Towing from Bettyhill to Scourie - safe?

Loki
Loki Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited August 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi,  

Currently near Dunnet Head on the north coast of Scotland - a lovely CL overlooking Pentland Firth to Hoy.  Heading to Loch Eriboll next, and then to Elphin.    

I made the mistake of picking up a tourist map for the North Coast 500 today and there's three exclamation marks between Loch Eriboll and  Kinlochbervie suggesting it's unsuitable for motorhomes over 18'.  

We're in a Swift 590 caravan so the outfit is well over 18'.  I'm an experienced caravaner and towed many miles of Scottish single track before - not too bad if you can see across open ground, such as the road from Lairg to the club site at Altnaharra. 

So how doable is the road from Eriboll to Kinlochbervie, in a 590 caravan?  Safe if done slowly or should it be avoided?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #2

    If you stick to the main road it's fine. I'm not sure about the unclassified roads but the A838 is doable and used by all types of vehicles. I can only recall one stretch where you have high sided roads.

    Kinlochbervie is a few miles off the A838 and we've not done that bit but Bettyhill to Scourie - no problem. Our MH is 21ft and caravans longer than us were on site at Durness. 

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #3

    Absolutely no problem.  There is good visibility so  you can see when you need to pull into a passing place, just take it easy.  We have done the route twice, our outfit is 13 metres total length....about 42 feet plus.

    You should also use the passing places to let faster vehicles pass you.

    You will find  lorries and buses on the route, if they can do it so can you!

  • Loki
    Loki Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited August 2017 #4

    Thanks for the reassurance.  

    If you ever need a CL up this way, I recommend a fairly new one near Castle of Mey.  It's called Viewfirth.  Hookups and hard standing.  Splendidly quiet with a walk down to a bay.  Extensive sea views over the Pentland Firth to Hoy.  Will give them a good review. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #5

    I don't think much of that stretch is single track road now Kjell. They've gradually widened it in recent years.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #6

    That's good, it is a few years since we were last there. Hoping to revisit next year.

    I remember most of it as being a sort of 1 1/2 carriageway road, OK for 2 cars to pass, but we had to pull in if we met a lorry.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #7

    Been there, done that, Loki. We thought it a great site. Hope your trip goes well.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #8

    I meant to say that we didn't stay there but saw where the site is on our way to and from Gills Bay.

     

    Yes, have a good trip, Loki. 

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