Some Advice Needed Re. Fuel Stops

[Speedy Claire]

Just after some advice and if anyone can help me out I`ll be extremely grateful :D

After the GMII I`m going to spend a few days touring and i know petrol stations can be few and far between up there so am trying to forward plan. From Elgin I`ll be heading over to Gairloch which is 106 miles using this route

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=elgin&daddr=gairloch&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=57.055669,-4.498901&sspn=1.341292,3.515625&ie=UTF8&ll=57.601278,-5.026245&spn=1.321523,3.515625&z=8

From Gairloch I`ll be heading to Lochcarron for the night which is another 50 miles using this route

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=gairloch&daddr=lochcarron&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=57.601278,-5.026245&sspn=1.321523,3.515625&ie=UTF8&ll=57.52541,-5.575562&spn=0.662123,1.757812&z=9

I know I can fill up in Elgin then Inverness but would I be able to get fuel relatively easy enough in between Gairloch and Lochcarron. Also after Lochcarron I`ll be heading over to Stirling sort of way on the A890, A87, A82 so is there a fuel stop near to Lochcarron?

Sorry if for you peeps living up there it seems a daft question but it`s the first time I`ve toured on my own and tried to plan a route so I don`t wanna end up stranded with possibly no mobile phone signal... I thought it best to check it out first.

Thanks in anticipation :D

[Sally]

Google Maps is dying on me, won't load.
Sorry.

[ethariel]

It's a reasonably civilised route, iirc its about 70 odd miles to either Fort Agustus or the Loch Locy(ish) filling station. After that it's Fort William heading south (morrisons for one).

If you are heading up to Elgin, the B9102 from Grantown to Upper Knockando can be fun in parts but was years (and i do mean years) ago the last time i ran it, then head northish down the old road to Dallas (the real one!) then pickup the B9010 (Turn Right at the T Junction) for a 10 mile run to Elgin via Kellas (Used to do that on a pushbike).

Will Prolly be heading up that route on Sunday anyway.

[Kilted Ginger]

think oogle maps is having problems, i'll have a look in the morning. If you're ending up near stirling feel free to pop in for coffee,

[haggis]

Hiya claire.

On the first route - along the A96 there's plenty places.
Then there is the Tesco with a petrol station as you arrive in Inverness, cheapest around.

Then following your plan, you can get fuel in Contin, Kinlochewe and Gairloch. All accessable without a detour.

Next day you can get fuel in Lochcarron on the main street.
Or once you reach the junction for the A87, there's more on your way at Inverinate, Shiel Bridge or Invergarry. This last one is easy to miss as you'll need to turn left instead of right at the junction with the A82 for the filling station, then double back. Literally, only a minute off the route though.

After that, it's Fort William or Dalwhinnie depending on how your heading to Stirling.

HTH. :D

[Speedy Claire]

That`s brilliant and really helpful so i`ll print it all off... many thanks Haggis.

I`m staying overnight not far from Stirling and should have plenty of time so I`ll pop in for that coffee KG... again many thanks

[-Ralph-]

Claire, when are you planning on doing all this? Sundays you have to be a bit careful with the rural petrol stations.

[Speedy Claire]

My plan is to head over to Elgin on the Sunday Ralph. I was gonna use the A82 as I`ve done the A9 in the car quite a few times so thought I`d do something different. Do you think there might be a problem with that route?

[-Ralph-]

My plan is to head over to Elgin on the Sunday Ralph. I was gonna use the A82 as I`ve done the A9 in the car quite a few times so thought I`d do something different. Do you think there might be a problem with that route?

Not sure what stations are open/closed on the A82 on a Sunday, but if you have less than 60-70 miles fuel in the tank at Fort William, then fill up and you can be sure that you'll be fine until you get to Inverness.

[haggis]

Aye, meant to ask about where you would be going on Sunday.

Off the top of my head, all deffo open Sundays.....may be others.

Fort Wm -
Morrisons, rndabt @ end of the dual carriageway.
Or the BP on your way out of town.

Heading north the order would be - (again, no detours to make)
Invergarry (closes early-ish tho)
Fort Augustus
Drumnadrochit
Inverness has loads, lol

From there along the A96...
Nairn (on the right as you're heading in)


Also, I notice you'll be heading from Kinlochewe to Lochcarron without taking in the Applecross loop. It's one of the biking "must-do's" really. To get to it - take the junction signposted Applecross (coastal route) when you've just passed the village of Shieldaig (careful, there's two of them with the same name :rolleyes:, but hopefully you'll only go near the right one!!!)

If the weather is kind then the views along here are simply breathtaking. Just ask Pete, Lissa, Seggons, Combatfred, oh...anyone really who went to the Applecross Dash last month. Once you get to Applecross, a coffee at the inn beckons, to collect your thoughts and prepare you as you head over the alpine pass known as "The Bealach Na Ba". It's barmy mad fun on a bike, at any speed.

