Scotland / Skye Road Trip and some pics
Discussion
Just back from a week long jaunt up to Skye enjoying some of the great roads, local fresh food and of course the odd glass of wine 
So, first the stats: 1500 miles, 23mpg, average speed 50mph (try that in the South East!)
I took the path of least resistance and did M4/A404/M40/M42/M6/M74 to get us to Glasgow, then the roads get interesting without any need for planning, the A82/A830 through Glen Coe and past Loch Lomond have some fantastic sections, with some scope for overtaking should the need arise (it always does!). Some sections of road have sight lines for miles and the scenery is spectacular. The further north I got, the more helpful people were with allowing overtakes and generally being friendly.
Once on Skye, the A87 out towards Portree from Broadford and the A850 which loops back on a different route, have spectacular scenery and a chance to stretch the car.
What this trip has highlighted is the poise of the car at speed, the composure simply increases and there is a sense (as I am not sure of the aerodynamic qualities) of it gripping better. The handling is sublime and even across the trickiest of single track road, you can place it like a tiny hot hatch.
The car also got a great reception everywhere I went, lots of positive comments, waves, smiles etc
Today, I've spent 11 hours / 650 miles behind the wheel and have stepped out feeling relaxed and awake - it soaks up the miles so easily and being able to do 350+ miles between fill-ups on the motorway means I get to stop when I want, rather than because it's out of fuel Cheers! Kris
So, first the stats: 1500 miles, 23mpg, average speed 50mph (try that in the South East!)
I took the path of least resistance and did M4/A404/M40/M42/M6/M74 to get us to Glasgow, then the roads get interesting without any need for planning, the A82/A830 through Glen Coe and past Loch Lomond have some fantastic sections, with some scope for overtaking should the need arise (it always does!). Some sections of road have sight lines for miles and the scenery is spectacular. The further north I got, the more helpful people were with allowing overtakes and generally being friendly.
Once on Skye, the A87 out towards Portree from Broadford and the A850 which loops back on a different route, have spectacular scenery and a chance to stretch the car.
What this trip has highlighted is the poise of the car at speed, the composure simply increases and there is a sense (as I am not sure of the aerodynamic qualities) of it gripping better. The handling is sublime and even across the trickiest of single track road, you can place it like a tiny hot hatch.
The car also got a great reception everywhere I went, lots of positive comments, waves, smiles etc
Today, I've spent 11 hours / 650 miles behind the wheel and have stepped out feeling relaxed and awake - it soaks up the miles so easily and being able to do 350+ miles between fill-ups on the motorway means I get to stop when I want, rather than because it's out of fuel
Cheers! KrisI don't understand this. I have been in Scotland for the last week, apart from Thursday the weather has been diabolical and it still is. How did you manage to find sunshine? Pleased you had a good trip though. I can understand spending 11 hours behind the wheel of that and coming out feeling refreshed.
PS for anyone else trying this, I recommend you get up to Crianlarich before opening the taps. The Loch Lomondside road is deceptively dangerous and there are a lot of police around.
PS for anyone else trying this, I recommend you get up to Crianlarich before opening the taps. The Loch Lomondside road is deceptively dangerous and there are a lot of police around.
Edited by cardigankid on Sunday 22 July 11:21
For anyone going up on the east side there is a lovely route which gives a little taste of what's to come.
From A66 - Barnard Castle - B6277 - Middleton on Teesdale - Alston - A689 - Brampton - A6071 - Longtown then the little road that shadows the A/M74 northward, the B7076/78 from which you can re join the M74 at any point.
dw
From A66 - Barnard Castle - B6277 - Middleton on Teesdale - Alston - A689 - Brampton - A6071 - Longtown then the little road that shadows the A/M74 northward, the B7076/78 from which you can re join the M74 at any point.
dw
Morning folks,
I'll post up some more pics later - the road around Lomond (especially the Northern reaches) are certainly slow / hazardous, although in the time I was in Scotland I saw two marked cars - one in Glasgow and the other around Glen Coe (which was a scamera van).
The weather was good for 5 days and properly sunny for 3 - I guess the breeze on the west coast kept the worst away
Ref the MPG - I put it up as a matter of interest, having read the PH Golf GTI was doing 26mpg, it's interesting how close it is to a hot hatch / shopping trolly
I'll post up some more pics later - the road around Lomond (especially the Northern reaches) are certainly slow / hazardous, although in the time I was in Scotland I saw two marked cars - one in Glasgow and the other around Glen Coe (which was a scamera van).
The weather was good for 5 days and properly sunny for 3 - I guess the breeze on the west coast kept the worst away
Ref the MPG - I put it up as a matter of interest, having read the PH Golf GTI was doing 26mpg, it's interesting how close it is to a hot hatch / shopping trolly
Nice trip Kris.Classic picture of Eilean Donan Castle, think there are about 6 of us on here with the same picture, no surprise as it is a lovely back-drop
You are right about the road up past Loch Lomond, if clear it is good fun, if busy you just need to sit back and pootle along.
The section through Rannoch Moor is awesome and on my trip 2years ago I didn't see one scamera van in the 1000miles I did hoofing round the Highlands.
In fact I saw more Royal Mail and BT Openworld vans than cars as I went north towards Ullapool at the Skye junction.
The Aston is a perfect companion for such a trip and I can't wait for another foray "back home" in September.
I have modified my route slightly so won't go past Loch Lomond this time
Did a very similar journey at the beginning of june, then went back up there on the motorbike 2 weeks ago. The cairngorms are stunning, especially going around the right hand side of them, then going up through inverness towards lochcarron and driving through the Torridon mountains and up to Applecross. Skye is good although we didnt have time for the northern loop and heading back either the ferry to malliag from skye then the A830 to fort william or the A87 through glencoe. I personally try to avoid the A82, it can get quite busy, the A828 to Oban then the A85 and finally the A819 through Inveray is a better way of getting down to Loch lomond, better and quieter roads and scenery even more stunning. I would go back there in a heartbeat, some of the best roads in the world....
Thanks Rob.
I was going to head over to Garelochhead from the A82 onto the A814 to Arrochar to pick up the A83 but head south to Lochgilphead and then the A816 upto Oban so would miss the A819.
You driven/riden the A83 south and A816 north to Oban?
John
I was going to head over to Garelochhead from the A82 onto the A814 to Arrochar to pick up the A83 but head south to Lochgilphead and then the A816 upto Oban so would miss the A819.
You driven/riden the A83 south and A816 north to Oban?
John
Edited by Token Jock on Monday 23 July 12:12
Token Jock said:
Thanks Rob.
I was going to head over to Garelochhead from the A82 onto the A814 to Arrochar to pick up the A83 but head south to Lochgilphead and then the A816 upto Oban so would miss the A819.
You driven/riden the A83 south and A816 north to Oban?
John
A819 was very nice and more enjoyable than the A82 but cant comment on other options. Originally i had planned to take the 816 & 83 but time didnt allow. Would be interested how they compare for next time. Enjoy![url]I was going to head over to Garelochhead from the A82 onto the A814 to Arrochar to pick up the A83 but head south to Lochgilphead and then the A816 upto Oban so would miss the A819.
You driven/riden the A83 south and A816 north to Oban?
John
Edited by Token Jock on Monday 23 July 12:12
Best view of my trip, @ Applecross
|http://thumbsnap.com/QJYh0D7K[/url]Edited by bananarob on Monday 23 July 12:46
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