Touring the Scottish Islands in a 911

Touring the Scottish Islands in a 911

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N111BJG

Original Poster:

1,205 posts

78 months

Sunday 11th February 2024
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Last year we spent several days touring the Isle of Mull in my 991. Which was great especially with the roof down. What wasn’t so great was the heavily cambered single track roads with weeds & gravel build up in the middle, to the extent that at times I activated the front axle lift. Even then the under trays complained about their proximity to the road surface.

As seeing as much of Scotland as possible is on our list, we are returning this year & going to the Outer Hebrides. Can anyone tell me if I should expect the roads there to be similar to those on Mull. Because if so I’ll leave the 911 at home.

DannyScene

7,297 posts

170 months

Monday 12th February 2024
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Sounds like the perfect excuse to buy a dakar!

Nutrafin

18 posts

112 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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A lot of single track roads in the outer Hebrides
I was there last year in a camper - narrow roads and lots of people cycling the Hebridean Way

I’d stick to the mainland for good driving roads

I think google street view should help also

993rsr

3,576 posts

264 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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N111BJG said:
Last year we spent several days touring the Isle of Mull in my 991. Which was great especially with the roof down. What wasn’t so great was the heavily cambered single track roads with weeds & gravel build up in the middle, to the extent that at times I activated the front axle lift. Even then the under trays complained about their proximity to the road surface.

As seeing as much of Scotland as possible is on our list, we are returning this year & going to the Outer Hebrides. Can anyone tell me if I should expect the roads there to be similar to those on Mull. Because if so I’ll leave the 911 at home.
Not sure about Mull, but went to Skye the year before last in my 991 Touring with the dog. The roads were very potholed, it was fine, but when I went last year took a Cayenne. I'd leave the 991 at home if I were you.


ellroy

7,497 posts

240 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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The roads out in the Western Highlands/Isles have been getting progressively worse the last few years tbh. Still fine in large part but some roads are virtually impassable to anything less than 4x4.

Road down to the Fairy Pools on Skye for example- horrific. Pot craters.

Pays your money takes your choice.

N111BJG

Original Poster:

1,205 posts

78 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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Thanks All

We’ll be taking the Macan I think, shame because we both like the roof off, but I don’t want the bottom off too !!!

rkwm1

1,485 posts

117 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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Thinking of taking the Dakar up to Scotland for a blast. Any suggestions on best roads to visit, especially speed camera free routes?

Nurburgsingh

5,340 posts

253 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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rkwm1 said:
Thinking of taking the Dakar up to Scotland for a blast. Any suggestions on best roads to visit, especially speed camera free routes?



All of the above...

jackwood

2,826 posts

223 months

Sunday 18th February 2024
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Missed all of the Old Military Road over the Cairngorms from those.

And THE best road for a Dakar. The Tongue to Lairg road.

finmac

1,644 posts

253 months

Monday 19th February 2024
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Take your 911, get the roof off and stick to the main roads - you will be fine and will make better memories than if driving a Macan! I ran various 911s for years while living in the outer Hebrides - main concern was always getting on and off the ferry - you have axle lift tho.

rkwm1

1,485 posts

117 months

Monday 19th February 2024
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Nurburgsingh said:



All of the above...
Thanks

Nurburgsingh

5,340 posts

253 months

Monday 19th February 2024
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rkwm1 said:
Nurburgsingh said:



All of the above...
Thanks
Assuming you're planning on going later in the year? - If so we can have a chat at Renn-Dezvous 3 - I have GPX files, hotel suggestions etc

David W.

1,941 posts

224 months

Tuesday 20th February 2024
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N111BJG said:
Last year we spent several days touring the Isle of Mull in my 991. Which was great especially with the roof down. What wasn’t so great was the heavily cambered single track roads with weeds & gravel build up in the middle, to the extent that at times I activated the front axle lift. Even then the under trays complained about their proximity to the road surface.

As seeing as much of Scotland as possible is on our list, we are returning this year & going to the Outer Hebrides. Can anyone tell me if I should expect the roads there to be similar to those on Mull. Because if so I’ll leave the 911 at home.
Done 5 Scottish trips in an C4S cab. Most of NC500 before it was a thing. Always explored some of the little white no through road roads on the map up glens. Had done Mull, Skye, North Uist and Harris. Never had a problem, never too worried about an occasional light ground-out or sheep st under the wheel arches though. Never suffered a puncture (except on the A1 heading up there!). As the Land Rover guys say, one life, live it.

thepritch

1,564 posts

180 months

Tuesday 20th February 2024
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N111BJG said:
Last year we spent several days touring the Isle of Mull in my 991. Which was great especially with the roof down. What wasn’t so great was the heavily cambered single track roads with weeds & gravel build up in the middle, to the extent that at times I activated the front axle lift. Even then the under trays complained about their proximity to the road surface.

As seeing as much of Scotland as possible is on our list, we are returning this year & going to the Outer Hebrides. Can anyone tell me if I should expect the roads there to be similar to those on Mull. Because if so I’ll leave the 911 at home.
We took a trip to Lewis and Harris last year. When driving around the outer Hebrides you’ll really not notice the roads - they become completely secondary as you’ll just be stunned by the scenery and probably be stopping all the time. If you’re thinking about the car when you’re there you’ve missed the whole point of going to the island! Just enjoy the landscape and wildlife smile

With the Macan you won’t spend your time worrying about road surfaces and I think it’ll make your trip a lot more enjoyable. I seriously doubt you’ll miss the 911 other than on the trip there and back.

In the south ( esp south to East) of Harris, the roads become tiny, most single track, and very slow and twisty, so width of car is more the issue when passing other cars.

Make sure you watch out for the dolphins and whales on the way over on the ferry. An amazing spectacle.

We live in the Cairngorms - now this is a place for the 911 roof down!

N111BJG

Original Poster:

1,205 posts

78 months

Tuesday 20th February 2024
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It’s a very valid point about absorbing the scenery & experiencing the atmosphere, which is why I prefer touring on a motorbike, but my wife won’t countenance that. A convertible being the next best option, we could take her Mini, but apparently it’s ‘too far’ for her little car !

A look at streetview images which are from 2022 show the principal roads to be ok, probably better than the Essex country lanes near my house. So decision made, 911 it is.

Hoofy

78,615 posts

297 months

Tuesday 20th February 2024
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How about using those coil bumpers to raise the height by a couple of inches for that Dakar vibe without commiting £300k to a car?

I'm tempted to give my sheTTy the Safari look.

rkwm1

1,485 posts

117 months

Thursday 22nd February 2024
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Nurburgsingh said:
Assuming you're planning on going later in the year? - If so we can have a chat at Renn-Dezvous 3 - I have GPX files, hotel suggestions etc
Will try to go in next couple of weeks if I can. Thanks for the offer though!