Last Minute Scotland

[anonymous-user]

Musing tonight. Checked it's ok with the missus.

I leave from Leeds tomorrow.

Stirling tomorrow (Wed) night (Golden Lion).

Ullapool Thursday (Caledonian).

Thurso Friday (The Station).

Back to Leeds on Saturday.

Buzzing.

[ianrb]

That's a bit of a drive on Saturday. Don't forget most of the A9 is covered by average speed cameras.

[generationx]

<<snip>>

janesmith1950 said:

Ullapool Thursday (Caledonian).

I thoroughly recommend the seafood at the Ferryboat Inn on the sea front (I was staying there almost exactly a year ago). You may have to book. Sensational.

[anonymous-user]

Might give that a go in Ullapool.

Drive back on Sat is a big one, but can stop in Cumbria at family if I get too knackered.

In typical fashion, the MAF on my SLK is playing up and it's giving me about half power at the moment as well. Nobody carries then in stock...

[anonymous-user]

generationx said:

I thoroughly recommend the seafood at the Ferryboat Inn on the sea front (I was staying there almost exactly a year ago). You may have to book. Sensational.

Thank you for the recommendation, just finished my meal at the Ferryboat. Great mussels!

Nearly didn't make it, car spluttered to a halt 9 miles from Stirling this morning. Massive shout out the the guys at JP Bowden garage in Stirling. They took the car in at no notice, did the diagnosis, kept in touch whilst I wanders aimlessly around Stirling, soldered what needed soldering, ordered and fitted a part and by 2pm I had a fully functional and happy SLK.

I of course thrashed it from Stirling to Ullapool, purely in the interests of testing the repair.

Pleased to say it's behaved like a new car, not bad for something 20 years old.

Didn't have time to stop for photos in order to reach Ullapool in time for dinner, however I think tonight's beautiful sunset and the amazing empty roads were the most stunning I've ever seen Scotland. Amazing.

[giveitfish]

[Blink982]

How have you found the accommodation? I've driven the route from before it was the NC500 but only really stayed in Ullapool. Whenever I look at the likes of the Kylesku Hotel, it's fully booked.

[anonymous-user]

Blink982 said:

How have you found the accommodation? I've driven the route from before it was the NC500 but only really stayed in Ullapool. Whenever I look at the likes of the Kylesku Hotel, it's fully booked.

As it was a flying visit, I just did a 3 stopper. Stirling on Wed, Ullapool on Thursday and had planned to stop in Thurso on Friday but, having arrived that afternoon and done a reccy, I legged it down to Inverness instead and stayed at the Weatherspoons in the centre of town.

The hotel in Stirling was ok (Golden Lion), £79 for a double room. Located right in the centre. Caledonian in Ullapool was a bit of a rough pig, but was only £40 for a single and I went out and got a bit pissed anyway. Was going to stay at The Station in Thurso, got as far as putting my stuff in the room. It was pretty toss to be honest.l, like a hostel but without the charm. The Weatherspoons in Inverness was central and typical Premier Inn kind of thing, paid £87 for a single which I booked about 2 hours before I arrived.

Did 1300 miles in 3 days, aside from the car breaking down on day 2, really enjoyed it. Open top motoring meant I came back with a tan and the scenery was, as always, stunning.