Recommended routes in Scotland or Wales

by **paulie1981** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 1:08 +0000

Hi all,

Jokingly, and in earshot of my significant other, I mentioned to one of the lads on saturday night that holidays this year would involve a trip to Scotland in the MX-5.

The reaction I was gunning for (and really expected) was one of horror and disgust from herself. But, to my surprise and amazement, she was quite keen on the idea. I mentioned it again today when sobriety had once again taken hold and nothing had changed.

So, having explained that there will be room only for the shoes on her feet, maybe hair straighteners and limited clothing, she seems happy enough.

I'm after some suggestions please and basic criteria is as follows:

As this will be a road trip, we want to see some sights. We're probably talking 4 or 5 days.
Not stuck on Scotland, it's just I've never been - Wales would also do the trick.
I want to avoid routes with huge stretches of motorway - this is an MX-5 1.6 and motorways aren't its natural habitat!

Has anyone done any good trips that fit the bill?

by **Amri** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 1:37 +0000

Can't help you with a route unfortunately, but you've a great excuse now to get a chrome luggage rack

Sent from my HTC Desire

Website · by **franksm** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 9:29 +0000

Wales is *class*

I head there once or twice a year for roadtrips and mountainbiking. I always centre myself in Betws-y-Coed, and use that as a base - it's close to the Snowdonia mountains as well as lots of lakes and scenery generally.

by **leamyj** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 9:51 +0000

franksm wrote:Wales is *class*

I head there once or twice a year for roadtrips and mountainbiking. I always centre myself in Betws-y-Coed, and use that as a base - it's close to the Snowdonia mountains as well as lots of lakes and scenery generally.

AND it's very close to Holyhead :wink:

by **paulie1981** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:10 +0000

Thanks for the suggestions - Wales had gained favour in my mind because of its proximity to the ferry and, I always seem to drive through wales as quickly as possible heading for a boat! It would be nice to see it properly.

Amri raises a good point - I will need a luggage rack. What are they like to use? I assume you wrap your luggage in plastic and don't spare the bungee chords?

Do they murder fuel consumption and cause lots of wind noise with the hood down?

Website · by **franksm** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:29 +0000

I got this 'Atlantic Design' luggage thing from the States years ago - it's *fab*.

No noise off it really. Makes a nice windblocker with the top down

by **barney** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:07 +0000

i have a boot bag similar to franks, and it's waterproof. got it on e-bay but can't find site this morning. i also have the bag that goes on the deck behind the seats. with the 2 bags and the boot it's amazing what you can carry.

by **paulie1981** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 2:13 +0000

Interresting - I didn't realise that there was a bag for the rear shelf area. Is it compatible with a windblocker (the mesh hinged type)?

by **Steve** » Mon, 07 Feb 2011 3:39 +0000

paulie1981 wrote:Interresting - I didn't realise that there was a bag for the rear shelf area. Is it compatible with a windblocker (the mesh hinged type)?

Theres a group buy on for them at the moment, see 2nd last post here :
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2231&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30

by **Cloggy** » Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:44 +0000

I've met up with some UK MX5's in the IoM for the last 2 years. They're based around the lake-district and do a lot of spins into scotland and wales. I will invite them to post something in thus thread...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

by **Cloggy** » Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:25 +0000

Here some info from our a UK colleague:
Jim attached some PDF's to the email of which I could only upload the Wales one. There is a Scotland one which is over 2mb and regrettably I our site doesn't allow me to attached this one. Drop me a line to which email address your want me to send them.

Hi Cloggy

Afraid I did not receive anything about Spain – Su did mention it in passing.
We are just finalizing a group holiday, driving through France (avoiding motorways) and having 4 days in the Pyrenees before returning up France. About 13 days in all, so I doubt if members would have time or money for a trip to Spain as well.
As far as Scotland and Wales …………
I cannot post on that Forum so I enclose some items you could offer.
We had a trip up the West coast of Scotland which was magical, particularly as we had sun continuously! Everyone enjoyed (17 cars ) and want’s a repeat. We did not produce detailed driving instructions as there are so few roads there is really only 1 route possible. We took over the Gairloch Lodge Hotel, taking all available rooms. I enclose the ’flyer’ we used which should give sufficient info.

We had a weekend in Wales as a tribute to a late member. I enclose the detail of this which does include detail maps from the hotel we all stopped at. From memory we had over 20 cars on that weekend and I was one of the planners.
You are welcome to post these on the Ireland Forum. And anyone seeking more info can contact me on jim@varnom.com and I will try and help.

Regards
Jim

Jim Varnom
Area Coordinator
MX5 Owners Club
North West area
http://www.mx5northwest.co.uk

by **paulie1981** » Fri, 11 Feb 2011 1:47 +0000

Thanks Cloggy

by **Paschal** » Fri, 11 Feb 2011 9:10 +0000

In this weeks Auto Express (issue 1151), there is an article on "Five of Britain's best Driving Roads", might be worth a look.

by **93 Mk1** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:33 +0000

I realise this is an old thread but it you are still contemplating the trip then do Scotland. Wales is indeed very nice but it
just doesn't compare to the Highlands. I do motorbike trips every year Europe, UK etc and the Highlands really are hard to
beat (in my humble opinion).
You can get a ferry to Stanraer, and once you get above Glasgow and onto the road for Loch Lomond then it's happy days.
Between Stranraer & Glasgow is uneventful but after that it's gorgeous.
My route from Loch Lomond was Fort William, then Inverness via A82 (and Loch Ness !). Glencoe and it's views are fantastic
as are the roads. You will also get so see Ben Nevis near Fot William.
From Inverness I'd recommend the A835 and A890 route to the Isle of Skye and then return headed back towards Fort William.
I then headed south to Oban and then further south again until I was able to get the ferry to the Isle of Arran and then
another ferry back to Ardrossan (south of Glasgow) and the return to the ferry at Stranraer. The duration ? 1 week.
The roads are fantastic (usually are in the UK !) and the scenery is spectacular. Think of Connemara but only on a grander
scale.

Website · by **franksm** » Sun, 01 May 2011 10:51 +0000

Just back from four daysin Wales. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Brought mountain bikes with us, so put some miles in on two wheels also. Fab place !