Road Trip Scotland early September
Discussion
Apologies, I'm sure this question has been asked a million times...
Planning a trip around some of Scotland, I last went in 2019 and we did a lot of South West Coast/Skye. Restricted to about 4 days. This time we wish to venture further North. Travelling up from Warrington and first night will be in Inveraray . This is the route we are looking at, looking for ideas of some detours off the A9 on the trip Southwards from Lairg and accommodation around Shieldaig (night 2), Lairg (night 3), Cairngorms (night 4). Never travelled along most of this road so any advice most appreciated!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Inveraray/Kalnak...
Planning a trip around some of Scotland, I last went in 2019 and we did a lot of South West Coast/Skye. Restricted to about 4 days. This time we wish to venture further North. Travelling up from Warrington and first night will be in Inveraray . This is the route we are looking at, looking for ideas of some detours off the A9 on the trip Southwards from Lairg and accommodation around Shieldaig (night 2), Lairg (night 3), Cairngorms (night 4). Never travelled along most of this road so any advice most appreciated!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Inveraray/Kalnak...
Looks like a great trip!
This is the route I'm familiar with - I go further round the top to Tongue before heading south, and on your last day take the Military Road through the Cairngorms.
https://goo.gl/maps/jukBrvY82Qwb3vPS8
I've not driven the Lochinver road or the road to Lairg from Scourie so don't have first-hand experience, but from Streetview I feel my route is a better drive
This is the route I'm familiar with - I go further round the top to Tongue before heading south, and on your last day take the Military Road through the Cairngorms.
https://goo.gl/maps/jukBrvY82Qwb3vPS8
I've not driven the Lochinver road or the road to Lairg from Scourie so don't have first-hand experience, but from Streetview I feel my route is a better drive
Thanks for sharing, looks like a great alternative route. The route I posted from Scourie to Lairg along Loch Shin was featured on Grand Tour a few seasons ago and branded as "one of their best runs" although I appreciate they most likely possessed little local knowledge, so your route further North may be a better alternative.
Thanks too for your suggestion to follow the Old Military road through the Cairngorms
Thinking to do no more than 5 hrs in the seat per day so that we have time to stop, stretch legs and take in the beautiful scenery. Can't bloody wait!
Thanks too for your suggestion to follow the Old Military road through the Cairngorms
Thinking to do no more than 5 hrs in the seat per day so that we have time to stop, stretch legs and take in the beautiful scenery. Can't bloody wait!
Instead of taking the A9, if you can spare the time then i would go through the Cairngorms via Tomintoul (Old Military Road) as other poster says above. Also, the route from Tongue south to Lairg via Loch Loyal and the Crask Inn is very beautiful if you can squeeze it in.
Old Military Road is one of the best sweeping, dramatic driving roads i've ever been on IMO and i was lucky enough to see a number of eagles when i drove there in late September last year.
Other than that, your route looks great!
Edit to add some pictures from the Tongue to Lairg route, and a wet old military road!
Old Military Road is one of the best sweeping, dramatic driving roads i've ever been on IMO and i was lucky enough to see a number of eagles when i drove there in late September last year.
Other than that, your route looks great!
Edit to add some pictures from the Tongue to Lairg route, and a wet old military road!
Edited by UmpaLoompa on Tuesday 13th April 10:03
Sagbrit said:
Thanks for sharing, looks like a great alternative route. The route I posted from Scourie to Lairg along Loch Shin was featured on Grand Tour a few seasons ago and branded as "one of their best runs" although I appreciate they most likely possessed little local knowledge, so your route further North may be a better alternative.
Thanks too for your suggestion to follow the Old Military road through the Cairngorms
Thinking to do no more than 5 hrs in the seat per day so that we have time to stop, stretch legs and take in the beautiful scenery. Can't bloody wait!
You really can't go wrong up there!Thanks too for your suggestion to follow the Old Military road through the Cairngorms
Thinking to do no more than 5 hrs in the seat per day so that we have time to stop, stretch legs and take in the beautiful scenery. Can't bloody wait!
I tend toward long intense driving days when on my own. I'm (hopefully!) heading up that way in May with some friends which will be more of a rounded holiday trip and will have more time to enjoy the scenery and some attractions. I'd actually like to try some of the roads on your original route just because I've never seen them. I'd especially like to visit Lochinver sometime.
RedDevil will probably be along shortly, he has encyclopedic knowledge of the roads up there and will no doubt have some more suggestions.
As for accomodation, what sort of budget were you thinking? Previously I've started at Glasgow or Fort William, then stopped in the vicinity of Ullapool & Aviemore. Another option is the Cluanie Inn or Kyle of Lochalsh area for the end of day 1, then Ullapool and Aviemore for the following nights.
Edited by giveitfish on Tuesday 13th April 13:17
I think the Lochinver loop is part of the NC500 which is why I kept it in. The last time we visited we also did Applecross which had amazing views of the Skye mountains across the estuary.
In terms of accomm then looking for pubs B&B for around £60 to £80 pp. Nothing fancy required. We past through Shieldaig last time which looked like a great stop off so will check it out for places to stay. Just need to do some research on where we will get to each day after 5 hrs of driving.
If ever you visit Inverarary then check out The George Hotel, great bar with live music on a Friday
In terms of accomm then looking for pubs B&B for around £60 to £80 pp. Nothing fancy required. We past through Shieldaig last time which looked like a great stop off so will check it out for places to stay. Just need to do some research on where we will get to each day after 5 hrs of driving.
If ever you visit Inverarary then check out The George Hotel, great bar with live music on a Friday
I flew to Scotland for a week late September last year and I got a rental from Arnold Clarke from Edinburgh as there wasn't much to do due to Covid and drove to Inverness and back over three days, another vote for going through the Cairngorms rather than the A9.
