Three ferries to Mull
Dec 21st, 2014, 02:00 PM
#21
I do not choose to drive in Hell. I drive in Scotland for fun and the beauty. If one enjoys driving, the roads in Scotland are sublime. If on the other hand, driving is merely a chore, you might hate them.
My guess - mainly because of ferry timings etc the drive will take more than Dickie's estimate. Torridon to Tobermory is a loooooong drive no matter the route.
If it was me I'd rearrange things and do Mull to Skye to Torridon or vice versa. That would eliminate a 6-7+ hour drive between Torridon and Tobermory.
My guess - mainly because of ferry timings etc the drive will take more than Dickie's estimate. Torridon to Tobermory is a loooooong drive no matter the route.
If it was me I'd rearrange things and do Mull to Skye to Torridon or vice versa. That would eliminate a 6-7+ hour drive between Torridon and Tobermory.
Dec 21st, 2014, 02:11 PM
#22
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Btw take absolutely no notice of ViaMichelin and the like for an indication of travel times in Scotland. They seem to simply gross up to time based on the fact that it is either an A, B or unclassified road.
There's some roads like the A851 on Skye, which are a dream to drive and you can easily average 60mph. There are other so called A roads where 20mph for 25 miles is a struggle.
There's some roads like the A851 on Skye, which are a dream to drive and you can easily average 60mph. There are other so called A roads where 20mph for 25 miles is a struggle.
Dec 21st, 2014, 02:17 PM
#23
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Janis
I stated 5 hours driving not travel . Of course the ferry crossings will add to travel times but they are a perfect break to a drive.
I don't see why this (again) has to be so pedantic and complicated. It isn't.
Set off in the morning from Torridon have a lovely swift drive down Skye, take a relaxing ferry and lunch in Mallaig then take a slow leisurely drive through some of the most wild and beautiful scenery in Europe to arrive at a ferry which will drop you off at your destination late afternoon.
Long day?
All days are long in June.
I stated 5 hours driving not travel . Of course the ferry crossings will add to travel times but they are a perfect break to a drive.
I don't see why this (again) has to be so pedantic and complicated. It isn't.
Set off in the morning from Torridon have a lovely swift drive down Skye, take a relaxing ferry and lunch in Mallaig then take a slow leisurely drive through some of the most wild and beautiful scenery in Europe to arrive at a ferry which will drop you off at your destination late afternoon.
Long day?
All days are long in June.
Dec 21st, 2014, 02:35 PM
#24
Dickie - on another thread the OP said they didn't want any 6 hour driving days. It isn't that the drive is onerous, but is specifically what they are trying to avoid. That's all I was trying to get at.
Dec 21st, 2014, 02:50 PM
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dickie, the other portion I didn't fill you in on is that we will already have been on Skye. So when DH is back tomorrow, I'll go over the 3 options with him on the map.
So I add about 1/3 to all times viamichelin gives me?
So I add about 1/3 to all times viamichelin gives me?
Dec 21st, 2014, 11:26 PM
#26
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No their figures seem to be simple averages based on the type of road. You may need to add or subtract.
They give nearly 2 hours for Torridon to Armadale. The A road is for the most wide and straight, I could nearly cycle the 60 odd miles in the time given.
The journey times on Mull, particularly on the B roads are in my experience widely optimistic.
We are going to Mull in May.
Have decided to hire the Campervan from Craignure.
I love the adventure of trips out from rental cottages but the return home legs on Mull really got me down. Tobermory to Fionphort in the dark, being very tired was very hard work.
With the Camper we will just pull up and bed down.
Which should be a world class experience on the shores of Loch Na Keal.
Try to get to Iona.
I read so many superlatives about places people have posted about on here. Venice, Pienza and the rest. For me Iona is one of the most magical places around, the colours in May/June in a summer day are really special.
Finding a sunny day in another story.
They give nearly 2 hours for Torridon to Armadale. The A road is for the most wide and straight, I could nearly cycle the 60 odd miles in the time given.
