Big thanks to Ricky for sharing this journey with me, this road trip is one that goes beyond what your imagination could give you. I don't think I will ever have a weekend like it again in my lifetime, weather was perfect, company was great, food was savage and the beer was adequate (you can't have everything.

Anyway enough from me, here will follow some of the details of the drive and pictures.

Heading to Scotland in the morning from my biannual hoon, car all shined up and ready to burn up a hefty lump of juice Wohoo.


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Meeting up with a crew of 15-20 UK MR2 owners from Mrk 1's to Mrk 3's and travelling on the following routes. Photos and report to follow, but if you have never been there, get there. These are the routes we are taking, can't wait.

Friday, Perth to Ullapool
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Travelodge+Hotel+-+Perth+Broxden+Junction,+Broxden+Trunk+Road+Service+Area,+Perth+PH2+0PX&daddr=Main+Rd%2FB9099+to:B9099+to:56.62423,-3.2312579+to:56.6322048,-3.3639174+to:B950+to:A93+to:B976+to:A939+to:57.3980066,-3.4095168+to:57.390261,-3.437532+to:57.3617282,-3.5162627+to:Old+Military+Rd%2FA939+to:A939+to:B9090+to:Old+Military+Rd%2FB9090+to:Sir+Walter+Scott+Dr%2FB8082+to:Unknown+road+to:Bayview+Crescent%2FB9163+to:1%2FA836+to:Morefield+Pl&hl=en&sll=56.602594,-3.138657&sspn=0.250586,0.603561&geocode=FexoXAMdlNrK_yn_ODbz0CSGSDHg7jTb8MWinQ%3BFU1RXQMdhwHL_w%3BFaAAXgMdtFzL_w%3BFWYEYAMd57HO_yl38s-dvWyGSDEyYp0x36_SZw%3BFYwjYAMds6vM_ymRRj0EwhOGSDE9lD7tGAVDJQ%3BFZVRYQMdhuTL_w%3BFThmZgMdY9rO_w%3BFVEmZwMd17LP_w%3BFcmcaQMdeYrM_w%3BFfbSawMdlPnL_ynZkoMnmpeFSDFA32C0pf7a5g%3BFbW0awMdJIzL_ynLdDubFZeFSDHK1V_evSmrYA%3BFUBFawMdmljK_ymLqldGGpGFSDGqO9V6HL9USA%3BFUozbAMd6CTI_w%3BFRSnbgMdux_F_w%3BFR3IbQMdGQfE_w%3BFTHUbQMdgk_D_w%3BFdL7bAMd7xvA_w%3BFfEAbgMdjti9_w%3BFd0ccAMdPFrC_w%3BFWkTcwMd-JK9_w%3BFTWHcwMdkTCx_w&mra=mrv&via=3,4,9,10,11&t=m&z=8

Stopping in Classic restoratinos first http://www.classicrestorations.co.uk/

Saturday, Ullapool to Isle of Skye (first time here really looking forward to this bit)

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Morefield+Motel,+The+Club+House,+N+Rd,+Ullapool,+Ross-shire+IV26+2TQ&daddr=A835+to:A890+to:A890+to:A87+to:A863+to:A850+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+road+to:Bridge+Rd%2FA855+to:A87+to:57.902992,-5.164701&hl=en&sll=57.902428,-5.165849&sspn=0.003506,0.009388&geocode=FfaGcwMdZTKx_ylz_wub2DeOSDE-BxH-3kTr3Q%3BFfpBbwMdzUq4_w%3BFabzbQMdFJux_w%3BFcggagMdBNGq_w%3BFQQuagMdhcyh_w%3BFV9qbAMdjZKb_w%3BFfehbAMd0Wqg_w%3BFSTPbgMdbsqe_w%3BFZBkbwMdhr6g_w%3BFcsNbAMd-2Kh_w%3BFbc2agMddLmh_w%3BFZCHcwMdYzGx_w&t=m&z=9

Sunday, Ullapool and northwards

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Morefield+Motel,+The+Club+House,+N+Rd,+Ullapool,+Ross-shire+IV26+2TQ&daddr=A835+to:1%2FA839+to:1%2FA836+to:B873+to:B871+to:A838+to:A894+to:B869+to:B869+to:A837+to:Morefield+Pl&hl=en&sll=57.905227,-5.175934&sspn=0.014023,0.037551&geocode=FfaGcwMdZTKx_ylz_wub2DeOSDE-BxH-3kTr3Q%3BFa4FdgMdphu0_w%3BFU9OdQMdy8i8_w%3BFZNneQMdYDi8_w%3BFUmUegMdGmO__w%3BFV91fAMdX7m__w%3BFVaufQMdwqS3_w%3BFTiceAMdPIGz_w%3BFV6IeAMdJjSv_w%3BFcRydwMdESiw_w%3BFWMkdgMdRAm0_w%3BFROHcwMdSjCx_w&mra=mi&mrsp=11&sz=15&t=m&z=9

