From Lands End to John O' Groats

[Faheem]

On Friday I'm setting off on what should hopefully be an interesting roadtrip across the UK, starting in Leicester, over to Cardiff, then Lands End and then slowly working our way back up north until we reach John O' Groats.

The plan is to split the trip into 5-6 days which should give us time to appreciate it more.

I've decided to be brave and take the Zed, but who knows if it'll manage to do the 2000 miles!!

I'm doing a time lapse of the trip so if we do manage to complete it, I'll post the video on here!

Curious to know if anyone else on here has done the trip?

 

[billz]

If i did it it would take me a couple of weeks as hate motorways do not find any pleasure in them at all i would have to do it trying to avoid them as best i can. Good luck with the trip

 

[Jack Ratt]

My mate did it on a push bike in the late 90's. He lives in Roche, Cornwall a few miles from me. He rode to Lands End then up to John O'Groats. At John O'Groats he gave his bike to a young lad and came home on the train.

Have to say though, it's something I'd like to do in my Zed

 

[andyglym]

Interesting trip. As for the miles, no issues whatsoever.

 

[t-tony]

Hey Faheem,have a great trip mate, that new car of yours will be fine. Enjoy it mate and please keep us up to date.

Tony.

 

[Craig Machin]

Enjoy your trip sounds great

 

[Jjim]

Looks like a good trip, but if you can avoid the A9 from Inverness to John o’ Groats. It’s not the best and the Northern parts of Scotland have so much more to offer.
I would recommend taking the A835 West from Inverness to Ullapool and then taking the coast road north and around to John ‘o Groats. Amazing bit of road with fantastic scenery.

 

[Dalek]

Wow Faheem, that sounds like a great road trip. Really envious!
Looking forward to the video.

 

[Redline]

My mate did it on a push bike in the late 90's. He lives in Roche, Cornwall a few miles from me. He rode to Lands End then up to John O'Groats. At John O'Groats he gave his bike to a young lad and came home on the train.

Have to say though, it's something I'd like to do in my Zed

Don’t think I’d give my Zed to anyone at the end though. Just saying

 

[Redline]

Good luck and have a great time.

 

[Pls]

Sounds a great trip. We live not far from your route north of Inverness, so if you'd like sone Z-company on the road, north from your overnight stop near Beauly, it would be great to accompany you a little bit of the way. If you do go on the A9 north, perhaps we could join you as far as Golspie, or if you decide to go via Ullapool, we could accompany you there - one of our favourite runs. Anyway, if you're up for that, let me know which day you're departing from Beauly and we can coordinate, swap mobile numbers etc.

This is near Beauly a few weeks ago:



And this was on the road to Ullapool:



I'll PM you my details

Cheers

Paul

 

[Pingu]

I did JOGLE in 2009. My challenge was to do it without speeding. I did it in 13hrs 52 mins. I might still have the certificate somewhere. Register at the start, collect six receipts and send off for the certificate. I think it's £15, IIRC.

Careful, challenges become addictive...
NEWS
DTEC

Time for another, me thinks

Looks like lots of non-motorway driving - I like that.

I've considered doing the entire length of the A38 - it looks like you are pretty close to doing it.

Don't do the A1 Edinburgh - Darlington, go through Jedburgh - it's a much better drive unless you get car sick .

 

[billz]

Looks to me the route is going up the M5 M6 after exeter then coming back down the A1. Could be wrong though (usually am)

 

[Pingu]

Looks to me the route is going up the M5 M6 after exeter then coming back down the A1. Could be wrong though (usually am)

Pretty sure you are bang on. I think Christian Malford to Aspatria will need to be spiced up with some A6 action (avoid Kendal, though - it's all roadworks) There are some narrow roads from the A65 to the A6 east of Kendal that do the job

A65 to A6 avoiding Kendal

 

[Grumps]

Excellent mate. Sure the zed will be fine but I assume you have RAC or similar just in case?

 

[roadvoyager1]

Looks like a good trip, but if you can avoid the A9 from Inverness to John o’ Groats. It’s not the best and the Northern parts of Scotland have so much more to offer.
I would recommend taking the A835 West from Inverness to Ullapool and then taking the coast road north and around to John ‘o Groats. Amazing bit of road with fantastic scenery.

Great advice from @Jjim. The west coast is a much better drive. Be aware it is also part of the NC500 route and you would be best to arrange your overnight accommodation in advance.
For your trip back south I would avoid the coast through Northumberland and use the A697 then A68 which are much better driving roads. In the Scottish Border be aware that there are loads of speed cameras.
Whichever route you decide to use, have a great drive.

 

[Faheem]

Sounds a great trip. We live not far from your route north of Inverness, so if you'd like sone Z-company on the road, north from your overnight stop near Beauly, it would be great to accompany you a little bit of the way. If you do go on the A9 north, perhaps we could join you as far as Golspie, or if you decide to go via Ullapool, we could accompany you there - one of our favourite runs. Anyway, if you're up for that, let me know which day you're departing from Beauly and we can coordinate, swap mobile numbers etc.

This is near Beauly a few weeks ago:

View attachment 109983

And this was on the road to Ullapool:

View attachment 109985

I'll PM you my details

Cheers

Paul

Cheers Paul, I've replied to your PM

 

[Faheem]

Excellent mate. Sure the zed will be fine but I assume you have RAC or similar just in case?

I took out breakdown cover for the first time ever yesterday, thought I might just in case, surprisingly it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be!

 

[Jack Ratt]

What time will you be at Lands End on Friday?

 

[Faheem]

@Jack Ratt We're stopping off in Cardiff on Friday and heading to Lands End early morning on Saturday - likely looking to get there for midday.