The road between Durness - Scourie - Ullapool is immense and you can always break it up with a stop off in Lochinver for a pie - LINK and trip across to the Summer Isles past Stac Pollaidh etc.Cracking roads and well worth the detour.
Not big fan of Red Bull (not anymore after overdosing it few times some years ago), but will be drinking plenty of coffee.
As for a nap, I'd prefer to get some good night sleep and spend the days driving/photographing data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I can always take a sleeping bag with me, drop the back seats and lay down there (and maybe put a blanket over me as well). It's only few hours.
Yes, I can't wait for that bit. It will be a great end to the Day 1. I plan to do the boring bit as quickly as possible with as little stops as possible (home - Inverness) and only from then take things much slower. Stop for photos more often and enjoy the remote places and quiet roads.
As for restaurants, as much as I'd like to, I don't think I'll be able to afford that //static.avforums.com/styles/avf/smilies/facepalm.gif Maybe a quick stop for a coffee and away I go. As I said, the money (or lack of it) will be (very) limiting factor on that trip.
That is the route I plan to take on the Durness - Ullapool bit. It should be late afternoon/early evening when I'll be on it.
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Why don't you camp?There are several campsites all along the routes you will be taken.See ukcampsite.co.uk and coolcamping.co.uk.Sleeping in the car sounds uncomfortable.
I did that very route (north and south) about 5 or 6 weeks ago and can confirm that you will thoroughly enjoy it.Watch out for sheep the farther north you go but the lambing season is hopefully passed now and hopefully they will be more road wise.There were loads of young lambs near the road when I drove it.A flask of coffee and some home-made sarnies should hopefully keep you sustained for the trip.Enjoy!
A little taster photo, of where i drove yesterday.......
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Full write up with photos and videos to come data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I was thinking about camping too, but it being the end of September I think it would be warmer in the car. Beside I don't have a tent and would have to borrow one (or buy one). Still considering though.
Switzerland!
Yep, Switzerland and up the Grand St Bernard pass, all 2473 metres of it.
Can't wait for the photos and the write up!
Adrian,
I have travelled every road north of the Great Glen at least once. Unfortunately only travelled the last bit of the A9 to Thurso once many years ago as a student. I was badly hung over and retired to my sleeping bag in the back of the van somewhere near Helmsdaledata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 My mates said I did not miss that much as it was similar to what had been before. The north coast gradually becomes more dramatic as you head further west.
For cheap accomodation, there is a hotel in Lochinver that used to be very cheap. I have not stayed there for 30years but it still looks the same.It was quite a rough but interesting place. Lochinver is a fishing port and trawlers from all over the world dock to unload and take advantage of the good EU funded road to get their catch back to their home markets asap. It can get very rowdy with lots of salty seamen letting off steamdata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Lochinver pies are divine if fairly expensive but the pub next door (The Caberfeidh) does some of the best fish and chips I have ever tasted (can'tget fresher) with a cheap option of fish strips (they call em Fish Fingers) and a basket of chips. It would be a mortal sin to go there and not try them.
I will post later on the other option/treasured road.
Another taster photo........
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