993 to Loch Carron over Christmas - am I mad ?

[DeadMeat_UK]

Afternoon,

I'm already getting excited about having a week in a cottage on Loch Carron over Christmas.

I've got a choice of motoring up there in the missus' sensible but boring work diesel estate or taking the 993 up there.

Obviously I'd prefer to take the Porsche, but expect snow and poor conditions are likely.

I'm hoping some locals can tell me if you think it's a silly idea on those roads at that time of year ? I'll be coming from down south so will have a fair amount of mileage to cover to get there, but more worried about the last 100, as I've only ever visited Scotland in the summer.

Thanks all

[Ug_lee]

If you go and get a cold but dry and clear week. And you have the estate you will be kicking yourself

I'm driving from Glasgow to the West Coast. Just opposite Mull on Christmas day to spend it in a rented house with family, and there is no way I'm taking my Vectra

[Stang]

You would probably be fine with the 993. Mr Carter should be along at some point to tell you what to expect as he is local there.

[Catz]

I regularly visit that area and can only think of one time in the past 10-15 years that was a bit of a scary experience.

There's no predicting the weather so far in advance though, so I always keep a close eye on weather/traffic reports. Plus I'm lucky enough to be able to check with friends along the route to see how the roads are.

[GetCarter]

<on cue

I'm just up the road at Shieldaig. It's very rare to get snow at sea level in December - but if you decide to do the pass over to Applecross (2350 ft), then there is usually snow up there - however there is always to coast road to Applecross - and the spreaders and ploughs are out every day at 7.00 a.m.

If I were in your position I'd decide at the last moment having checked this: http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7days.asp (it's fairly good as forecasts go. Use IV54 )

If you are doing Stirling Perth Inverness and across.. it's the 'across' bit that may be a problem. The road is always cleared, but early morning it can be impassable.

Look out for me, I'll probably either be in a black Aston or a silver Mk5 R32 with a fluffy dog in the back.

Having said that it's rare to get snow (in anything other than Feb), we had a good dollop here at the weekend:

(click on the photos to 'un-squash')





ETA - my driveway yesterday morning!

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 1st December 12:11

[DeadMeat_UK]

Thanks all - certainly sounds like it's a goer. Just got to see how much kit and food we decide to bring down (alcohol, food, clothes, walking clobber, alcohol, shoes, alcohol, Wii, alcohol etc etc....)

Mr Carter, it was the exact snow flurry that landed on your driveway that prompted this thread. I went on for quick check to see how the weather was at the moment and got a bit spooked ! The route I'll be taking will largely be dictated by Mr Garmin. We have an overnight in York, then likely A9 A86.

Metcheck is already a trusted source for me, they are very rarely wrong especially in predicting cold snaps.

Photos looks absolutely stunning ! I can't wait to get down there, and out and about. Bringing some good kit so we can get up in the hills a bit.

On an obscure note, from your local experience, will it be worth reserving a christmas bird (goose, grouse whatever !) from a local butcher ? Or is it a whole lot more relaxed than I'm used to (people are reserving now where I live !!).

I'm a bit horrified, but also relieved, that the nearest supermarket I can find is > 100 miles away

I'm certain to notice either of those cars on the road. If you see a very full dark grey porker going sideways on the ice, it'll be me...

[GetCarter]

The Lochcarron Butchers are on 01520 722229. Might be worth a check.

If you e mail me a postal address, I'll send you our local rag (don't hold your hopes up - it's not War and Peace)... but it does tell you when everything is open ... pubs, garages, shops etc

Steve

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 1st December 13:52

[whirligig]

Lochcarron is a lovely wee village and the local shop is quite well supplied really.

My parents have a holiday home there - wonder if it's the one you've booked?! Even if the weather is a bit on the poor side the gritters are always out and about at the first sign of snow so you should be fine. Enjoy!

[GetCarter]

FYI - pic taken earlier today. The pass directly behind the house is the one you have to climb to get to Applecross. (Nothing made it this morning)



ETA... mag posted to you this a.m.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 2nd December 13:29

[monthefish]

Ug_lee said:

I'm driving from Glasgow to the West Coast. Just opposite Mull on Christmas day to spend it in a rented house with family, and there is no way I'm taking my Vectra

Oban?

