Fair point, Marko..

RAC route planner makes Ullapool to Mallaig (via Torridon & Applecross);

161 miles & 5 hours 5 minutes.

admittedly it routes us back down the A835 to Garve before going South West on the A832 again and misses out the coastal route. And makes Applecross a spur rather than part of the route.

This in turn would miss Mellon Udrigle and Loch Maree

so, confirming Mark's observation;

Ullapool to Mallaig,

via Mellon Udrigle beach on the A832, via Poolewe & Loch Maree, Torridon, Applecross, Lochcarron & Kyle of Lochalsh,

is indeed 185 miles and 6 hours on the head

OR

we could miss Mellon Udrigle, go back South East from Ullapool to Garve on the A835, then West on the A832/A896 again to Torridon, through Sheildaig and then South over Applecross, back East past Lochcarron A896 and down to Kyle & Skye/ Mallaig

166 miles & 5 hours 19mins

we keep the coastal lower route but miss out Gruinard and Poolewe

Whatever way we do it- once you add stops and breaks it will be a 7 hour trip at least. Far too long for fun. We will need to either- stopover much earlier, move south on second night as Simon has said, or start the first night south of Ullapool

2 hours driving with a leisurely lunch in-between, stops for sightseeing visits , walks, tea and coffee stops etc. can add up to a 5 hour trip quite easily. I think we need to limit the actual driving time between stopovers to 1 to 2 hours.

As an example - Our round trip to Moffat last year was around about 100 miles for most of us, and that took up most of a day.

fair point- good example

standby for Day 3 revision/ please contribute alternative concepts...

I certainly will go with the flow, but for those who have never done the Applecross pass will miss out big time. Just saying.....

PS Could we have one night where we could have really have the craic & bit of this that & the other & set off a bit later the next day after a hearty breakfast & blethers what went on the previous night....

Point taken, Jimboy!



Obviously not everyone is coming from Edinburgh- but this is a little ready reckoner of major figures for people to absorb...

Edinburgh to Ullapool- 4hrs 10mins / 210 miles

Ullapool to Plockton (direct)- 1hr 53mins / 83 miles

Ullapool to Plockton (via, Sanna, Applecross)- 3hrs 53mins / 134 miles

Plockton to Mallaig (Arisaig)- 1hr 43mins / 33 miles (!)

Mallaig (Arisaig) to Edinburgh- 4hrs 2 mins / 184 miles

Doh! I never figured in South from me travel times....

Aye senior moment & all that.

sorry Jim- that wasn't a direct response to you!

Well, the 1st line was obviously- but the figures underneath are for people to grasp what a re-jig of Day 2 & 3 might involve...

Or if this section is over-long, stop short of Plockton in say Strathcarron where there is an 11-room hotel. Lochcarron only has a 2-room B&B.

Ok paring down again, is there mileage in bypassing Ullapool, turning left off the A835 onto A832 and heading for Poolewe for night 1 ....

As far as Applecross is concerned do we forget the loooooong trek round the coast and just "do it" as a spur and lunch there on Day 2 or do we forget it altogether...

So far we seem to be ok in principle about Day 3's modest mileage and ferry fun

Just my thoughts but Applecross pass & beyond is probably the best scenery of the trip, it would be a shame for those who haven't seen this part of Scotland to miss out.

I will however go with the flow....

I'm with jimboy on this.

also.... the plan of getting to the Gairloch/Poolewe on the first night is a good one ). Then next day down to Plockton via Applecross pass is a more civilised driving time of 2.5 hours. Plockton is a lovely place to spend an afternoon and an overnight. Then onward next day via Skye.

I know there is a lot of sights to take in & I've already said that I will go with the flow what ever is agreed, my only concerns are securing accommodation. Stating the obvious, once agreed, bookings should be made sooner rather than later.

I certainly don't want to jump in here, but I'd like to see this road trip be a success.

Plockton accommodation seems cheaper than Strathcarron and more choice. Fine with that.

So a possible might now be:

Day 1

Edinburgh-Poolewe c.4.5 hrs, picking up MattB and jimboy en route, Dianne at Poolewe?

Day 2

Poolewe-Plockton via Applecross, coast route

Day 3

Plockton-Arisaig via Skye (this I am liking )

Day 4

Arisaig-home via Crianlarich/Callendar

That sounds great.

To my ears...

Let's try and firm up by the end of the weekend and as jimboy says we shouldn't delay in booking accommodation. Ferries may have to wait until the next summer season's timetable is issued, but perhaps due to their sail frequency that's not such a problem?

