Scotland Tour
 

Probably one for our Scottish contingent to help me out with please :)

SWMBO has never been to Scotland, so we are planning a 1-week trip mid-March to the West Coast/Highlands, probably taking in Fort William, Skye, Loch Ness, etc, and I'd like to get up as far as the beaches around Ullapool.

So, anyone have any route and/or accommodation suggestions for us please?

Also, obviously not going to be warm in March, but what are the chances of snow at that time of year?

If you are feeling flush aim to stay at the Summer Isles hotel Achiltibuie (north of Ullapool). http://www.summerisleshotel.com/

Near Skye we've had a good stay at the Tingle Creek hotel - 5 minutes from the bridge. http://www.tinglecreek-hotel.co.uk/

Don't miss Bealach na Ba if it's open http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bealach_na_B%C3%A0

And if you're feeling brave and get to Achiltibuie, take the "wee mad road" to Lochinver. :eek:
Some info: http://lifeontheweemadroad.blogspot....-mad-road.html

That'll do for now. +++

Stayed somewhere in that area every year for the last few decades so just say where you're aiming for and I can probably suggest somewhere. ;)

By the way, if you're planning to follow the West Coast and include Skye you'll need a week on the road just to get to places.

We did a similar trip from Manchester at the end of April 2011, and had unbroken sunshine for the whole week, and temperatures in the low 70's - but we were very lucky. I doubt you'll get snow, but you'll almost certainly get rain...

We went up the west coast, and took the ferry over to Skye - that route gives you a great drive up, and the roads on Skye are quite good too. It does take a while to get there from down south tho'

I can look out the route we took, and forward it too you if that helps, but it's a pretty well documented one - let me know if you want details.

We stayed at great self catering cottage in Portree, but rented that for 5 days, I think, as we were using Portree as a base - again, happy to forward the details if relevant.

I'm sure you'll have a great trip, whatever the weather - the roads, scenery, food and drink all make for great experience. Which reminds me, I must go back again soon...

There's a little video with a drive along the "wee mad road" here: http://www.theweemadroad.com/home.html
And yes, I have done it SEVERAL times in an S8! :eek:

Given that you only have a week, I would suggest you go via Glasgow, A82 to Loch Lomond (mini meet at the Duck Bay hotel!), then follow A82 up by Loch Lomond, thru' Crianlarich, Glen Coe, to FtWilliam. (Its a good drive and spectacular views.) Then to Mallaig for the ferry across to Skye. Return to mainland via bridge. Then, depending on time, take the coast road A896 /A832 to Ullapool. Return via Inverness, A9 then south.

Even that will be tight in one week!! +++

thanks for the replies chaps, really helpful, might be slightly longer, i.e. 8-9 days as will leave Midlands either Friday evening or early Sat morning, then return home for following Sunday evening

It's a long way if you haven't driven it before, especially the A9! Getting to Glasgow is just the start.
We often fly to Inverness and hire a car for a week, getting to Ullapool for lunch is quite easy with an early flight that way. ;)

Last year we drove from home, so 2 days each way (to past Ullapool), stopping over in Perth (Travelodge) on the way up and York (family) on the way back.

Though you're a little way north of us, so might get a bit further. Fort William in 1 day would be very hard work for 1 driver.

If you stay at Achiltibuie/Ullapool (did a wee there a few years back with the 8), you can do the loop round the north coast in a day. Smoo cave is a nice stop off too right on the north coast.

Weather will be a mixed bag... Rain, Hail, Sleet, Snow, Sun, million mile an hour winds are all possible, but it's still gorgeous up there.

Aggressive target I'd say. :tuttut:
Never achieved all of that, but we do tend to stop and look at things.
Up to Durness and across to Tongue then "flying" back for dinner is the best we've managed. :rolleyes:

Not too agressive, you'll have a decent amount of daylight in March, we've done it before a couple of times, though it does depend how long you stop. There's a couple of 'nice' roads (single track) that cut diagonally across if you want to cut the loop.