Scotland 500 (plus abit more)

[milburn7191]

Hi all,

I am planning, for the second year in a row, to do a roadtrip around Scotland. Last year 3 of us went up and it was absolutely epic!

Below is a rough plan if anyone is interested in coming; I will be in the stripped out e46 330Ci and my mate Charlie will be in the S2000.

Starting on Thursday 10th August, heading up through the Cairngorms National Park and staying in Inverness that night.
Then up and around the north coast, ending in Achnasheen (I wanted to stay in Ullapool because it is gorgeous but all the hotels were fully booked )
Continuing down the west coast on Saturday, then up through Inveraray finally staying in Ledcharrie on Saturday night.
Finally back home Sunday, but for me this will be via Stranraer.

Total will be about 1500miles in 4 days (starting and finishing near Halifax for me).
The hotels I have booked come to a total of £180 each for 3 nights (I currently have a couple of spare beds available).
Plus food and drink...for both you and your motor.

Edited by milburn7191 on Sunday 9th July 18:42

[Graham-P]

There's about four of us doing this in a couple of weeks time, going to be a 'taster' route as we are there for four days, 3 Ultima's and and a Radical. Luckily two are 'locals' and have worked out a route from Edinburgh to take in some stunning scenery, roads etc.....Essex to Edinburgh in a day in an Ultima is going to be challenging though!

[milburn7191]

Graham-P said:

There's about four of us doing this in a couple of weeks time, going to be a 'taster' route as we are there for four days, 3 Ultima's and and a Radical. Luckily two are 'locals' and have worked out a route from Edinburgh to take in some stunning scenery, roads etc.....Essex to Edinburgh in a day in an Ultima is going to be challenging though!

Good luck, I hope you have packed a cushion for your seat

Take it easy over the bumps/dips/undulations in the road, they will be deadly in an Ultima...also I am sure you already have it covered but get a set of walkies with headsets, makes overtaking caravans a doddle

[milburn7191]

bump

[mon the fish]

If you could make Edinburgh on the Tuesday, there's a large gathering of Ferraris to celebrate the 70th anniversary - including a LaFerrari Aperta

[giblet]

Any other weekend and I'd have been asking to tag along! Itching to do something similar with the 4C whilst the weather is still good.

[milburn7191]

Route planned!

Also now got 2 more cars confirmed; an MG BGT drift car and a Tommi Makinen Evo 5

[Integroo]

I can't quite tell from your map - are you hitting Applecross?

[milburn7191]

Integroo said:

I can't quite tell from your map - are you hitting Applecross?

The plan was that from Shieldaig we would head straight down to Ardarroch, is it worth a visit?

[Integroo]

milburn7191 said:

Integroo said:

I can't quite tell from your map - are you hitting Applecross?

The plan was that from Shieldaig we would head straight down to Ardarroch, is it worth a visit?

I've not yet been, but it's meant to be one of the best driving roads in Scotland, built in the style of French alpine passes.

[Skornogr4phy]

I would say Applecross is good for the scenery (absolutely stunning views), but not amazing for driving. It's mostly single track with the possibility of sheep being on the road and some quite steep gradients and bumps that might be sump destroying for anything low. Worth doing, but don't go thinking it will be Stelvio...

Edited by Skornogr4phy on Sunday 9th July 17:43

[stichill99]

After Edinburgh I wouldn't take the A1 but would leave the Edinburgh bypass and go down the A68 to Newcastle. Much more enjoyable road.

[Red Devil]

Integroo said:

milburn7191 said:

Integroo said:

I can't quite tell from your map - are you hitting Applecross?

The plan was that from Shieldaig we would head straight down to Ardarroch, is it worth a visit?

I've not yet been, but it's meant to be one of the best driving roads in Scotland, built in the style of French alpine passes.

According to the first post the route is being driven anti-clockwise.
The Bealach-na-Ba is better driven clockwise (Tornapress -> Shieldaig) imo.
For one thing, that way the steep hairpin bends will be in the (safer) uphill direction.

Skornogr4phy said:

I would say Applecross is good for the scenery (absolutely stunning views), but not amazing for driving. It's mostly single track with the possibility of sheep being on the road and some quite steep gradients and bumps that might be sump destroying for anything low. Worth doing, but don't go thinking it will be Stelvio...

