Road trip/itinerary advice
Discussion
Evening folks!
I'm planning a bit of a trip north of the border to find some nice scenery, nice roads and interesting things to do. I've knocked up a bit of an initial itinerary, I was wondering if you guys could use your local knowledge to point out if there are any good/bad ideas?
Basic plan of overnight stops is:
Glasgow (visiting a friend)
Connel
Fort Augustus (Loch ness, watch locks)
Applecross (Beach)
Ullapool
Dunnet Head (Beach)
Dornoch
Aberlour (Whiskey)
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Home
I've done plenty of digging re the roads (ie Steve Carter site etc) so I'll be taking 'the scenic route' between those points. Does that look sensible for 10 days? The driving miles on each day are:
296 (To Glasgow)
126
75
86
120
140
126
65
140
0
380 (Home)
Cheers!
I'm planning a bit of a trip north of the border to find some nice scenery, nice roads and interesting things to do. I've knocked up a bit of an initial itinerary, I was wondering if you guys could use your local knowledge to point out if there are any good/bad ideas?
Basic plan of overnight stops is:
Glasgow (visiting a friend)
Connel
Fort Augustus (Loch ness, watch locks)
Applecross (Beach)
Ullapool
Dunnet Head (Beach)
Dornoch
Aberlour (Whiskey)
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Home
I've done plenty of digging re the roads (ie Steve Carter site etc) so I'll be taking 'the scenic route' between those points. Does that look sensible for 10 days? The driving miles on each day are:
296 (To Glasgow)
126
75
86
120
140
126
65
140
0
380 (Home)
Cheers!
That seems perfectly feasible but 3 points to make you aware of.
1. The distances may seem small but the road is very rarely straight and depending on where you are driving narrow too. Plan for plenty of time
2. At the weekend (especially Sunday) make sure you fill up with petrol when you can as not all petrol stations are open and if they are will be open 9-5 only.
3. Let the locals past up north they will be much quicker than you.
Also is this the route that you were thinking of?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
1. The distances may seem small but the road is very rarely straight and depending on where you are driving narrow too. Plan for plenty of time
2. At the weekend (especially Sunday) make sure you fill up with petrol when you can as not all petrol stations are open and if they are will be open 9-5 only.
3. Let the locals past up north they will be much quicker than you.
Also is this the route that you were thinking of?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
Edited by sherman on Thursday 9th June 01:12
I think you should be asking for whisky in Aberlour since they probably wont take kindly to you ordering Irish or Bourbon whiskeysherman said:
That seems perfectly feasible but 3 points to make you aware of.
1. The distances may seem small but the road is very rarely straight and depending on where you are driving narrow too. Plan for plenty of time
2. At the weekend (especially Sunday) make sure you fill up with petrol when you can as not all petrol stations are open and if they are will be open 9-5 only.
3. Let the locals past up north they will be much quicker than you.
Also is this the route that you were thinking of?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
1. Yeah I do plenty of trip planning so am aware the mileage will take a bit longer 1. The distances may seem small but the road is very rarely straight and depending on where you are driving narrow too. Plan for plenty of time
2. At the weekend (especially Sunday) make sure you fill up with petrol when you can as not all petrol stations are open and if they are will be open 9-5 only.
3. Let the locals past up north they will be much quicker than you.
Also is this the route that you were thinking of?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
2. Thanks for the tip
3. Probably, but only cos my mrs will be in the passenger seat
Yes, that route is pretty much there, apart from I plan to hang a left after Loch Lomond, and head round in a loop through Inverary, to Loch Fyne and up the coast to Oban. Worth doing? Oh, and also stop for obligatory shot at JoG at the top
You can hang a left at Tarbet and head for the Rest and Be Thankful - Inverary (lunch at loch fyne oyster bar?) and then go up to Oban from there. Some of it is a cracking cracking road, but there's not a lot of overtaking spots if you get stuck behind an artic - especially after the Dunoon junction. Also worth a bite to eat in the George Hotel in Inverary and a visit to the whisky shop there.