The journey times on Mull, particularly on the B roads are in my experience widely optimistic.
We are going to Mull in May.
Have decided to hire the Campervan from Craignure.
I love the adventure of trips out from rental cottages but the return home legs on Mull really got me down. Tobermory to Fionphort in the dark, being very tired was very hard work.
With the Camper we will just pull up and bed down.
Which should be a world class experience on the shores of Loch Na Keal.
Try to get to Iona.
I read so many superlatives about places people have posted about on here. Venice, Pienza and the rest. For me Iona is one of the most magical places around, the colours in May/June in a summer day are really special.
Finding a sunny day in another story.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 06:23 AM
#28
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were in Iona in June, and it was indeed an experience I wouldn't have wanted to miss. We saw a quotation from a monk in medieval times who had written a history of the island, saying (according to my memory) that on this earth there's no better place to live or die than Iona.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 11:52 AM
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, finally pinned down DH to look at the map and all 3 ferry options to go to Mull. After I narrated for about 15 minutes, he said 'I don't want to drive more than 4 hours'. The via michelan website says 4 hours Torridon to Oban, but we both know it would turn into 6.
So, I would look for a room somewhere--Invererray (sp) to Ft. William. I did a lot of research for a room for the outward bound portion from Glasgow. Tentatively, a Best Western around Spean Bridge--which would require a 12-mile backtrack for the 'Road to Skye'.
OK, that aside, any suggestions on where to spend that one night between Torridon and Oban? Budget is normally $200/night US but I realize that unlike the euro the pound is still steep against the $. So, unfortunately $300/nite might be my comfort budget.
So, I would look for a room somewhere--Invererray (sp) to Ft. William. I did a lot of research for a room for the outward bound portion from Glasgow. Tentatively, a Best Western around Spean Bridge--which would require a 12-mile backtrack for the 'Road to Skye'.
OK, that aside, any suggestions on where to spend that one night between Torridon and Oban? Budget is normally $200/night US but I realize that unlike the euro the pound is still steep against the $. So, unfortunately $300/nite might be my comfort budget.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 12:20 PM
#30
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Can you in fact just pull up and spend the night like that in Scotland?"
Essentially, yes.
Visitors should be aware that there are fundamental rights in place for the general public to be afforded unhindered access to any land in Scotland which is not regarded as a private garden.
For centuries, we have been pushed around by the various old families who have drained the land of resources and more recently milked the EU cow of its healthy farming and wind generation subsidies. A simple google search of the total farming subsidies going into my home county is shocking. Land ownership over the centuries has been extremely profitable.
Landowners have exhibited a huge range of approaches to the management of their assets. Some have destroyed the landscape with huge swathes of evergreen forests which have created acidic wastelands. Others invented the craze of importing oriental bird species, breeding the poor things into huge populations then blasting them out of existence along with anything else capable of flying.
Then we won.
The Land Reform Act 2003 was set into law in 2005.
The Act made provision for the free access to land by anyone. This is generally limited to non motorised access.
There are limitations. You are not expected to disrupt the landowners activities such as farming or blasting anything in sight.
Within this definition of access was the right to camp on any land for a limited time period. This period in most areas is generally regarded as two nights.
Herein lies the problem. As with most normal distribution there are varying degrees of numptyism in Scotland. There are always Eco idiots out there who freely abuse the rights given withinthe Act and break the balance between the public and landowners.
It was heart breaking to see the scum who had set up a permanent camp on the shores of Loch na Keal on Mull. This has to be one of the most stunning European settings outside the Lofoten Islands. Of course, a group of morons had take up residence on the best spot, leave rubbish everywhere and ruin a perfect setting for everyone.
Ackislander, put simply if you ever see a dry, comfortable piece of land, feel free to have the right to pitch a tent and enjoy the view.
Essentially, yes.
Visitors should be aware that there are fundamental rights in place for the general public to be afforded unhindered access to any land in Scotland which is not regarded as a private garden.
