Touring: The Cairngorms and NW highlands with the forum

[st4]

Well folks, here is the

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Well folks, here is the

Shortest post on the forum?

 

[st4]

Mis key, I've gone and knackered my hand. Karl, can you sort out so its up top mate

Well folks, here is the forum tour....

We started off following the route I planned but in Reverse.

Here is day one

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...lhs6e3-zCOSDENyMkBc5PEWQ&gl=uk&mra=ls&t=m&z=8

The route tackled the legendary Dukes pass. Here my C class being nimble came into its own swinging from Apex to Apex and creating a sizable gap over the others.

From here, a more sedate pace was tackled. This part of the journey takes you though west Perthshire and over the Sma Glen. Its a quiet and undiscovered driving nirvana that the bikers haven't thankfully sniffed out.

Anyway, after a delightful lunch at the East Haugh Hotel nr Pitlochary, we aimed the cars into the Cairngorms and for Braemar. More driving Nirvana was reached with the devils Elbow and the Lecht.

And we are a socialble bunch


DSC_0298 by [email protected], on Flickr

Unfortunately as we stopped a bus passed us.


DSC_0301 by [email protected], on Flickr

My Peashooter is bloody strong and blasted past it, and Seans beautiful CLS55 did the same. As did Mr Speed and corned and actually everyone gunned it passed. What a magnficent sight, all these rusty and unreliable cars with their massochistic owners celebrating this by a drive over some of the best roads in the world.

The Lecht was dead and some real driving was done. My cars poise, agility and control compared to my E class was a revelation and an utter joy to behold. Feck the rust, this was a proper driving experience.

The weather was also decent and without incriminating myself, I really had a progressive drive with Sean behind me in his CLS55 until it was time for him to pass. This car makes an apocalyptic noise and this time last year, thanks to Seans generosity, I had the priviledge of making that noise with my right foot. Anyway, we drew into Ullapool well ahead of the others.

Some snaps


DSC_0307 by [email protected], on Flickr


DSC_0308 by [email protected], on Flickr

The weather wasn't great, but the road was, and my skinnier tyres meant I felt quite planted on the road, even at the NSL of 60mph. The E class with the wider wheels wasn't as good.

Anyway, we all dined and were merry in the Seaforth pub. What fun, you, your forum mates all having fun in their cars.

The next part of the route the next day was this

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...nrzlYgVhWISDEeUe8FuIPmcQ&gl=uk&mra=ls&t=m&z=8

The drive from Ullapool the Gairloch is great. The others went ahead, I was feeling sedate and a bit skint so cruised along.

I stopped at Gruinard, here IIRC is the Anthrax Island where this was tested in WWII. Its still uninhabitable


DSC_0012 by [email protected], on Flickr

I also like the view at Loch Ewe Nr Altbea.


DSC_0015 by [email protected], on Flickr

In the WWII a lot of naval ships were hidden here so Jerry couldn't destroy them. Now we come back in the third Reichs staff cars, how times change and how the residents here of yesteryear would turn in their graves at the prospect of this. It must be strange as here is so isolated, but their efforts in the war should not go under estimated.

You really can see this from the road.


DSC_0023 by [email protected], on Flickr

Up this way was always the annual famity holiday when I was a small lad, I always vowed I'd come back as my old man always seemed to have fun blasting us along here in his motor. I used to begrudge his high speed as my lunch would be disturbed, but I don't blame him now, this is proper fun....

Passed Gairloch I stopped to take this image


DSC_0311 by [email protected], on Flickr

I had expected the others to catch up, but they hadn't. I sensed problems but drove on, and I got the call that Sean had picked up a rock and injured a tyre. Its easily done on these roads. Big cars can suffer. Its why I have the skip.