The road from Tarbet to Crianlarich is v windy, v narrow but beautiful. Don't count on making much progress until you get past the Drovers Inn (excellent stop - average food, but fantastic pub). The advantage of going this way, apart from the loch lomond scenary, is the possibility of a drive across rannoch moor and through glencoe up to Fort William. The road is excellent if you time it right and there aren't a million w
kers in caravans on it, but the view is just magnificent. People cry at the remote bleak beauty of rannoch moor and have hysterics at the majestically brutal snow capped peaks of the 3 sisters and the buchaile etive mor.
Re-iterating the point about the remoteness of petrol stations further up. Don't let your tank drop below third full and top it up in Dumbarton as you head north (last normal place for petrol prices). It goes up about 6-10p per litre beyond Dumbarton, apart from maybe Oban / Fort Bill.
The road from Tarbet to Crianlarich is v windy, v narrow but beautiful. Don't count on making much progress until you get past the Drovers Inn (excellent stop - average food, but fantastic pub). The advantage of going this way, apart from the loch lomond scenary, is the possibility of a drive across rannoch moor and through glencoe up to Fort William. The road is excellent if you time it right and there aren't a million w
kers in caravans on it, but the view is just magnificent. People cry at the remote bleak beauty of rannoch moor and have hysterics at the majestically brutal snow capped peaks of the 3 sisters and the buchaile etive mor.Re-iterating the point about the remoteness of petrol stations further up. Don't let your tank drop below third full and top it up in Dumbarton as you head north (last normal place for petrol prices). It goes up about 6-10p per litre beyond Dumbarton, apart from maybe Oban / Fort Bill.
alfa pint said:
You can hang a left at Tarbet and head for the Rest and Be Thankful - Inverary (lunch at loch fyne oyster bar?) and then go up to Oban from there.
Yep that is on route alfa pint said:
The road from Tarbet to Crianlarich is v windy, v narrow but beautiful.
Alas this is not. Will be tough to leave out some of the nice roads, but it will leave some still to do for the next time (poss on my bike).alfa pint said:
Re-iterating the point about the remoteness of petrol stations further up. Don't let your tank drop below third full and top it up in Dumbarton as you head north (last normal place for petrol prices). It goes up about 6-10p per litre beyond Dumbarton, apart from maybe Oban / Fort Bill.
OK cool 
6C4GTS said:
Personally I would not go as far as Tarbet on the A82 its better to go across the A817 to Garelochhead then A814 to Arrochar before going up the RABT.
See here
I assume you are in a MX5?
The A817 is a cracker of a fast A road! A814 to Arrochar very narrow, windy and bumpy with a good chance of lift off if you try to push it. Normal A82 to Tarbet is slightly quicker, but you're likely to be stuck in a queue of traffic and wSee here
I assume you are in a MX5?
kers with caravans if you go up on a Saturday or Sunday. The side of loch long from Garelochhead up to Arrochar is a very pretty route though, and in many ways better than the ltd view of loch lomond from the A82.alfa pint said:
The advantage of going this way, apart from the loch lomond scenary, is the possibility of a drive across rannoch moor and through glencoe up to Fort William. The road is excellent if you time it right and there aren't a million wkers in caravans on it, but the view is just magnificent. People cry at the remote bleak beauty of rannoch moor and have hysterics at the majestically brutal snow capped peaks of the 3 sisters and the buchaile etive mor.
Seconded. Barreling across Rannoch Moor and reaching the top of the switchback looking back down on it, rates as one of the best experiences I've ever had. (Apart from Kate back in 1996).kers in caravans on it, but the view is just magnificent. People cry at the remote bleak beauty of rannoch moor and have hysterics at the majestically brutal snow capped peaks of the 3 sisters and the buchaile etive mor.The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe is a stoater of a place to stay, too.
hornetrider said:
Hmmm. So instead of a big loop south out of Inverary, would people recommend heading North out of Inverary, then picking up the A85 then A82 to Ballachuish?
