Unsurfaced road North Of Scotland

[Mzokk]

http://usera.imagecave.com/Mzokk/Scotland/altnaharra.JPG

I found an old 1986 Michelin map of Ecosse. On the map there is an unsurfaced road running from Allnabad to the A838. I was wondering did this road still exist and was it GS able. The road past Ben Hope from Tongue that it comes from is tarmaced but has grass growing down the middle. The unsurfaced road disappears as you zoom in on the via michelin website and it is not marked on city nav V7. Has anybody tried this route?? :)

[HTB]

If that's Ben More Assynt at the base of the map, my guess would be yes. I'm up there once in a while in Glen Cassley, slightly to the South East of Ben More - there are a number of tracks there which the water board use to get to their water collecting main. some of the other tracks are reasonably well used, although the casual passer-by wouldn't imagine it. Can't really help more than that... but will be able to tell you at the end of September... :D

[Grizzly]

Hi Mzokk,
Have used the Loch Hope road a few times, as you say 60% tar, 30% grass - but a great GS road!.
I've never noticed the track as I passed, but have looked at it on several maps - must be worth a look if your passing, but the area around Allnabad is heavily loaded with herds of red deer and the track your talking about passes Gobernuisgach Lodge about 2 miles west of Allnabad - so between the deer and the Lodge I think access might well be gated?? but as I said before, must still be worth a look?
Let us know how you get on? - take it your not going up this week?? brrr :eek

Cheers......................Grizzly :beer:

[BGF]

It marked as the Bealach nam Meirleach on OS maps. Googled it and got this;

'The Gobernuisgach-Merkland road, which was used not so long ago as a regular short-cut by locals, steals across the 800ft Bealach nam Meirleach (“pass of the thief”) from the head of Strathmore by Gobernuisgach, coming out near Loch Merkland. It cuts the journey from Altnaharra to Laxford Bridge by around eighteen miles. Now suitable only for 4-wheel drive vehicles, it is estimated that £250,000 could rebuild the 10-mile stretch.'

[Mzokk]

Many thanks guys! Worth a look when I'm up there!!

Cheers :thumb

[Phil Clarke]

I have a feeling you go right past an estate house just as you leave the road. Not sure which end it is tho and a few pals once went along it for a bit and camped for a night without geting any hassle. This is marked on OS 'route masters' as well but then these maps also mark other tracks which aren't vehicle rights of way. I had a vague idea to have a go and pretend to be german if the landowner stopped me.....

[Mzokk]

Must take my 1986 Michelin map with me as its listed as an unsurfaced road rather than a path. :D

[arcboutant]

or, switch on GPS and for once do as the lady says,lol.

[capt geeze a five]

Hi all,
sorry to say, but it is a private estate road.
you could walk it, not mutch fun,
bry.