Touring Scottish highlands

woolleypark
woolleypark Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited March 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We are intending to tour northern Scotland next year, and was wondering if anyone has any advice on the suitability of taking a caravan from Thurso to Ullapool.. Would we be taking a risk by taking this route,, any advice would be appreciated,, Thank You,,

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2017 #2

    What roads are you intending to use, WP? 

    We've been right across the top from Dunnet Bay to Durness and down the west to Ullapool and beyond with no problems. Admittedly it was with a MH but others do it with cvans.

  • woolleypark
    woolleypark Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #3

    Thanks for your comments Tinwheeler,, we would be on A836,-A838-A394-A837 -A835.. I noticed on the map that A836- A838 have passing places. but I assume the traffic would be fairly light on these roads.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2017 #4

    Yes, that's the route we took. I'd suggest not aiming to cover too many miles in old day. I don't recall much of the road being single track and there wasn't a lot of traffic. The passing places are frequent and you can usually see well ahead to know what's approaching. Use the passing places to allow traffic to overtake you as well as for passing oncoming vehicles. I don't think you'll have a problem.

    We used the club sites at Dunnet and Altnaharra, then the Sango Sands site at Durness, on to a site at Scourie, then down to Ardmair Point site and across to DIngwall.

  • Alex Cassells
    Alex Cassells Forum Participant Posts: 159
    edited March 2017 #5

    Hi Woolley park, we were in that area last summer. Visited Altnaharra for a few days. We then headed towards Ullapool via Lairg, to the Ledmore junction. We never had a problem and wouldn't expect anyone to. The roads are used by lorries so are wide enough for vans. It's rare for you not to be able to see far enough ahead to take advantage of the passing places. As you say, the roads are not busy. So no risk at all. Enjoy!. Alex.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #6

    You've  just  received  the  usual  Very  Good  Advice  on  touring  Northern  Scotland  laughing

    As  a  confirmed  lover  of  touring  oop  north  wink  I  assure  you  that  you  will  not  drive  too  fast  'cos  the  scenery  is  great  &  you  don't  want  to  miss  that,  so  you  will  find  it  easy  to  concede  the  road  to  the  working  vehicles,  --  just  look  for  the  Passing  Place  Markers,  usually  a  WHITE  DIAMOND  on  a  pole.

    Remember  its  a  Holiday  so  take  Tinwheelers  advice  &  dont  try  to  cover  too  many  miles  per  day.  Enjoy  the  experience  BUT  take  the  midge  repellent,  such  as  Avons  " Dry  Oil  Skin  So  Soft",  "Smidge  that  midge"  etc  and  use  it  before  they  start  nibbling surprised !!

    If  you  spend  some  time  trawling  thro'  these  threads  on  this  forum  you  should  find  lots  of  info,  90-odd  %  of  which  will  agree  with  the  above  guidance.

     

    Brian

  • ScreenName003805AD34
    ScreenName003805AD34 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #7

    A lovely drive and no major problem for a caravan . if you are dropping off your caravan at Ullapool  ,it is well worth the taking the car on the Assynt road (from Kylesku to Lochinver ) which is spectacular but not at all suitable for caravans , or motorhomes for that matter. Enjoy your trip .

Categories