GgCPMgbW72
Stop at the layby here (scroll through 360° for why) - https://goo.gl/maps/JQmn9ZvH4KM2
Several more places further on including GC's first pic.

Day 4
Alternative route to Lochinver - https://goo.gl/maps/BqKSzuaFN6B2
Look for this sign. In spring the gorse on the first] section past the lochs is a blaze of colour.

Alternative route after Lochinver - https://goo.gl/maps/evV5VPQoKdU2
The B869 is narrow and quite challenging in places: it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Some parts seem impossibly remote: the road is like a ribbon draped over the terrain.

You could even do both if you fancy it, but it would omit Ardvreck Castle.

Day 6
Decided against the B950 short cut? And Kenmore to Crieff via Auchnacloich?

Day 7
Sightseeing in Edinburgh? Can't think of any other reason to go that way.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g186525-c179510...
Don't know if it has changed much in the last couple of years.

Have you decided on your dates yet?

Thanks again. Good advice on the street map, as I'm probably going to find the likes of the B869 too narrow and potentially nerve-wracking.

As regards Edinburgh, I think I'll try and avoid as I wasn't planning on stopping anyway.

As regards dates, nothing firm as yet. I want to wait until the weather at least has a chance of being decent. I want to avoid crowds too, so no bank/school holidays etc. So early May might be the best time? Any recommendations?

[GetCarter]

If we get good weather March can be fab... (roads a LOT quieter) but some of the hotels don't open until Easter. April and May are good - as you say avoid the hols.

October and November can also be lovely, but when they are wet they are soaking.

You'll find hotels, B&Bs etc on the NC500 route fill up quickly, so go off the route to get places to stay (i.e Summer Isles, Lochinver etc)

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 15th January 15:02

[s70rmp]

We've been up the last 2 years at the end of March and are booked again for the same week this year.

First year we had 1 day of snow on the way from Fort William to Aviemore which resulted in us turning around as we didnt want to risk getting stuck or sliding off the road.

It's been cold and sunny most days when we've been out and about, roads are damp in the morning but soon dry up once the sun hits them.

Cant wait for this years trip as we're stopping at the Kylesku Hotel for a night as well.

[GetCarter]

Shameless insert of pic taken yesterday looking over Loch Torridon. Village on the right:

[Red Devil]

PMacanGTS said:

As regards Edinburgh, I think I'll try and avoid as I wasn't planning on stopping anyway.

There really isn't any other choice except the A720 Edinburgh Bypass - https://goo.gl/maps/9WJzD1AJjGt
No roads running from NW to SE across the Pentland Hills.

PMacanGTS said:

As regards dates, nothing firm as yet. I want to wait until the weather at least has a chance of being decent. I want to avoid crowds too, so no bank/school holidays etc. So early May might be the best time? Any recommendations?

We always go in mid to late April. Before the tourists appear and the midge season gets under way. This year it will be 24th-30th.
Remember that Easter Monday is not a Bank Holiday in Scotland. That weekend is less of a big deal up there. The one after that is 6th May.
School holidays won't be relevant. If I were going in May I would pick dates in the first half of the month.

[PMacanGTS]

Thanks again to all the above. I’m going to look at March or April, as I didn’t want to wait until May if I could get away sooner.

I think the route planning is just about there. But do you have any advice/tips for a first time road trip of this nature, such as essential kit etc.?

Thanks

[coppice]

All you need is a road atlas - really - it is far more interesting plotting routes that way and (critically)being able to identify what that funny shaped mountain near Lochinver is called so forget sat nav , especially as there so few roads in NW Scotland . Pair of binoculars to verify that the big bird you can see is really an eagle . Waterproofs etc and that's it- don't treat it just as a drive, there is so much more to the adventure than just sitting in the car . And talk to people- everybody north of the Gt Glen seems borderline bonkers , but in the best of ways ... .

[GetCarter]

coppice said:

everybody north of the Gt Glen seems borderline bonkers , but in the best of ways ... .

That's for sure.

[PMacanGTS]

coppice said:

All you need is a road atlas - really - it is far more interesting plotting routes that way and (critically)being able to identify what that funny shaped mountain near Lochinver is called so forget sat nav , especially as there so few roads in NW Scotland . Pair of binoculars to verify that the big bird you can see is really an eagle . Waterproofs etc and that's it- don't treat it just as a drive, there is so much more to the adventure than just sitting in the car . And talk to people- everybody north of the Gt Glen seems borderline bonkers , but in the best of ways ... .

Thanks. I'm looking forward to meeting the locals.

[Red Devil]

coppice said:

All you need is a road atlas - really - it is far more interesting plotting routes that way

+ 1

coppice said:

and (critically)being able to identify what that funny shaped mountain near Lochinver is called

Suilven.

coppice said:

so forget sat nav , especially as there so few roads in NW Scotland .

Agreed. An atlas is much better suited to the vastness of the Highlands. A sat nav's focus is far too narrow.