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THE GRAND TOUR - VIA
GLENCOE
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This is the longest route by far that we suggest for
a day tour - it really is quite a big trip, but has few equals for those who like to pack
masses of wonderful scenery into a single day and still come back by a different route.
Take the A86 out of Newtonmore to Fort William (fork
right at the south end of the village), along Loch Laggan to Spean Bridge. Turn left at
Spean Bridge onto the A82, for Fort William. Pass through Fort William, continuing on the
A82 down to Ballachulish, where you cross the bridge and keep straight on at the
roundabout on the other side.
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Ben Nevis and Fort William |
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Glencoe |
Shortly afterwards, you enter Glencoe, where you can stop at
the Visitor Centre to find out more about the turbulent history of this magnificent glen.
As you go through the Glen, the dangerous ridge of Aonach Eagach (try a-urnach-ey-ach)
rises high above you on your left as you pass by Loch Achtriochtan on your right. At the
head of the glen, you will see a small but splendid waterfall, with more further along.
You then come out onto Rannoch Moor - a wild and desolate place in winter (and sometimes
in summer too!), with the bulk of Buachaille Etive Mor on your right.
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Continue over the moor,
passing Loch Tulla on your right, through Tyndrum and down to Crianlarich, where you
bear to the left, then take the left turn onto the A85 for Stirling, turning left onto the
A827 for Killin and Loch Tay.
Stop at Killin for afternoon tea or a meal
(it will be quite late by now...), then carry on down Loch Tay and back through
Kenmore and Aberfeldy until you join the A9 at Ballinluig, where you turn left
to return to Newtonmore.
If you made a really early
start and are game for an extra bit of diversion (actually a short cut in miles,
but tiny little twisty roads...) turn off the A827 about three quarters of the
way along Loch Tay for Fortingall, before you reach Kenmore.
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The Falls of Dochart - Killin
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Follow
this road through Fortingall, which has some splendid thatched buildings - most
unusual in Scotland - until you reach a T junction at the A846 - turn left here, follow
this road to Tummel Bridge, where you turn LEFT, then first right, over the hill to
Trinafour. At Trinafour, turn left onto another single track road over the hill, and
you'll come out at Dalnacardoch, half way up Drumochter Pass, where you turn left onto the
A9 for a much shorter main road drive home.
Save this trip for a really nice day, but keep an eye
on the weather forecast at 6.55pm on BBC TV Reporting Scotland the previous evening, for a
nice day in the west, even if the east isn't too promising, since most of the day is spent
on the west side of the country.
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< Day Tours
by Car Page
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