Best of West/North Scotland in 3 days?
Discussion
Hello all.
I'm hoping to have 3 days away to myself to clear the cobwebs. I've always wanted to do a drive up to and around the West coast / highlands of Scotland.
Probably in May sometime.
I'm aware that 5-7 days would be needed to see everything...but 3 is probably the best i can do. Maybe 4 if absolutely required.
I'll be travelling from County Durham, so not TOO far away but still a few hours to get into juicy Scotland "proper".
Probably in my Ford C-Max (unless i happen across some interesting bargain, unlikely) - so whilst i want to enjoy the drive, it won't be in anything exotic/fast, really i'd be happy enough getting some nice roads and great views etc. I'll also be trying some wild camping to keep costs down although a hotel / B&B each night isn't out of the question if/where required.
So - enough of the waffle - i need the experience of other members to let me know the very best places i should aim for in only 3-4 days. I'll be doing mostly driving, not stopping long at places, so i'm hoping i can get a fair few miles done in the 3 days, just stopping briefly for snacks, WC etc!
I know there have been several posts about this over the years, just looking for something up to date really and to see if there is a consensus amongst members!
Criteria - West coast mainly, heading North along the way.
Many thanks
I'm hoping to have 3 days away to myself to clear the cobwebs. I've always wanted to do a drive up to and around the West coast / highlands of Scotland.
Probably in May sometime.
I'm aware that 5-7 days would be needed to see everything...but 3 is probably the best i can do. Maybe 4 if absolutely required.
I'll be travelling from County Durham, so not TOO far away but still a few hours to get into juicy Scotland "proper".
Probably in my Ford C-Max (unless i happen across some interesting bargain, unlikely) - so whilst i want to enjoy the drive, it won't be in anything exotic/fast, really i'd be happy enough getting some nice roads and great views etc. I'll also be trying some wild camping to keep costs down although a hotel / B&B each night isn't out of the question if/where required.
So - enough of the waffle - i need the experience of other members to let me know the very best places i should aim for in only 3-4 days. I'll be doing mostly driving, not stopping long at places, so i'm hoping i can get a fair few miles done in the 3 days, just stopping briefly for snacks, WC etc!
I know there have been several posts about this over the years, just looking for something up to date really and to see if there is a consensus amongst members!
Criteria - West coast mainly, heading North along the way.
Many thanks
travelling from Durham means that 4 days is much better than 3 days and 5 days is much better again!
many of the best roads are in the north west and the further north you go, the better the scenery and quieter the traffic.
you'll likely need a full day of driving to get to somewhere like Kyle of Lochalsh or Ullapool and another full day to get home and that's using the main roads with little time for looking at scenery. virtually all roads north of there are great for driving and scenery.
as previous poster said, Applecross area is fabulous but you won't have long there if you only have 3 days and if you want to explore the very north taking in the scenery then realistically you need at least 5 full days.
many of the best roads are in the north west and the further north you go, the better the scenery and quieter the traffic.
you'll likely need a full day of driving to get to somewhere like Kyle of Lochalsh or Ullapool and another full day to get home and that's using the main roads with little time for looking at scenery. virtually all roads north of there are great for driving and scenery.
as previous poster said, Applecross area is fabulous but you won't have long there if you only have 3 days and if you want to explore the very north taking in the scenery then realistically you need at least 5 full days.
When I first went in 2016, I went from Penrith for 3 days and was a bit tight imho but doable. You will spend a good 6 hours getting to the northern part, 4 hours to Perth and then into Cairngorms. I do drive Ullapool to Penrith in a day so not impossible by any stretch, just bare in mind with weather, road works and traffic it quickly becomes tiresome.
It really depends what you want to get out of it as you really will be driving all day, if you want to explore the coast line and head off the NC500. I did with occasional short stops for photos.
I now tend to do 3-5day trips three times a year usually focusing on specific areas but then I go hiking a lot rather than driving these days, I do a day to get there, day to get back, one/two days hiking depending how long I’m away.
It really depends what you want to get out of it as you really will be driving all day, if you want to explore the coast line and head off the NC500. I did with occasional short stops for photos.
I now tend to do 3-5day trips three times a year usually focusing on specific areas but then I go hiking a lot rather than driving these days, I do a day to get there, day to get back, one/two days hiking depending how long I’m away.
Edited by VTECMatt on Friday 17th February 14:36
I’d recommend driving to Stirling then heading across to Tyndrum via the A84 and A85, from there follow the A82 through Glen Coe and then the A87 to Kyle of Lochalsh/Isle of Skye. It’s a far more scenic road into the Highlands than the A9 from Perth, although probably busy in May!
The Isle of Skye is one of my favourite places ever but on a tight schedule you might not have time to explore.
As said a visit to Applecross via the Bealach na Ba pass, where you get stunning views on a clear day or might be driving in the clouds depending on the weather! From there you’re effectively on the NC500 heading North towards Durness, imo the West side of the NC500 is prettier than the East side.
