Towing from Dunnet to Ullapool

Fairliered
Fairliered Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited May 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

As part of next month’s tour we will be travelling from Dunnet to Ullapool. Does anyone have experience of the A839 / A837 route via Lairg and Ledmore Junction? Is it easily towable, or do you recommend travelling back down to Dingwall and across the A835? We will be travelling on a Sunday, if that makes a difference. Thanks.

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,147 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #2

    You’ll be fine via Durness and Scourie.

    There’s another very similar thread running. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #3

    The Lairg road is also ok too if there is some reason for going down to that route. You don't need to go back as far as Dingwall. I don't know which is the quickest route to Ullapool from Dunnet if that comes into your route planning?

  • Fairliered
    Fairliered Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited May 2019 #4

    According to ViaMichelin on caravan setting, via Lairg is 127 miles and 3 hours 21 minutes, via Dingwall is 150 miles and 4 hours, and via Durness is 147 miles and 3 hours 49 minutes. 

    We travelled the North Coast 500 a few years ago (before is was officially named) without a caravan. I was thinking of the Lairg road, but haven’t used it before and am not sure about the amount of traffic on the single track sections, and the ease of passing other traffic.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,147 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #5

    I guess it depends if you want to take in the scenery or go for the shortest route but I thought the object of the exercise from Dunnet to Ullapool was to follow the coastal route. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #6

    I wondered if you just needed to get to Ullapool so that seems the best way to do it, as you asked in your OP. We didn't see too much traffic up that way (hardly any in some places) but of course the NC thing may have changed a lot of things if people are cutting across etc. Forestry work might be quieter on a Sunday too, depends if they are logging in the area. Hope you enjoy your trip. smile

  • Solobay
    Solobay Forum Participant Posts: 156
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    edited May 2019 #7

    If you want to miss the traffic and all the stop/starting I'd suggest A9 down to Golspie and thru Lairg - reckon via Scourie etc could add 1.5/2hrs to your journey

    If you go via Lairg stop at the tweed shop there - excellent choice and quality

  • Alex Cassells
    Alex Cassells Forum Participant Posts: 159
    edited May 2019 #8

    Hi Fairliered, we travelled from Altnaharra to Ullapool via Lairg a couple of years ago. It was fine, no problem. Petrol station in Lairg that sells groceries too. Cheers, Alex.

  • Fairliered
    Fairliered Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited May 2019 #9

    Thanks to all who replied. As we have already travelled the route via Durness, we will try the Lairg route. Always like to see somewhere new!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #10

    Hope you enjoy it, we found the fuel and shop at Lairgs mentioned by Alex C was a welcome sight, there aren't many around! smile