Going off at a tangent from Peter's http://www.briskoda....-grossglockner/ , other interesting roads were discussed and CFB recommended a visit to Nanny's at Shieldaig on Loch Torridon for home-made cakes and tea . As he and I are both (separately) visiting Scotland later this year, has anyone else got any other advice, comments or whatever on places to visit or give a miss, where to eat or not, and so on?

SWMBO and I visited Skye a few years ago but this time we're planning to go right up the frilly north-west coast and across the wild north. Our return will be generally down the east coast apart from routing through Aviemore. And we don't usually do cities, thanks, so we'll probably be bypassing Edinverdeen.

If you're coming back down the East Coast,try the /www.anstrutherfishbar.co.uk/ Fish bar at Anstruther (Ainster, if you're asking the way) and if you like Fish and Chips, of course

Plenty of Yeti friendly roads throughout Scotland.

If you're coming back down the East Coast,try the /www.anstrutherfishbar.co.uk/ Fish bar at Anstruther (Ainster, if you're asking the way) and if you like Fish and Chips, of course Yes, we are - and do!

Plenty of Yeti friendly roads throughout Scotland. Probably our last major expedition pre-Yeti (if current delivery forecasts are reasonably good)

Thanks for that!

Ah, this is where you got to brijo

Nice roads and great scenery?

You could do worse than go through Glen Sheil and Glen Coe. I suspect you've been there already?

If not, i recommend south to north for both.

While you are in that area you could stop for a bowl of Cullen Skink at The Green Wellie Stop at Tyndrum.

An overnight stay at The George in Inverary is highly recommended. Beautiful grub.

At Loch Ness you can get to the waters edge at both the south and north ends, though the north ends requires a 5 min walk.

We have done the north up the west coast and south down east coast route so this year we are going to go the other way.

Right up to John O Groats and sticking to the coastal roads where possible (obviously going the other way over the Bealach na Ba on the way ) before spending some time around Stirling

Applecross Inn 10/10. If you have ever done Hardknot Pass in the West Lakes you'll catch my drift. Good shout about Shieldaig, Torridon Inn has some good food and a good price. Cape Wrath - Sandwood Bay...loads of places mate.

Ullapool to Durness via Lochinver is one of the finest drives anywhere- jfdi...

Our return will be generally down the east coast apart from routing through Aviemore.

The east coast is the duller bit of Scotland - I can say that because I live there - apart, of course, from some of the post-industrial parts of the central belt. Stick to the west, particularly the north-west, and the Central Highlands unless you have a strong reason to do otherwise. On the way back to civilisation, Stirling Castle has recently completed a big refurbishment and is well worth a visit - it's rapidly becoming one of Scotland's top destinations.

You migh find something of interest on this site http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/ and on the same person's previous site http://www.extramilescotland.co.uk/inverness-and-the-scottish-highlands.asp . For the latter I have linked to a particular page with recommendations of places to stay in the Highlands that have given exceptional service (which is too often still lacking in the Scottish hospitality industry).

I would disagree with the above post ... the east coast is far nicer than the west coast! Give me Aberdeenshire, Fife or East Lothian over the west coast any day of the week! Personal thing off course!

Ah, this is where you got to brijo Yes - thanks for rejoining!

Glen Sheil and Glen Coe. I suspect you've been there already? Yes - but doing them again, I think

...a bowl of Cullen Skink at The Green Wellie Stop at Tyndrum You knew someone would ask. WTH??

...The George in Inverary is highly recommended. Beautiful grub Prob not this time

... Loch Ness you can get to the waters edge at both the south and north ends... Do I remember some pics or video of some Yetis paddling here?

...this year we are going to go the other way... We're going clockwise and will watch out for an approaching Musco Yeti. You might wave if you see a Zink Grey (warm silver-ish) X-T.

...Cape Wrath - Sandwood Bay... Desperately appealing but we'd have to find another couple of days to do them justice

Ullapool to Durness via Lochinver is one of the finest drives anywhere- jfdi... Just will! Prob B&B at Lochinver

The east coast is the duller bit of Scotland... You're being too modest, given that you also prompt the links

http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/vikings.html and http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/midges-in-scotland.html . Seems there's a bit of history there, too. It doesn't have to be all lumpy bits and water.

Glen Sheil and Glen Coe. I suspect you've been there already? Yes - but doing them again, I think

Watch out for the bagpipe player!

...a bowl of Cullen Skink at The Green Wellie Stop at Tyndrum You knew someone would ask. WTH??.

if you could see the number of my deleted attempts at describing it!?!?!.

best look at this... http://britishfood.about.com/od/fishandseafoo1/r/cullenskink.htm

... Loch Ness you can get to the waters edge at both the south and north ends... Do I remember some pics or video of some Yetis paddling here?

maybe the pics were of mine but, if so, that would have been with it's feet in the sea at the Lindisfarne Causeway?

