WFTR Scotland Run

Published in Jun 22

At last, after a delay of 2 years due to lockdowns, 10 WFTR members in 6 TR’s undertook a memorable trip to and around Scotland from 29 Apr to 09 May.  An overall recorded mileage for each car was about 2100 miles and there were no major breakdowns which is testimony to the preparation and durability of our cars.

Having travelled up by all combinations of various motorway, non motorway, A and B roads we all met at the Peebles Hydro hotel in Scottish border country.  It was packed as there was an anaesthetist conference and away weekend going on there.  This did not detract from our bonding and arrangements as a tour group for our adventure over a drink and supper.

Day 1 took us on a long journey up to Inverness stopping off at the Kelpies.  We then went on to Pitlochery Damn led by Andy McLaren along some nice narrow winding roads.  On then to meet Charlie Guilder a GL with a Register Highland Group for afternoon tea at his house before he then led us on a superb backroad run out to Boat of Garten station.  We then headed on to Inverness and booked in to our hotels. 

Day 2 was quite wet and we spent the day on various individual tours around the city.  Highlights were the Botanic Gardens and Culloden Battlefield plus Museum nearby.

Day 3 we set off headed for Bettyhill on the North coast.  We stopped off first at Shin Falls and then in Lairg to refresh before headed onwards.  Our selected route after Altmahara was a single track road (with grass growing down the middle on many sections) East of the main A836 via Strath Moore and past Ben Hope Peak.  This was a very challenging, but enjoyable drive. We then headed East again on the A836 back to Bettyhill.  This route was absolutely superb from a scenery perspective and reaffirmed that we were really now well into the Highlands.

Day 4 took us to Ullapool along some great roads with very little traffic.  First we stopped at Smoo Cave which is the biggest natural cave in Europe then on to the Rock Stop Cafe for lunch.  Shortly later we branched off onto a superb coastline single track (with passing places) route on down to Ullapool.  A great drive today and arriving in Ullapool in time to look around this charming town.

Day 5 was a big drive day as we headed for the Isle of Skye with many of the single track roads with stunning scenery all around.  First stop was the amazing Corrieshalloc Gorge which we walked down to and then on to stop for coffee at Aulthen. More lovely roads took us to lunch at Torridon where we had a superb lunch enjoyed with great views over the McGregor Bay and surrounding hills.  One driver even had a Haggis Toastie for lunch!.  We then set out on another beautiful route with narrow scenic roads, but topped off by a stunning ascent and descent of the Applecross pass.  Sadly the very top was shrouded in cloud, but this did not detract from a superb experience. We then drove on to cross the bridge onto the Isle of Skye and book into our B&B’s for 2 nights.

Day 6 was spent individually exploring and walking routes on the Isle of Skye where the scenery went up yet one more click.  We could clearly see the attraction of visiting the island.

Day 7 saw us up for an early breakfast and departure on a damp morning to the ferry crossing off Skye to the mainland at Armadale bound for Malaig which took 40 minutes.  We then set off to view the famous Glenfinnan viaduct where we just missed a traversing train.  It was wet, but that did not detract from us walking a short path to look at the viaduct from below and get some photo opportunities.  More incredible roads and scenery as we set off for the ferry to the Isle of Mull at Lochaline.  It was a 30 minute crossing to Fishnish where we disembarked and set off for a refuel at Tobermory.  A short drive over steep, winding and narrow roads took us to our hotel at Dervaig to book in for a 2 night stay.

Day 8 was a free to roam day with various cars doing different routes around a fascinating Island.  Tim and Avis drove a fairly long out and return route to visit the Isle of Iona.  Others walked and drove to various interesting places on the Island of which there was no shortage.

Day 9 was another early run down to a ferry port at Craignure where we took the one hour ferry across to Oban.  Andy McLaren left us here to carry on his Scottish routes exploration.  The rest of us set out on yet another superb back road circumnavigation of Loch Awe to Inveraray Castle (the subject of the film “A Very British Scandal).  A lovely drive.  Mike and Lynda then left the group to head for his brothers house in Glasgow with the remainder of the tour moving on to their hotel at Loch Lomond.

Day 10 was a run form Loch Lomond (after a hotel fire at breakfast!) to an excellent Maritime Museum on the coast at Irvine not far from Troon.  This was a star find and a fascinating place to explore.  It was on then to Carlisle for individually arranged trips back to home territory.

Summary. All one can say about our brilliant tour of Scotland with memorable roads and scenery is that it will sit very high in our memories and was worth the 2 year wait.  The cars were brilliant and we look forward to more of the same.  Weather was acceptable, but roofs where up much of the time as we were just pre season (the best time to go!).