st4
Banned
So this was the official first shake down of "The Skip". Her first of many tours around Scotland.
Intitally I wasn't planning on a tour, I like to leave early in the morning but a dental appointment (I need a wisdom tooth filled apparently) and a late lunch planned with Greig (some of you know him) meant a tour, despite the resurgence of sunshine for the weekend was off the cards....
Or was it. After late lunch of fish and chips with mushy peas I decided I just about had enough time to do a mini tour. I met Greig in Perth as he lives in Aberdeen so its a half way point. The day was too good.
I left Perth around 530pm and headed up Glenalmond to the Sma Glen.
Here is the new motor, god its a good looking thing
DSC_0376 by [email protected], on Flickr
Perthshire is full of old shooting lodges and estates
DSC_0378 by [email protected], on Flickr
There is one. 14 bedrooms, acres (or hectares) galore in which to fish, deer stalk etc. Deer is something you really need to be careful of whilst driving in this part of the world.
The road up the Sma Glen has some lovely twists, dips, turns and in this car you can swing from Apex to Apex no problem. She has a very controlled front end, very tight, no slack there. Bit looser at the rear as I discovered mid bump but not terribly so, just well set up and fun.
Back to the deer. The roads can open up
DSC_0379 by [email protected], on Flickr
But you'd really be mad to as sheep, deer etc can just leap out.
Just as well, gives you the chance to take in views like this
DSC_0381 by [email protected], on Flickr
And this, which you really can see from the roadside
DSC_0382 by [email protected], on Flickr
Here, I am nearer Tummel bridge, and you can see the scenery look more like the majestic west coast highlands, rather than the bleaker appearance of Perthshire.
God its a good looking motor
DSC_0385 by [email protected], on Flickr
Problem thought, its very bright and I treated the windscreen with rain ex, its given a slight smear to it, and the sun pouring in, made it harder to see out of, so very slowly I went, and deer were actually out on the road.
At Tummel Bridge, there is a massive hydro electric power station. This is now operated by SSE but all this used to be independent of there and Scottish hydro electric provided most of the areas electricity. Its stunning building and further down there is more hydro electric plants making sustainable electricity.
DSC_0388 by [email protected], on Flickr
DSC_0390 by [email protected], on Flickr
Further down towards Kinloch Rannoch (quite far west, as the Rannoch station on the west Highland line is only 18 miles further west) you can see Schiehallion
DSC_0392 by [email protected], on Flickr
And again Schielhallion dominates the scenery as you head down Loch Rannoch....
DSC_0398 by [email protected], on Flickr
Its a nice little road this that runs more or less along the Loch, and its very popular with wild campers, despite its relatively isolated positioning. I wish they'd cut the trees and bushes from the road side, so you can fully appreciate the outstanding beauty and uniqueness of the area.
This is the view I want from the road
DSC_0404 by [email protected], on Flickr
As you can see, evening was drawing in, but what a marvellous place.
DSC_0406 by [email protected], on Flickr
I can see the fascination with the wild campers, this is worth an 80 mile round trip from Perth. Bet you wish you were me yesterday evening, rather than down the pub. Why go down the pub when you can go see this?
Even down the Loch, you can still see Shiehallion, her peak is cheekily standing proud
DSC_0412 by [email protected], on Flickr
Can you see something else standing proud. Look again, there is a small tower in the middle of the Loch. Rumour has it, this was built as a prison way back, but it looks too small to incarcerate anyone.
Yep, thats one good looking car
DSC_0413 by [email protected], on Flickr
DSC_0421 by [email protected], on Flickr
Loch Rannoch has two roads round it, so you can do a lap. I didn't head all the way to the Rannoch station, too late in the day, but its worth doing and sadly, despite plans being made, the road stops there. At one stage there was talk about connecting the road to take it to Kinclochleven and that would given another West/East connection. As it is, if you need to go to the west coast (say ft William) rather than have a 20mile hop from Rannoch station, you need to drive round to Tummel Bridge, down to Killin and upto ft William, well over 100 miles.
One way to look at it is I suppose it converves the Rannoch Moor and keeps the mystery and intrigue about what lies between the A82 that crosses further west on the Rannoch moor, and the west highland line.
Looking back East to Kinloch Rannoch
DSC_0422 by [email protected], on Flickr
Look closely, another hydro station
DSC_0425 by [email protected], on Flickr
I suppose I should really comment on the car.
The bad stuff
DSC_0435 by [email protected], on Flickr
I reckon the shed would use about the same amount of fuel, its not terrible economical. That said, I had it at 44.1mpg just NSL cruising but I'd have hoped for it to be more economical.
Headlights, well, they are good on full beam, but only ok on dipped. I am used to Xenons remember, but these are not as good, but still ok
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/78452652@N08/7814847368/]
DSC_0430 by [email protected], on Flickr[/URL]
The good stuff.
Its very well damped. Its comfortable but poised and doesn't bottom out.
Steering. Some of that W204 shake that has been complained about has been oberserved, but its really very slight. Its precise, accurate and has a level of feedback thats to be expected in this sort of car. You know it goes where you turn it, and lets you know about the surface.
Seating. Brilliant, not offset like a 211 and the cloth seats are much better and supportive for enthusiastic cornering.
Engine, its rather punchy and traffic really can be dispatched into the rear view mirror if needbe.
Transmission, it doesn't get better.
In short, its a proper quality car this and I love it.