Hum Head as we like to call you in the trade.

Yes looking good.

Might I suggest the last night that we go on to stay Glenfinnan House Hotel on the shores of Loch Sheil. It's a fantastic location and venue with excellent food in the restaurant and also food served in the bar . Great craic and excellent musicians usually frequent and play in the bar. Bit of a family haunt since the 1970's though I personally haven't been there for a good few years. I'm pretty sure I can get us a good rate at the hotel and arrange some group activities, and there is a boat cruise down the Loch from right outside the Hotel as well as the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glenfinnan Monument. One of my brothers is a local now and lives just up the road at Glenuig, so pretty sure he will hook up with us also.

My Sister lives in Gairloch which is just next to Poolewe so I will get her to give me info on which Hotels to use (or not) there.

"Hum head"?

Well it's got to be better than "noise-boyz" with a 'z' that service people used to use at NL

*cringe*

facts & figures from Edinburgh-

(apologies to those not coming from this neck of the woods)

Day 1

Edinburgh-Poolewe c.4.5 hrs, picking up MattB and jimboy en route, Dianne at Poolewe?- 4hrs 43mins / 229 miles

Day 2

Poolewe-Plockton via Applecross, coast route- 3hrs 19mins / 102 miles

Day 3

Plockton-Arisaig via Skye (this I am liking cool )- 1hr 53mins / 41 miles

Day 4

Arisaig-home via Crianlarich/Callendar- 4hrs 5mins / 169 miles

Dates Added!

Day 1 Thursday 16th June

Edinburgh-Poolewe c.4.5 hrs, picking up MattB and jimboy en route, Dianne at Poolewe?- 4hrs 43mins / 229 miles

Day 2 Friday 17th

Poolewe-Plockton via Applecross, coast route- 3hrs 19mins / 102 miles

Day 3 Saturday 18th June

Plockton-Arisaig - 1hr 53mins / 41 miles

Plockton Glenfinnan via Skye 2hr 19mins / 59 miles

Day 4 Sunday 19th June
Homeward

Arisaig-Edinburgh via Crianlarich/Callendar- 4hrs 5mins / 169 miles(for those in Edinburgh Area)

Glenfinnan _ Stronsay approx 9hrs 31mins
Glenfinnan - Inverness approx 2hrs
Glenfinnan - Beauly 1hr 56mins
Glenfinnan - Linlithgow/Whitburn/Livingston approx 3hrs 10mins
Glenfinnan - Edinburgh approx 3hrs 25mins


We don't all have to stay in the same place on the Saturday night as I believe several of us have preferences where to stay.
We can always all meet up on the Sunday for lunch before people start heading home.

None of this is set in stone yet and can be adapted if needed.

Yes, no need to convoy home particularly but Sunday lunch would be good.

I'm not fussy where the accommodation is on Saturday night - it was only Bern's suggestion that flagged up Arisaig. Looking at the map again Sanna Bay is another fair chunk of driving on the last day viz. 56 miles (105 min) there and the same back again.

How about Killin for lunch on journey home, setting for 39 Steps (Kenneth More version ) - it's under 2 hours from Glenfinnan.

Beauly to Poolewe is only 65 miles 1 1/2 hrs just a wee drive for me on the first day. Obviously last day I will be going in the opposite direction.... The Loch Inn Fort Augustus for lunch, overlooking the canal staircase locks. the food is brilliant.

I meant in the area as I wasn't intending going home that early Simon.
Though I have nine months to decide and may change my mind several times.

I prefer the 1935 version.

Nothing stopping you coming down and meeting us a bit further down the road Jim, perhaps near where we might also be picking up MattB?

Was envisaging perhaps Kingussie or Newtonmore......not sure about Aviemore, is that good to stop in?

Someone mentioned Mallaig before me. Much as I like the area, driving between there and Fort William is very dull and it's ground I've covered before so it's not essential to suit me.
I think if there's going to be a final night blowout then all being within staggering distance of each other makes sense. However if space is limited I'd quite happily continue on home and skip the potential to embarrass myself!
I'm easy whatever is agreed.

Aviemore for me personally is not a place to stop & get a Highland experience. Very busy, food & Hotels are nothing to write home about. At holiday times it can be hoaching with families & their kids.... far too noisy .

I'll bide my time Simon & meet you all at Beauly, nice place for lunch....

That was my hunch Jim.

We'll make a coffee stop earlier then and see you at Beauly

I going to decide over the next 9 months where I stop for a cuppa

That's why you're coming with us to help you make up your mind

I'll research the g/f places