Define 'amazing'. It's 99.9% single track, so the OP shouldn't be going fast enough to worry about his sump.
My car is lowered several inches over stock and I have done Applecross most years since 2009. Never had an issue.
Nor have others I have been in company with (Elise and VX220).

It's ALL about the experience and the views - Skye from the top of the pass



Coast road looking back towards Applecross


Same place looking the other way towards Shieldaig


Plus Applecross itself can offer two excellent eateries. The Applecross Inn and the Walled Garden.

stichill99 said:

After Edinburgh I wouldn't take the A1 but would leave the Edinburgh bypass and go down the A68 to Newcastle. Much more enjoyable road.

As above, the OP is going the other way (north from Edinburgh). I presume there is a reason his starting point is on the A1.

[AmgGT2015]

Looks really good supposed to be getting new car b4 then would love to do it as I live in inveraray and have always wanted to do it

[Bluesgirl]

That sounds like a great trip - very tempted. However, I'm at the other end of the country, so a few hundred more miles need to be added on!

Where are you planning to stop over?

[milburn7191]

AmgGT2015 said:

Looks really good supposed to be getting new car b4 then would love to do it as I live in inveraray and have always wanted to do it

If you enjoy driving and live in the UK it is definitely one of those things to do before you die

Bluesgirl said:

That sounds like a great trip - very tempted. However, I'm at the other end of the country, so a few hundred more miles need to be added on!

Where are you planning to stop over?

Thursday 10th - Inverness
Friday 11th - Achnasheen
Saturday 12th - Ledcharrie

They are all B&Bs; I only have 1 spare bed currently

[Bluesgirl]

Sorry, you did put the stopovers in your OP.

Right, count me in. I'm busy searching out B&Bs and will be joining you from somewhere around the Northumberland coast, which I've never seen and have been wanting to visit for ages.

If anyone can offer suggestions of a suitable route (or routes to avoid) between the M25 and Newcastle (I'm assuming A1(M) all the way) and back from Stirling (I'm thinking of stopping around Sedbergh overnight), I'd be very grateful.

And can someone please put in an order for good weather?

[Red Devil]

Stirling to Sedburgh.

Option 1 - https://goo.gl/maps/vSa8ZxJuqNK2
Take the A702 from the A74(M) via the Dalveen Pass & A76 to Dumfries.
Then Gretna, Longtown, Brampton., Alston, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Brough, Kirkby Stephen.

Option 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/PDQFiDDjoXN2
Edinburgh bypass, Jedburgh, Kielder Forest, Hexham, Blanchland, Stanhope, Middleton-in-Teesdale, as above.

Sedburgh to M1 - https://goo.gl/maps/syJ5BYeTSQS2
Depending on the time of day/day of the week, you could easily beat the Google Maps time.

Should you decide to go this way make sure to take the back road out of Mottram-in-Longdendale.
If the weather is kind, park in the layby here - https://goo.gl/maps/io8YT8v69yu
The view from the top of the bank is spectacular.

[milburn7191]

Bluesgirl said:

Sorry, you did put the stopovers in your OP.

Right, count me in. I'm busy searching out B&Bs and will be joining you from somewhere around the Northumberland coast, which I've never seen and have been wanting to visit for ages.

If anyone can offer suggestions of a suitable route (or routes to avoid) between the M25 and Newcastle (I'm assuming A1(M) all the way) and back from Stirling (I'm thinking of stopping around Sedbergh overnight), I'd be very grateful.

And can someone please put in an order for good weather?

Awesome, what vehicle are you planning to come in?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/53.697379,-1.749...
This was my plan for Thursday 10th, probably setting off from Halifax at about 7am.
Let me know where you want to join us (send me a private message).

The M1 is prone to bad traffic, but the A1 generally travels slower...I have found that it is a 50/50 and best to chose on the day. Neither are exciting

If you have a walkie talkie then you should bring it, I have some spares but better to have too many than not enough

[Bluesgirl]

Red - that's excellent, thank you. I'll get on the map again later on and check it out.

Alex - I'll be in the 911 - I should have bought shares in Meguiars, I can't leave the thing alone!

Anyway, walkie-talkies are a good idea - I'll have a look. I've provisionally booked a couple of places, but need to check the distances and make sure I have time to admire the views, explore a bit etc.

This is all looking good.