Monday, Ullapool back to Dumbarton.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Morefield+Motel,+The+Club+House,+N+Rd,+Ullapool,+Ross-shire+IV26+2TQ&daddr=A835+to:A832+to:A832+to:A890+to:57.4635883,-5.362767+to:A890+to:A890+to:A87+to:A82+to:56.7004517,-5.0948919+to:A82+to:A814+to:A814+to:Haul+Rd%2FA817+to:Stirling+Rd%2FA82&hl=en&sll=56.286821,-5.018005&sspn=0.561757,1.454315&geocode=FfaGcwMdZTKx_ylz_wub2DeOSDE-BxH-3kTr3Q%3BFe88cQMdqYqz_w%3BFVBycQMdeYSq_w%3BFbr8bgMdRgyv_w%3BFUt0bQMdmg2w_w%3BFSTTbAMdsSuu_yn1jYz_tfSOSDGv1fTZVhOyhg%3BFSdqbAMdiQSt_w%3BFc4cagMd9NWq_w%3BFUbQZgMd99m2_w%3BFdsOYQMdCOyw_w%3BFSMuYQMdFUKy_ynR3G6_NDGJSDFrskPy7Z_F_w%3BFalIXAMdYCm5_w%3BFQaOWQMdyZW3_w%3BFWq4VwMd3Xi2_w%3BFT9jVwMdsBS5_w%3BFcWAVQMdaey6_w&mra=dme&mrsp=11&sz=10&via=5,10&t=m&z=8

Door to door 1422 miles or 2275 Kms, sweet

She was faultless for 2480kms, only incident was one car went offroading in a serious manner, 1.5 hours later my Dad and I had her out and running on the road again, albeit slightly disfigured, but it got him home. If he post up photos (not sure he will) I will post them up, he was one lucky guy to only have car damage and sore muscles. Drivers error at the head of the pack which is a difficult and responsibility leaden place, ask anybody that has lead cars down single lane roads strewn with fresh gravel.

Sample pics


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Well finally getting a brief moment to describe the events of last week, forgive my prose and revert to picture for actual details.

On Friday we went to Classic restorations ( http://www.classicrestorations.co.uk/about.html ) and my Dad and I had to be practically dragged out of the place screaming like little children. This place is fantastic, they put a stand at Terenure each year, if you have a car you care about and want it worked on by craftsmen, then I think this is the place. Looking at the machines, chassis’, engines panels etc. it’s the place where you leave your pride and joy and come back to collect a newly built car in a years’ time. We walked the place for 2 hours and didn’t see enough or talk to enough of their trademen.
Enough gibbering, time for you all to drool.

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The coachwork on this car is amazing.

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That was just what was parked outside!

So let’s travel inside now.


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I feel in love with this one.


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Some job to turn this cheese into metal again.

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Anybody see my chassis?


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Would sir like an engine for one’s chassis?


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We then sneaked off to have a look at the body shop, it was like Charlie and the Chocolate factory, we had to have more of a taste of the bubbly stuff. Boy are we glad we did.


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Can you believe it is still possible to get new metal for this Alvis.

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If I was ever lucky enough that one of my kids had an interest in this type of thing I would be sending them there. From talking to the guy that built this exhaust manifold and intake for his MX-5 the company take real pride in the craftsmen that work there and the time that is put into training them is respected with all their own trade certificates placed on the wall for all to see.


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More photos to come tomorrow, but mostly Scottish highlands and MR2’s

So some more picture form the Highland run, please excuse the lack of a narrative but the pictures tell all.

Day 1, the run up to Ullapool, not many pictures of the drive, as I was driving, Glenshee was snow bound 2 weeks prior to our arrival. As the weather was glorious it felt far from snow, this would be an epic spot to bring a bicycle. Hills that run on form miles and miles.


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Saturday brought us to the Isle of Skye, what a cracking place for a spin, weather was against us a bit, but the views were outstanding, like a supercharged version of Achill.


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Onto Sunday then we headed north, can’t say much more than this photo portrays, fantastic, savage etc. and no peelers.


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One of the guys had an off road excursion and land on the rock beside the big one, lucky devil. Me and the old man done a lot of work and some direction to get him back on the road. Scary stuff but he was OK car was a biut mashed up but driving. So on we went, now some of the guys headed on a route to the luch stop. We had driven from Ireland, I was taking the planned route come hell or high water. What we had then was basically a closed road for the next 60 miles, I think we met 4 cars in total with sections of road where you could see for miles, Vmax wohoo.

This is a link to what I am talking about as we didn’t get photos, but the drive has left an indelible mark in my brain.

www.google.ie/maps/@58.501073,-4.656817,...XperKTUZIdqz0Z5g!2e0

Lunch was in Durness, we arrived about 5 minutes after the others and them having missed out on the scenic stuff (and grippy tarmac).


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And on the last day we said goodbye to Ullapool, with a nip of Whisky for each of us.


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And then all that grip has to bit somewhere, this run with about 15 cars resulted in 4 cracked windscreens, 1 crashed car and a whole heap of petrol burnt is joyous anger. The front of my car now needs a lot of work to be right again for the next one.


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Great pics Slip, the scenery looks epic. I'd love to make this run some year!
KC+1 for the share.

