My 2022 tour Ness Point to Ardnamurchan Point.
- Thread starter AndrewT
- Start date
Andrew, great posts . not sure where your heading next but if your heading north from your present position suggest you try the A87 which is the main, and really only road to Skye. However if you turn off at Shiel Bridge the road takes you to Glenelg (reversible word ) now there is a Small ferry there, or there used to be! that takes about 6 cars. If the ferry's not running it means you need to retrace your steps along the absolute magic road that is the Mount Ratigan road . The ferry takes you to Skye much more of an adventure than the road bridge at Kyle. when leaving Skye by the bridge that puts you in pole position for the much loved Applecross Bealach Na Ba road.
Eddie
2007 Cayman S
1987 944 turbo
Eddie
2007 Cayman S
1987 944 turbo
AndrewT
Member
May 9th.
Today we awoke to rain, quite a contrast from yesterday. We left our hotel at Kilchoan via the B8007, then the A861 to Lochailort but stopping on the way at a super little cafe called Tioram in Acharacle. From Lochailort we took the A830 towards our B&B in Fort William but stopping en-route at Glenfinnan where with many others we stood in the rain waiting to see a train go past on the Glenfinnan viaduct. I met a Porsche Boxster owner, from Shropshire, at Glenfinnan whowas on his way home from the NC500.
We’re here in Fort William for a couple nights. Thanks for you suggestion Eddie but when we leave Fort William we’ll be heading east’ish.
Today we awoke to rain, quite a contrast from yesterday. We left our hotel at Kilchoan via the B8007, then the A861 to Lochailort but stopping on the way at a super little cafe called Tioram in Acharacle. From Lochailort we took the A830 towards our B&B in Fort William but stopping en-route at Glenfinnan where with many others we stood in the rain waiting to see a train go past on the Glenfinnan viaduct. I met a Porsche Boxster owner, from Shropshire, at Glenfinnan whowas on his way home from the NC500.
We’re here in Fort William for a couple nights. Thanks for you suggestion Eddie but when we leave Fort William we’ll be heading east’ish.
AndrewT
Member
May 10th.
Hardly any driving done today, just as far as the Fort William station where we boarded “The Jacobite” steam train for a return trip to Mallaig. On our return to Fort William we visited the eight locks, on the Caledonian Canal, known as Neptune’s Staircase (https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/locations/neptunes-staircase/).
Hardly any driving done today, just as far as the Fort William station where we boarded “The Jacobite” steam train for a return trip to Mallaig. On our return to Fort William we visited the eight locks, on the Caledonian Canal, known as Neptune’s Staircase (https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/locations/neptunes-staircase/).
AndrewT
Member
May 12th.
still in the Inverness area. Today we popped in to see George Cameron of GT Tyres at Forres, for a wheel alignment and balance check, as recommend by club member and former Cayman owner Brian Innes, and who should we meet there but none other than Brian Innes himself. We then followed Brian to the harbour and tourist centre at Burghead just off the A96. Later we visited Brodie Castle where we joined a very interesting guided tour of the castle.
still in the Inverness area. Today we popped in to see George Cameron of GT Tyres at Forres, for a wheel alignment and balance check, as recommend by club member and former Cayman owner Brian Innes, and who should we meet there but none other than Brian Innes himself. We then followed Brian to the harbour and tourist centre at Burghead just off the A96. Later we visited Brodie Castle where we joined a very interesting guided tour of the castle.
AndrewT
Member
May 13th.
Today we ventured into The Cairngorms taking the A939 Old Military Road from our guesthouse in Nairn to Grantown-on-Spey and beyound. Our first stop was at the Loch Garten Nature Centre where we were able to watch live cctv and use spotting scopes to see nesting Osprey and White Tailed Eagle chicks. We walked from there past Loch Garten to Loch Mallachie which were quite choppy due to the strong wind. Following that we visited Nethy Bridge and took a round trip walk to Castle Roy.