We waited on Sean at the side of Loch Maree


DSC_0031 by [email protected], on Flickr

Being a Sunday getting a new tyre was tricky, but we sedately drove to John R Weir in Inverness to see if they could help. They couldn't have been better, they gave us contacts to try as its an odd tyre and they didn't carry the tyre needed to fit Seans wheel. Really well done and its sad to see them fall under the Arnold Shark empire. John R Weir make a great ambassador for the Mercedes marque and provide a level of care and service that goes the extra mile. In short, they care, and they try.

Seans car did not get worse, so we soldier on to Aviemore, where again it did not get worse. We ate at the Roos Leap and this is a proper big fat man feed. Highly recommended.

Sean and trapperjohn went back to Glasgow via the A9 as the next part of the route was twisty and would put the tyre at higher temps and risk of blowing out. Johns a top man for supporting Sean morally and following in case of the worst.

We went down the A86 at stopped at Laggan


DSC_0038 by [email protected], on Flickr

I picked up an injury getting this picture, so you all better love it. I slipped on a rock, back is agony and I smacked my arm off the rock breaking the fall. I was able to drive but am stuggling to type this and probably have made errors in spelling and grammar as my wirsts and fore arm are sore.

At the other end of the Loch the view is immesne


DSC_0324 by [email protected], on Flickr

The dam is something else


DSC_0319 by [email protected], on Flickr

Keith led the way to Ft William, we stopped for coffee, sat in his big E class had a good bye chat. I went into the pub attached to the premier inn in search of ice for the fecked arm. They were helpful and let the pain subside, and then I set off. The C class was a soothing companion for what was an uncomfortable drive, and its every bit the Mercedes it purports to be, just with added bite for the fun stuff. What a brilliant car


DSC_0326 by [email protected], on Flickr

And cheap on the fuel too...

 

[Igurisu]

Nice pics Steve, not looked at mine yet.

I hope Sean got the tyre sorted OK today.

Cath and I had a great weekend, both the driving and the food were great, (the ale in Ullapool was pretty good too) The weather was OK, we had the top down on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

My wife, Cath, had a good time although her eyes did glaze during some of the chat when we got more technical We took it easy the first day, hanging at the back and taking in the views. Sunday morning I decided to press the loud pedal a bit so I nudged up behind Sean in his CLS, not that I could keep up with him, but just so I could listen to the noise when he took off

Today we drove to Edinburgh this morning and spent the afternoon there, had some lunch and a walk round the shops in the sunshine (the price of taking the better half on a motoring weekend).

Arrived back around 7PM this evening, we had a great weekend, good company, great scenery, great roads and some nice food and drink. Thanks to all for making it so enjoyable, especially Steve for the planning and organisation.

 

[st4]

I heard a few comments about how poised your CLK was in the bends from other members.

The lack of mass over the nose compared to a diesel will have something to do with it, and your MPG and poise makes a real case for petrol power.

Good of you to come, its a sizable distance and length of time, so I am glad you both liked it.

Haste ye back!!!

 

[BenzedUP]

Nice views, if I'm going to enjoy the roads properly then my ideal car would be an E46 M3, in these conditions they are great great fun.

 

[st4]

Nice views, if I'm going to enjoy the roads properly then my ideal car would be an E46 M3, in these conditions they are great great fun.

I'd wager that would be a very good choice.

Sean said his Boxster would have been incredible up here. I fully believe it and the roof down would add a dimension to it all.

 

[C240Sport97]

copied from the Scotland tour thread:

++++++

the route this year was wonderful .. our resident tour director ***, once again excelled himself. He even reversed the route and replanned the whole thing to take account of the weather.

*** and I played catch all over the mountains where there was ample opportunity to make the V8 roar. What impressed me was the amazing agility and balance of ***'s 204 estate. It kept me honest .. although, in my defence, my tyres were past their best.

it was enormous fun too on Sunday morning leading the pack with igurisu and corned on the sweeping and bumpy A road along some Loch whose name I have forgotten. Only on a steep uphill was igurisu convinced of the difference between a V8K and 4K

the company was excellent, and it was really great to see old faces from last year, and new ones this year.

most of all, thank you so very much to all you fantastic folks for helping out with that half egg sized boil on my near side front tyre wall .. acquired after I hit a rock on some narrow road in the Highlands on Sunday late morning.