Bare in mind that tourists and single track roads mean what looks a short distance can take twice as long as you think.
The Isle of Skye is one of my favourite places ever but on a tight schedule you might not have time to explore.
As said a visit to Applecross via the Bealach na Ba pass, where you get stunning views on a clear day or might be driving in the clouds depending on the weather! From there you’re effectively on the NC500 heading North towards Durness, imo the West side of the NC500 is prettier than the East side.
Bare in mind that tourists and single track roads mean what looks a short distance can take twice as long as you think.
O/P
Just bear in mind that lambs will still be on the road (with no road sense), and the many miles of single track roads here (Applecross) will be full of motorhomes - many of whom have no idea how to reverse.
Tyndrum - Fort William, Applecross, Ullapool, Lochinver, Durness - and you won't go wrong. Just do your driving VERY early.
Just bear in mind that lambs will still be on the road (with no road sense), and the many miles of single track roads here (Applecross) will be full of motorhomes - many of whom have no idea how to reverse.
Tyndrum - Fort William, Applecross, Ullapool, Lochinver, Durness - and you won't go wrong. Just do your driving VERY early.
As others have mentioned, and if I had three days from Leeds, I would head up A84/A85/A82, through Glencoe and carry on through to Dornie or nearby for the night.
Day 2 - Over Applecross, round the coast road, keep left to Gairloch and up to Ullapool. If I was on the bike I’d probably carry on to Scourie and down to Inverness via Lairg but it would be a long days drive in a car so either back towards inverness from Ullapool or cross over from Elphin.
Day 3 - Head home via the Old Military Road from Speybridge to Blairgowrie.
Watch out for bikes and the odd camera, let faster traffic pass on the single track and avoid half-term
Day 2 - Over Applecross, round the coast road, keep left to Gairloch and up to Ullapool. If I was on the bike I’d probably carry on to Scourie and down to Inverness via Lairg but it would be a long days drive in a car so either back towards inverness from Ullapool or cross over from Elphin.
Day 3 - Head home via the Old Military Road from Speybridge to Blairgowrie.
Watch out for bikes and the odd camera, let faster traffic pass on the single track and avoid half-term
GetCarter said:
O/P
Just bear in mind that lambs will still be on the road (with no road sense), and the many miles of single track roads here (Applecross) will be full of motorhomes - many of whom have no idea how to reverse.
Tyndrum - Fort William, Applecross, Ullapool, Lochinver, Durness - and you won't go wrong. Just do your driving VERY early.
When does it start getting touristy around there, mid March?Just bear in mind that lambs will still be on the road (with no road sense), and the many miles of single track roads here (Applecross) will be full of motorhomes - many of whom have no idea how to reverse.
Tyndrum - Fort William, Applecross, Ullapool, Lochinver, Durness - and you won't go wrong. Just do your driving VERY early.
leef44 said:
When does it start getting touristy around there, mid March?
Last few years have been untypical (Covid obs). Generally beginning April to end Oct, peaking in late may and mid July to mid August.Oddly, June can be reasonably quiet.
Weekenders tend to turn up if the weather is good in March, but it's probably still the best month for driving. (13 hours of light and few tourists). Many hotels / cafes / eateries still closed mind.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 20th February 13:22
Bannock said:
When are the midgies worst?
July and August. But it's all down to the weather... still, damp and overcast, they are a nightmare. Windy, hot, dry, you'll not see them.A dozen days a summer we stay indoors as they are that bad. That does however leave about 50 days that they are not much of a problem. 10 a.m. to 5 pm they are rarely a problem. Early mornings and still evenings are the worst.
They HATE wind, and by the coast there is usually a wind off the sea after midday.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 20th February 13:33
Catz said:
I’d recommend driving to Stirling then heading across to Tyndrum via the A84 and A85, from there follow the A82 through Glen Coe and then the A87 to Kyle of Lochalsh/Isle of Skye. It’s a far more scenic road into the Highlands than the A9 from Perth, although probably busy in May!
I'd second this suggestion, though you could drive a little further up the A9 and take in Dunkeld, before heading West Via Aberfeldy, Loch Tay, up to Tyndrum then Glencoe and beyond.I live on the outskirts of Glasgow and that's the way I'd head up to Glencoe, as whilst Loch Lomond is pretty from above or the shore, I find the drive through Glasgow and up Loch Lomondside (where you don't see much) to be a bit of a slog so I tend to miss it out.
GetCarter said:
leef44 said:
When does it start getting touristy around there, mid March?
Last few years have been untypical (Covid obs). Generally beginning April to end Oct, peaking in late may and mid July to mid August.Oddly, June can be reasonably quiet.
Weekenders tend to turn up if the weather is good in March, but it's probably still the best month for driving. (13 hours of light and few tourists). Many hotels / cafes / eateries still closed mind.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 20th February 13:22
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff