The first day set a high bar for great driving roads, with two fantastic routes from Perth to Braemar, and from Crathie to Elgin before stopping for the night in Inverness.
The following morning I made a stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor centre before heading up the A9 to the village of Golspie on the North East coast to pay a visit to Dunrobin. This really is a fairytale palace in a land of castles, designed in part by the same man responsible for the Palace of Westminster. Dunrobin is still a family home, so the building itself remains closed over the winter, but the gardens and grounds are free for visitors to enjoy all year round.
The road from Dunrobin to Applecross was simply epic. A seemingly never-ending route of spectacular proportions the onslaught of sweeping bends, dips and tight corners continued for hours, as the Astra GTC just kept asking for more. I don't know how they did it, but this car can handle corners at ridiculous speeds without batting an eye-lid. Never once did I feel the car was near the edge of it's capabilities despite the relentless punishment it was going through on these fantastic roads.
By the time I reached my overnight stop at Applecross, I had developed huge respect for the Astra GTC. Of all the cars I have had the privilege to drive over the years, I couldn't think of a single car I'd rather have been driving that day. I never thought I'd be saying that about a 1.4 litre hatchback.
The morning of the following day presented a real treat. The legendary Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) climbs from sea level high into the mountains and mist, and offers the kinds of dramatic hairpins and descents normally associated with the Alpine passes of Continental Europe. A test of any car, the Astra GTC handled it superbly. So much so, I turned around at the bottom and did it again. Twice.
The week ended with a fantastic drive from Fort William to Glasgow. The sun was shining over the Great Glen in the morning so I paid a visit to the very special Commando Memorial by Spean Bridge. While the impressive monument stands proudly overlooking the Glen in memory of those who lost their lives in the 2nd World War, there is a poignant new remembrance garden placed respectfully nearby, with tributes to, and reminders of, those who have fallen in more recent conflicts. This is a remarkably peaceful place to spend time, and forget the rush of life passing by on the nearby A82.
Back in the driving seat, the A82 between Fort William and Glasgow is (as my fellow GTC adventurer Jen will confirm) one of the greatest pieces of road-building in the country. If you only ever drive one route in Scotland make it this one. Unless you end up stuck behind a caravan, you will not be disappointed. Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, and Loch Lomond side all present very different but equally magnificent landscapes with a perfect blend of fast flowing straights, and tight winding bends with suitably placed parking areas to give motorists the opportunity to stop and take in the incredible views.
So far Scotland hasn't failed to impress, and the Astra GTC has had a good warm-up for what is to come. Next week, I'll be aiming for Northern Ireland, the Lake District and Wales, so keep an eye on my Twitter feed @GTCadventure and Peters @petervardy for regular updates along the way.
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