Hi, we are touring scotland this year, and will be travelling from Culloden moor CC site near Inverness to Oban CC site the quickest route is the A82 has anybody done this route and what sort of journey time should i expect and is it a suitable road for a big caravan.
thanks
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I have driven the A82 fro Oban to Inverness, it is a good road that has no problems at all to tow a caravan along.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Agree that it's a good road. Don't know if you've been to Culloden before. The site is fine, but the area is the most bleak, god forsaken place around.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Cullodon (National Trust) is a place that has always put the hairs up on the back of my neck. Bleak, maybe, but it's an extremely important part of Scottish history, and the atmosphere is like nowhere else, it makes me weep. I think it's an essential stop for anyone. Loch Ness has a bit too much tourist tat for my liking, but if you are in English Heritage or Historic Scotland, it's worth stopping at Castle Urquhart, but don't stop if you're not members as it's pricey. Do stop at Spean Bridge at the Commando Memorial - it's a superb monument, fabulous panoramic views, free big car park, and again a very special place: not bleak, just a very powerful sense of place. Fort William has the supermarket and outdoor shops, given it serves the nearby ski area near Ben Nevis. With a caravan in tow, you can't go up Glen Nevis - such a pity you've limited yourself to Club sites, as there's a site in the glen (but midges are horrendous...) And for seafood (mussels, oysters, lobsters), stop at the Holly Tree Hotel at Kentallen; or just stop here to enjoy the reflections in Loch Linnhe and Thomas Telford's beautifully crafted curved stone pier. The one thing to remember is - fill up with fuel when you see a fuel station: there aren't many of them, and it's expensive. Oban's great fun, though I like it best seen from the ferry to Mull.
You're right - Cawdor's a gem. We get in for nothing, as we're Friends of the Historic Houses Association. Places like Castle Howard, Blenheim, Longleat are members, they're still lived in and they're £15+ pp to visit, so we get our membership back in one weekend away in the Scottish Borders. Thinking about the original post, other HHA properties (i.e. houses & gardens) on their trip wd be Ardchattan Priory, Duart Castle (day trip to Mull), plus Inveraray (some of Downton was filmed there), Scone Palace, and Blair on the way there and back. (Sorry, I think I've gone off the original question...)
Back down to earth for a moment! You shouldn't have any problems with A82. As has already been said, though fewer on A828 after Ballachulish Bridge on route to Oban. Depending on when you're travelling, you might encounter a short 5 mins delay on any of the Caledonian Canal swing bridges.
Check the roadworks situation. At present, there are two long-standing temporary traffic lights between Spean Bridge and Laggan where the roadway has slipped - delays aren't long but the former is on a straight fast stretch often used for overtaking. It's said that they're sorting both out - but just check. Also worthwhile checking is the occasional works just north of Corran ferry for forestry works and slope stabilisation - not too bad normally but can get a bit hectic at busy times.
I don't tow but TBH there's not that many opportunities to go much more than 50 on the straight stretches in a car and I estimate average driving time from Oban itself (not the CC site which is north of Oban) as around 3.45 hours to Inverness. Hopefully you can extrapolate from that unless those that have towed it can pin it down more accurately.
Basically, I allow 55 minutes Oban to Onich; 40 minutes from Onich to the Fort (road to the Isles junction); 20 minutes from that roundabout to Spean Bridge and 1.50 to the Kessock Bridge (I'm usually heading north). That's my build in time and have done it at least a hour quicker depending on traffic.
I doubt it'll bother you but do beware the chevrons for bends on parts of the road - particularly from Urquhart Castle onwards Invergarry - they aren't all that consistent. It's not your speed I'm concerned about but they do occasionally catch other motorists out!
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
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Topic: best route from Inverness to Oban