Your a better man with a camera than me will get my pictures sorted soon as i'm off 7-12's.
I had a fantastic weekend worth the cracked screen and the casting up by the wife lol its a great Drive the best I've had now to work towards next year.

Tell me about it Ricky, time, time, time were all running out of it. Fit in as much as you can guys and gals. Finished some of those exams today and decided I would have the day off and reintroduce myself in style to MR2.ie, nose back in the books tomorrow

Infamous, that Highland drive even in bad weather is epic, go to it. You will never regret it, ever, fact, ever, ever and bigger fact Thanks for the KC, expect more from me in the coming months.

Absolutely amazing coverage Ray...massive KC your way

I was looking forward to seeing a few pictures of your journey and you didn`t disappoint . Looks fantastic well done kc`d

Cheers for the Kc's guys, I have had very little time for the last while but finished the first half of my college exams last Saturday and said I may contribute soon before I am banned from the site LOL. Hopefully made up for my lack of input with a single thread.

Exams finished this Saturday and then I will plague you all for runs, meets etc.

Great write up and photos, very enjoyable to read.
KC+1

hey guys

I don't look in here as often any more but saw this heading and had to take a look. Looks like another excellent drive and the one thing that I miss not having the tubby any more.

I notice PeteT is in a Merc now but still allowed to go along for the ride. If I ever get myself in a decent car again I might head over .... clear wrap the nose of the car first though

I'll hopefully catch up with you at some point over this summer

Only getting to see these photo's now,, absolute amazeballs..
Visiting that restoration clinic would be worth the trip alone..

No wonder Clifden seemed like a walk in the park for you - great write up KC+

Spanky wrote:
hey guys

I don't look in here as often any more but saw this heading and had to take a look. Looks like another excellent drive and the one thing that I miss not having the tubby any more.

I notice PeteT is in a Merc now but still allowed to go along for the ride. If I ever get myself in a decent car again I might head over .... clear wrap the nose of the car first though

I'll hopefully catch up with you at some point over this summer

You missed a good one Mark it's the 10th anniversary next year Ray has his name down I can't commit just yet but will try and go as you should just buy a cheap n/a and sell on when home (Kyle has his for sale on Facebook)

ricky2 wrote:
Spanky wrote:
hey guys

I don't look in here as often any more but saw this heading and had to take a look. Looks like another excellent drive and the one thing that I miss not having the tubby any more.

I notice PeteT is in a Merc now but still allowed to go along for the ride. If I ever get myself in a decent car again I might head over .... clear wrap the nose of the car first though

I'll hopefully catch up with you at some point over this summer

You missed a good one Mark it's the 10th anniversary next year Ray has his name down I can't commit just yet but will try and go as you should just buy a cheap n/a and sell on when home (Kyle has his for sale on Facebook)


Kyle wont sell, he's been talking about it for years

I probably wont be going next year, big birthday in April (30th ) although the idea of buying a car just for the drive seems exciting and very Top Gear / Tony Le Frog!!! Maybe if our other plans done pan out I could be up for it

Just thought, instead of buying I could 'rent' a MR2 from one of those fancy rich boys who own more than one of them ......... Ray!?!?!?

Hey Spanky good to hear from you, we were tempted to ring you in drunken stupors but we relented mores, the pity!.

You came up in many conversations, much missed. PeteT driving a German tour bus is a bit of a change to the MRS but it performed well enough but I was only stuck behind him once

This fancy rich boy will hire you the Mrk 3 only, then again all my MR2's are probably only worth a single fill of diesel for the boringmobile you are languishing in these days

Good to hear from you again buddy, I am heading up to Kirkstown for one of the trackskills days this year, are you up for a spin in the gay car. I did promise you and Ricky I would head up for some joint entertainment.

slipsliderg wrote:
Hey Spanky good to hear from you, we were tempted to ring you in drunken stupors but we relented mores, the pity!.

You came up in many conversations, much missed. PeteT driving a German tour bus is a bit of a change to the MRS but it performed well enough but I was only stuck behind him once

This fancy rich boy will hire you the Mrk 3 only, then again all my MR2's are probably only worth a single fill of diesel for the boringmobile you are languishing in these days

Good to hear from you again buddy, I am heading up to Kirkstown for one of the trackskills days this year, are you up for a spin in the gay car. I did promise you and Ricky I would head up for some joint entertainment.


Good to know my legend lives on

I think Pete sent me a text. Something about him winning the pool competition again. It was a new number so I'm not sure it was him or not. I was in florida at the time so didn't respond in a hurry.

Def be up for the track day. If you fancy it, we could make a night of it and grab a few cold ones. Just get in touch when you know what date you're heading up. My mobile number is the same as always.

As for the Highland drive, we've starting heading on holidays at that time of the year but I'd def be tempted to join yous if we weren't heading off somewhere else. I may take you up on the hairdresser car offer if I don't have something suitable of my own

great pics and sounds like everyone enjoyed a great drive.

WOW looks class - nice one Ray

I think I can join this year's run. I will try to keep reading about any updates...