johnlc Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 It's nearly 30 years since I've been to this area and the one road I remember that would be difficult in a motorhome is the Pass of the Cattle on the Applecross peninsula. I've googled this topic but mainly get details of roads with high fatalities. Any roads from your experience you would suggest avoiding? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Your details show you have a Fifer touring S, so I can't offhand think of any road that wouldn't go down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Had Enough Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 johnlc - 2015-04-04 11:19 AMIt's nearly 30 years since I've been to this area and the one road I remember that would be difficult in a motorhome is the Pass of the Cattle on the Applecross peninsula.I've googled this topic but mainly get details of roads with high fatalities.Any roads from your experience you would suggest avoiding?Thanks We did this two years ago in a 6.75 metre coachbuilt and found it no problem at all. Large delivery vans going to Applecross do it regularly. We returned the northern 'long way round' route, which was a very pleasant drive. I seem recollect a small camp site at Applecross if you'd like to stay the night. There are lots of passing places and I don't remember any really scary 'edge of the road drops'. Whether I'd do it now in my 2.35 metres wide A Class is another story, but I'd be tempted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 johnlc - 2015-04-04 11:19 AM It's nearly 30 years since I've been to this area and the one road I remember that would be difficult in a motorhome is the Pass of the Cattle on the Applecross peninsula. I've googled this topic but mainly get details of roads with high fatalities. Any roads from your experience you would suggest avoiding? Thanks The only road in the Highlands that I would suggest you avoid is on the island of Mull. It's the B8073 from Killiechronan to Calgary ( and on to Tobermory ). It's not a difficult drive - just frustrating. Unlike most Scottish single lane tracks, you often can't see the next passing place so you are much more likely to be reversing back into them if / when someone comes the other way. Quite scenic, but It seemed to take us hours to get round that way. We went into Applecross from Fearnmore ( from the north ) with no problem - a scenic route - and came out of Applecross over the Pass of the Cattle with no problem. I would think it's a bit easier to come out of Applecross that way as the eastern side of the pass is a bit steeper. Ours is a 6 metre van. Driving around the highlands is no problem at all as long as you are not in a hurry. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 ....this (Google Streetview snapshot) might give you a bit of confidence..... http://tinyurl.com/bealachnabamh (I can't believe they didn't either go up or down ;-) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejkay Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Did it last summer in a 5.99m Chausson Flash S2 and wondered what all the fuss was about. Devon and Cornwall roads are worse :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frederic Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Pass of the Cattle! No probs. even when the mist is down to your bumpers and your heart is in your mouth!! Mind you the Tesco /Asda vans are fearless! A 1/2 pt. at the Applecross pub and a nice meal can calm the nerves in preparation the longer coastal route return. frederic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Generally the highland roads in a motorhome are far easier than Cornwall or the Lake District with their narrow lanes and untrimmed trees sticking out. Even the Cattle road to Applecross is alright in a motorhome, except in winter snowdrifts. Its a long climb, old vehicles would boil up, and its hugely strenuous for cyclists, but easy enough for us (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Collings Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 To misquote Startrek. To boldly go where where only white van man has been before and seek out new pubs and new ales and malts. Just how long that will be possible with the wind of change sweeping Scotland politic is a different matter altogether. Will we need to get our English Passports or will the lure of loosing tourist income prevent that. Worries worries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve928 Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Peter James - 2015-04-04 6:13 PM its hugely strenuous for cyclists Who told you that? It's a doddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted April 5, 2015 Share Posted April 5, 2015 George Collings - 2015-04-04 6:36 PM Just how long that will be possible with the wind of change sweeping Scotland politic is a different matter altogether. Will we need to get our English Passports or will the lure of loosing tourist income prevent that. Worries worries It won't happen because as soon as the SNP gets a few votes the English Establishment gets the wind up and gives Scotland more money. I think the thing they are most scared of is losing the nuclear base at Faslane, and money is no object when it comes to defending themselves and someone else is paying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted April 5, 2015 Share Posted April 5, 2015 malc d - 2015-04-04 11:52 AM The only road in the Highlands that I would suggest you avoid is on the island of Mull. It's the B8073 from Killiechronan to Calgary ( and on to Tobermory ). It's not a difficult drive - just frustrating. Unlike most Scottish single lane tracks, you often can't see the next passing place so you are much more likely to be reversing back into them if / when someone comes the other way. Quite scenic, but It seemed to take us hours to get round that way. ;-) As it happens, a group of friends and us are staying in Killiechronan House for a week from this Friday. AND, we're taking the van - 6m coachbuilt - because we have a 12 week old puppy and dogs are not allowed in the house. We've stayed there at this time for the past 10 years or so, so we know the road well, and I agree the bit I'm not looking forward to is having the van as our only means of travel - well, except for bikes. As for the Applecross hill road, I agree with those who say it's not that bad, but I can't agree with whoever said it was a doddle on a bike. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southender Posted April 5, 2015 Share Posted April 5, 2015 If you can`t manage the Bealach na Bà in a motorhome then you shouldn`t be driving on the public highway in the first place. There`s nothing to it and only 1 corner needs a little thought. If you still insist on driving then take a refresher course which would then enable you to negotiate this delightful road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlc Posted April 5, 2015 Author Share Posted April 5, 2015 Thanks for the reassurance and the great photo. Also thanks for the comment about the Mull road. I'm quite capable of driving it but I do find my Fifer, at 100 bhp, underpowered on hills. I'm really looking forward to travelling on the islands in particular, and have just find a great looking campsite at the tip of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 johnlc - 2015-04-05 8:05 PM ...... and have just find a great looking campsite at the tip of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. ....if it's Resipole Farm, just be careful who's booked the pitch next to you......... ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlc Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 Nice one Robin Hood. Yes it was Resipole Farm. That helicopter pilot has missed Balmoral by a long way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 johnlc - 2015-04-06 9:48 AM Nice one Robin Hood. Yes it was Resipole Farm. That helicopter pilot has missed Balmoral by a long way! I wonder if he had posted on a helicopter forum somewhere?...and asked the question- " Scottish Highlands - difficult to land a helicopter?" (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 pepe63 - 2015-04-06 9:55 AM I wonder if he had posted on a helicopter forum somewhere?...and asked the question- " Scottish Highlands - difficult to land a helicopter?" (lol) ....well, Charles Kennedy was there - perhaps he was the pilot? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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