Clockwise or Anticlockwise to Applecross

[Deleted member 19733]

Can you help with your idea, should we cross the Bealach na Ba going towards Applecross (clockwise) and return via the longer coastal road, or approach Applecross via the longer coastal road (anticlokwise) and leave Applecross over the pass.

Whilst we are fairly long at 28 foot and we have a tag axle, so we need a wider turning circle, we have negotiated both Porlock Hill and Lynton Hill without problems. Has anyone in a similarly large MH completed the journey, who could offer opinion of the best option.

We heard so many positive stories about Applecross, we would like to include a visit there on our trip to Scotland later this month.

Many thanks in advance,

Cheers Lou

:drive::drive::drive:

 

[Robmac]

Hi Lou, I've used both the pass and the coast road, but now prefer to go both ways over the pass when visiting. My vehicle is much shorter than your's, but I do know that quite large lorries have been over the pass even though they are not supposed to!
The coast road can be hard work, it doesn't go as high as the pass obviously, but there are some tight bends and hills to negotiate and it is a far shorter drive over the pass.

Whichever way you go, you will enjoy Applecross! Take in Sand Bay and visit Monty Hall's Croft, enjoy the food in the pub and hopefully you may even see Seals, Otters and you will definitely see Deer.

 

[Firefox]

The worst bit on the pass is 3 hairpins which you will go up if you go clockwise, or down if you go anticlockwise.

But either way you should get through, the hairpins are engineered very wide although they are very much first gear bends going either way.

A lot of mystique abounds about the Applecross pass most of which is urban myth; the Lake District passes are worse.

 

[Robmac]

If you want to see what the pass is like watch the following;

Bealach na ba - YouTube

Our own Rubbertramp has also done a video of the drive somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

 

[Deleted member 19733]

Hi Lou, I've used both the pass and the coast road, but now prefer to go both ways over the pass when visiting. My vehicle is much shorter than your's, but I do know that quite large lorries have been over the pass even though they are not supposed to!
The coast road can be hard work, it doesn't go as high as the pass obviously, but there are some tight bends and hills to negotiate and it is a far shorter drive over the pass.

Whichever way you go, you will enjoy Applecross! Take in Sand Bay and visit Monty Hall's Croft, enjoy the food in the pub and hopefully you may even see Seals, Otters and you will definitely see Deer.

Thanks a lot Rob, all noted, cant wait to go.

Cheers Lou

:cheers::cheers:

 

[Deleted member 19733]

Thank you all for your valuable comments, most re-assuring.

Cheers Lou

:cheers::cheers:

 

[abforfun]

applecross

Can you help with your idea, should we cross the Bealach na Ba going towards Applecross (clockwise) and return via the longer coastal road, or approach Applecross via the longer coastal road (anticlokwise) and leave Applecross over the pass.

Whilst we are fairly long at 28 foot and we have a tag axle, so we need a wider turning circle, we have negotiated both Porlock Hill and Lynton Hill without problems. Has anyone in a similarly large MH completed the journey, who could offer opinion of the best option.

We heard so many positive stories about Applecross, we would like to include a visit there on our trip to Scotland later this month.

Many thanks in advance,

Cheers Lou

:drive::drive::drive:

Which ever way you go you"ll enjoy good luck we did it in march:camper::have fun:

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Applecross

Hi Lou Having done the pass both ways we find the anti clockwise better To come down the pass the full pass and surrounding views are in the drivers sight the whole way down speed can be judged to passing places for on coming traffic.

If you go clockwise Up the pass all is well for passengers but the driver needs to watch the restricted view of the road uphill. IMO a better ride down than up Do visit Sand on the coast road we usually overnight here. When we first visited the area the coast road was not built just two bits of single track road each end.

Alf

QUOTE=loulou;343672]Can you help with your idea, should we cross the Bealach na Ba going towards Applecross (clockwise) and return via the longer coastal road, or approach Applecross via the longer coastal road (anticlokwise) and leave Applecross over the pass.

Whilst we are fairly long at 28 foot and we have a tag axle, so we need a wider turning circle, we have negotiated both Porlock Hill and Lynton Hill without problems. Has anyone in a similarly large MH completed the journey, who could offer opinion of the best option.

We heard so many positive stories about Applecross, we would like to include a visit there on our trip to Scotland later this month.

Many thanks in advance,

Cheers Lou

:drive::drive::drive:[/QUOTE]

 

[Deleted member 32902]

We have done it clockwise in a tag axle, first time over I was a little bit concerned, with hindsight I would probably do it anti clockwise if I was going again.
To be honest I'd be more 'feart' of the midgies now.

 

[champstar]

having just done the pass in the anticlockwise direction in a 21ft MH. The gradients are steep and as said the 3 hairpins can be quite tight but you can get round them. The problem we had was so many people on bicycles trying to get up the hill in the clockwise direction as you cannot safely pass them at any speed.

Felt the constant need to use brakes and low gear but the views were stunning.

If you up that way visit Shieldaig as it is only a mile or so up from the turn off for the coast road.

