JOGLE

[Steve Jones]

My recommendation is that from Thurso (land of my grandmother) you should head West towards Tongue, then Durness.

To Scourie and Unapool, take the coastal route to Achmelvich and Lochinver.  South to Achiltibuie, Ullapool, Laide, Gairloch, Torridon, Sheildaig, Applecross and Strathcarron.  Spend a day in all of these places - at least (some deserve a week, maybe longer), suck in the fresh air, the quiet, the views, the lack of people and then stop.

Then simply don't do anything else, it will be totally disappointing in comparison - trust me.

There are other nice places and challenging roads but, until you have driven the above (in an Austin Seven), you won't understand.

Agree 100%, Ruairidh. A route we've taken a few times (though not in a Seven) and I'm struggling to think of a better one in the UK. Also, a divert South just after Bettyhill onto the B873 down to the A836 and Altnaharra then on to the Crask Inn is something not to be missed. There's a Caravan Club site at the side of Loch Naver before you reach the A836. It's right at the side of the Loch and is about as tranquil a place to stay as I can imagine. However, once when we were there, at 9.00am on a perfect, still, sunny morning, we were 'visited' by the RAF coming down the Loch fast and at zero feet. Towards the end of the Loch the two Tornados turned, vertically, and on full after burner seemed to head off to outer space. An amazing spectacle and the contrast between perfect peace one minute and raw power the next was something I'll never forget.  

Steve