For centuries, we have been pushed around by the various old families who have drained the land of resources and more recently milked the EU cow of its healthy farming and wind generation subsidies. A simple google search of the total farming subsidies going into my home county is shocking. Land ownership over the centuries has been extremely profitable.
Landowners have exhibited a huge range of approaches to the management of their assets. Some have destroyed the landscape with huge swathes of evergreen forests which have created acidic wastelands. Others invented the craze of importing oriental bird species, breeding the poor things into huge populations then blasting them out of existence along with anything else capable of flying.
Then we won.
The Land Reform Act 2003 was set into law in 2005.
The Act made provision for the free access to land by anyone. This is generally limited to non motorised access.
There are limitations. You are not expected to disrupt the landowners activities such as farming or blasting anything in sight.
Within this definition of access was the right to camp on any land for a limited time period. This period in most areas is generally regarded as two nights.
Herein lies the problem. As with most normal distribution there are varying degrees of numptyism in Scotland. There are always Eco idiots out there who freely abuse the rights given withinthe Act and break the balance between the public and landowners.
It was heart breaking to see the scum who had set up a permanent camp on the shores of Loch na Keal on Mull. This has to be one of the most stunning European settings outside the Lofoten Islands. Of course, a group of morons had take up residence on the best spot, leave rubbish everywhere and ruin a perfect setting for everyone.
Ackislander, put simply if you ever see a dry, comfortable piece of land, feel free to have the right to pitch a tent and enjoy the view.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 12:34 PM
#31
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hoping
Am I missing something here:
Invergarry?
Inveraray on Loch Fyne is a long way off your beaten trail.
Are you sure you need an overnight so soon. It is impossible for me to apply my thoughts about driving onto your route as today I have just driven 350 miles in a day around Scotland and Northern England. No example of sanity at all.
Would the easy two hours from Torridon to Armadale then a ferry and long lunch in Mallaig, then a harder two and a half hours to the next ferry be too much?
Am I missing something here:
Invergarry?
Inveraray on Loch Fyne is a long way off your beaten trail.
Are you sure you need an overnight so soon. It is impossible for me to apply my thoughts about driving onto your route as today I have just driven 350 miles in a day around Scotland and Northern England. No example of sanity at all.
Would the easy two hours from Torridon to Armadale then a ferry and long lunch in Mallaig, then a harder two and a half hours to the next ferry be too much?
Dec 22nd, 2014, 01:56 PM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, probably meant Invergarry. Actually many years ago we saw Inverarary -- which I think was recently on PBS.
Dickie, I'll hit him up with that version again. We've seen the scenery along Loch Linnhe -- is the north version you are describing better?
Haven't fully firmed this up yet--so of course room for play.
Dickie, I'll hit him up with that version again. We've seen the scenery along Loch Linnhe -- is the north version you are describing better?
Haven't fully firmed this up yet--so of course room for play.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 02:10 PM
#33
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is an odd journey from Mallaig.
The road starts as wide and fast.
Once you turn off A830, things denigrate to the extent that at the end of the route, going over the Ardnamurchan hills near Kilchoan, you half expect a T Rex to wander on the road. It is that wild.
This may be another issue for you.
It is very isolated here.
The road starts as wide and fast.
Once you turn off A830, things denigrate to the extent that at the end of the route, going over the Ardnamurchan hills near Kilchoan, you half expect a T Rex to wander on the road. It is that wild.
This may be another issue for you.
It is very isolated here.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 02:12 PM
#34
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.pierhousehotel.co.uk/
May complicate matters but this is a wonderful stop on Loch Linnhe.
May complicate matters but this is a wonderful stop on Loch Linnhe.
Dec 22nd, 2014, 07:22 PM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I looked that one up! OOh! A possibility although it only cuts 1/2 hour off, but I bet I'd be able to talk my way around the time thing if the stay was nice. Always thought Inverlochy Castle looked neat--but way out of budget.