I wouldn't want to go the clockwise direction as there are so many people who don't know the proper etiquette for driving on the single tract roads and will not stop on the downward sections of hills....but should be getting quieter now.

 

[maxi77]

It seems they have widened the hairpins a bit, in the past when I used to go over on a regular basis with a LWB landrover I was not able to get round the middle bend in one go, real fun when you met the snow plough coming towards you. Also back then you had to watch out for brake fad on the way down.

 

[Deleted member 20892]

Sorry and all, but i really can't get mi head across whats so difficult about Applecross, it's a road that goes up and down with a few bends on it, nowt spectacular. Got to admit though,the views are good from the top, and the coast rd is great to drive on.!
Dont fret and just do it, easy peasy.! And if you do have any worries, then avoid Derbyshire, Yorkshire Moors, Lakes, Alps, Pyrenees......You get the gist.!

jt

 

[maxi77]

Sorry and all, but i really can't get mi head across whats so difficult about Applecross, it's a road that goes up and down with a few bends on it, nowt spectacular. Got to admit though,the views are good from the top, and the coast rd is great to drive on.!
Dont fret and just do it, easy peasy.! And if you do have any worries, then avoid Derbyshire, Yorkshire Moors, Lakes, Alps, Pyrenees......You get the gist.!

jt

I suspect you have not done the trip in the snow

 

[Philcott]

Snip

.......
I wouldn't want to go the clockwise direction as there are so many people who don't know the proper etiquette for driving on the single tract roads and will not stop on the downward sections of hills....but should be getting quieter now.

What is the correct ettiquette? I have often wondered who 'goes' first! We don't 'do' single track roads in Africa - even the back roads are fairly wide with wide verges. In the mountains all the roads are two way traffic.

 

[maxi77]

What is the correct ettiquette? I have often wondered who 'goes' first! We don't 'do' single track roads in Africa - even the back roads are fairly wide with wide verges. In the mountains all the roads are two way traffic.

In general the person closest to the passing place pulls in and lets the other past, it is also good manners to let those travelling faster than you behind get past too, they are usually locals who have seen the scenery before

 

[champstar]

In general the person closest to the passing place pulls in and lets the other past, it is also good manners to let those travelling faster than you behind get past too, they are usually locals who have seen the scenery before

Sorry but this is not true you only pull into a passing place if this is on your left...if it is on your right stop opposite it and the other car should use this to pull in to get passed.

You should not cross the single track road to pull in.

On a hill the person coming down should stop to let the upcoming traffic passed so that hill starts are not needed.

If you are touring or slow moving then you should pull in to let others overtake you....let the locals get on with their business

Also a polite wave is common courtesy. It was staggering how many English reg numbers looked so grumpy and refused a polite acknowledgement.

I think driving on the single track roads of Scotland is a pleasure as you drive slower and the driver can take in more of the spectacular scenery but ill informed drivers can cause problems such as nearly tailgating..if a car is in front try to drop back the length of the next passing place so that you can see the road ahead in case of a large vehicle approaching which cant pull in to a passing place.

Too many people are in such a rush these days

 

[Deleted member 20892]

I suspect you have not done the trip in the snow

Nope, but done the Pyreneesin the snow, lived just on the boarder of Switzerland in the mid 80's, so seen and driven in the snow a fair bit.
We are in though planning a winter trip this year or early next year to the North West of Scotland and plan to take in the Applecross when we get up that way.!

jt

 

[Ste]

What is the correct ettiquette? I have often wondered who 'goes' first! We don't 'do' single track roads in Africa - even the back roads are fairly wide with wide verges. In the mountains all the roads are two way traffic.

Drive like your local!!!
Give way to anything coming towards you that is larger than you!!!
Give way to anything faster that you from behind!!

 

[maxi77]

Nope, but done the Pyreneesin the snow, lived just on the boarder of Switzerland in the mid 80's, so seen and driven in the snow a fair bit.
We are in though planning a winter trip this year or early next year to the North West of Scotland and plan to take in the Applecross when we get up that way.!

jt

I am sure you will enjoy it, the post office used to be the best info on snow conditions

 

[Deleted member 19733]

Just back from Scotland

Hi everyone, just back from a month in Scotland, west coast, highlands, John'o Groats, part of east coast, Cairngorms, Yorkshire moors & dales and back home. What a fantastic trip with mostly good weather and not a single midge. We saw Golden eagles, stags rutting, red squirrel and many seals and dolphins.
We loved Applecross, great beers and brilliant seafood, fantastic scenery. We did the trip to Applecross anticlockwise, and were very glad that we did it this way. We still had to back up twice on the hairpins to get round, but managed it OK. For the future, our suggestion for any long units is to definitely travel anticlockwise. If you go clockwise with a long unit and front wheel drive, on the hairpins you could lift 1 wheel slightly off the ground and thereby lose drive/traction.

Thank you all for your most valuable advice/comments, we penciled in another trip for next year.

:camper::drive::have fun::cheers: