It's been a while. . .

[E's Are Good]

. . . Since I was here last. But now I'm firmly back in the MB fold. Just purchased a C250 (still unsure of the 'proper' naming convention) 11 plate, had 8K on two weeks ago when I picked it up, now closer to 9. I'm enjoying it.

The reason I left was fairly simple. Some Bar steward decided to burn my E270 out because they couldn't get a huge box out of the n/s passenger window. Since then, cars have been varied and enjoyable, but still lacking in the 'feeling'?

A Jaguar 2.2 X sport, great car, but felt antiquated.

A Jaguar S Type, 4.2 SE. Like driving your favourite armchair around, but with better acceleration.

Two Astras, both company cars, hideously uneconomical, even the latest one which was the new model.

Now my delicious C250 estate. Even with all of my work gear loaded, it's still returning mid 40 mpg on mixed driving. More than pleased with that.

Anyhow, just thought I'd reintroduce my return

[SPX]

Welcome back Ebeneezer

[st4]

Welcome back, I remember the user name.

Petrol or diesel, I hope you enjoy this car more than the cars you have had since.

[E's Are Good]

Originally Posted by st4

Welcome back, I remember the user name.

Petrol or diesel, I hope you enjoy this car more than the cars you have had since.

It's a diseasel, it suits about 85% of the motoring I do. Torquey as a torquey thing on heat, despite being auto. The paddle shift is relatively amusing on an oil burner too, the novelty of those aint worn off yet!

And it's a definite yes in the enjoyment stakes. I had the S type to relieve my boredom from the Astras

While making sure I was going to get this, I've been hovering about. Some cracking imagery you've got there, ST. I had planned on touring the coast of Scotland last year, but it didn't appeal in the 1 pointless 7 Vauxhall! Hope to do it soon though.

[st4]

The 250cdi will make it old I6 E320cdi fast. Plenty....

I drove a 220cdi with the two turbo set up, lovely pick up, nice to drive, the uprated engine in the C class, perfect for the car.

RWD cars, despite a bias towards comfort, tend to be fun/pleasant and enjoyable to drive and get into a nice driving flow....

Thanks for your kind words on my images...

Here is a good guide to get you driving from Scotland,

Closeburn DG3 5EZ, UK to Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, UK - Google Maps

[E's Are Good]

Jeez, that's almost to the waypoint the route I'd chosen, but with the addition of passing through Macduff on the slightly more eastern side (purely because I find the name amusing), and was going to spend a day or two exploring Skye and taking a ferry to Stornoway.

And agree 100% RWD just makes a car, a failing the X had, it should've had the feeling of a higher end car, but the lack of rear drive let it down immensely. Even when Transit vans made the drive shift, they lost their appeal.

[st4]

Originally Posted by E's Are Good

Jeez, that's almost to the waypoint the route I'd chosen, but with the addition of passing through Macduff on the slightly more eastern side (purely because I find the name amusing), and was going to spend a day or two exploring Skye and taking a ferry to Stornoway.

macDuff and Banff are nice coastal towns, but avoid Fraserburgh, its a toilet.

If you must go to these places, aim back to Huntly and back to Tomintoul, for worst case, Huntly down to Braemar....

Trust me, avoid Aberdeen and the A90, its not that great....

Originally Posted by E's Are Good

And agree 100% RWD just makes a car, a failing the X had, it should've had the feeling of a higher end car, but the lack of rear drive let it down immensely. Even when Transit vans made the drive shift, they lost their appeal.

I was in an X type one, diesel taxi thing, it were 18months 60k miles old, and the back window behind the parcel shelf was leaking....

Nastily made car. Ford can build 'em right.....

I'm not a Jag fan, but would buy an XF if I drove it, liked it, price was right and it appeared well made. Jurys out....

The C class will be awesome on all these roads.

Overnight stops, from Newcastle, you'll make Kyle of Lochash in one day, Durness in the second and Edinburgh in the 3rd....

If you have longer, head to Fife, Crail, Anstruther, Pitenweem and the roads are good fun.

[E's Are Good]

The XF, the new estate one, looks drop dead gorgeous, but sadly out of (car allowance) budget, I was severely tempted by that. They [the C and XF] were realistically the only contenders for what I wanted. Was thinking of going a little older and falling for an E again, but work insists on a max of 4 years old, wouldn't have been viable.

All your recommendations sound spot on, I used to fit alarms around the areas you mention, all I'd like to return to in my own time. Bearing in mind I was piloting a Vauxhall Combo van at the time and still enjoyed the roads, this time round it should be mind blowing! I was going to take at least a couple of weeks out for the trip, but go the other way around to your route, starting east, north then taking time down the west. There's one road I used to go out of my way to use, as usual, memory fails!

Edit* Looking at the map, might've been the Moffat to Selkirk road? Still not sure tho'!

[st4]

Two weeks for the trip, bags of time, you'll be able to see more than that route, and could do Mull of Kintyre, Oban and Mallaig too. Fife is great, I have had great fun in Fife.

My route to Aberfoyle, that goes by the Dukes pass from the A84 (turn off at Kilmahog), you really must do this, amazing twisty road. I've put Kinlochleven on this route, dump, but a great driving road.

[Jazz]

Welcome back.

[E's Are Good]

Aye, indeed, two weeks is plentiful, it was initially going to be three :-O

Where does Tummel Valley figure in all this? There used to be a fairly decent road off the A84? The A84 seemed to be festooned with coaches though. From memory, there's a fairly scenic bridge there? Oh, just reabsorbed your reply, I think we might be on about the same place lol

[E's Are Good]

Cheers Jazz :-) . . That's two north of the border folk . . . It's a must now ;-)

[st4]

Originally Posted by E's Are Good

Aye, indeed, two weeks is plentiful, it was initially going to be three :-O

Where does Tummel Valley figure in all this? There used to be a fairly decent road off the A84? The A84 seemed to be festooned with coaches though. From memory, there's a fairly scenic bridge there? Oh, just reabsorbed your reply, I think we might be on about the same place lol

The Tummel is lovely.

Right. two ways, the best way is to head to Pithlochary, come off the A9 and head to Kinloch Rannoch, you'll go down this way, see Schehallion (spelling is wrong) and then head all the way along to the end of the road and down Loch Rannoch....

Like this actually

Back touring in Scotland...business as usual!!!

Don't forget Strontian and the Knoidart peninsula

Another great driving day, up the northwest, what are you waiting for.

[E's Are Good]

Originally Posted by st4

The Tummel is lovely.

Right. two ways, the best way is to head to Pithlochary, come off the A9 and head to Kinloch Rannoch, you'll go down this way, see Schehallion (spelling is wrong) and then head all the way along to the end of the road and down Loch Rannoch....

Like this actually

Back touring in Scotland...business as usual!!!

That did used to be my route!!! Stayed in Pitlochry (?) many a time, an olde worlde type hotel on the main street, there used to be a subterranean night club a bit further down the road? . . . . I did used to go up there for work, honest

[st4]

Originally Posted by E's Are Good

That did used to be my route!!! Stayed in Pitlochry (?) many a time, an olde worlde type hotel on the main street, there used to be a subterranean night club a bit further down the road? . . . . I did used to go up there for work, honest

Moulin inn is worth a bite, don't know the town that well, but thats were I eat when I am there, and I am that man in the avatar, you can trust me when I say a place is good to eat.

The other way to Tummel bridge and Kinloch rannoch is to head to Coshieville (spelling is out) but its basically sign posted from Aberfeldy, and the run down from Ballinluig is great, as is the Sma Glen from Aberfeldy to Creiff.