Hi all,
During my week off, i have come up with the idea of organising a Rallye and social event for Locosters.
I've been away staying in an area of the UK with some fantastic roads that snake through the most stunning scenary, and all i could think of was
what a fantastic place it would be to drive a Locost.
So while i was there i did some investigating and i've come up with an itinery for a weekend of driving and nightlife.
Bank Holiday Weekend Friday 29th April - 1st May.
Friday morning would consist of local meets, depending on numbers, probabaly everyone from a particular county would get together before heading
on.
Friday night we would all meet up for an overnight stop/food/drink somewhere near Sterling.
Saturday morning/lunch would take in a Distilery tour, and Inverness. As soon as we are on the A9 the real driving experiences start, with mountain
roads through idillic scenery. Once past Inverness then the roads become even more challenging and the scenery is like nothing you've seen
elsewhere in the UK.
The hotel we will stay at for the weekend, is situated on the shores of Loch Broom, where at dinner and from your rooms, you will get a fantastic view
of the Loch, the mountains and at night the lights from the little village.
When we arrive at our hotel for the weekend, there will be a complimentary drink, and that evening there will be a traditional Scots Caley. This is an
evening with a live band and other traditional Scots entertainment. We'll have a prize a giving, for best turned out car, most original car and
most "book" enspired car. Dinner that evening will be tradional Scottish fare.
Sunday morning, i have arranged for a thrilling high speed boat trip down the Loch and out around the Summer Isles, where you'll be able to see
Seals, and possibly Dolphins along with many different sea birds. The trip is worth it just for this experience.
For Sunday lunch we will take a drive out into the mountains and arrive at the Falls of Shin. At this time of the year you will be able to see a
stunning water fall in which the Salmon leap up it to get back to their place of birth to spawn. There is also a Harrods shop here too.
We'll stop at the falls for lunch in the restaurant, and after we'll return to the hotel by a different route that takes in some of the most
remote and glorious beaches you'll have ever seen, and the roads are as if made for Locosts, and whats more, not a Police camera for hundreds of
miles.
Back at the Hotel for Sunday evening we will endulge in traditional Sunday dinner and enjoy drinks til late in the bar.
On Monday we will depart and on the way back we will take in Corrieshalloch and Rogie Falls, both very dramatic Gorges/Water falls. Once back in
Inverness we will stop off and take in Loch Ness. Here you'll find tons of visitor attractions, that may for some answer the myth of the Loch
Ness Monster. If you are lucky you may even see it!!
For anyone wishing to stay longer and take in many of the other attractions of the area then there will be the oportunity to stay on for longer.
I'm putting together a full document with pictures of the places we will vist and the route. Please email me for this document and further
details.
I'm currently working on the price, currently it is £150/per person, plus the overnight stop. The overnight stop costs depend a little on numbers
so i'm just waiting on some feedback from this posting to get an idea so i can finalise this. Small deposits of 10% will be required on booking
and the rest will be payable a week or two before we depart.
GTS will provide a support vehicle, that will carry some emergency fuel, and some spares etc, to make sure that something silly doesn't spoil the
weekend.
email me darren@gtstuning.co.uk
Kind regards,
Darren
Blimey - don't you ever give it a rest?
Darren
Nice thought,kinda clashes with stoneleigh show dates though
isn't it a bit of a trek for anyone from down southbefore you even start the weekend? IS the support vehicle gonna be patroling the m1, a1 &
m6 on friday
Nice idea, shame I don't have a car finished
Ned.
Its a trek from the South, but i quite enjoyed it even in my old bus. I think in a Seven even the drive up there will be thrilling.
Why go to Stoneliegh and be bored for the weekend, when you can do what you set out to do and that is drive your car, on the best roads in the
country.
The support "bus" won't be patrolling all the roads, because the route is planned so we all meet up and go in convoy. Its a social
event not a race to John O'Groats.
Ned, you need to concentrate and get the car finished. Stop dilly dallying around and get the tools out and get on with it. Stop trying to win the
most number of posts on Locostbuilders competition, and use your time constructively to solve problems, and more importantly order parts (preferrably
from me!!).
You are welcome in any vehicle, as its a Locost builders social event, but, the driving pleasure is unlikely to be the same as in the Locost.
Kind regards,
Darren
Don't wish to throw a dampener on what sounds like a really fun weekend, but as one who lives in Scotland I should point out that the weather at
that time of year can be a bit inclement, (we often have snow in May). So if you are thinking of coming up to 'God's country' allow for
the harsher conditions which you may experience.
