2013 Scotland Meets - Planning and Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Adamski
- Start date
Balls, just checked, can't get to Jura from Oban. Got confused cos I liked the Mull suggestion too. Needs some work. Maybe down to Kenacraig from Oban, over to Islay, do some Jura, next day back over to Kenacraig, plan as above ? Seems too long on the first day now 
EDIT - crossing to islay from kennacraig is two hours. Kills that idea :x
But you get the picture. Will do this on a PC tomorrow. iPad is crap for this sort of thing....
EDIT - crossing to islay from kennacraig is two hours. Kills that idea :x
But you get the picture. Will do this on a PC tomorrow. iPad is crap for this sort of thing....
Just re-read this. Jura has been done :slaphead:
However the Tarbert/Cambeltown peninsula still works. How about nipping across to Arran too or is that going to be Mull-like ?
In all honesty, if I had unlimited time I'd love to take cj's suggestion and go up the West coast right up to the top of the country. Frickin' long way, but I am guessing it's the best scenery and driving there is, so I am adding that to my official Bucket List.
However the Tarbert/Cambeltown peninsula still works. How about nipping across to Arran too or is that going to be Mull-like ?
In all honesty, if I had unlimited time I'd love to take cj's suggestion and go up the West coast right up to the top of the country. Frickin' long way, but I am guessing it's the best scenery and driving there is, so I am adding that to my official Bucket List.
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Anonymous
Guest
Islay has also been done as well mate
What about John o groats the long way 8)
What about John o groats the long way 8)
Hi Bing and team. If the timing was right, I'd be up for a Scottish tour. My only visits so far have been Glasgow and Edinburgh for work. Fly in, talk, fly out. I would love to see more of the place.
As long as I keep my mouth shut, does the name allow me across the border?
As long as I keep my mouth shut, does the name allow me across the border?
Adamski said:
Do we need more than one pub ? :lol:
Nosa - never been further north than Inverness, so I would love to go all the way up to John 'o Groats... F*ck it. Let's do it :evil:
Stuart - can't believe you had to ask. No English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish - we're all Zedishists
But yes, just give Adamski your wallet and don't speak when we're in the pub...
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Anonymous
Guest
Stuart Truman said:As long as I keep my mouth shut, does the name allow me across the border?
You should be fine at the border, Just don't point out you have an Alpina
that's if passport control doesn't stop him.
Nearly went to John O Groats last when we left you lot after Islay only made it to Inverness though would be up for it dates permitting.
On another note seriously p1ssed off. WSBK at Imola the day I fly to Bologna 0nly 30 mins away now I'm home and there at Monza next weekend
Nearly went to John O Groats last when we left you lot after Islay only made it to Inverness though would be up for it dates permitting.
On another note seriously p1ssed off. WSBK at Imola the day I fly to Bologna 0nly 30 mins away now I'm home and there at Monza next weekend
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Anonymous
Guest
yup
http://www.visitjohnogroats.com/johnogroatscampsite.co.uk/
http://www.visitjohnogroats.com/johnogroatscampsite.co.uk/
Most direct route from Perth to John o Groats is 245 miles 
and most of that is simply driving up the A9, which is a fairly non-spectacular road, which is notorious for fatalities.
I've had a look at a few other routes, but doubt we'd be able to to the journey there in one day...
Thoughts?
and most of that is simply driving up the A9, which is a fairly non-spectacular road, which is notorious for fatalities. I've had a look at a few other routes, but doubt we'd be able to to the journey there in one day...
Thoughts?
I grew up in Thurso, and while I feel I really should sell the area, John O' Groats is a bit of a let down apart from the novelty of being at the 2nd most Northernly point in the UK. The furthest North is a few miles down the road at Dunnet Head. There's been many attempts to make a visitor attractions like at Lands End but they've never come off. However - there is a hotel with a bar, and that's probably all we need 
The A9 down to Inverness has some bloody brilliant bits but can be the worst road ever if stuck behind slow traffic. The chances of maintaining a convoy would be slim because there's few overtaking spots at times, so you'd need to plan a decent break close to Inverness to regroup. There's a trucker's cafe not far North of Inverness which is pretty good. The 120 miles is a touch under 2 hours on a record breaking sprint.
Out West is one of the most sparse areas but absolutely amazing scenery, so despite what I'm saying I still think a tour up the West to Cape Wrath, across the top and then back South would be a really good run. I'd be happy helping organise a run up there.
The A9 down to Inverness has some bloody brilliant bits but can be the worst road ever if stuck behind slow traffic. The chances of maintaining a convoy would be slim because there's few overtaking spots at times, so you'd need to plan a decent break close to Inverness to regroup. There's a trucker's cafe not far North of Inverness which is pretty good. The 120 miles is a touch under 2 hours on a record breaking sprint.
Out West is one of the most sparse areas but absolutely amazing scenery, so despite what I'm saying I still think a tour up the West to Cape Wrath, across the top and then back South would be a really good run. I'd be happy helping organise a run up there.
Oh and to add - if you're using the A9 you really want to deviate off and take the B9176 over Struie. It takes in some of old A9 where it swings in-land to what used to be the only place they could build a bridge across the Dornoch Firth. You'll also be passing somewhere very close to a place called Glen Morangie.
On that topic, Wick has the Pulteney Distillery, Brora the Clynelish, and there's about 5 more within spitting distance of Inverness & the A9.
On that topic, Wick has the Pulteney Distillery, Brora the Clynelish, and there's about 5 more within spitting distance of Inverness & the A9.
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Anonymous
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I was thinking more of going up the west coast, ullapool and the such to get there, would be a 3 -4 day trip but would be well worth it IMO.
Good shout. I've not driven that much in the eastern Scottish Borders, could be a year finale for 2012 if the English lot want to do it too. "Organise it and they will come"cj_eds said:
The wet day? That was the A701 south to Moffat (otherwise known as the Devils Beeftub, then north again via the A708 St Mary's Loch road: CLICKY TO MAP. Certainly one to repeat, hopefully in better conditions.Adamski said:Also, what was that roller coaster road that a11y took us on last October, would be good to do that one again
Other things I'm keen on and reckon would work well:
* a day drive starting from Stirling, taking in the Trossachs area and slightly east (Aberfoyle - Dukes Pass - Killin - Aberfeldy - Crieff - Gleneagles - Glendevon - Stirling)
* some sort of route involving the Spittal of Glenshee (A93) north to Braemar and keep on going up to Inverness (this was very nearly the first day of the Applecross route but it was just too far to include on this one). I've done it before as part of an overnighter using Inverness, followed by a return via Loch Ness and Fort William.