Today we ventured into The Cairngorms taking the A939 Old Military Road from our guesthouse in Nairn to Grantown-on-Spey and beyound. Our first stop was at the Loch Garten Nature Centre where we were able to watch live cctv and use spotting scopes to see nesting Osprey and White Tailed Eagle chicks. We walked from there past Loch Garten to Loch Mallachie which were quite choppy due to the strong wind. Following that we visited Nethy Bridge and took a round trip walk to Castle Roy.
AndrewT
Member
May 14th.
Today I lunched with fellow club members Brian Innes and Andrew_CS at the very quaint Old Kirk Cafe/Bistro at Fordyce near Cullen. I’ve met Brian before but this was the first time I’ve met Andrew although in the past we’ve each exchanged forum posts and PMs which shows the value of these forums in enabling fellow club members to contact and meet each other without having to attend any regional meetings. Our journey along the A96, the main route from Inverness to Aberdeen, was quite busy compared to recent drives along one track roads, busy enough to remind me of the driving conditions we’ll shortly be returning to.
Today I lunched with fellow club members Brian Innes and Andrew_CS at the very quaint Old Kirk Cafe/Bistro at Fordyce near Cullen. I’ve met Brian before but this was the first time I’ve met Andrew although in the past we’ve each exchanged forum posts and PMs which shows the value of these forums in enabling fellow club members to contact and meet each other without having to attend any regional meetings. Our journey along the A96, the main route from Inverness to Aberdeen, was quite busy compared to recent drives along one track roads, busy enough to remind me of the driving conditions we’ll shortly be returning to.
Have done a few of the spots on the recent posts, lovely part of the North, every bit as good as you would expect.
Keep it coming Andrew!
Keep it coming Andrew!
AndrewT
Member
May 15th.
Today was the day we started heading south
. Brian Innes came along on his electrically assisted bicycle to see us off from our Guesthouse in Nairns. We had a superb drive on the A939 and A93 across the Cairngorms to Balmoral Castle which we’d pre-booked tickets to visit the gardens and the Ballroom which is the only room open to the public. We had a long and interesting chat to one of the gardeners.
From Balmoral we continued on the A93 and eventually joined the M90 to our overnight stop at South Queensferry where we were able to enjoy a sunny early evening walk across the A9000 Forth Road Bridge.
Today was the day we started heading south
. Brian Innes came along on his electrically assisted bicycle to see us off from our Guesthouse in Nairns. We had a superb drive on the A939 and A93 across the Cairngorms to Balmoral Castle which we’d pre-booked tickets to visit the gardens and the Ballroom which is the only room open to the public. We had a long and interesting chat to one of the gardeners.From Balmoral we continued on the A93 and eventually joined the M90 to our overnight stop at South Queensferry where we were able to enjoy a sunny early evening walk across the A9000 Forth Road Bridge.
AndrewT
Member
May 16th.
As my tour nears it’s end so have the good photo opportunities. The weather wasn’t very good either drizzling on and off all day.
Today we travelled from our overnight stop at South Queensferry into Edinburgh. It took just over 30 minutes in relatively light traffic conditions to reach the Red Car Park at the Edinburgh Ocean Terminal for free all day parking. We then travelled by a No.22 bus to North Bridge by Waverley Station then made the short walk to The Royal Mile for our pre-booked visit to “The real Mary King’s Close” - there we joined a fascinating guided tour described on their website as “Shrouded in myths and mysteries, The Close and its warren of streets, homes, and passageways offer a truly unique 5 star visitor experience. Unlock the secrets of Edinburgh’s only preserved 17thcentury street, wander through a labyrinth of Old Town alleyways, avoid the cry of gardyloo, and discover the stories of the people who lived, worked, and died here”.
From there we walked to the nearby Scottish National Gallery just off Princes Street for coffee and cake then viewed the impressive works of art. We returned by bus to the Ocean Terminal to embark on our pre-booked, and extremely interesting, tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia. Although Britannia is preserved much as it was when used by the Royal Family the upper deck has been converted to include a cafe which we couldn’t resist trying. We were shown to a good table with a sea view and opted for their soup, chunky fries, and sandwich deal which at £15.95 we thought was good value taking into consideration the location. To cap it all I was able to choose Cullen Skink soup which I’ve been wanting to try since my last visit to Scotland in 2019, the soup was lovely and well worth the wait.
