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STUDYFORM
27 Jun 18 11:31
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Date Joined: 26 Jan 05
| Topic/replies: 20,559 | Blogger: STUDYFORM's blog
And it was a bloody long drive.

My offician tour guide for anyone journeying from the south of England.
If anyone else has done this trip, I'd be interested in knowing if you found it the same.

About 600 miles each way plus a bit of driving round the Island and the area generally.
Every property, shed, shack, caravan and anything else with a roof is a B&B or guest house.

Staying in the bit of mainland near the Skye Bridge (which was a bit smaller than I'd anticipated, but nonetheless quite impressive), was boring.

Plockton, which had been raved about by others - hence the trip is small and incredibly unexciting. Duirinish, consisting of a few small houses in various states of repair and nothing else, and other tiny villages, were all a bit boring.
The last bit - about 70 miles - of the drive was through mountains and soon became uninteresting and samey....

But...
Once over the Skye bridge, the scenery, the road and the general difference to the mainland, made it all worthwhile. Just a mile or 2 in and there's a reasonable sized co-op supermarket, which was jolly useful, then it's about 32 miles more to Portree, (capital/main town of Skye) and with every corner turned and every mountain driven round there is a new and beautiful piece of scenery to gawp at. A little stroll around town, which was pleasant enough. A visit to "The little cake shop" where I was almost certainly  - and quite deliberately the 20th person of the week to ask if she had any "little cakes". Bought some big cakes.

Then it's a big loop around the top of the island (120 miles total on Skye) with a couple of hitch-hikers (a young couple -French and S. Korean, who instead of going to their destination decided to travel most of the island with us!), before back over the bridge and driving to Stirling, randomly picked  because it would be part way home and save on the big drive back, and mostly because once you've spent day around the Kyle of Lochalsh and surrounding area, you've pretty much seen it and there isn't much else to do.
There were, naturally enough, 1000's of tourists, most seemed to be European, and in both our boarding houses nearly every guest was German apart from a couple of Portuguese ladies and a Chinese couple.

In the various cafes and Bars on our travel around, there were a few Australians working there and other accents I couldn't tell the origins of, but we didn't see/speak to any other English people during our 48 hours in Scotland!

The route, just in case anyone fancies emulating it:- M11, A14, A1, A68 (I love this road)... stop in Jedburgh, cup of not lovely coffee, nasty Bacon roll. Carry on A68 to Edinburgh, go round Edinburgh, then M9, past Falkirk and Bannockburn, to A85 try to stop in Callander - REALLY busy place can't find anywhere to park so don't bother, carry on to Lochearnhead, turn right (not on route) towards big water. Stop have coffee look at big water, jet skiiers, boats. Very nice. Back up A85 to A82, towards and through Fort William - Busy place again, looked quite nice but we didn't stop. Ben Nevis was just to our right apparently. It IS a bit hilly there. Then a bit more A82, some A87 to just short of Skye. Stop, absorb general moans about nearly everything. Get some crappy food in an overstretched restaurant in Plockton, back to B&B absorb more moans about nearly everything, look out of window to a quite lovely view and see it's still quite light out and it's 11.30pm!!!!!
Get up, lovely breakfast, say "Sorry only 1 night", make excuses, pay, go round Skye. Then at about 3pm back over bridge - after discarding hitchhikers, head south... back down A87 until we find a place with Wi-Fi because we'd like to book somewhere to get head down for the night. Find and book a place in Stirling - set up sat nav. Start getting agitated by slow drivers, and even more (possibly unreasonably) agitated by all the hoards of motorbikes everywhere. Get past Fort William - about a 10 min traffic jam, the only one anywhere, so far. Down A82... continue down A82, get lied to by SatNav about staying on A82, when it probably meant go on A84, fiddle with satnav, which still said stay on A82, listen to satnav say "where possible, make a U-Turn", a bit difficult as the A82 travels alongside and down the entire sodding length of Loch Lomond.
and we needed to be on the other side of it, 30 mile extra detour and about 45 minutes extra in the car, we eventually get to Stirling. Average B&B, Local chippy, v nice. Bed. Up, less than good breakfast, in car, decide to go home quickest way, M80, M74, M6, refuel in Penrith - 1/2 a mile off motorway is about 18p a litre cheaper. A66, stop in Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Pretty, very small, easy to park, nice snack and coffee. A66, A1, A14/M11 Massive gridlock traffic jam (both sides of road having had separate incidents) get held up about 90 minutes. Not nice in V hot weather after so much driving. Go to brother's house, swap his nice new auto (was a good idea to swap), for my old banger. Home. 6am Sunday - to 9pm Tuesday.
1350 miles covered.
Bed. Sleep 9 hours straight. Back to work.

