📓 Journals Emira Nirvana

[freefall_junkie]

All the time I was waiting for my Emira I dreamt of doing a trip up to the far north west of Scotland when it arrived. This week, with a forecast of blue skies for days (a rare thing in that part of the world!), and my car just run in, the time had come. First up through Callander and Crianlarich to Glen Coe, stopping at Buachaille Etive Mòr, one of my favourite of all the Scottish mountains as it holds many happy memories of rock climbing adventures in my youth.

After Fort William the traffic thinned and I had a fantastic drive on the stretch from Glen Garry to Glen Clunie, eventually arriving at Eilean Donan Castle.

Then over to Skye for a brief visit. I preferred it when there was a ferry at the Kyle of Lochalsh – it seemed more romantic somehow, but it’s a nice bridge

Many of the roads in the North West are lined with gorse in full bloom at this time of year. I took this shot on the approach to the bridge. Incidentally, for all you wheel gap fetishists, this is a flat bit of road and the ride height looks spot on to me.

Next day up through Lochcarron to the epic scenery of Torridon. I have been there many times before but it is still jaw dropping. My photos taken on my phone really don’t do it justice.

Onwards to Ullapool, then to more wonderful scenery in Assynt.

After Loch Assynt I headed up the A894 over Quinag to Kylesku, one of the best stretches of road I have ever driven in Scotland.

To be continued...

 

[freefall_junkie]

I pushed on to Durness all the way up on the far north coast to find my glamping pod for the night, just a short walk from a beautiful quiet beach.

Next day leaving Durness at sunrise.

The next couple of hours felt like all my car enthusiast dreams come true: fantastic roads with an endless series of well sighted corners, zero traffic, epic scenery, and of course the right car. If ever a car and a road were made for each other it is the Emira and this ribbon of tarmac.

It was so much fun I had to go back and drive this stretch a couple of times more before making the long trek back home via Inverness and Fort William.

What a trip. My head is still spinning from the great weather, great scenery and the huge fun of driving the Emira on some superb roads. In 800 miles over 3 days the Emira was everything I hoped it would be. Comfortable and relaxing when you need it to be, but an absolute riot to drive on a twisty road. It also gets a lot of positive attention. An American guy I got chatting to in Sheildaig told me it was the best looking car he had seen for years.

For anyone thinking of heading up this way, my advice is don’t just follow the NC500. These were some of the best stretches I drove and none are on the official NC500 route: A87 Glengarry to Shiel Bridge; A835 Garve to Loch Broom; and the A894 over Quinag pictured above.

 

[digilotus]

Wow!! Great weather, great scenery, great roads and a great car to match!

What a memorable trip and beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!

 

[James DG]

That's a great looking spec and a lovely part of the world.

 

[Superman]

Some wonderful photos there... What fantastic scenery in Scotland!!

Good advice on the choice of roads too (don't just follow the NC500).

 

[Drlonline]

Great scenery, great write-up, and great car. Can’t wait to do a similar journey up Pacific Coast Highway in California once my Emira arrives in a couple years. Love reading the journal posts in the meantime to help pass the time.

 

[Lots_Of_Trouble]

Was abit murkier when I was up there at Applecross Last month...

Great trip,can't wait to do it again

 

[Andy H]

Fantastic! Pictures like these are what's helping keep the faith for my Seneca Blue I4 order

 

[Off The Shelf]

Some of those pictures make it look like your Emira went on a holiday and is sightseeing

 

[jpizzle]

brilliant, very very jealous looks great

 

[clonalejandro]

All the time I was waiting for my Emira I dreamt of doing a trip up to the far north west of Scotland when it arrived. This week, with a forecast of blue skies for days (a rare thing in that part of the world!), and my car just run in, the time had come. First up through Callander and Crianlarich to Glen Coe, stopping at Buachaille Etive Mòr, one of my favourite of all the Scottish mountains as it holds many happy memories of rock climbing adventures in my youth.View attachment 25514

After Fort William the traffic thinned and I had a fantastic drive on the stretch from Glen Garry to Glen Clunie, eventually arriving at Eilean Donan Castle.

View attachment 25515

Then over to Skye for a brief visit. I preferred it when there was a ferry at the Kyle of Lochalsh – it seemed more romantic somehow, but it’s a nice bridge

View attachment 25516

Many of the roads in the North West are lined with gorse in full bloom at this time of year. I took this shot on the approach to the bridge. Incidentally, for all you wheel gap fetishists, this is a flat bit of road and the ride height looks spot on to me.

View attachment 25517

Next day up through Lochcarron to the epic scenery of Torridon. I have been there many times before but it is still jaw dropping. My photos taken on my phone really don’t do it justice.

View attachment 25518
View attachment 25519

Onwards to Ullapool, then to more wonderful scenery in Assynt.
View attachment 25520

After Loch Assynt I headed up the A894 over Quinag to Kylesku, one of the best stretches of road I have ever driven in Scotland.
View attachment 25522

To be continued...

Great landscape with great car congrats

 

[VL3X]

Love these shots. Looks like a great trip!

 

[TomE]

Fantastic pictures and write up, what a great trip! Thanks for sharing this.

 

[scoates]

I did a similar-ish route last weekend. The road to Ullapool was closed due to an accident so had to go down a tiny single track road along with everyone else which was a very hard drive! Stayed at the Altnacealgach Motel which was really nice, and then the next day was amazing! Up north through Durness and up to Tongue, then down the middle through Altnaharra and over to Golspie. Unreal drive in an Emira!

Fantastic pics and beautiful weather, you really picked a good time to go!