Touring in northwest Scotland
We went to the far north of Scotland last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so much that we’re going back this year. Last year I was very cautious and used
pretty safe routes for caravans by going up the east coast to Dunnet Bay and back via Altnaharra and Kinlochewe CC sites. Altnaharra is a top site!
I’ve been studying maps for a trip this year around the far NW and west where the CC site map shows steep and very steep gradients on main A roads; the map
legend comments these roads are generally unsuitable for caravans. However, looking at OS and Michelin maps, checking with Google Street View, it appears that many of these roads have been widened and gradients reduced. The online OS map shows hardly any main
road steep gradients, far less than the CC site map, and in Google Street View you can see where cuttings have been created and the road widened and straightened.
A good example is the A838 just north of Laxford Bridge where the road drops down to Laxford Bay, a steepish hill but nevertheless a very good quality road.
On the A894 from Scourie to Unapool the CC map shows a very steep gradient but the OS shows no adverse gradient at all. I also noticed a camp site on Google Street View at Scourie with two caravans, how did they get there?! Many of these roads are standard
two-way; much better than some of the ‘safe’ routes we took last year.
My Abbey Impression is 6.9m long towed by a Volvo XC70 AWD, a fairly long total length but a very capable tow car.
Could anyone advise or has anyone any recent experience of towing in this exceptionally beautiful part of the world? Maybe the CC map needs updating?
Comments
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Hi there Saf1......we are touring Scotland now ...April/May 2019. I googled the Scourie road you were referring to 4 years ago and you came up in CC website ! I am a bit twitchy re the chevrons which are still on the CC map and was attempting to persuade husband to take the route that you cautiously took before I read your CC post. What I want to know is did you go ? Use the chevrons roads ? How was it ? We have a motorhome ...only 6 metres in length ...but considerably taller than a caravan....not that that should figure unless windy. Would really appreciate the benefit of your experience !
Cheers
Moderator Edit:
Please note that the OP is five years old so I doubt that you'll get a response.
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Have been to the NW corner many times and as long as you take care on the single track sections, all roads are easily navigated with a van in tow. The only problem is the popularity of the NC500 route now. The site at Scourie is fabulous - stayed many times, the sunsets are amazing.
We have an XC70 and a 7.4m Bailey Madrid’s and have towed the A838 from Lairg to Laxford and then up to Durness several times, again take care and it’s fine.
Enjoy your stay, you will want to return again and again !
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Thanks all for that advice. I am planning to go from Ullapool to Scourie. So I'll let you know if I have any problems.
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You’ll be fine. We did it in a MH but saw others with caravans.
The pic was taken at Sango Sands, Durness. The caravan on the right we met again at Ardmair Point, Ullapool so they travelled the Durness/Scourie/Ullapool road and survived.
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Just back from 2 weeks up north - drove the road from Ullapool up to Scourie and tbh nothing I would consider heavy going with a caravan - though there are some loner protracted rises. After Durness heading for Tongue there is one particular climb that is steep with a real hairpin - doable but its a 2-3 mile steep climb
The road to the Altnaharra site is a wee belter, single track twisty, some humpback corners but no real climbs
As stated the problem even now is the volume of traffic.
A second is the now transitory nature of people staying one night on many sites - so if you want a longer stay get it booked early
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