I drove the CLS approximately 280 miles before I could get a replacement tyre.

Thank you to sspeed for spotting me in the layby and following me to the next rendez vous. Thank you to everyone for driving slowly to MB Inverness and hanging around as various options were explored.

And platinum star of the trip to trapperjohn for following me all the way from Inverness to Aviemore, and then to Milngavie .. at around 47mph. trapperjohn had to suffer some angry traffic, some blinding headlights and horrendous boredom as I nursed the car for around 230 miles with him being my guardian angel. There is no finer gentleman. Sir, thank you from my heart, I owe you big time.

Driving Miss Daisy has its benefits. You notice the vast, stunning and quite beautiful landscape, the sky, the lightly formed and quite shapely clouds, and the odd bird. Plus some lush heather.

Some yoofs passed me in a Polo .. I saw the passenger spot my V8 Kompressor badge, turn around tell his mates, they all laughed and then sped off. No doubt on a VW forum somewhere is a tale of how a 1.3 liter Polo burned off a 5.5 liter supercharged V8 Merc ..

Thanks also to Harry (HB) for organising the replacement tyres with incredible speed and efficiency. Harry has a musical Scottish accent I could actually understand. Thanks for your help Harry, and for helping me to get back home tonight.

My tyres were fitted at Skidz (where *** has his E class tyres fitted) in Falkirk. They were good, I would rate them 8.5 out of 10. My only criticism is that they did not use seat covers despite me asking and pointing out the near white leather seats. They did not damage, scratch or kerb my alloys, which is a big plus. And they gave me a lift to the Falkirk Wheel, which is a marvel of design and engineering.

I decided to change all 4 tyres (again MO XL Continental Sport Contact 3), which Harry sorted out at a great price.

Driving back to London, a journey of some 430 miles via the A66 and A1 and A1(M), as recommended by corned, was magic. The A66 is really quite a road, almost like driving at the top of the world, with jaw dropping scenery all round, lit by the setting sun in blaze of gold, orange and many other colours in between.

New tyres were definitely needed, despite at least 4mm left front (which has done about 21k miles) and rear (about 9k miles). The old tyres had seen 2 Goodwood track days and some hard Scottish driving .. they were kaput.

I was wondering why airmatic had seem to have failed, and why there was increased road noise and rumble. Answer, tyres dead.

With new tyres, it was as if airmatic was switched back on, and as if the roads had been resurfaced. The cabin 'upgraded' itself back to first class for refinement, comfort and hush.

It's like a new car all over again.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[st4]

Pleasure to have you here and Harry is a top man for sorting out tyres in a hurry.

I'm glad the route was a success.

 

[jaymanek]

Excellent story and pics.

I had a great time last year up that way around loch lomond in my blue 560 SEC. So much fun...

 

[ridgeley]

nice photos mate

 

[st4]

Excellent story and pics.

I had a great time last year up that way around loch lomond in my blue 560 SEC. So much fun...

I recall, this time last year, I saw you as I was in a slow queue just passing through Glen Coe. Your car looked lovely and I instantly knew who it was as there ain't many of these on the go.

nice photos mate

Cheers, brilliant weekend it was.

 

[bpsorrel]

Sounds brilliant Steve and if we'd been in UK, would have loved to come. We will be doing the Scottish tour though sometime when we get back as SWMBO continues to ask me to take her up there to visit relations and also show her where I had my bungalow in Kingussie.
Also, Russians have a mystical idea about Scotland...

Will definately let you know when we come up as it'd be great to meet up!

 

[trapperjohn]

Let me just say this tour was beautiful. Beautiful is not a word I often use.

Steve did a top job nailing it all together.