Overall:
Even though it was perfect weather and a real break...
We could have had a week in Spain or similar, with all food and spending money and been waited on and at this point have been only half-way through the holiday, for less money!
Pause Switch to Standard View I just came down from the isle of Skye
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Report twizzle22 June 27, 2018 11:40 AM BST
A very extensive review and hats off to you for finding the time to put it on here.A good read.
Report Dr Crippen June 27, 2018 11:55 AM BST
Yes, marvellous entertainment from STUDYFORM.

Reminds me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXD62-5GQNw
Report Dr Crippen June 27, 2018 11:58 AM BST
^Only the bit at the start of course.
Report saddo June 27, 2018 12:37 PM BST
I agree with twizzle22.
Report woundedknee June 27, 2018 1:05 PM BST
Cool  Apart from the back to work bit WinkGrin
Report mouse muldoon June 27, 2018 1:11 PM BST
workshy fop
Report morpteh mackem June 27, 2018 1:15 PM BST
study, dont stop in callender go on to kilmahog about mile after ( if that ) parking there failing that carry on over stone bridge, carry on up road with loch on left and newish car park on lochside- very nice, have to pay to park but minimal charge. also got caf and toilets . 
wont be many english on skye as kids not broke up yet- was no spare rooms last year during english school holidays and police advising only to travel to island if got accommodation.
a68 is nice road , very quiet ,  up to carter bar ( border ) and then down into scotland - hairpintastic.
Report Slicer June 27, 2018 3:02 PM BST
A very interesting read. I have been considering a trip there, but was wavering. Thanks for helping me make up my mind, Study.
Report Injera June 27, 2018 3:21 PM BST
Flying to Inverness from Gatwick for example is an option. Hire a car and drive to Skye.
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 3:29 PM BST
I did that some years ago, injera. flew to Inverness, drove round the top, via John O'Groats to ullapool.
Was quite good.
Report Injera June 27, 2018 3:33 PM BST
Only 'quite' good?! I'm thinking of doing that. Been to Inverness and boat trip on Loch Ness before which was stunning.

You did well to drive it but doesn't sound like much of a rest!
Report Torquemada June 27, 2018 3:39 PM BST
Henry Cole did a similar trip on a motorbike, don't think he was very impressed either.
Report Slicer June 27, 2018 3:43 PM BST
I had a great break in Inverness. There are several small hotels on the banks of the river about 50 ft from the water. Plenty to see-trips on the lock, Castle Urquhart, Culloden, Loch Ness Monster Centre, walks along the river bank. Highly enjoyable.
Report Dr Crippen June 27, 2018 3:52 PM BST
The midges the midges beware of the midges.

They even wrote a song about them:

https://www.bing.com/search?q=the+midges&src=IE-TopResult&FORM=IETR02&pc=EUPP_UE10&conversationid=

Itch scratch swat, there's no escape Jimmy.
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 3:55 PM BST
It was in 2000, and I found the Inverness-Ullapool drive quieter.
The kids were little and it was even OK for them!
There were a few interesting places to visit; Sweet shop in Dingwall, Glass place in Caithness, John O'Groats, Caves of Smoo, Ullapool, (playing a little round of golf at 10pm was fun. I seem to remember visiting a museum and some gardens and then Culloden when we got back to Inverness.

