Island Roadtrip 2014
Atendees
Thursday
Haydn, Nowster and MJN crossed the border and followed the Motorways across the Southern Uplands, to Stirling, from where a brief jaunt along the A9 led to the A822 at Greenloaning and so Crieff. Continuing north to Amulree, from where the inclassified road led to Kenmore, over Kenmore Bridge and along the minor road to the B846. Heading north, and turning left onto the unclassified road to Kinloch Rannoch, doubling back up the B847 to Trinafour, and so the unclassified old military road up to the A9 at Dalnacardoch. North over Drumochter to Dalwhinnie, and then the A889 and A86 back down to Spean Bridge, before the A830 out to Glenuig.
Friday
Glen and Rob met at the Corran Ferry and headed south on the A861 and A884 down to Lochaline where we met up with the other 3. A quick crossing of the Ferry to Mull, before turning north on the A849 to Salen, then the A848 to Tobermory. We somehow missed the little B882 but took the scenic B8073 around the Mull coast past pretty Dervaig and the stunning Calgary Bay. A long slow drive down Loch na Keal led to the B8035 which took us further round the coast, including along a precipitous ledge. Finally back on the A849, we turned right to the bitter end at Fionnphort, before doubling back, still finding time to drive out to Lochbuie before catching the ferry back to Lochaline.
Saturday
Meeting up in Fort William, we headed north and west for the Isle of Skye. The A851 was followed down to Armadale for lunch, including a loop around the minor road to Tarskavaig. Back into Broadford, before heading south again on the B8083 to Elgol. A mini Top Gear challenge saw the 'big oaf' in the ordinary family car cover 5 miles from Glasnakille to Drinan quicker than two young blokes could walk half a mile along the coast!
Back up to Broadford, then a quick blast west to Sligachan Hotel and onto the A850 and B8009 to get down to Glenbrittle, so driving as far round the Black Cuillin as you can. It was then a mad dash back east to cross the Bealach na Ba before dusk - although it was very misty - to get to the hostel in Applecross, and then a delicious meal in the local Inn.
Sunday
After a long wait in the morning, Glen Haydn and Rob headed north from the hostel for a few quick photos of a ruined village, before heading back to pick the others up and go right down to the southern end of the Applecross road, where a couple of 'James Bond Boats' appeared. Exploring some of the little bays and villages as we worked back north, before once more heading up to the summit of the Bealach na Ba. At the top, we went for a walk, climbing up to the transmitter at 776m above sea level, and over 100m above the cars.
We then headed south again, along the A896, A890 and A87 to Shiel Bridge, from where we took the Mam Ratagan Pass over to Glenelg, exploring right the way down to Arnisdale and Corran, before turning back and taking a look at the Glenelg Brochs and the Glenelg - Kylerhea Ferry. We decided against crossing the ferry, as it would add a couple of hours to the journey back to the Corran Bunkhouse, so instead it was back over the Mam Ratagan and the A87 and A82 to the bunkhouse. Then it was goodbye to Glen and across the Corran Ferry to the Inn at Ardgour for tea.
Monday
With Rob back at work, it was just Haydn, Matt and Paul left to head south on the A828 and A85 through Oban, then the A816 to Lochgilphead and the A83 to Campbeltown, finally coming to an end at The Mull of Kintyre. Heading back up Kintyre involved exploring the B843 and the full length of the B842 and B879, as well as some of the B8001. But then it was time to head for home, back along the rest of the A83, over the Rest and be Thankful to the A82 at Tarbet, and so back through Glasgow and onto the motorway across the border.
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