Touring: North west Scotland with Porsches and Mercedes

[st4]

Well, I did promise one more of these. And it was not without company, as by sheer co-incidence I bumped into a coupe of car enthusiasts I know and we toured the north west.

Indeed the tour started by sheer chance here at the old military road that runs through Glen Fruin...


_DSC0556 by [e-mail], on Flickr

From here the tour ran up over the rest and bethankful and I assisted someone photograph their Porsche....


_DSC0583 by [e-mail], on Flickr

Whilst its not silver, its ok in white, but I would order in silver as I feel all cars should be silver, they look better.

Later on the tour continued and the Mercedes driver said he was meeting a mate with a Porsche in Fort William. I camped near here and I said as I was free I'd join them for a tour the next day. You know me, gatecrasher of social events..:lol::lol::lol::lol:


_DSC0616 by [e-mail], on Flickr

Isn't Kilchurn castle wonderful....I like it here and come here before work just to be amongst the scenery and enjoy the views. But a night in a tent is cold in mid September plus the walk down here claims the 1st of many pairs of socks for the trip

The A85 then A82 is a route I take a lot, its got well sighted sweeping turns and my C class is at home on it, but conditions like this are not favourable...


_DSC0621 by [e-mail], on Flickr

On Rannoch Moor the fog began to lift


_DSC0643 by [e-mail], on Flickr

And then the sun came out.


_DSC0675 by [e-mail], on Flickr

But it didnt matter much, I tend not to carry many spare socks with me, but I have a few, and changed into fresh socks after getting soaked on Rannoch Moor Bog. Sadly, the C class estates ventilation isn't upto Clothes drying, but it can keep the cabin at an even 20c and chill drinks in the glove box, but someone at Mercedes really needs to pull their socks up and develop a climate system capable of drying boots, socks and jackets whilst keeping the cabin at 20c.

Further up, the said skip needed a rest and I needed to snap Stob Dearg as I do this and I like a black and white as colour can be too strong for me


_DSC0694 (1) by [e-mail], on Flickr

From here I met up with the Mercedes man and the Porsche man and we aimed for Skye....along the way there is the famous Glen Garry view point and I suspect I'd return here with more Autumnal weather and enjoy the colours reflected in the still morning waters in Loch Garry.


_DSC0701 by [e-mail], on Flickr

Further down the A87 there are Laybys with easier access to the Loch. It is my firm intention to return back, camp for a few days and get some nice Autumn pictures up here. I know I focus my tours in the Glencoe area, but I must extend my horizons and maybe tour 50 miles further north.

Anyway, the Porsche turbo is a particularly curious car as it makes AMGs look slow. In your rear view mirrors the shape of the car just looks so right, and yes I like Porsches but I see a Porsche shaped hole in my life


_DSC0745 by [e-mail], on Flickr

Perhaps as the roof goes down on this, I could maybe have 20c heat in the cabin and my socks drying in the wind in the back. Wet socks are a nightmare...

The view at Loch Ainort is really nice


_DSC0728 by [e-mail], on Flickr

But it could claim yet another pair of socks, you have been warned!!!!!

As the other tourer will tell you


_DSC0731 by [e-mail], on Flickr

Shoes on top of the deck, and thats an E class that cannot dry a pair of shoes and socks, these Mercedes engineers really need to sort this out like...

Further on, and this is where you should go on Skye is the Trottenish ridge North and East of Portree and you see the Old man of Storr and the Quairing


_DSC0754 by [e-mail], on Flickr

The Island gets progressive bleaker as you head to the NW, Neist Point


_DSC0767 by [e-mail], on Flickr

I imagine when I am back here, I may shoot a sunset here. Perhaps do a sunrise in Loch Garry and aim for Skye for sunset, its only 80miles, could probably do it on a push bike if push came to shove :shock:

Finally the next day, well, more socks and shoes could be claimed and the Merc C class hasn't even got a residual heater to try and dry them over the night, so onto my last pair and very worried, but I present you Sligachan


_DSC0780 by [e-mail], on Flickr

And some economy, but I'd pack more socks next time


_DSC0781 by [e-mail], on Flickr

[SFO]

looks like you had a great time

[briang9]

great pictures!!

[jackwood]

Wonderful pictures. Far better than my iPhone pics of a similar tour earlier this year. We referred to Glen Gary viewpoint as the "bins" during put trip due to the huge wheely bin located there! Must be popular :-)

[rayny]

Hey there Steve,

Thanks for sharing that with us.

Excellent photographs and write up as usual.

[st4]

It was a great wee run.

I am doing another one tomorrow. I sell some of these so its a business/pleasure thing.

Glen Garry is a classic tourist trap