...this year we are going to go the other way... We're going clockwise and will watch out for an approaching Musco Yeti. You might wave if you see a Zink Grey (warm silver-ish) X-T.

you'll have a sore waving hand by the time you get home. we saw sooo many last year

Watch out for the bagpipe player!

Oh, he's not still there, is he?!

if you could see the number of my deleted attempts at describing it!?!?!.

best look at this... http://britishfood.about.com/od/fishandseafoo1/r/cullenskink.htm

Madam's not sure, but I think it sounds interesting. Especially as it's The Green Wellie Stop (really?!). Could be a useful lunch place anyway after a morning's dash round the edge of Glasgow.

maybe the pics were of mine but, if so, that would have been with it's feet in the sea at the Lindisfarne Causeway?

Haven't found yours yet. Loch Ness was in a womenandwheels review, not there now it seems, but I downloaded it for Madam's benefit/instruction (it worked!).

By the way, the XT is Zinc Grey. I was distracted by your Skink...

I was up there a couple of years ago too in a Jeep rather than my nice new Yeti! We camped for a week at the tiny camp site looking out over Little Loch Broom, its 7 miles down a country track just off the A832. http://www.badrallac...y/camping.html.

The whole are is simply stunning, so much so that I'm still trying to persuade my wife that we need to move there! If you have a free whole day and like walking there is an amazing walk along the cost for about 6 miles that takes you to the Scoraig Peninsula, a kind of tiny eco-village where they grown their own food and live off wind power, amazing place.

From what I remember, Nanny's is on the oposite side of the loch to the little camp site and does a great range of cakes!

If you are coming back down throught the Lakes, must mention Hardnot Pass out of Ambleside too, there is a great pub called the Brothers Water Inn that does a good line in beer & food too!

BUT please don't tell everyone about the beauty of the area, we'll have to keep it to ourselves!!

Have a great trip!

Jon

If you are near Oban try the "Seafari" at Easdale. Great fun. There are others too so may be near wherever you are.

We live in Galloway in the most SW part of Scotland. Often overlooked but very scenic and roads are quieter. I often wonder why people go to the crowded Lake Districts instead of an extra 1.5 hours drive to here.

Portpatrick

Mull Of Galloway

Culzean Castle

Bladnoch Distillery

Kirkcudbright

All some worthwhile places.

Edited 4 May, 201214 yr by loskie

I'm keeping quiet about the good routes around me!!

Brijo..Yup he's still there. When we came across him he was still playing even though it was tipping down with rain.

Mind you there was a coach load of Japanese tourists in the layby with their hands in their pockets

I was up there a couple of years ago too in a Jeep rather than my nice new Yeti! We camped for a week at the tiny camp site looking out over Little Loch Broom, its 7 miles down a country track just off the A832. http://www.badrallac...y/camping.html.

From what I remember, Nanny's is on the oposite side of the loch to the little camp site and does a great range of cakes!

BUT please don't tell everyone about the beauty of the area, we'll have to keep it to ourselves!!

Have a great trip!

Jon

Linky no worky :(

You're right about the cakes but a bit off on location, Jon.

Nanny's is on the shore of Loch Torridon, a bit further south.

I'm keeping quiet about the good routes around me!!

Spoilsport :p

...the tiny camp site looking out over Little Loch Broom....a kind of tiny eco-village where they grown their own food and live off wind power, amazing place.

Sounds a nice spot, if remote. Something like that place near Machynlleth? (Graham?) The OS map shows a telephone there - very civilised, but I suppose smoke signals aren't much use in Scottish weather!

...the Brothers Water Inn that does a good line in beer & food too!

Must try - thanks!

BUT please don't tell everyone about the beauty of the area, we'll have to keep it to ourselves!!

I won't say a word...

....the most SW part of Scotland. Often overlooked but very scenic and roads are quieter.....

Tempting. Perhaps next year, for a rather shorter tour (maybe even in the Yeti by then!)

I'm keeping quiet about the good routes around me!!

We used to have occasion to visit friends the other side of Newtown while our respective families were young. 'Straight-line' cross-country driving took us along the B4355 and there was always a sense of shock climbing out of the Felindre valley over the top to Dolfor. The old Land Rover never noticed the triple-hairpin, even with the caravan behind. I hope to do some re-visiting when (eventually) the Yeti arrives!

Spoilsport :p

OK. I'm open to bribery though!! :beer: :beer: :beer:

Its hard to beat mid to far north west Scotland in good weather in May/June.

And do not miss out on the west coast further south, like Arran (Scotland in miniature), Bute, Gigha, Islay and of course Mull. Power station buried in the mountain at Ben Cruachan well worth a visit and another vote for the George in Inveraray.

