Scottish Highlands Tour

[Road Trip]

I have some great trips to Scotland over the last few years, but never really had long enough, only visiting for a few days at a time. There were still lots of places I wanted to see, and roads I wanted to drive, so decided to spend a week up there, and show Kathryn some of the sights she missed having not been with me on the roadtrip I did with my mates, in April this year.

We finished work early and set off about 2:30pm on Friday. After 2 hours on the motorway we stop for a brew at the Annandale Water services, before taking one of several excellent cross-country routes towards Edinburgh, and on to our usual hotel in Stirling (mileage, 230)

Saturday - Stirling to Spittal - 310 miles

We awake to a beautiful morninig in Stirling. Wallace Monument peeping out of the mist.


Heading north




Stopped off in Pitlochry to watch the marching of the pipe bands


On toward the Grampian Mountains








The locals


Moody skies as we push further north


Great roads tho


We turn inland and into the rain as we near our B&B


Dropped off the bags and took the short drive to Thurso for a bite to eat, before bed.

 

[spokey]

I am SO jealous.

 

[gannet]

as always very nice

must be great to be fairly close to such driving roads and scenery. takes a couple of days driving just to get to Scotland comfortably from here

 

[Road Trip]

Sunday - Spittal to Tongue (via Orkney) - 178 miles

Left the B&B at 08:15 for the 30min drive to the ferry terminal at Gills Bay. There's not much there, just a portacabin for booking in and a jetting for loading/off-loading the ferry.




Our boat arrives


All aboard


Maybe I should have been on this


Ready to set sail for Orkney


Seaman Stains


A Gannet (I think)


After just under an hour we're pulling into the bay at St Margarets Hope


We only had the day here so just did a tour of the island.

St Marys


This picture says it all really


Brough head




Ring of Brodgar – One of the finest stone circles in the world. The stone ring was built in a true circle, 104 metres wide and originally contained sixty megaliths; today only twenty-seven of these stones remain. Part of Orkney's World Heritage Site, they have become an iconic part of Orkney's identity.


Stromness

 

[Aliv6]

Very nice mate.

 

[sammyz]

Superb pics as always Dave

 

[gers]

love the pics,

 

[gers]

as always very nice

must be great to be fairly close to such driving roads and scenery. takes a couple of days driving just to get to Scotland comfortably from here

:? :? :? oke: :rofl:

 

[Road Trip]

Sunday cont





Spotted a dolphin in the bay


Back on the ferry returning to the mainland




Isle of Stroma


Once back on the mainland we fill up with fuel in Thurso, then head west on the lonely road over the most northerly moors on the British mainland. With the low cloud and fading light it's an eerie, but magical place. We feel like we're at the end of the earth.




The silhouettes of the highland cattle like ghosts at the side of the road




After checking in for the night at the Tongue Hotel we settle down to dinner and a well earned glass of wine.

 

[Rick Hunter]

You really are your Screen Name. Awesome journal, as always!

 

[a11y]

Great stuff, looking forward to the next installments

I know a lot of these roads, one of the best things about living up here...

 

[Road Trip]

Monday - Tongue to Portree - 240 miles

We awake to a misty morning in Tongue


By the time we've had breakfast and packed the car the skies have cleared and we hit the road


Looking south to Ben Loyal




Looking north as we cross the brige over the Kyle of Tongue


We spot a group of seals sunbathing on the sandbank


Heading west




Loch Eriboll






Our first sight of my favourite beach in the world........ever!

 

[Road Trip]

Continued







All to ourselves. Not a footprint in sight :heart:










Now remember folks. This is my beach. The next time I go I don't want to be tripping over bloody Z4's



Once we drag ourselves away from paradise, we continue west to Balnakeil Bay


Old Cemetery

 

[a11y]

Ha, I know that beach, not going to say where though :wink:

(me there on holiday/road trip in July 2007 - and it was fecking freezing!)

(but I also like the beach at Durness actually on Balnakeil Bay even if it is busier, the campsite is right above the beach on the cliffs, just where this photo was taken)

 

[Zukunft]

is this the same beach cause im sure i was there on my Scottish road trip this year

 

[muppet]

I note from your pics that you are not swimming on your favourite beach , not surprising I did once swim the on a sunny day at the beginning of September and it was a tad chilly :surrender:

 

[a11y]

I note from your pics that you are not swimming on your favourite beach , not surprising I did once swim the on a sunny day at the beginning of September and it was a tad chilly :surrender:

LOL, please note the fully-zipped up windproof Gortex jacket (plus sunnies!) I'm wearing in my photo link, taken in JULY. Swimming was not an option

 

[RichardG]

LOL, please note the fully-zipped up windproof Gortex jacket (plus sunnies!) I'm wearing in my photo link, taken in JULY. Swimming was not an option

You big Jesse.

 

[a11y]

LOL, please note the fully-zipped up windproof Gortex jacket (plus sunnies!) I'm wearing in my photo link, taken in JULY. Swimming was not an option

You big Jesse.

I know, I should MTFU

But, oh, what's that - a hard top on a roadster? :wink:

Just remember I'm the roadster owner during winter with the roof down and no heated seats, and I was STILL cold in that beach photo, it really wa that bad!

 

[Road Trip]

Yeah, that the same beach

Must admit I did fancy a swim, but I'd left my Mankini in the car

cont

Kyle of Durness


This is where you get the ferry to Cape Wrath




I've never seen so many sheep. It was like they'd been dumped out of the back of a massive tipper truck










Loch Stack


Loch More


Struie Hill