Scotland road trip tips?

[Conquistador]

As international travel rules are so fluid at the moment, it seems the perfect time for a domestic road trip (sadly not in an S8, but a new Ford Ranger).

From past annual meets, it's clear that many of you have the knowledge of excellent driving roads and attractions up in Scotland. As a loose route over 4 or 5 days beginning on 19th July, we're thinking of the following:

- Begin from home in Essex up to Edinburgh
- Edinburgh to Inverness and Aviemore detouring to Loch Ness, up the east coast A9 then A99 to John o' Groats
- West through Thurso and Tongue possibly to Durness, then south to Ullapool, Glenfinnan viaduct and Fort William via some handpicked roads
- South again to Oban, through Loch Lomond and possibly take in some of the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales on the way back down.

Any tips or ideas for roads or attractions greatly appreciated

[HPsauce]

If you dare...…..
The "Wee mad road" south along the coast from Lochinver through Inverkircaig.
Sadly Achins bookshop won't be open this year having changed hands and being readied for 2022: https://www.facebook.com/achinsbookshop

Then at the end turn right and explore the dead ends (if you have time) to Achnahaird (amazing beach) and Achiltibuie. Returning past Stac Polly (worth a climb for the views), all on single-track roads and rejoin the A835 near Knockan Crags (also worth a detour into the Geopark/NNR) before drifting south to Ullapool.
Past Ullapool there's Corrieshalloch gorge of course and the coast roads round to Gairloch, Shieldaig, Applecross and so much more.

You need weeks not days so plan a selective route.

A trip out to Cape Wrath is also well worth it, but as you have to take a tiny ferry and then a minibus it's probably too much time.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Conquistador

over 4 or 5 days

Thinking about this and trying to be brutally honest, you'll need that many days to get there and back!
We've been travelling up to NW Scotland for holidays for about 50 years and while some of the roads have improved (a bit) increased traffic, cameras and the like have just increased journey times.
We always used to allow 2 days to get there and 2 to get back. On the occasions we didn't we were not in a good state at the end of the journey! Getting to Edinburgh/Glasgow is only the start.....

Long ago we gave up (except for special trips, such as in the S8) and just fly to Inverness and pick up a rental car. From there you can get to Ullapool in not much over an hour if you're lucky.

As for the A9 - my thoughts are unprintable!

[David's8]

Good to hear that youre visiting this neck of the woods Sean
I can underline what HP says and add that every holiday/caravanning mag etc has been suggesting Scottish holidays. My suggestion given the short timescale is to avoid the A9 - it is enough to make you want to give up driving for good - and head for the west coast. if coming up the east coast route go from edinburgh to Stirling on M9 and then head for Callander, Lochearnhead, Crianlarich, Glencoe, Ft William, Invergarry and then head for Glen Shiel and whatever takes your fancy on the west coast north of that. Inver Pollaidh, is exceptional and NOT included in the North Coast 500 but its the best section of the west coast. More than that you wont fit in to your short window. If you decide on a general route then do ask for more info as theres lots .....
Dinner at the Applecross Inn is worth the wait

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by David's8

Dinner at the Applecross Inn is worth the wait

We've eaten there a few times, lunch and dinner, wonderful location.
First time we went we stayed the night, and that was when the low-level route to the North hadn't been built, so the only way in or out was the Bealach na Ba!
For the uninitiated: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bealach_na_B%C3%A0

[tintin]

I'd echo much of what Andrew and David have said in terms of recommendations, but I think you're at risk of rushing/not making the most of being there, if you did try to do this in 4 or 5 days.

Based on what you've said, you're probably looking around 700 miles/more than 16 hours of driving, and that's only after you've got to Edinburgh, with another 800+miles (and at least another 12 hours) just to get to/from Edinburgh from Essex.

Given that, if I were you, and my break duration was fixed, I'd probably choose somewhere else - like Cornwall or Pembrokeshire - for this trip, given your start point. Otherwise, I'd suggest allowing a proper two-week window to do what you've suggested, and really make the most of it.

[Conquistador]

Perhaps a flying visit then or a touch-and-go landing rather than a full road trip

A stop at Cocoa Mountain up in Durness seems worth it whilst there.

The Bealach na Bà road west to Applecross looks glorious, on par with any of the Swiss/Italian mountain passes by the looks of it, that's definitely going on my 'to-visit' list for a future trip when in something a little more nimble, or on a bike.

From Glenfinnan viaduct the plan is to head along the south side of Loch Eil, then using the Corran ferry to cross the water heading towards Oban but detouring a little through Glencoe and turning off the A82 down a long single-width road to Gualachulain on the north edge of Loch Etive -- the road that part of Skyfall was filmed on when Bond drives his DB5 from a London lockup to the Highlands with M.



As I say, after Oban it's fairly fluid as to meandering back to Essex.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by Conquistador

...turning off the A82 down a long single-width road to Gualachulain on the north edge of Loch Etive -- the road that part of Skyfall was filmed on when Bond drives his DB5 from a London lockup to the Highlands with M.

Here's dashcam footage of when I did that drive (in the other direction) back in 2014, after the annual meet. Took almost half a hour but wasn't in any hurry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MTwqrYqEG8

[tintin]

Originally Posted by Conquistador

Perhaps a flying visit then or a touch-and-go landing rather than a full road trip

A stop at Cocoa Mountain up in Durness seems worth it whilst there.

The Bealach na Bà road west to Applecross looks glorious, on par with any of the Swiss/Italian mountain passes by the looks of it, that's definitely going on my 'to-visit' list for a future trip when in something a little more nimble, or on a bike.

From Glenfinnan viaduct the plan is to head along the south side of Loch Eil, then using the Corran ferry to cross the water heading towards Oban but detouring a little through Glencoe and turning off the A82 down a long single-width road to Gualachulain on the north edge of Loch Etive -- the road that part of Skyfall was filmed on when Bond drives his DB5 from a London lockup to the Highlands with M.



As I say, after Oban it's fairly fluid as to meandering back to Essex.

I'd agree - literally - with the flying bit, and was going to suggest that, but don't know how important being in your Ford Ranger is to you. My wee brother lives in Chiswick, and last time he was up in the Highlands he flew to Inverness and hired a car from there: if the car's not key, but the driving is, then that would seem to give you a better experience.

The Bealach na Bà road is truly glorious and I'd recommend stopping at the Torridon Hotel as well, even if only to savour their outstanding whisky collection (and views from the bar...).

[HPsauce]

Agree totally with Stephen (and myself earlier), fly to Inverness and save 3 or 4 days of driving.
And Bealach na Bà is wonderful in/on any vehicle, but an S8 is a pretty damn fine way to traverse it.