Scotch Bonnet 500 Tour

IanU

Member
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336
So as per my comment in the ‘Which Events….’ Thread, MrsU and I are planning a trip north in September. It’s basically the North 500 but hopefully in SM style – I plan to wake up a few Haggis on our way through….
I’ve listed the itinerary below so that if anyone else is thinking of ticking it off the list, then this is the outline of the route we’ll be following (probably along with a shed load of other people this year ☹) and if you want to hook up and it fits the schedule would be great to see you. You’ll need to sort your own accommodation etc. obviously.
SO the Scotch Bonnet 500 Tour:
Day 1 - 13th September – Bicester to Dumbarton. Head down to get the lions share of the hike north out of the way.
Day 2 – 14th September – Dumbarton to Fort William (Torlundy)
Day 3 – 15th September – Fort William to Invergordon (taking in Fort Augustus & Loch Ness)
Day 4 – 16th September – Invergordon to Wick (visit to Invergordon RNLI)
Day 5 – 17th September – Wick to Thurso (via JOG)
Day 6 – 18th September – Thurso to Lairg (via Tongue). There is pretty much no accommodation available west of Bettyhill that is in the sensible budget zone for this period – from Bettyhill round to Unapool hence the diversion inland.
Day 7 – 19th September – Lairg to Drumbeg via Scourie
Day 8 – 20th September – Drumbeg. Maybe day trip to Durness.
Day 9 – 21st September – Drumbeg to Poolewe (via Lochinver / Ullapool)
Day 10 – 22nd September – Poolewe to Strathcarron (via Gairloch/Kinlochewe/Torridon/Applecross tba/Locharron)
Day 11 – 23rd September – Strathcarron back to Fort Wiliam (Torlundy)
Day 12 – 24th September – Fort William to Dockray (Ullswater)
Day 13 – 25th September – Dockray (Ullswater)
Day 14 – 26th September Dockray – Bicester.
Distances between each stop on the loop from Fort William and back to FW vary between 35 – 100 miles. I’m allowing the majority of the day to get to each stop as I’ve no idea how busy it’ll be (I’m assuming we won’t be the only ones though), I know a large portion of some of the routes are single track with passing places so it may take a while – we won’t know until we get there and will have to judge each day as it comes.
The FW loop is about 700 miles, I’ve estimated the whole circuit for us to be approx. 1700 miles.
Hopefully we haven't bitten off more than we can chew, but if the weather is favourable and we get a few clear roads it should be epic. If not then we'll just stock up on whiskey on our way round.
Tips, feedback, recommendations very welcome, and would be even better to make a bit of a convoy anywhere along the way :cool:

Cheers
Ian.
 

D Walker

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9,827
Ian, we stayed at the Bettyhill hotel, don’t know if still open, was owned by an ex Army Helicopter pilot.
For a sanity check we did it in 5 days, yep, fair amount on West coast is single lane with passing places, also had some close the eyes, we will fit moments...
Also did it in September.
Dave
 

IanU

Member
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336
Ian, we stayed at the Bettyhill hotel, don’t know if still open, was owned by an ex Army Helicopter pilot.
For a sanity check we did it in 5 days, yep, fair amount on West coast is single lane with passing places, also had some close the eyes, we will fit moments...
Also did it in September.
Dave
Thanks Dave, that's reassuring at least. Yes the Bettyhill Hotel was recommended to us too, it's open apparently but fully booked on most dates in September.
Sounds like 10 days for the FW loop should be fairly comfortable then - Cheers.
 

IanU

Member
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336
Well tomorrow we head North to start this adventure. I've put my winter tyres & rims back on to give me a bit of extra protection on the rims. Hotels and eateries booked for the entire route (including the recommended fish restaurant near Fort William)
Stay tuned for updates.
 

outrun

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5,017
Whatever you do, don't miss Applecross. The road there is incredible.

And you must go to Durness for the beaches. And the Skoo Caves.

The roads are not that bad, it's a lot of fun. Schools are back so the camper van count will have dropped.
 

Gazcw

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7,697
The Old Military Road through the Cairngorms up to Grantown Spey is a fantastic drive. And you get to go to Cock Bridge too! :D
 

IanU

Member
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336
Whatever you do, don't miss Applecross. The road there is incredible.

And you must go to Durness for the beaches. And the Skoo Caves.

The roads are not that bad, it's a lot of fun. Schools are back so the camper van count will have dropped.
They're all on the list
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
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21,013
The Old Military Road through the Cairngorms up to Grantown Spey is a fantastic drive. And you get to go to Cock Bridge too! :D
I seem to remember that Henry Cathpole make a Aston review video up that road. Have a look on YouTube.
 

Ebenezer

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4,445
Looking forward to see up updates Ian! We plotted to do this last September but managed to get to Italy instead. It's on the bucket list.
Eb
 

MarkMas

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