That's a good point. I have thought about that option too and if I will be tight on cash, I might do that, but ideally I'd like to follow the coast.
The thing is, I don't think that the Day 1 route would be so tough that I need to shorten it. If anything it will be very boring being on the A9 most of the day and the coastal route from Wick onwards will be there more as a pleasure after the long A9 boredom.
I am more worried about Day 2 route TBH.
However, one of my first plans was to go to Ullapool, spend the night there and then slowly following the west Highlands roads go back home the day after. That'd mean not following the East coastal route, but cutitng it short and stopping in Ullapool for the night. This is still an option.
Hi Adrian and other interested parties. With so many people expressing an interest in touring through Scotland is there any valid reason people cannot get together and share the costs? My home is in Fife and I am a keen photographer and would certainly be open to sharing. It would also be company on the road. My only problem at the moment is that I am working overseas and only get home every three months or so. However, middle of next year I intend to take early retirement and will have all the time I need for such trips. Anyone interested?
It is definitely something to think about.
The problem with me is that I have to plan those things around my work and family. Because of that, this year I only managed one road trip so far (with this "maybe" my second trip).
Also my holiday abroad are long overdue. Its been 4 years since I was abroad last time. Therefore I have a feeling that next year we might go somewhere to enjoy a little bit of sunshine. This might cut my roadtrips even more (maybe even down to zero) due to costs. Sadly, we don't earn a lot data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 and will have to save all year to be able to go somewhere.
Anyway, this is definitely something to keep in mind.
I have looked some more into Bernardc's recommendation (thanks again data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) and I must say that I quite like it. It would mean less of the boring roads, more of good stuff. Also I can visit the North coast and then cut back to Ullapool, spend the night there and the next day follow the west coast to home. That would also leave me more time for photography on the second day, when I expect some better views. Also if my timing would be good, I'd be doing the Durness to Ullapool on the west coast around the sunset data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
That'd also give me more time to visit Applecross and do the famous Bealach na Ba road data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
This would be the route:
Day 1 - 365 miles, around 8.5 hours of driving
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Day 2 - 338 miles, around 8.5 hours which will give me plenty of spare time for photography and would mean I don't have to leave the next day very early
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I'm liking this option better TBH
Does the section between B and C (day 1) cover the A894.Someone at Evo magazine once described it as the best driving road in the UKdata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
When I left the Lakes the other day, I was half tempted to turn left and head North up the M6data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 but had to get back down South for work the next day.
Another time..
Yup part of it is A894. I should be also doing it in sunset, so maybe I can take some half descent photos of it data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
If I can add another option to consider on day 1, particularly if you find you have made slow progress. Just after Altnaharra there is a junction (the only one on that road!). Left will take you even more off the beaten track around the back of Ben Hope to join the north coast road between Tongue & Durness. You will miss a bit more of the coast road but it probably does not matter too much as the road rarely gets a chance to go that near to the coast because of the nature of the landscape. In fact the best bit for viewing the coast is probably the last bit on the approach to Durness. As for the back-road off of a back-road, I have never seen another vehicle on that road and I expect its only used by Forestry lorries and the foolhardy taking a short-cut. It goes quite high and can be closed by snow for long periods in the winter.
I have another detour for you on the west coast north of Ullapool but I am very reluctant to publicise it to such a vast audience. I suppose I feel a bit possessive about it and don't want to ruin it by popularity. It will also, IMNVHO, provide by far the best views on your trip. I will have to think about it, maybe I will PM you.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
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Sounds intriguing data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Feel free to PM me if you decide to let me know the secret road data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
TBH though, I'm not sure I'll have enough daylight for another detour (I can try though data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 ). Judging by the last trip, I'm going to need additional few hours to the 8.5 hours of pure driving. So if I'll add another 2.5-3 hours for coffee breaks, lunch, photo stops, etc. that will be 11 hours. If I leave home 7 am, I'm going to be in Ullapool around 6-6:30 pm. I think sunset is before 6pm as well. Also this time, I don't plan to rush. I want to give myself enough time to grab some half-descent photos. I don't know when (and if) I'll be going up north again.
As for the Ben Hope road - thank you, I'll keep that one in mind data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I also have a question for you. I'm not sure if you are local, but you seem to know those roads really well. Tell me do I miss much by not going through Wick and then following the North Coast west to Durness? Maybe my original idea was not too bad? I'm asking purely from photography point of view. I have a feeling that the North coast of UK is very interesting.
EDIT: I can always leave home at 6 am to give me additional hour (or if needed 5am) data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Was just doing accommodation research and the cheapest I can find around Ullapool for a room for 1 adult for 1 night is around £40-45. That's 2/3 of a tank of petrol. I am considering just sleeping rough in my car somewhere for one night //static.avforums.com/styles/avf/smilies/facepalm.gif
Desperate times... and all of that.
Can always pull over, have a nap then back on it.
Make sure you take some Red Bulldata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7