Yes, as the scenery is great; just be aware that the road Inverary-Loch Awe and Connel-Ballachulish is pretty slow even if you don't get stuck behind a wagon or a sunday driver.Ok my next piece of route advice........
I think we left you at Inverary .....so turn right under the arches up over the hill on the A819 toward Dalmally. Turn right on A85 and follow toward Tyndrum (good pitstop). Overtaking is not a problem.......its a state of mind......on a Sunday Drive anyway, then go back north on A82 through Bridge of Orchy and Rannoch Moor.
I think we left you at Inverary .....so turn right under the arches up over the hill on the A819 toward Dalmally. Turn right on A85 and follow toward Tyndrum (good pitstop). Overtaking is not a problem.......its a state of mind......on a Sunday Drive anyway, then go back north on A82 through Bridge of Orchy and Rannoch Moor.
alfa pint said:
The A817 is a cracker of a fast A road! A814 to Arrochar very narrow, windy and bumpy with a good chance of lift off if you try to push it. Normal A82 to Tarbet is slightly quicker, but you're likely to be stuck in a queue of traffic and wkers with caravans if you go up on a Saturday or Sunday. The side of loch long from Garelochhead up to Arrochar is a very pretty route though, and in many ways better than the ltd view of loch lomond from the A82.
I try and do thus route as often as I can, try for once every couple of months. I despise the A82 along Loch lommand, far to many delays often to busy for any overtakes and not a brilliant view until passing tarbet. Ranch Moore definitly worth a visit if youv never been. kers with caravans if you go up on a Saturday or Sunday. The side of loch long from Garelochhead up to Arrochar is a very pretty route though, and in many ways better than the ltd view of loch lomond from the A82.Edited by Celt on Sunday 12th June 00:01
alfa pint said:
You can hang a left at Tarbet and head for the Rest and Be Thankful - Inverary (lunch at loch fyne oyster bar?) and then go up to Oban from there. Some of it is a cracking cracking road, but there's not a lot of overtaking spots if you get stuck behind an artic - especially after the Dunoon junction. Also worth a bite to eat in the George Hotel in Inverary and a visit to the whisky shop there.
The road from Tarbet to Crianlarich is v windy, v narrow but beautiful. Don't count on making much progress until you get past the Drovers Inn (excellent stop - average food, but fantastic pub). The advantage of going this way, apart from the loch lomond scenary, is the possibility of a drive across rannoch moor and through glencoe up to Fort William. The road is excellent if you time it right and there aren't a million wkers in caravans on it, but the view is just magnificent. People cry at the remote bleak beauty of rannoch moor and have hysterics at the majestically brutal snow capped peaks of the 3 sisters and the buchaile etive mor.
Re-iterating the point about the remoteness of petrol stations further up. Don't let your tank drop below third full and top it up in Dumbarton as you head north (last normal place for petrol prices). It goes up about 6-10p per litre beyond Dumbarton, apart from maybe Oban / Fort Bill.
The Esso Garage in Fort William was Central Scotland prices, so I assume the others are similar.The road from Tarbet to Crianlarich is v windy, v narrow but beautiful. Don't count on making much progress until you get past the Drovers Inn (excellent stop - average food, but fantastic pub). The advantage of going this way, apart from the loch lomond scenary, is the possibility of a drive across rannoch moor and through glencoe up to Fort William. The road is excellent if you time it right and there aren't a million w
kers in caravans on it, but the view is just magnificent. People cry at the remote bleak beauty of rannoch moor and have hysterics at the majestically brutal snow capped peaks of the 3 sisters and the buchaile etive mor.Re-iterating the point about the remoteness of petrol stations further up. Don't let your tank drop below third full and top it up in Dumbarton as you head north (last normal place for petrol prices). It goes up about 6-10p per litre beyond Dumbarton, apart from maybe Oban / Fort Bill.
I drive to Inveraray frequently and there aren't a lot of artics on it, a bigger pain is foreign motorhomes who screech to a halt when they spot a view!
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