Mick
Darren'll have a run on weather gear then, perhaps that's the intention 
Ned.
[Edited on 21/2/05 by ned]
The weather in North East is usually milder than the central and eastern areas due to the warming nature of the Gulf Stream. Last year i was there for
my Aunts wedding in early April and the weather was glorious.
Last week, we had a lot of snow in east of us, but very little in Ullapool itself.
I'm just preparing some pictures of the area.
Rescued attachment ullapool2.jpeg
More pics
Rescued attachment ullapool1.gif
But at this time of year you don't get the "killer gnats" that make european mosi's look like tickling sticks!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Mix
Don't wish to throw a dampener on what sounds like a really fun weekend, but as one who lives in Scotland I should point out that the weather at that time of year can be a bit inclement, (we often have snow in May). So if you are thinking of coming up to 'God's country' allow for the harsher conditions which you may experience.
Mick
I agree the weather on the West coast is generally warmer, (and wetter) but Inverness is a fair way East.
My post was only intended to highlight the differing nature of the weather up here to that which may be experienced 'darn sarf' at the same
time of year.
Suggest you bring warm and waterproof clothing, (just in case)
:
Mick
Mix,
Will you be coming to join in the evenings entertainment and drinking? I hope so.
Nice log fire in the hotel lounge, so you can relieve yourself if it is cold. Be more of an adventure anyway if the weathers a bit off.
Kind regards,
Darren
Picture from the high speed boat trip.
Rescued attachment seascape
Nice log fire in the hotel lounge, so you can relieve yourself if it is cold.
Darren,
They should have toilets too you know....
Or perhaps this is a better one
Rescued attachment seascape.jpg
All sounds good but, Id be a bit more interested if it was a similar trip but to Le Mans.
Funny you should say that because i thought if this worked out well i'd look into organising a trip to LeMans.
I have 13 cars going with me to LeMans, 4th year organising...
Posted in Events/Meets not a single reply... anyway, 13 kits are going in a convoy!
Simon
Darren
I will definitly make an effort to meet up with the party at some point
It's a chance to see what others have done and chat face to face with other builders, which for us, up here in the kit car show desert, is an
opportunity not to be missed.
Mick
a great idea darren, hope it works out. i wont be able to myself, mainly due to car and woman trouble..
quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
a great idea darren, hope it works out. i wont be able to myself, mainly due to car and woman trouble..
Sounds like a good idea Darren. If i had a car i would be up for it
Take it you wont be at Stoneleigh this year then if you are off on a road trip?
Cheers,
David
quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
a great idea darren, hope it works out. i wont be able to myself, mainly due to car and woman trouble..
In that order Joel? Glad to see you've got your priorities right.
Darren, Inverness is no where near the west coast/gulf stream! 
T'other halfs family are from Nairn 15 miles east of Inverness, and rellies are due down here (sarf) that very week, to escape the bitter
cold! Tee-hee
Fozzie
We are not staying in Inverness, just passing through. Final destination is Ullapool.
TotalKitCar have agreed to sponsor the event.
I know a fine pub in Ullapool
Mick
Glad you like our test track eeeerrr Scotland
Think we are heading South that weekend.
quote:
when you can do what you set out to do and that is drive your car, on the best roads in the country.
I think its a cracking idea, Being a Scot and all
Its the first time i have seen something like this planned in my time on here and although its obviously not to everyones tastes a little less of the
'well it would be better if'.................'Darren dont you know that'............'if only it had
been'.............and 'why dont you's' would have been appreciated im sure.
Darren has evidently had a fantastic time there and has put in some effort and made some phone calls to try and organise something for what seems like
a reasonable price just to be shot down with comments concerning the weather and the bloody predatory wildlife ffs . 
How many times have you been camping (pre planned) and its pi55ed it down? over 50% of the times i reckon, but has it stopped you going again? - it
aint stopped me.
Just goes to show you cant please all the people and sometimes it looks like it aint even worth suggesting things - if my car was on the road i would
most definately be tempted to make the journey, Stoneleigh or not, in fact i would rather be out driving the car on the weekend that is pretty much
pre-booked with all our partners as 'Kit Car' weekend than poncing around at Stoneleigh anyway. Possibly this was Darrens reasons for
suggesting this weekend as it is already recognised as 'man time' and therefore does not require another pass from those that have other
committments.
And as for the comments about midges - im sure even the most fanatical BEC drivers could afford the small amount of ballast that is a can of insect
repellant.
Rant over