For a more comprehensive guide, have a look at "Scotland the best" book.

PS Glasgow has more parks and open spaces than most cities and several fascinating buildings and museums..

If you are near Oban try the "Seafari" at Easdale. Great fun. There are others too so may be near wherever you are.

We live in Galloway in the most SW part of Scotland. Often overlooked but very scenic and roads are quieter. I often wonder why people go to the crowded Lake Districts instead of an extra 1.5 hours drive to here.

Portpatrick

Mull Of Galloway

Culzean Castle

Bladnoch Distillery

Kirkcudbright

All some worthwhile places.

Having been to the SW of Scotland and stayed in Garlieston, i can vouch that it is an absolutely stunning area and i love the forest drives that are around the area, especially just north of Newton Stewart.

The Mull of Galloway is another nice place to visit and i believe you can see Northern Ireland on a very clear day.

It was one of the very first holidays i went in my Fabia (i know i'm on the Yeti forum but i love Scotland) and is definitely a place to put on your 'To Do' list and the drive from Garlieston to the Isle of Skye is just amazing.

Having been to the SW of Scotland and stayed in Garlieston, i can vouch that it is an absolutely stunning area and i love the forest drives that are around the area, especially just north of Newton Stewart.

The Mull of Galloway is another nice place to visit and i believe you can see Northern Ireland on a very clear day.

It was one of the very first holidays i went in my Fabia (i know i'm on the Yeti forum but i love Scotland) and is definitely a place to put on your 'To Do' list and the drive from Garlieston to the Isle of Skye is just amazing.

We don't mind you coming in here at all.

The yeti forum is just a part of the bigger picture after all.

Hope you enjoyed your stay.

Ooh, I sound like a B&B owner

We don't mind you coming in here at all.

The yeti forum is just a part of the bigger picture after all.

Hope you enjoyed your stay.

Ooh, I sound like a B&B owner

Thanks, it was a great stay.

Thanks, it was a great stay.

Now, what would you like me to do with the item of ladies underwear that I found under the bed?

Now, what would you like me to do with the item of ladies underwear that I found under the bed?

Take them with you next time!!

And no means no!!!

I've kinda lost your proposed itinerary since being wafted away on a misty-eyed memory trip, so I'll just interject with some ideas of my own.

Oban, with a visit to the Distillery is well worth a call, and while there hop on a ferry to the fabulous wild that is Mull. Cast you eyes about for sea eagles as you wend your way over mountain and moorland till you reach Pennygael where a great, warm, expansive welcome awaits at the Hotel. Then proceed to Ffionphort (or something like that) where the pub has roaring fires and excellent, if traditional, food. From there there are deserted beaches to be explored - and of course, the ten minute oat trip to Iona. This is a magical place with an atmosphere that is truly unique. Wander the Abbey, then wander the Island taking in the Machair and Martyr's Bay where my old father used to sit on the rocks and gaze at the sea and the waves as he meditated. He was one of the founding ministers of the Community back in the 40s, and was the last surviving original when he passed away at 94 in 2008. He met his wife of 65 years while there, so it seemed appropriate that his ashes be scattered on the waves at Martyr's Bay. They were followed by my wife's ashes when, after succumbing to pancreatic cancer just before we were due to be married in 2007, she died in 2009. The trilogy was completed when my old Mum's ashes were added to the same spot last year. Such peace, there, and if you do visit, just reflect awhile on how some places really do influence our lives. My wife had found great solace on Iona, and she too used to meditate there as a part of her control over her fears. We stayed at the Ardachy House Hotel where the food is just wonderful, where solitude and gulls are to be found, and where the owners cannot do enough for you.

Then, when you return to the mainland and reality, visit the Falls of Lora Hotel in Connell, run by a Matriarch of the sternest persuasion and with a Bistro to salivate over. Try to stay in their best room, complete with enormous circular bath complete with candles in tall candlesticks.

And finally a short, beautiful poem by Olivia Fitzroy which captures the atmosphere of the region - and which, given the story above, has quite obviously great personal relevance for me.

My Soul Slips Out.

My soul slips out upon the tide at night

And on the quiet water lies at rest.

The dark hills rise on either hand,

The moon shines dim upon the sand,

And on the sea’s still breast.

 

There is no sound in all this silent place

Save little sounds the sleeping spirit craves;

Faint music from a waterfall,

A lost and lonely curlew’s call

And everlasting waves.

For me the concept of those "everlasting waves" brings me great peace, knowing that despite everything, it will all still be there whatever happens.

Enjoy.

The west of Scotland has no equals in the UK, I've sailed all coasts of our shores and nowhere holds the same stunning beauty and variety of scenery, sea and wild life. The east coast is all too similar north to south imo.

I think freshacre points this out, where in the east can you find such places?

Edited 5 May, 201214 yr by servicepoint