Intitally I wasn't planning on a tour, I like to leave early in the morning but a dental appointment (I need a wisdom tooth filled apparently) and a late lunch planned with Greig (some of you know him) meant a tour, despite the resurgence of sunshine for the weekend was off the cards....
Or was it. After late lunch of fish and chips with mushy peas I decided I just about had enough time to do a mini tour. I met Greig in Perth as he lives in Aberdeen so its a half way point. The day was too good.
I left Perth around 530pm and headed up Glenalmond to the Sma Glen.
Here is the new motor, god its a good looking thing
DSC_0376 by [email protected], on Flickr
Perthshire is full of old shooting lodges and estates
DSC_0378 by [email protected], on Flickr
There is one. 14 bedrooms, acres (or hectares) galore in which to fish, deer stalk etc. Deer is something you really need to be careful of whilst driving in this part of the world.
The road up the Sma Glen has some lovely twists, dips, turns and in this car you can swing from Apex to Apex no problem. She has a very controlled front end, very tight, no slack there. Bit looser at the rear as I discovered mid bump but not terribly so, just well set up and fun.
Back to the deer. The roads can open up
DSC_0379 by [email protected], on Flickr
But you'd really be mad to as sheep, deer etc can just leap out.
Just as well, gives you the chance to take in views like this
DSC_0381 by [email protected], on Flickr
And this, which you really can see from the roadside
DSC_0382 by [email protected], on Flickr
Here, I am nearer Tummel bridge, and you can see the scenery look more like the majestic west coast highlands, rather than the bleaker appearance of Perthshire.
God its a good looking motor
DSC_0385 by [email protected], on Flickr
Problem thought, its very bright and I treated the windscreen with rain ex, its given a slight smear to it, and the sun pouring in, made it harder to see out of, so very slowly I went, and deer were actually out on the road.
At Tummel Bridge, there is a massive hydro electric power station. This is now operated by SSE but all this used to be independent of there and Scottish hydro electric provided most of the areas electricity. Its stunning building and further down there is more hydro electric plants making sustainable electricity.
DSC_0388 by [email protected], on Flickr
DSC_0390 by [email protected], on Flickr
Further down towards Kinloch Rannoch (quite far west, as the Rannoch station on the west Highland line is only 18 miles further west) you can see Schiehallion
DSC_0392 by [email protected], on Flickr
And again Schielhallion dominates the scenery as you head down Loch Rannoch....
DSC_0398 by [email protected], on Flickr
Its a nice little road this that runs more or less along the Loch, and its very popular with wild campers, despite its relatively isolated positioning. I wish they'd cut the trees and bushes from the road side, so you can fully appreciate the outstanding beauty and uniqueness of the area.
This is the view I want from the road
DSC_0404 by [email protected], on Flickr
As you can see, evening was drawing in, but what a marvellous place.
DSC_0406 by [email protected], on Flickr
I can see the fascination with the wild campers, this is worth an 80 mile round trip from Perth. Bet you wish you were me yesterday evening, rather than down the pub. Why go down the pub when you can go see this?
Even down the Loch, you can still see Shiehallion, her peak is cheekily standing proud
DSC_0412 by [email protected], on Flickr
Can you see something else standing proud. Look again, there is a small tower in the middle of the Loch. Rumour has it, this was built as a prison way back, but it looks too small to incarcerate anyone.
Yep, thats one good looking car
DSC_0413 by [email protected], on Flickr
DSC_0421 by [email protected], on Flickr
Loch Rannoch has two roads round it, so you can do a lap. I didn't head all the way to the Rannoch station, too late in the day, but its worth doing and sadly, despite plans being made, the road stops there. At one stage there was talk about connecting the road to take it to Kinclochleven and that would given another West/East connection. As it is, if you need to go to the west coast (say ft William) rather than have a 20mile hop from Rannoch station, you need to drive round to Tummel Bridge, down to Killin and upto ft William, well over 100 miles.
One way to look at it is I suppose it converves the Rannoch Moor and keeps the mystery and intrigue about what lies between the A82 that crosses further west on the Rannoch moor, and the west highland line.
Looking back East to Kinloch Rannoch
DSC_0422 by [email protected], on Flickr
Look closely, another hydro station
DSC_0425 by [email protected], on Flickr
I suppose I should really comment on the car.
The bad stuff
DSC_0435 by [email protected], on Flickr
I reckon the shed would use about the same amount of fuel, its not terrible economical. That said, I had it at 44.1mpg just NSL cruising but I'd have hoped for it to be more economical.
Headlights, well, they are good on full beam, but only ok on dipped. I am used to Xenons remember, but these are not as good, but still ok
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/78452652@N08/7814847368/]
DSC_0430 by [email protected], on Flickr[/URL]
The good stuff.
Its very well damped. Its comfortable but poised and doesn't bottom out.
Steering. Some of that W204 shake that has been complained about has been oberserved, but its really very slight. Its precise, accurate and has a level of feedback thats to be expected in this sort of car. You know it goes where you turn it, and lets you know about the surface.
Seating. Brilliant, not offset like a 211 and the cloth seats are much better and supportive for enthusiastic cornering.
Engine, its rather punchy and traffic really can be dispatched into the rear view mirror if needbe.
Transmission, it doesn't get better.
In short, its a proper quality car this and I love it.
Last edited:
great memories of my time in Scotland, just love the place and get back every opportunity I can, still glad we have an office in Paisley 
I just had 2 weeks in Cyprus so not seen any work e mail for 2 weeks so dont have a clue whats in fron of me until tomorrow. Will keep you posted 
