(With apologies to American Pie.)

Just back from a trip to the far north-west of Scotland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51529540@N08/4938178818/

Good points.

Engine is smooth, quiet and very economical (58mpg)

With the raised boot floor and the rear seat backs folded forward there is flat area with plenty of room for a weeks worth of kit, including bedding.

The rear footwells were still accessible for muddy boots and wellies.

No hesitation in pulling off the road to pass large vehicles on single track roads.

Not so good points.

Ride is still too firm. On smooth surfaced roads, even quite bumpy ones, the suspension works well. However the tyres slap into road joints and patter over patched tarmac producing sharp vertical jerks. Tyre sidewalls generally filter out many of the small variations in road surfaces but I think the Yeti is over-tyred for its weight. My last car, of about the same weight, had a 110 hp diesel option which came fitted with 185/65 tyres on 6J rims. I don't believe 205/60 tyres on 7J rims are necessary on a 110 Tdi 2WD except for looks. I would gladly sacrifice a little on-the limit handling for a more compliant ride.

The front seats are not comfortable for small people. My wife and I are 5'4". She complains that the front edge of the seat cuts into the back of her knees and I find the lack of lumbar support a real problem. I have to use a folded towel in the small of my back to get comfortable. I have had lumbar adjustment on the drivers seat on all my cars for the last 20 years and cannot imagine why Skoda restrict it the the Elegance trim.

Despite not seeing a single Yeti on the 4 hour drive north, there were two Yetis in Laide, a community of around 20 houses!

Hey, good going there hazy, nice road report...makes me more eager to ge mine on the road. I'm picking it up on 1st Sept.

Hazy Thanks for sharing the photo's can't wait to get mine and take it on a photo shoot.

Same here, and I've only got 52hrs to go

Picking him up 1pm on 1st Sept

SOOOOO group, stand by for a photo OVERLOAD

I have a photobox account so I will post the link as soon as I've uploaded all 7500

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51529540@N08/4938178818/

Despite not seeing a single Yeti on the 4 hour drive north, there were two Yetis in Laide, a community of around 20 houses!

Nice photo - reminded me of this one:

We're seeing more Yetis in the far north of Scotland now.

Good to see a Yeti in its natural habitat

(With apologies to American Pie.)

Just back from a trip to the far north-west of Scotland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51529540@N08/4938178818/

Very very nice pictures and scenery, I guess you are not a rookie with the camera!

Well spotted tarbat. That is the same jetty as in the Yeti photo. It is the Laide jetty beside the old salmon netting station with the distinctive shape of Ben Ghobhlach in the background. Lovely part of the world.

One of my favourite places. SM didn't arrive for this year's trip north but looking forward to next year already.....

Sounds lovely

I have just booked a holiday up in Perthshire over Christmas, so I hope my SM turns up in time! I might need the 4x4 then. I hear it snows occasionally in Scotland!

First thing I might have to do it fit winter tyres and put the summer ones away.

Mike

Sounds lovely

I have just booked a holiday up in Perthshire over Christmas, so I hope my SM turns up in time! I might need the 4x4 then. I hear it snows occasionally in Scotland!

First thing I might have to do it fit winter tyres and put the summer ones away.

Mike

Hi Mike,

having done a 180 in my Monster on these daft sports tyres in the snow to the winter tyre idea. Had mine ordered within hours of my

TP