This week's trip had nothing notable.

Never saw any midges - despite warnings and midge spray.
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 3:56 PM BST

Jun 27, 2018 -- 3:39PM, Torquemada wrote:


Henry Cole did a similar trip on a motorbike, don't think he was very impressed either.


Henry Cole hasn't put many other bikers off going there. I have never seen so many motorbikes as over those 3 days.

Report geoff m June 27, 2018 4:05 PM BST
"I have never seen so many motorbikes as over those 3 days."

All down to North Coast 500 study which has took off exponentially.


Did Lands End /John O Groats cycling last year and despite trying to book accomodation 6 weeks in advance out of school holiday period had great difficulty getting accomodation in  the Highlands.
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 7:19 PM BST
Must be a few thousand square miles of nothing but places to stay.
I'd be surprised if the school holidays made that much difference, not least because it's not all that interesting for kids compared to nearly every other type of holiday.

That's the first time I've heard of the north coast 500. It's mostly around the area to the north of where I went. Though I do notice Plockton is part of it Sad.
The rest is pretty much the route I took in 2000. I'd probably have sworn at even more motorbikes if I'd gone on that road!
Report Just Checking June 27, 2018 7:41 PM BST
Apparently someone is going to take the midges caught in midge catching machines and make midge burgers out of them :)
Report breadnbutter June 27, 2018 7:43 PM BST
A wee bitty too much driving in that short period on Sheety roads ,getting annoyed at Bikers was the stress and frustration kicking in ,if only you had got out the car and took a stroll up  Bruach na Frithe or similar it would have helped the headach ,sore eyes and eased the deep vein thrombosis ,you might of even seen a midge too.
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 8:04 PM BST
It was a lot of driving, but as I say, having a decent auto with good aircon made it a lot easier.
I found the motorway driving worst overall.
My mild irritation with bikes was well contained. (I used to ride a motorbike years ago).
You are right though - It did make me a bit tired in the end.
Report northanlite June 27, 2018 9:00 PM BST
Plockton, which had been raved about by others - hence the trip is small and incredibly unexciting

what were you expecting, a water park?  Plockton is a tiny wee place on the road to nowhere. Pretty wee village tho
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 9:15 PM BST
Not a water park, no, I wouldn't have liked that.

But only 2 places to eat and nothing else there.
That said, the staff in the place we did eat in were many and friendly.

The overwhelming feeling is though, that they know there will be loads of one-time only visitors, so they don't have to be too marvellous with food.

Anyway, just writing as I find.
Report northanlite June 27, 2018 9:27 PM BST
it is what it is but any service can be improved, i love that part of the world so a bit bias.
i dunno about you but when i'm "home" i'm way more critical of service because i'm embarrassed if it is poor.
i will put up with sh1t service overseas but will pull them up over here. a line must be drawn Silly







2
Report STUDYFORM June 27, 2018 9:49 PM BST
To be fair, the service was brilliant. The food was poor.

I think my main issue is with the 2 people who said how fantastic Plockton is!

Given the volume of tourism through the place, it really could be improved a bit.
I don't mean like Benidorm, but maybe somewhere with tables/chairs outside?
Report Just Checking June 27, 2018 10:44 PM BST
Plockton is famous because of Hamish Macbeth, who was a maniac in trainspotting.
Report akabula June 27, 2018 11:19 PM BST
Plockton? Plenty of small hotels on Skye and all serving decent grub.
Not stayed overnight for ahile but The Broadford Hotel was good.
Stayed in a B&B in Uig where the view is dramatic.
Scenery in general superb and loads of places for a swim.
Need to get out of your car and go walkabout to see the local wildlife.
Red Deer, Otters and the adorable looking Pine Martins albeit they are few and far between.
Take a boat trip to see the seal colonies or the Whales and Dolphins.
Always loved my trips to Skye.
Report northanlite June 27, 2018 11:23 PM BST
Want to get over to the east coast imo. East neuk of Fife my fav place on the mainland.
i do love Mull tho
Report breadnbutter June 27, 2018 11:27 PM BST
Had never heard of Plocton until last year ,place keeps cropping up in convos  ,think its that 500 route thing,foreign  dude I know told me he was going there in March /April  I told him to wrap up but he suggested it was palm trees a postcard picture place ,he nearly got stuck there with the snow and done same thing ,drove up and went around sky ,Eileen Donan castle etc and back down in with one night stopover ,tried to tell him to go up past the Kyle to Ullapool (some ugly birds up thar ) and over to Inverness and come down A9 but he was having none of it rambled on about this route 500 thang ,was once fishing the River Moy on the east coast many years ago , but it was warm and dry and one night we drove to ullapool for a plate of scampi on a fri night ,thar was music ale and birds (ugly wans Happy) and I stayed for the weekend , Laugh
Report xmoneyx June 27, 2018 11:48 PM BST
outlanderExcitedWink

