|
|
|
Route |
|
|
|
Due to the nature of the roads in this area, this run cannot be in the form of a 'convoy', but small groups will be encouraged to make their own way to the points of interest. We will arrange to meet up for lunch somewhere along the route, but you are encouraged to travel at your own pace.
This run will depart from the Drumnadrochit Visitor Information centre on the A82 Loch Ness road and will head South West along the banks of Loch Ness until turning West on the Road to the Isles. We'll follow the coastal roads as much as possible. We will cover approx 100 miles on the first day, ending up in Applecross for an evening meal and accommodation.
Points of interest on the first day include...Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Plockton and Lochcarron.
Overnight accommodation will be on the campsite at Applecross where tent pitches or cabins can be reserved, or in local B&Bs.
Sundays route will take us North towards Torridon then West towards Poolewe before heading South, back down to Inverness. There is a shortcut for those that want to leave earlier.
The provisional route is as follows:
Leave here by 11:10 or you'll miss lunch.
WC's, Tea and coffee shop. Make sure you leave here by 12:30 or else you'll miss lunch!
Entry is �5.50 for most, �4.50 for concessions.
Aim to leave Drumnadrochit by 9am
We should arrive at Eilean Donan at about 10:30. We must leave here by 12:30 to be in time for lunch in Plockton.
We must be thinking of leaving Plockton by 14:45 to allow time to get to the Bealach for 4pm
It would be nice if we could all meet up on the top car park on the bealach at 4pm
Because of numbers, we may be limited to where we can eat on the Saturday night. I suggest we all meet at the 'Polytunnel' on the campsite which should be able to cater for our large numbers
Aim to leave Applecross area by 10am
We should be at the Old Inn, Gairloch for 13:30 lunch
We must be thinking of leaving Gairloch by 15:00
There are a few routes to Inverness:
1 The fast route via Stirling, Perth and the infamous A9 (which is very pretty but quite fast)
2 The Eastern route. Go through Perth and head North to Blairgowrie, through Glenshee and
over the Lecht (Cockbridge to Tomintoul Road) towards Grantown on Spey. A very remote route with a couple of steep climbs
with stunning views (and two ski centers). If going this way, take the shortcut that bypasses Ballater for a trip over the moors.
3 The A82. This route takes you around Glasgow, over the Erskine Bridge, up Loch Lomond, through Tyndrum, Glen Coe, Fort William and up through the Great Glen. It takes approx 1 hour longer than the A9
but is a very much more enjoyable route taking in some of Scotlands best scenery. It can be a bit slow due to tourist traffic.
If coming from the South on the A82 (route 3) to Inverness, I can recommend a small detour to whet your appetite for the Bealach on the Saturday.
At Fort Augustus (South Loch Ness) turn right onto the B862 Glendoe road and after a few miles, then take the B852 towards Foyers. Continue along this road (General Wades
Military Road) until you get to Inverfarigaig. In Inverfarigaig take the second right towards Torness.
This is the 'hidden' road or 'Corkscrew' road as it's called. Its is very small, rarely driven and has got some cracking
gradients and hairpins in it. At Torness, continue North, dropping down into Dores and continuing on to Inverness.
Brian is considering continuing on from Inverness and going up to Durness and beyond to John O' Groats in the days following to trip.
If anyone is interested in joining him, please get in touch.
Miles
Time
Location
Comments
0
0:00
Drumnadrochit
Meet in the Visitor Information car park in the middle of the village on the A82. WC's here and a coffee shop across the road.
1
0:02
Lewiston
Fuel on RHS
2
0:04
A82 - Urqhart Castle. Very good visitors centre (make sure you take in the movie first!)
Opens at 9:30. �7 and �5.50 concession (free to Historic Scotland Members).
12
0:25
Invermoriston
Turn right (A887) toward Kyle of Lochalsh. Follow road up Glenmoriston. Be aware, that this fast road which turns into a single-track road unexpectedly. Uphill now for the next 13 miles.
16
0:30
Hydro electric Power Station
Car Park on LHS.
18
0:32
Dundreggan
Road goes to single track with passing places here for next 2 miles
28
0:44
Clunie Dam
Watch out for deer on unfenced roads
35
0:49
Cluanie Inn
Large Car Park. Fuel, WC, tea. All downhill now for the next 10 miles.