I took the A9 heading back and it took longer as all the traffic was doing 50mph even though that limit was only meant to apply to HGV's.
I took the A9 heading back and it took longer as all the traffic was doing 50mph even though that limit was only meant to apply to HGV's.
Scotland opens on friday for day trips. Opening up seems to be progressing quickly.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53166816
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53166816
Accomodation in NW Highlands for this summer is going to be a problem I'm afraid. Pretty tight in a normal year. One of the reasons the dreaded camper van is so popular up there.
Hopefully campsite shared facilities will reopen, as tent a good option for those of us who only venture there in fine weather. Last summer they opened only for self-contained caravans and campers. Although I can (and often do) visit for day trips, nice to stay a couple of days in tent in a proper campsite, but only if weather good. There are some very nice campsites which normally have plenty of pitches available.
Wild camping is an option but IMO should be restricted to mountain expeditions well away from roads and settlements and where no trace is left. Too many irresponsibles pitched up at side of road last year and left a mess.
Hopefully campsite shared facilities will reopen, as tent a good option for those of us who only venture there in fine weather. Last summer they opened only for self-contained caravans and campers. Although I can (and often do) visit for day trips, nice to stay a couple of days in tent in a proper campsite, but only if weather good. There are some very nice campsites which normally have plenty of pitches available.
Wild camping is an option but IMO should be restricted to mountain expeditions well away from roads and settlements and where no trace is left. Too many irresponsibles pitched up at side of road last year and left a mess.
Went today.
I’d avoid the part towards the Spittal of Glenshee from the south. Roads are in s
t condition.
Hit 2 massive potholes and lucky the tyre and alloy is ok.
From Glenshee up to Speybridge is great. It was quiet today too. In fact we went all up to Thurso. Only real slow traffic were about a dozen camper vans.
A9 upto Thurso is an fantastic road too.
I’d avoid the part towards the Spittal of Glenshee from the south. Roads are in s
t condition. Hit 2 massive potholes and lucky the tyre and alloy is ok.
From Glenshee up to Speybridge is great. It was quiet today too. In fact we went all up to Thurso. Only real slow traffic were about a dozen camper vans.
A9 upto Thurso is an fantastic road too.
Hi, just returned from a family holiday in Nairn. We did a return day trip to John O Groats, following the coastal road (A9). absolutely stunning scenery. A lot of straight, well sighted opportunities for safely overtaking slower traffic. There are narrower, twisty sections which are equally enjoyable. A lot of motorhomes and bikers as it's peak holiday season. I witnessed some enthusiastic driving but nothing dangerous or selfish with all road users showing mutual respect. Highly recommended section of the NC500. Enjoy.
Sagbrit said:
Shieldaig (night 2), Never travelled along most of this road so any advice most appreciated!
If you need any advice on Torridon/Shieldaig/Applecross, just ask - PM me. (I live on the Applecross coast Road opposite Shieldaig).Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th August 14:17
Just back from a six night wander around the north. Laxford Bridge to Lairg sounds like a good idea to me, Durness to Tongue was pretty tough going thanks to the volume of traffic. Ullapool to Scourie was stunning, itching to go back.
Echoing others, going down the A9 would seem a bit of a waste when you could head for Grantown on Spey and head over the Old Military road to Braemar then Pitlochry or Dunkeld.
Echoing others, going down the A9 would seem a bit of a waste when you could head for Grantown on Spey and head over the Old Military road to Braemar then Pitlochry or Dunkeld.
Thanks for all your recommendations on this thread, hugely appreciated :-)
Trip now booked. Heading up from Warrington next Friday. Accommodation booked at Inveraray Youth Hotel, Gairloch Highland Lodge, Altnaharra Hotel, Royal Dunkeld Hotel and Hopetoun Arms, Leadmills. Pretty much following NC500 as much as we can. Definitely following the military road from Tomintoul south through Cairngorms.
We booked accomm based on availability, lots of places already booked up. I've always wanted to go right to the North so a highlight will be filling up with super in Ullapool and then heading over Kylesku bridge and looping up through Durness, Tongue and south to Lairg.
Praying for some decent weather but whatever happens its all part of the experience!
Last question, what's the best route from Dunkeld heading south and avoiding A9? Is Killin and Callander worth a look? Cheers
Trip now booked. Heading up from Warrington next Friday. Accommodation booked at Inveraray Youth Hotel, Gairloch Highland Lodge, Altnaharra Hotel, Royal Dunkeld Hotel and Hopetoun Arms, Leadmills. Pretty much following NC500 as much as we can. Definitely following the military road from Tomintoul south through Cairngorms.
We booked accomm based on availability, lots of places already booked up. I've always wanted to go right to the North so a highlight will be filling up with super in Ullapool and then heading over Kylesku bridge and looping up through Durness, Tongue and south to Lairg.
Praying for some decent weather but whatever happens its all part of the experience!
Last question, what's the best route from Dunkeld heading south and avoiding A9? Is Killin and Callander worth a look? Cheers
Don't forget the Borders - there are some fantastic roads.
I did the Jim Clark Museum Duns on Saturday with a Lotus group from Carlisle - broadly followed the A7 there and came back via A68 Jedburgh, Bonchester Bridge, Kielder, Bellingham, Humshaugh then home via the military road.
What a cracking day out and some superb driving on well kept and quiet roads.
I did the Jim Clark Museum Duns on Saturday with a Lotus group from Carlisle - broadly followed the A7 there and came back via A68 Jedburgh, Bonchester Bridge, Kielder, Bellingham, Humshaugh then home via the military road.
What a cracking day out and some superb driving on well kept and quiet roads.
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