SLROC Forum

Hello,

Whe're 2 guys from Belgium and we're planning a roadtrip in August to Scotland with a land rover defender 90.
Do you you guys maybe have some maps or routes that we could follow?

Bernt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oUxwEg8pBU

Best road in the UK IMO,
then over to Isle of Skye,
enjoy.

Des

Bernt, Depends on what you are looking for. "Off-Road" type driving here is usually only at "pay and Play" sites or on forest/farm tracks with the owners permission. Unlike England/Wales we have almost no "Green Lanes" for long distance off-road travel.  There are a couple of Forestry Commission "Forest Drives" but they are gravel roads that any car can drive....

If you are looking for scenic "on tarmac" driving then there are some superb drives - give us a clue about how far you want to go, how long you have, any particular places you want to visit etc ? 

Cheers,

G. 

Thank you for the answers!

@Genem

I want to start in Edinburgh and ride to Fort William.
Fort William to the Isle of Skye
And from the Isle of Skye to... (Do you know some lovely places?)


But we want to sleep overnight in a tent and camp somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Cheers

Bernt

Between Fort William and the ferry to Skye (Mallaig) there is a town 10 miles before Mallaig called Arisaig this is one of scotlands best kept secrets with amazing views and silver sand beaches . This is sign posted arisaig coastal road worth a stay or two before going to skye by ferry. Very little off roading but amazing views and the harry potter train passes through big tourist attraction.  Hopefully the weather is good for you when you come to visit.

Enjoy your trip.

If you decided to go to Skye using the ferry from Mallaig, my advice would be when leaving Skye, do it by the Skye Bridge,
(Ferries in Scotland are  quite expensive and unless totally necessary are best kept for using on the short ones that can save lots of fuel,
some ferry trips mean missing many road side places you might want to visit.)
Maybe the best way is VIA Fort William to Torridon & Shieldaig, Applecross & Skye and leave by the Ferry to Mallaig.
http://www.calmac.co.uk

ie The Corran Ferry,,
You might take this 6 minute ferry if you were not going into Fort William,
*You will pass here if you come through Glencoe or come down from Oban.
 but most likely you want Fort William & Ben Nevis.
Yet taking the Ferry takes you onto wonderful places & routes.
Saves driving around 30 miles to get to the other side.
(I preffer using this ferry as i return South after i have been nothwards)
http://www.lochabertransport.org.uk
see ferries.

Well worth when visiting Applecross or the 'Bealach Na Ba' from the first reply,
to go to 'Sheldaig' & to Torridon.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shieldaig/shieldaig/index.html

*I would fill up with fuel & food when you have the chance and carry spare fuel.
places like Shieldaig will often have only one Hotel/Pub, no shop & no filling station.*
Different times can be very different, but fuel stops can be some distance if one you were counting on is unavailable.

Many many pretty special places to make a visit to on your return trip,
depends on if your route is back by Inverness or to Fort William.
Google
'Road to the Isles' & 'Silver Sands of Morar'.
'Undiscovered Scotland' is quite handy for info.

http://www.roadtotheisles.co.uk
http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk

Camping near here. Worth a night someplace in Glencoe or before Ballachulish IMO.
I would go on a trip like yours VIA Glencoe.
http://www.clachaig.com
Worth a night just down the road from here.
http://www.redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk
The 'Scottish Midge' will be your August problem possibly.

george

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5mh4SbjWs

WOW! Thank you georgew!!!

the route from inverness , over the black isle and all the way up to wick is very scenic on a good day with great views 
a quick look on the map will show the route 

Glencoe is stunning and the clachaig is worth a wee visit but thats already been suggested. Thats my favourite road for a daytrip

camusdarroch beach between arisaig and mallaig is a must, also a good area to camp in general

Yep, Glencoe is spectacular and the Clachaig is a must.

George has mentioned the red squirrel campsite which is great but if you can't be bothered camping there's also a hostel half a mile from the Clachaig which is quite cheap.

If you want to wild camp there is also some great spots just south of Glencoe on the road to Glen Etive, turn left at the Kingshouse hotel before you enter Glencoe, just off the A82.

Loads of great walks around that area as well.

Stephen

Remember there are 2 Kingshouse Hotels for this route.

'Kingshouse', Balquhidder, Perthshire on the A84
&
the 'Kingshouse' Glencoe, just across the road from the Glencoe Ski Centre road.

http://www.glencoemountain.com/location.html

george

I am also coming over for a drive,unfortunatley I'll be in a hire car not a Landy. Thanks for all your advice so far.

My suggestion is quite simple. Buy a good detailed roadmap then take a drive up the little side-roads, take the long way round etc. The main trunk roads will give you some great views...but at 100Kph and behind a big truck its not the same experience you'll get at 45 Kph on a road all on your own.

Be in no hurry to get to the big towns on your itinerary. Fort William is nothing to write home about - 1960s architecture and the normal chain retail outlets. Its the forests, mountains and glens on the way there that make the trip.

This is the road through Glenshee heading north to Ballater from Perth.



 

This is some views of 2 routes that are often pretty free of traffic, perfect views just from the public roads.

The first is in the South of Scotland and near the Border as you arrive from England. (Abington Services area)
The second route includes the A93 from Perth & over Glenshee, taking you to Balmoral and over the Cairngorms to the Moray Firth.
http://www.forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?t=69039
http://www.forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?t=68860
The day after this trip in 2012 & the  10 days of heat wave the roads were covered in Snow.

george

& part of my favourite road in any direction, Carrbridge to Nairn or Elgin.
Worth taking slow & enjoying the views.
Going North at Sunrise on this road is an experience worth trying to achieve.
Heading South during sunset gives amazing views of the Cairngorms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG8UZmMYJt0