[DeadMeat_UK]

GetCarter said:

FYI - pic taken earlier today. The pass directly behind the house is the one you have to climb to get to Applecross. (Nothing made it this morning)



ETA... mag posted to you this a.m.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 2nd December 13:29

I suspect if we head over the pass it'll be on foot rather than wheels. I'll be matching this piccy up with my O/S maps this evening.

Thanks for sending the mag - much appreciated.

Edited by DeadMeat_UK on Tuesday 2nd December 14:05

[DeadMeat_UK]

whirligig said:

Lochcarron is a lovely wee village and the local shop is quite well supplied really.

My parents have a holiday home there - wonder if it's the one you've booked?! Even if the weather is a bit on the poor side the gritters are always out and about at the first sign of snow so you should be fine. Enjoy!

It's called Bruaich Cottage.

The more I'm hearing and seeing from you all, the more I can't wait to get up there.

[whirligig]

DeadMeat_UK said:

whirligig said:

Lochcarron is a lovely wee village and the local shop is quite well supplied really.

My parents have a holiday home there - wonder if it's the one you've booked?! Even if the weather is a bit on the poor side the gritters are always out and about at the first sign of snow so you should be fine. Enjoy!

It's called Bruaich Cottage.

The more I'm hearing and seeing from you all, the more I can't wait to get up there.

Nope! not ours but enjoy anyway. Having a wee giggle to myself at the thought of you going over the Bealach on foot! It's a loooooooong hard climb but if you do it fair play. Even if it is blocked by snow see and go to Applecross anyway around the coastal route - well worth it for the views over to Skye and the Islands of Rona and Raasay and the Applex Inn does fantastic gastropub-ish food most of which is locally sourced.

[DeadMeat_UK]

whirligig said:

DeadMeat_UK said:

whirligig said:

Lochcarron is a lovely wee village and the local shop is quite well supplied really.

My parents have a holiday home there - wonder if it's the one you've booked?! Even if the weather is a bit on the poor side the gritters are always out and about at the first sign of snow so you should be fine. Enjoy!

It's called Bruaich Cottage.

The more I'm hearing and seeing from you all, the more I can't wait to get up there.

Nope! not ours but enjoy anyway. Having a wee giggle to myself at the thought of you going over the Bealach on foot! It's a loooooooong hard climb but if you do it fair play. Even if it is blocked by snow see and go to Applecross anyway around the coastal route - well worth it for the views over to Skye and the Islands of Rona and Raasay and the Applex Inn does fantastic gastropub-ish food most of which is locally sourced.

Hehe, well I've done the Caledonian challenge (Fort William to Loch Lomond on the West Highland way) in 24 hours in the p*ssing rain, but considering it's supposed to be an R&R week, Mel might not appreciate me dragging her up it

Thanks for the info about Applecross, I'll definitely make that part of the itinerary.

[OlberJ]

On a side note, Steve, mind if i steal those pictures for me desktop? Stunning stuff.

[GetCarter]

No problem... let me know if you need bigger versions.

[OlberJ]

No, that's great ta. My little bit of inspiration to see the winter through now

[Stang]

Love it!

[Ug_lee]

monthefish said:

Ug_lee said:

I'm driving from Glasgow to the West Coast. Just opposite Mull on Christmas day to spend it in a rented house with family, and there is no way I'm taking my Vectra

Oban?

Further up, towards Fort William, across the Corran Ferry, and along the Ardnurmurchan Peninsula............er the most Westerly point of the British Isles.
Staying in a place close to Kilchoan. Done it every year and will never spend xmas at home as long as I'm still breathing. Love it

Incidentally for anyone bored xmas day, the roads are virtually empty. Had a fantastic drive across Glencoe in a 1.2 Clio, saw about 10 cars all the way across

[GetCarter]

I was just talking to a fish farmer who was out on Loch Kishorn yesterday morning (roads were covered in nightmare sheet ice) he could see right to the top of the bealach (the pass) as it was getting light and saw some headlights at the top. It took the car over 90 minutes to get to sea level (about 5 miles). Anyone that knows that road will hope that the chap was wearing brown corduroys!

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 3rd December 18:26