time of year makes a big diff

sept is good - less quiet
Report Pokermonster June 28, 2018 1:34 PM BST
Reading the thread title I thought Study was set to regale us with a traditional Caledonian folk song.


♫ Oh, I just came down from the Isle of Skye ♫

♫ The men wear skirts and shout "och aye" ♫

♫ The lassies could drink an alehouse dry ♫

♫ I'll be back up on Friday ♫


Once more with feeling.
Report morpteh mackem June 28, 2018 1:56 PM BST
problem with plocton is a properties are second homes, place is dead lot of the time, think ex labour women cabinet member has got one there ( sorry cant remember her name ) .
recommend mull to anyone who hasn't been- try and keep out of kiddies holidays as very busy, particularly now with lower ferry fairs.
Report STUDYFORM June 28, 2018 2:57 PM BST
I thought the thread title was obvious. PM.
I was thinking of "Donald where's your troosers"
Report Slicer June 28, 2018 3:21 PM BST
They are not old enough to remember, Study. It was a very popular choice with Uncle Mac on Children's Favourites on A Saturday morning on BBC Radio.!
Report Dr Crippen June 28, 2018 4:19 PM BST
Ya ripped ya knickers Jock!
Report breadnbutter June 28, 2018 5:25 PM BST
Gunna get a motorsickle and rediscover my youth .
Report Dr Crippen June 28, 2018 7:27 PM BST
The Black Watch - finest regiment in the world.
Report Just Checking June 28, 2018 8:18 PM BST
I've been to plockton, and had a pint in the pub (is there more than one)?
If my memory was it was right on the street so no place to put anything like tables out front.

I think there was a chip shop in a caravan, or did I imagine that? Aha!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g319815-d1776356-Reviews-The_Harbour_Fish_Bar-Plockton_Ross_and_Cromarty_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html
This has tables and benches outside. It IS like disneyland!
Report STUDYFORM June 28, 2018 8:22 PM BST
The chip shop was in a sort of shed, nearly opposite the pub/restaurant - tbf, it couldn't be far as there are only a few streets. It closed at 8pm. we got there at 8.03, the bloke inside didn't even look up when we tried the door.
Report STUDYFORM June 28, 2018 8:25 PM BST
Yep, the 27 photos more or less sum the place up!
Laugh
Report northanlite June 28, 2018 9:42 PM BST

Jun 27, 2018 -- 11:27PM, breadnbutter wrote:


Had never heard of Plocton until last year ,place keeps cropping up in convos  ,think its that 500 route thing,foreign  dude I know told me he was going there in March /April  I told him to wrap up but he suggested it was palm trees a postcard picture place ,he nearly got stuck there with the snow and done same thing ,drove up and went around sky ,Eileen Donan castle etc and back down in with one night stopover ,tried to tell him to go up past the Kyle to Ullapool (some ugly birds up thar ) and over to Inverness and come down A9 but he was having none of it rambled on about this route 500 thang ,was once fishing the River Moy on the east coast many years ago , but it was warm and dry and one night we drove to ullapool for a plate of scampi on a fri night ,thar was music ale and birds (ugly wans ) and I stayed for the weekend ,


i went to a wedding at Eileen Donan castle. Amazing scenes, had been a beautiful morning, service was 2pm and
as we all walked over the bridge a mental thunderstorm broke. Crazy lightening, rolling thunder, torrents of rain.
Went on during the service, stopped & we all walked out to clear blue skies and the rest of the day was beautiful.
best thing was for whatever reason the thunderstorm seemed to clear the midges away.
Magical place. I think Dornie is the village? Great pub there with lots of live music. I like a bar where the staff
are way more drunk than the customersCool