I came round one corner to be confronted by a beautiful Loch, the sun was out and it was just awesome. The music on my CD changed to Santana and Black Magic Woman. Life could not have got any better at that moment. If you believe in serenity, that moment encapsulated it for me.

Great friendship and camaraderie shared on the tour too. One place we stopped for lunch in Pitlochery was just magic.

Scotland. I'll be back.

 

[8maverick4]

From here, a more sedate pace was tackled. This part of the journey takes you though west Perthshire and over the Sma Glen. Its a quiet and undiscovered driving nirvana that the bikers haven't thankfully sniffed out.

That's a pretty awesome trip you guys had up here - you packed in some great roads. Us local bikers love the sma glen road

On the next trip try the road to Oban from Crianlarich, the old military road between Braco and Comrie (Ford used to ship test cars here for Jackie Stewart to try), and further north, the road to Applecross. Some of my favourites on two wheels or four and easily some of the best driving roads that Scotland has to offer.

 

[st4]

That's a pretty awesome trip you guys had up here - you packed in some great roads. Us local bikers love the sma glen road

On the next trip try the road to Oban from Crianlarich, the old military road between Braco and Comrie (Ford used to ship test cars here for Jackie Stewart to try), and further north, the road to Applecross. Some of my favourites on two wheels or four and easily some of the best driving roads that Scotland has to offer.

The A85 is at its best between Dalmally and Tyndrum. Brilliant fun sweeping road.

The Braco to Comrie road is ace, not done it in three years and nearly put it in this route, but the Sma Glen run to Aberfeldy is ace.

I have ideas for a potential trip next year, cue, Lochgilphead to Oban...

 

[trapperjohn]

Some MPG figures from my 210 300D Estate for the trip. The car is reasonably new to me. It has 170K on the clock and is T Reg. The figures were taken click to click - had to be because it is pre facelift with no fancy read outs.

Started with a full tank of Sainsbuds stuff (cos it was cheap and I had a money off ticket) Prior to this fill up had I slung a bottle of Forte Diesel treatment into the tank (Thank you Ian Walker)

My first "top up" 98 miles later, a miserable 31 MPG. Not a clue why it was so low. Motorway journey all the way from Preston to almost the Scottish borders. Crusing at around 60. Topped off with Shell fuel.
Next top up 98 miles again after that - Better at 40 MPG. BP fuel now on top of the Shell.
Now the tour starts. No motorways for a while. 32 MPG By yon bonny banks and braes.
Another top up. 37 MPG. Esso fuel added to the mix. A lot of these miles were acting as Sean's "rear gunner" so a gentle pace.
Final top up when I got back home resulting in 40MPG on the run down from Glasgow, cruise control was set to 60 MPH all the way home.

1034 miles averaging out at 36.7 MPG.

So happy man with the MPG and car. All in all - yes. Its a big old comfy lump but I do get "numb bum" syndrome after as little as 100 miles of travelling. That does not happen in my 124. But my 124 does not have cruise and speed limiter nor does it have a great sounding stereo. The stereo in the 210 is a Sony CD (old timer system, I guess the original stereo in the Merc was a tape system) and the sound is streets ahead of the 124 even though I have Rainbow speakers in that and a brand new Sony CD player in that.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Interesting Mr T. I have a readout and mine is averaging 42mpg over a wide range of conditions. Later Cdi engine in mine, obviously, but some of your figures look very low. At a 60mph cruise I actually hit 55 mpg once.

 

[renault12ts]

Interesting Mr T. I have a readout and mine is averaging 42mpg over a wide range of conditions. Later Cdi engine in mine, obviously, but some of your figures look very low. At a 60mph cruise I actually hit 55 mpg once.

I've seen over 52...but never 55...well done.

 

[Charles Morgan]

That was on an absolutely flat and unhindered by any traffic run from Bruges to Calais, and might just have been a shade below 60mph, but I was impressed.