Some Advice Needed Re. Fuel Stops

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

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&so...3,3.515625&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&so...3,1.757812&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

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.

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,

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.

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

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

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?

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

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 , 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.