Yes, it's a bit off the route, but I'm sure you'll be glad you did it. :cool:

[Speedy Claire]

Thanks again Haggis, I`m in 2 minds about Applecross... I`m not too good with heights but did the wrynose pass (Lake District) by myself the other week. Wasn`t too bad at my own pace but as much as I`m keen to see the stunning scenery in Applecross a friend has advised me not to do it on my own? no mobile signal, very few cars etc if something were to happen? not sure now cos you make it sound like it really is worth the deep breath, positive thinking re fear of heights and just do it :D

[-Ralph-]

Thanks again Haggis, I`m in 2 minds about Applecross... I`m not too good with heights but did the wrynose pass (Lake District) by myself the other week. Wasn`t too bad at my own pace but as much as I`m keen to see the stunning scenery in Applecross a friend has advised me not to do it on my own? no mobile signal, very few cars etc if something were to happen? not sure now cos you make it sound like it really is worth the deep breath, positive thinking re fear of heights and just do it :D

It's no worse than Wrynose, just a bit more of it going down the Applecross side.

[petevtwin650]

No firm plans yet Claire but we are thinking of going back to Applecross for the day on the Monday. Be nice to have lunch outside in the waterside pub garden.

It's weather dependant and also down to what Smeghead, Orose and the other extranighters want to do.

[TEC]

... I`m in 2 minds about Applecross...
Just make it one mind if its nice weather (dry), you will not regret it, you've done Wrynose :) If on the other hand its peeing down I would suggest the route you have planned cause pound to a penny, you'll be going through the clouds over the top :( and thats not really fun unless you're as mad as me :smt101 :smt119 :smt101

[Speedy Claire]

Ok the above all sounds good.. I think that Monday is the only day with rain forecast so far but obv the weather does seem to change and fingers crossed it`ll be a change for the better. I think Applecross must be worth doing judging by all the favourable comments so will include it on my itinerary.

Pete I`ll definitely meet up with you all at some point if you`re gonna be doing it. I`ll be travelling across from Elgin on Monday morning and plan on going to Gairloch then I`ll be overnighting in Lochcarron. From what I recall looking at a map Applecross is in that vicinity I think?

[TEC]

Got reminded today what its like up there when there's low cloud, Hartside is exactly the same :rolleyes: Gets better lower down the hill :)

....going to Gairloch then I`ll be overnighting in Lochcarron. From what I recall looking at a map Applecross is in that vicinity I think?
From Gairloch: Right at Kinlochewe to Shieldiag, right after leaving (sign posted) all the way to Applecross (this is the coast road), turn left up the Bealach na Ba which takes you back onto the A896 to Loch Carron. Pretty sure there is a sign very similar to this one (http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/bsabantamvc/phpFTq62V) on the Applecross side but obviously wont say Road to Applecross ;)

[Speedy Claire]

Many thanks yet again TEC... will print off all this info. 2,053 feet!!! I think deep breaths will be required, a book on self hypnosis, about 20mg diazepam and don`t look over the sides and I should be ok!! :smt081

[-Ralph-]

Ok the above all sounds good.. I think that Monday is the only day with rain forecast

The weather in the west of Scotland cannot be forecast more than 4 hours in advance. Don't even bother looking at the forecast, just be prepared for all weathers.

[Speedy Claire]

Yikes!!! :D

[ethariel]

The weather in the west of Scotland cannot be forecast more than 4 hours in advance. Don't even bother looking at the forecast, just be prepared for all weathers.

Looks like things have gotten better since i moved south then!

Used to be fun living in Roy Bridge, sometimes you got 2 or 3 dry days a month!

Leathers left at home, rukkas to be worn :)

[-Ralph-]

Yikes!!! :D

Don't worry, that doesn't mean you ARE going to get bad weather. It just means don't bother looking at the weather forecast when you leave on Friday and planning for any particular weather. Just be prepared, keep your fingers crossed and take it as it comes.

[-Ralph-]

Looks like things have gotten better since i moved south then!

Used to be fun living in Roy Bridge, sometimes you got 2 or 3 dry days a month!

Leathers left at home, rukkas to be worn :)

The whole Glen is particularly bad, you have a trapped glen full of water (Loch Laggan). There's some parts of Scotland where microclimates rule and clouds seem to be able to form when the rest of the UK has clear blue sky. I've come from OK weather in Aviemore, to OK weather in Fort William and got pi$$ed on all the way down the A86.

Excellent road though Claire and there is a big dam at the end of Loch Laggan which is very impressive when it's spouting water (Hydroelectric power station).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/LagganDam1.jpg/800px-LagganDam1.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4DzLbV79i7g/RsgmqchazQI/AAAAAAAACzU/8J87-6jjqYw/s320/Visit+Laggan+Dam+Scotland.JPG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n6WcPltXfo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkxZ-HwmKVQ

[Speedy Claire]

Thanks Ralph, lovely pics btw.. look forward to seeing the dam.

I know what you mean about the weather... I once stayed in Lochgoilhead in March, i got up in the morning and scraped the snow and ice of my car but by 2pm that day i was buying a tee shirt and sunglasses cos it was so hot and sunny!!