As my tour nears it’s end so have the good photo opportunities. The weather wasn’t very good either drizzling on and off all day.
Today we travelled from our overnight stop at South Queensferry into Edinburgh. It took just over 30 minutes in relatively light traffic conditions to reach the Red Car Park at the Edinburgh Ocean Terminal for free all day parking. We then travelled by a No.22 bus to North Bridge by Waverley Station then made the short walk to The Royal Mile for our pre-booked visit to “The real Mary King’s Close” - there we joined a fascinating guided tour described on their website as “Shrouded in myths and mysteries, The Close and its warren of streets, homes, and passageways offer a truly unique 5 star visitor experience. Unlock the secrets of Edinburgh’s only preserved 17thcentury street, wander through a labyrinth of Old Town alleyways, avoid the cry of gardyloo, and discover the stories of the people who lived, worked, and died here”.
From there we walked to the nearby Scottish National Gallery just off Princes Street for coffee and cake then viewed the impressive works of art. We returned by bus to the Ocean Terminal to embark on our pre-booked, and extremely interesting, tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia. Although Britannia is preserved much as it was when used by the Royal Family the upper deck has been converted to include a cafe which we couldn’t resist trying. We were shown to a good table with a sea view and opted for their soup, chunky fries, and sandwich deal which at £15.95 we thought was good value taking into consideration the location. To cap it all I was able to choose Cullen Skink soup which I’ve been wanting to try since my last visit to Scotland in 2019, the soup was lovely and well worth the wait.
Brian_Innes
Member
Andrew,
You have certainly made the most of your tour to Scotland. Your choice of POI's throughout this epic tour have been carefully thought through and ideally chosen to provide a true appreciation of the rich natural heritage of Scotland and the wider UK.
It was pleasure to meet up with you both, and your excellent tour report well illustrated the rewarding social benefits of the PCGB forum.
Well done and safe home.
Brian
You have certainly made the most of your tour to Scotland. Your choice of POI's throughout this epic tour have been carefully thought through and ideally chosen to provide a true appreciation of the rich natural heritage of Scotland and the wider UK.
It was pleasure to meet up with you both, and your excellent tour report well illustrated the rewarding social benefits of the PCGB forum.
Well done and safe home.
Brian
].Scotland has a lot to offer and the natives are friendly.. Haste Ye Back
AndrewT
Member
May 17th.
Continuing the journey home today we travelled from Edinburgh to near Lancaster for our last overnight stop, much of it along the A7 then the M6. The A7 was tediously slow until we reached Hawick, particularly the long 20 mph sections through Stow, Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick, but the road from Hawick to Near Carlisle was virtually free of traffic.
When I was planning this tour I’d read that R22 (Cumbria and S.W. Scotland) now have their home at Sally’s Tea Room at Warwick Bridge, as this was more or less on our route we checked their website to ensure they were open and decided that we’d arrive there about lunchtime for a coffee and cake. We arrived there ok only to find them closed for ‘Staff Training’. During this trip we’ve had several disappointments of places being closed when we expected them to be open or were shut permanently, this included many cafes, the Jim Clark museum (closed Wednesdays), and several Scottish National Trust houses which were closed on various days of the week.
As we couldn’t visit Sally’s I searched for English Heritage and National Trust properties nearby. This lead us to Brougham Castle and Acorn Bank house and gardens not too far from Penrith. Both turned out to be good places to visit.
Tomorrow we’ll arrive home, but will try to break our journey at an English Heritage or National Trust Property not too far off our route.
Continuing the journey home today we travelled from Edinburgh to near Lancaster for our last overnight stop, much of it along the A7 then the M6. The A7 was tediously slow until we reached Hawick, particularly the long 20 mph sections through Stow, Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick, but the road from Hawick to Near Carlisle was virtually free of traffic.
