Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - Dave's 2026 Highland adventure.

So, in our unmissable style, we had a 3am alarm. The Morgan was already packed and by 3.30 am we were moving. It's only 15 minutes to the A1M, and so by 5am we were through Scotch Corner abd on the A66, watching the sunrise from behind.The M6 soon becomes the A74(M), and at this time on a Saturday, it's very quiet. A few HGVs, a few vanmen and farmers, but very few cars.

We passed Hamilton services around maybe 7.30. Weekends are quiet but if you try this weekdays it suddenly gets stupid busy. We use Hamilton if we need the toilet or a cuppa, but this time we passed by. I had refuelled earlier at Todhills Rest Area, which is a Shell Garage, and not being a full service area is quiet. So it's M74; M73; M80 past Cumbernauld, and M9, and all these motorways seamlessly merge into each other. At J10 (Stirling to the East), we take the A84 through Callander and Doune. After Doune the landscape begins to change positively. We stop at some seedy toilets at Lochearnhead, which just make the grade. It's a minor diverion onto the A85, and less than a mile.

Then from Crianlarich, the A82 to Tyndrum. Rather than Glencoe, which we've done to death, we take the A85 on what becomes the coastal route. Connel has an amazing bridge.The road becomes the A828, and opposite Shuna Island is a large layby overlooking Loch Linnhe, which becomes our first proper stop with tea and sandwiches. This is about 7.5 hours in.





At this point we got the roof down for the last stretch. Another spectacular bridge at North Ballachulish, and regaining the A82, along the side of the Loch into Fort William. Then via Spean bridge, Invergarry, arriving at Forth Augustus some 9.5 hours after leaving home.

We stay at The Lovat Hotel. Great location, Great food, Huge car park.





After two days we moved on to do the North part of the Gairloch loop on the NC500. Taking the Invergarry route because it gives a spectacular view over Loch Garry and Loch Loyne. This is the A87 towards Kyle of Lochalsh. The A890 strikes North and is partly single track, but this stretch was the most appalling in terms of unevenness, and huge potholes. Nonetheless it is very scenic with a well known tunnel where the road uses one bore and the railway the other. From Achnasheen, the A832 is a much better surface towards Loch Maree. On this section, the heavens opened and so we had to stop to put the roof up. Yeah, softies I know. We arrived at Gairloch and stopped briefly for refreshments.





Twenty minutes later we arrived at our B&B at Poolewe. Corriness House, and a huge car park.



To be continued.................................

We did a 7 mile walk here at Poolewe, the Loch Kersary loop, which is well worth doing. I didn't realise that Loch Ewe was the base for the Arctic Convoys from 1941-44, and there is still traces around. The Officers Mess at Pool House is now a cafe, shop and museum.

Torridon Mountains in the distance.





The second evening gave us this:


The next day we set off on the Northern Loop. As is expected, empty roads, fantastic views.







Eventually joined the A832 into Inverness, then the A9 South East, off at Carrbridge, Grantown on Spey, and then the A939 Tomintoul, and over The Lecht ski resort road, which is mind blowing. Then dropping down into Ballater, and the A93 into Aboyne. We stay at Lys-Na-Greyne. Excellent car park and fantastic walks from here.



We left Aboyne on the Sunday and stayed over at Langley Castle, Hexham, close to Hadrians wall. The last few miles were wet again.



The castle was not quite as fancy as we expected, but good enough!

1055 miles. No issues. 1 stone chip.

It's an amazing combination of incredible vistas, mountains, and empty roads.Ewan, Calum and Luddite can experience & enjoy all this, at least when the camper vans have gone home.

As I said before, it needs planning, but the most important thing is weather, blue sky is best, but heavy rain can be spectacular up there, and I remember a run South over Glencoe in relentless heavy rain. The scenery wasn't obliteraded totally and it had a very 'Lord of the Rings' feel as torrents of water cascaded down the mountainsides.

We go late April/early May which dodges most camper vans, and sometimes late September. we have only ever had midges once, because we are too early, but on the West coast at Kylescu, we had a short walk at 4pm, and they were eating my hairline. Apparently this can be the deal there. These things are tiny black pinpricks, but in large numbers.

For me it doesn't start until after Glasgow/Edinburgh. The scenery changes rapidly North of these Cities, and Stirling to Perth, or to Callander, are gentle agricultural lowlands with a distant mountain backdrop.

From Callander or from Perth, it soon climbs into the reasons for going. Empty roads. Spectacular scenery, and every mile North gets better, especially the West side.

All of this draws us back. But even from Yorkshire, this is a long drive. There was no problem anywhere with fuel availability.

Dave, many thanks for sharing your Northern adventure and images, bringing back memories of a similar Morgan trip in the area many years back...

You can’t beat Scotland. If it rains, stop, rest and be thankful - and have a dram.

If you can't see the mountains, it's raining.
If you can see the mountains, it's going to rain.

Can only venture into the western isles and highlands when a time slot and weather aligns - took a couple of years for Mull and same for Arron.

Been trying four years for Donegal!

A worthy driving jaunt DaveW with majestic scenery. Thank you for sharing your photographs.