Report saddo June 28, 2018 10:37 PM BST
STUDYFORM    28 Jun 18 20:22 
The chip shop was in a sort of shed, nearly opposite the pub/restaurant - tbf, it couldn't be far as there are only a few streets. It closed at 8pm. we got there at 8.03, the bloke inside didn't even look up when we tried the door.


Indeed, could have shown a little panache and given you the finger.
Report STUDYFORM June 28, 2018 10:48 PM BST
I'm assuming he was hard of hearing. Otherwise he probably would have.
Laugh
Report kenny mann June 28, 2018 11:07 PM BST
I thought this was going to be a tribute to Andy Stewart, thread.
Report kenny mann June 28, 2018 11:49 PM BST
To clarify, the 9 words in the thread title are the same words exactly that are heard at the beginning of a famous Andy Stewart song.
Report Just Checking June 29, 2018 12:26 AM BST
The wing blow and the wind blow low, I'd never have known Blush
Report breadnbutter June 29, 2018 12:45 AM BST
that dead Bee in the spiders web on the wing mirror had wing failure imo
Report akabula June 29, 2018 12:59 AM BST
You can still cross by Ferry instead of the bridge.
Turn left off the main road at Shiel Bridge.
Go up and over the mountain, picnic area near the crest with brilliant views.
Once past the crest you'll see the ferry. Takes 6 or 7 vehicles.
Lands you at Kylerhea. Runs from April to September.
Report northanlite June 29, 2018 1:12 AM BST
you can get fresh lobster or crab in the wee shack on crail harbour. take a few beers & lunch is sorted
Report akabula June 29, 2018 1:14 AM BST
Prefer the mussels and the whelks.
Report Kriskin June 29, 2018 1:15 AM BST
STUDY - u could have stayed with me in Stirling if I had known.  Plenty of room.  You would have had to put up with my 10 month old boy who wakens a couple of times during the night Grin
Report northanlite June 29, 2018 1:17 AM BST
nae worries akbula, you can have the whelks i will stick to the lobster
Report akabula June 29, 2018 1:22 AM BST
Never taken to lobster or crab but have mussels once a week.
Never tried oysters and never will.
Report northanlite June 29, 2018 1:30 AM BST
oysters are nasty. watching people gobble them down is even nastier
Report breadnbutter June 29, 2018 1:37 AM BST
Got all the crabs I could carry from that  klondykers daughter in Ullapool ,very cheap they were too and fresh .
Report akabula June 29, 2018 1:38 AM BST
Quite like that coast. Used to go to Leven as a youngster along with Crail and Anstruther.
Remember a stay in the Lundin Links hotel but that was destroyed in an arson attack and demolished either last year or the year before.
The building was superb as well, a real landmark. Was sad to hear it was gone.
Report northanlite June 29, 2018 1:53 AM BST
Aye remember that. Apparently it was kids set that fire.
That was a couple of years ago & i bet they were too young to be charged.
Report STUDYFORM June 29, 2018 12:04 PM BST
Kriskin, If I'd known, I'd have taken you up on that!!!
I'll bet the breakfast would have been nicer Laugh

Not a bad place to live, from what little I saw of it.
If ever I return, I'll let you know Wink

I remember not getting a full night's sleep for about 7 years when my 2 were little. So you sort of get used to it, don't you?
As it happens my daughter had a baby 3 weeks ago, making me a Granddad for the 1st time, now she's getting a taste of what it's like.
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