Hello. Super last minute question. We are picking up our rental car today around 10.30 AM in Inverness. Our accommodation tonight is in Wick. Considering a drive to Ullapool for lunch and then heading across to Wick. Plan is to do North Coast sightseeing tomorrow including Tongue. Do you think it’s worth the drive to Ullapool or should we just go straight to Wick with stops along A-9? Thank you!
Posted by
Yorkshire
1326 posts
West is Best, some if the most outstanding scenery in europe ,don't miss it.
The days are still long,Start at Lochcarron , and head to Applecross.
Just north of Ullapool ,the "mad little road of Sutherland"is worth diverting too and the pies in Lochinver are.legendary
Posted by
Yorkshire
1326 posts
Albatross cafe at Lochcarron ,great.
Fish n.chips in.Ullapool really really good
Oykel Bridge hotel good food too, if you want to foreshorten the trip.Check the hours though
Posted by
Cornwall
265 posts
Ullapool is definitely worth it not least for the Seafood Shack. The Mad Wee Road would be an experience which you won’t forget. And the pies in Lochinver are exceptional.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1686 posts
Enjoy the journey. The only caveat is the bit around Wester Ross and Sutherland can be busy and single track for large stretches. So take your time, take care, and allow passing.
Posted by
OP
Brooklyn, NY
35 posts
Thank you RS community! We took the long route via Ullapool and were very happy we did.. Gorgeous. We ate lunch at Ceildih Place and had an excellent lunch outside on the picnic benches. For the four of us we ordered fried chicken with salad x 2 (amazing), haddock and chips (per my son better than the place yesterday), and one risotto (very good). Plenty of food for the four of us. You had to order at the bar but the staff was very friendly and offered to let me taste the "rotating beers" before trying. The single-track road was a bit for us to get used to but I think it is good practice for Skye. We arrived safe in Wick and can't recommend the Caithness BBQ Huts enough. Taking the day tomorrow to do a bit of nothing and listen to the sheep. Thank you again!
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1686 posts
Hi Julie, glad you had a good day and enjoy your time. Just saw the bit about the beer, just a head up we have very strict drink driving laws in Scotland. They are stricter than in the rest of the UK. Distilleries usually have driver's soft drinks for the designated drivers, that depending on the distillery may be nicer than the whisky!
Posted by
OP
Brooklyn, NY
35 posts
Much appreciate your comment about driving after having a drink. My husband had a diet coke and the only distillery we plan to tour is in Oban where we can walk from our apartment. We did tour Tomatin with Rabbie's and it was a lovely tour with the funniest guide (David). Another strong thumbs up for Rabbie's (guide was Alec).