When I was planning this tour I’d read that R22 (Cumbria and S.W. Scotland) now have their home at Sally’s Tea Room at Warwick Bridge, as this was more or less on our route we checked their website to ensure they were open and decided that we’d arrive there about lunchtime for a coffee and cake. We arrived there ok only to find them closed for ‘Staff Training’
. During this trip we’ve had several disappointments of places being closed when we expected them to be open or were shut permanently, this included many cafes, the Jim Clark museum (closed Wednesdays), and several Scottish National Trust houses which were closed on various days of the week.As we couldn’t visit Sally’s I searched for English Heritage and National Trust properties nearby. This lead us to Brougham Castle and Acorn Bank house and gardens not too far from Penrith. Both turned out to be good places to visit.
Tomorrow we’ll arrive home, but will try to break our journey at an English Heritage or National Trust Property not too far off our route.
AndrewT
Member
18th May.
Departed from the b&b near Lancaster and travelled home, mostly via M6 and M5.
But, we managed to visit a couple of National Trust properties on the way - Dunham Massey near Altrincham, and Croome near Worcester.
Over our 18 days of touring we covered 2190 miles with an average fuel consumption of 32.3 mpg at an average speed of 37 mph - well, it was a leisure tour not a time trial
. Unfortunately some bugs were harmed during this trip!
Departed from the b&b near Lancaster and travelled home, mostly via M6 and M5
.But, we managed to visit a couple of National Trust properties on the way - Dunham Massey near Altrincham, and Croome near Worcester.
Over our 18 days of touring we covered 2190 miles with an average fuel consumption of 32.3 mpg at an average speed of 37 mph - well, it was a leisure tour not a time trial
. Unfortunately some bugs were harmed during this trip!
AndrewT
Member
Just to close off this thread I thought it might be helpful to others if I post a few thoughts and notes about the tour....
Accommodation we used on our tour, in the order we stayed there. All provided bed & breakfast, not all of them had an evening meal service.
The Coach House, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, NR33 8BL.
Premier Inn, Ferriby Road, Hessle, HU13 0JA.
The Craster Arms Hotel, The Wynding, Chathill, NE67 5AX.
The Inveraray Inn, Front St E, Inveraray PA32 8XB.
Inverasdale Bed & Breakfast, Soroba Rd, Oban PA34 4SA.
Glenforsa Hotel, Salen By Aros Mull PA72 6JW.
Kilchoan House Hotel, Kilchoan, Acharacle PH36 4LH.
Treetops B&B, Badabrie, Fort William PH33 7LZ.
Invernairne Guest House, Thurlow Road, Nairn, IV12 4EZ.
Dakota Edinburgh. Ferrymuir, Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9QZ.
Stanley Lodge Farmhouse B&B, Cockerham Rd, Lancaster LA2 0HE.
Our rating of them.
*****Treetops B&B, Badabrie, Fort William PH33 7LZ.
*****Inverasdale Bed & Breakfast, Soroba Rd, Oban PA34 4SA.
****Invernairne Guest House, Thurlow Road, Nairn, IV12 4EZ.
****Dakota Edinburgh. Ferrymuir, Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9QZ.
***The Coach House, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, NR33 8BL.
***Kilchoan House Hotel, Kilchoan, Acharacle PH36 4LH.
***The Craster Arms Hotel, The Wynding, Chathill, NE67 5AX.
**Premier Inn, Ferriby Road, Hessle, HU13 0JA.
**The Inveraray Inn, Front St E, Inveraray PA32 8XB.
**Stanley Lodge Farmhouse B&B, Cockerham Rd, Lancaster LA2 0HE. *Glenforsa Hotel, Salen By Aros Mull PA72 6JW.
Roads which were good to drive (not too busy, mostly scenic, but plenty of blind crests):
Through the Lincolnshire Wolds - B1192, A153, A158, B1225, A1173.
From near Chathill (Northumberland) to Leaderfoot - B6348, A697, B6352, B6397, B6361.
Lochgilphead to Balluachraig - B841, B8025.
Mull, A849, B8035, A848, B8073, and particularly the un-numbered road from Aros to Dervaig (just west of which is a great restaurant called Am Birlin).
From Kilchoan to Salen on B8007 (The Puffin Coffee shop at Kilchoan is excellent). as is the Tioram Internet Cafe coffee shop at Arachacle who are also equipped with take-away boxes).
From Salen to Lochailort on A861 (The Tioram Internet Cafe coffee shop at Arachacle is excellent and they are also equipped with take-away boxes).
From Nairn to Perth on Old Military Road A939 and A93.
Hawick to Carlisle on A7.
With the above, bear in mind I said this was a tour not a time trial so the speed of a Porsche was not important, the pleasure was in the way the car coped with the hills and curves and feedback through the steering.
Other notes. There's a general shortage of staff in the hospitality business which manifested itself in various ways: one hotel did not open for check-in until 4:00 p.m., some cafes and restaurants were permanently closed, others were closed some days of the week, some gardens and attractions were closed on days when we'd have expected them to be open, it is wise to book restaurants well ahead of your arrival.
Accommodation we used on our tour, in the order we stayed there. All provided bed & breakfast, not all of them had an evening meal service.
The Coach House, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, NR33 8BL.
Premier Inn, Ferriby Road, Hessle, HU13 0JA.
The Craster Arms Hotel, The Wynding, Chathill, NE67 5AX.
The Inveraray Inn, Front St E, Inveraray PA32 8XB.
Inverasdale Bed & Breakfast, Soroba Rd, Oban PA34 4SA.
Glenforsa Hotel, Salen By Aros Mull PA72 6JW.
Kilchoan House Hotel, Kilchoan, Acharacle PH36 4LH.
Treetops B&B, Badabrie, Fort William PH33 7LZ.
Invernairne Guest House, Thurlow Road, Nairn, IV12 4EZ.
Dakota Edinburgh. Ferrymuir, Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9QZ.
Stanley Lodge Farmhouse B&B, Cockerham Rd, Lancaster LA2 0HE.
Our rating of them.
*****Treetops B&B, Badabrie, Fort William PH33 7LZ.
*****Inverasdale Bed & Breakfast, Soroba Rd, Oban PA34 4SA.
****Invernairne Guest House, Thurlow Road, Nairn, IV12 4EZ.
****Dakota Edinburgh. Ferrymuir, Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9QZ.
***The Coach House, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, NR33 8BL.
***Kilchoan House Hotel, Kilchoan, Acharacle PH36 4LH.
***The Craster Arms Hotel, The Wynding, Chathill, NE67 5AX.
**Premier Inn, Ferriby Road, Hessle, HU13 0JA.
**The Inveraray Inn, Front St E, Inveraray PA32 8XB.
**Stanley Lodge Farmhouse B&B, Cockerham Rd, Lancaster LA2 0HE. *Glenforsa Hotel, Salen By Aros Mull PA72 6JW.
Roads which were good to drive (not too busy, mostly scenic, but plenty of blind crests):
Through the Lincolnshire Wolds - B1192, A153, A158, B1225, A1173.
From near Chathill (Northumberland) to Leaderfoot - B6348, A697, B6352, B6397, B6361.
Lochgilphead to Balluachraig - B841, B8025.
Mull, A849, B8035, A848, B8073, and particularly the un-numbered road from Aros to Dervaig (just west of which is a great restaurant called Am Birlin).
From Kilchoan to Salen on B8007 (The Puffin Coffee shop at Kilchoan is excellent). as is the Tioram Internet Cafe coffee shop at Arachacle who are also equipped with take-away boxes).
From Salen to Lochailort on A861 (The Tioram Internet Cafe coffee shop at Arachacle is excellent and they are also equipped with take-away boxes).
From Nairn to Perth on Old Military Road A939 and A93.
Hawick to Carlisle on A7.
With the above, bear in mind I said this was a tour not a time trial so the speed of a Porsche was not important, the pleasure was in the way the car coped with the hills and curves and feedback through the steering.
Other notes. There's a general shortage of staff in the hospitality business which manifested itself in various ways: one hotel did not open for check-in until 4:00 p.m., some cafes and restaurants were permanently closed, others were closed some days of the week, some gardens and attractions were closed on days when we'd have expected them to be open, it is wise to book restaurants well ahead of your arrival.
Fabulous!
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