37
0:52
Glen Shiel
Battlefield Site
46
1:05
Shiel Bridge.
Fuel on LHS
48
1:09
Causeway
Car Park on RHS after crossing causeway. Good views of Loch Duich
48
1:10
Inverinate
51
1:18
Fuel
53
1:20
Eilean Donan Castle
Car Park on LHS. Turn immediately right in Car Park, around buildings to large car-park on West Side (Marked as overflow car park)
57
1:25
Balmacara
Ignore signs for Stromefery and Coastal Route
61
1:31
Kyle of Lochalsh. Shops, Bank, Fuel, WCs
Turn right at traffic lights (signed 'Plockton'). Right at first 'T'-junction and left at next (signed 'Plockton 6')
62
1:32
Badicaul
64
1:35
Drumbuie
Follow signs to 'Plockton'
67
1:45
Plockton. Shops, WC. Lunch!
Drive down to the sea and turn right (free car park). Alternatively, park on roadside on hill
68
1:47
After lunch, leave Plockton - retrace route for 1 mile, and take Left turn (marked 'Stromeferry 6')
72
2:00
Achmore
Keep following signs for Stromeferry
72
2:03
T-Junction. Turn left on A890 and head for LochCarron (ignore signs for Stromeferry)
Watch out for steep down-hill
77
2:10
Tunnel - single track!.
80
2:15
Strathcarron - railway crossing.
81
2:16
T-Junction with A896. Turn Left for LochCarron
83
2:20
LochCarron. Parking on seafront. WCs, Fuel(LHS), Shops
88
2:30
Kishorn
90
2:33
Left Hand Turn. Brown and white signs for 'Applecross' and 'Wester Ross Coastal Trail'
This is the start of the 'Bealach na Ba'
96
2:48 mins
Large car park on LHS with views (of cloud).
It would be nice to get a group photo here.
101
3:00 mins
Applecross Campsite on LHS (well signed)
Miles
Time
Location
Comments
0
0
Leave Applecross
2
0:04
Applecross house and walled garden on RHS
7
0:14
Beach on LHS.
Car park 50 yds down the turning for the beach. Visit 'Montys' cottage or climb the dunes.
Also a neolithic stone shelter adjacent to the car park
10
0:19
Lonbain village
12
0:22
Viewpoint on LHS with views over Rona, Raasay and Skye
13
0:24
Coft wools and weaver on LHS
15
0:27
Trees on the LHS!!!
18
0:32
Arrina village. Stained glass workshop
21
0:40
Road brows giving good views for next few miles
22
0:42
Ardheslaig village
25
0:51
Angora Ecosse
27
0:55
T-junction. Turn left to Shieldaig
28
0:56
Shieldaig village. Toilets at far end
35
1:08
Pass turning to Torridon. Single-track road
45
1:12
Kinlochewe
Turn left (signed Ullapool A835). Fuel 100 yds on LHS after junction
46
1:14
Glen Eigh visitor centre
Car park on LHS. Can regroup here and get tea/coffee
52
1:26
Car park on RHS next to Loch Maree
Good wide road here
56
1:31
Victoria Falls. Car park on LHS
62
1:43
Gairloch.
Old Inn on RHS. Follow signs to car park at rear. Solas Gallery here also
65
1:45
Fuel on RHS
Beach, shops, toilets, museum and heritage center
71
1:53
Poolewe
Shops, coffee shop and bistro.
73
1:58
Inverewe Gardens
Gardens and restaurant just out of town on far side.
�8.50, �5.50 concessions. Free for National Trust members.
79
2:08
Altbea
81
2:12
Laide village.
Post Office, Fuel and Gruinard Bay.
82
2:18
Car park on RHS
Sandy beach - good road
92
2:24
Badcaul village
95
2:32
Camusnagaul
Maggies tearoom on LHS
97
2:33
Dundonnel
Fuel and Hotel (Sunday opening)
110
2:50
Corrieshalloch Gorge
Car park on LHS.
111
2:51
T-junction with A835. Turn right to Inverness (A835)
122
3:04
Altguish Inn
134
3:20
Tarvie Services
End of Run. Tea, coffee and snacks available.