Touring the North West Coast of Scotland in two Austin Sevens, as a family

[Ruairidh Dunford]

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[Parazine]

Day 7

Achmelvich is a wonderful, golden sandy beach, a few miles on from Lochinver.  I first went there with my parents in their Chummy and have been revisiting ever since.  The campsite is small and bookings are normally necessary to ensure a place is available.  

Ruairidh, brings back memories of that campsite on the BA7C club holiday, after the George F Simpson rally, 1978.

Memories including "Dark Isle", being played on an accordion on the beach at 11pm in daylight.....

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Hi Tim,

I am fairly sure I was there too, a little smaller, but there!

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Day 8

Achmelvich has an almost Shangri-La status, it’s golden beaches and turquoise waters more akin to some far-off paradise, than North West Scotland.

The storm raged all night, we’d reversed the tent into the wind however and the conical shape allowed it to brush around the structure, rather than billow and fold as it does with the more common dome tents.

Shangri-La was not as we had remembered it…

Eventually the storm passed and every so often the tent would fill with warmth as rays of sunlight hit the nylon skin, I looked across at my bleary-eyed family sprawled across the floor of fleece and down.  Would we see the outside of the tent today, I hoped against hope that we would.

As we rose and washed, one by one, the rain held off, small glimpse of blue sky could be seen with increasing regularity.  After breakfast we walked to the beach and we were reminded that all our efforts had been very worthwhile, it was spectacular.  The girls paddled, (with 5 layers of clothing!), whilst Tanya and I sat atop the rocks and surveyed the blue, the gold, and the mountains beyond.  We revisited Lochinver, the pottery, the shell shop and the grocery store.  The sun smiled at us and we chatted to locals, who’d not seen a summer like it.  Rain, but no midges, a first for some who aged with us!

       

Back at the campsite we visited the Hermit’s Castle and walked along the sand as the waves lapped beside us – was this really the same place we had arrived, just the night before?

       

We enjoyed the light upon our faces and eating outside of the tent, such things were now a treasured nirvana-like state!

   

[Howard Wright]

Hi Ruairidh

It reminds me a little of Arisaig and the white sands of Morar. We camped there many years back in glorious July sunshine. T shirts and shorts but don’t put your toe in the water…..It was freezing!

Cheers

Howard

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Yes the northwest coast is dripping in similar sights, and with sunshine, I don't think it can be bettered, Howard.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Day 9

Was spent relaxing at the campsite, enjoying the beach and then eating some wonderful fish and chips whilst the sun set.


               

Day 10

This was the last of our planned holiday, we reluctantly packed up the tent and packed our things into the trailer and cars, then headed back into Lochinver for fuel and some lunch provisions.

Both cars were running well now and I struggled to keep up with Tanya on the relatively fast A837, sealing the plugs had made a tremendous difference to performance and also our enjoyment.  We were undecided what to do next, return to Aviemore or push on towards the East coast and join in with the Scottish A7 Club run near Fraserburgh?

The carriageway reverted back to single and the gradient increased as we climbed on towards Invercassley.  We stopped briefly at one summit point to eat lunch and were surprised to see a Police car come past us with all lights and sirens on – not an everyday occurrence on a remote single track road.  We discussed our thoughts about what to do that night and made a loose plan to head in the direction of Nairn.  We left the main road and headed onto a small track.  It rolled up and down, passing lots of lovely houses, with only a few cars to stop for.

   

At Culrain we crossed the railway, then passed under it again and as I led up the hill to Ardgay the chummy lost drive.  It was as if I had dropped it out of gear, the engine simply revved.

I placed it back into second gear, nothing, just revs.  I knew what had happened, the noises and metallic flake had all came to a head and the pinion declared “I have no teeth left to carry on”.  I lay under the car and span the propshaft, freely.  Our plans that night were now firm.

This was the first recovery call I had made in 15-20 years for the Sevens, Cornwall, Norway, France, Switzerland, Spain and Ireland had all gone well and today was the day that ‘failure to proceed’ occurred.  The car had done well and worked hard for us all.  RH were efficient and quick, Tanya stayed with Daisy and Poppy to await the tow truck whilst Willow and I headed to Alness in the Ulster.  After 10 days of towing with the Chummy the Ulster felt crisp and light.  I built the car when I was 15 and have driven it over 100K miles since, I know how it handles, I know how hard I can push it, so I did. 

   

Soon the Kessick Bridge was in sight and my electronic speedo clocked 65mph as Inverness came into view.  I later learned that Willow was texting her mum throughout, somewhat terrified – sorry Willow!  I am no fan of the A9 south of Inverness so pulled off near Raigmore, into the backroads around Culloden, the exhaust burbling as we used the engine and gears to slow for the numerous turns, we were motoring and I (at least) was enjoying it.  Willow had received word that Chummy had been collected safely and they were near Inverness.  At Cawdor I was on familiar territory, we roared up and over Dulsie Bridge, the exhaust barking on the high bridge walls, we passed Lochindorb flat out.  Ulster was on song and the damper late afternoon air seemed to be working it’s magic.  The exhaust note sang as we turned right at Dulva for Carrbridge passing the petrol station we’d filled up in 10 days earlier I wondered just how much fuel remained in the tank I had filled that morning in Lochinver.  I thought about filling up but with only a few miles to go and spare gallon on the wing I pushed on. 

We reached Aviemore and switched off  - our ears adjusted to the silence and I gave Willow a hug, we’d made it and Tanya was just behind us.  The recovery service was faultless and we all agreed that although a stripped pinion was a pain, it could not have happened at a better time or location on our holiday.

Gin was poured, soft seats were enjoyed and food eaten.  It really had been an adventure, we really had enjoyed it and as a family we felt very close and strong, despite some blips none of us felt unhappy about the experience and we had some tales to tell!

   

Postscript

The problem with the electronic ignition was not a failure in the units, but a burnt out king lead in the cap, this was enough to prevent the units working, a points system overcame the issue which was only found once home.  The original electronic unit has been refitted and is working well again.

   

The issue with lean running and plug electrodes burning out was down to poorly machined plug threads in the new head. This was resolved by fitting 14mm inserts with thick copper sealing  rings and high temperature silicone.  With a proper seal I was able to refit the original 6 needle which has resulted in clean and powerful running over 200 miles since, hopefully it will see an end to the issues.

I knew the Chummy axle was going, it has been noisy for the last three years, and I had already prepared another rebuilt axle ready, I will fit this soon and then look at what to do with the damaged unit.

[Ivor Hawkins]

What a fantastic account, brilliant reading, it was almost like being there, but warmer and drier!

Glad everyone got back in one piece and interesting how the simplest thing could stop the ignition from functioning.

I bet a gin and tonic on the sofa had never felt so good!

[Nick Salmon]

+100!  :-)

[Colin Swinbourne]

Wow, what an amazing holiday! - I’m very envious, and the photos remind me it’s way too long since I’ve been around the north coast, actually 20 years!… although not as adventurous we were in a modern.