Over the land to Skye

[Danny Jo]

Reflecting the experience of others, Freestyle's intended trip to Skye earlier this year was aborted at Tobermory, because progress had been too slow.

But I've just been offered 30p a mile, accommodation, and public transport home if I deliver the car I'm selling on eBay to Skye. Is it worth it?

 

[jhr]

Inland Revenue approved reimbursement rate for employees using their own car is 40p per mile, so 30p is a bit tight. Mind you, this is supposed to include depreciation which, by then, will be the purchaser's problem, presumably /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

 

[boomerangben]

It's a great drive once you get out of Glasgow and you could get a taste for any future water bourne trips to the island.

 

[Danny Jo]

Thanks. Trick is to get the right amount of petrol in the tank. I don't imagine British Rail are too keen on passengers carrying spare cans of petrol home.

 

[jhr]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dunno about trains, but I've certainly seen one poor bloke put off a bus because he was carrying a jerry can of petrol. He'd run out, it was pissing with rain and he was presumably just trying to get back to his car to fill it up without developing double pneumonia, but rules is rules, it's more than my job's worth..............

Slightly mystified about the buyer's motives. Forgive me, but it's a fairly elderly car, judging by the e-bay ad. North Wales to Skye is several hundred miles and, at the current bidding price, he's likely to double the cost by paying you mileage, rail fares and putting you up in a B&B. Saabs are nice cars (I've got one myself) and they go on for ever, but is yours really that rare and desirable? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif:

 

[AndrewF]

Seem to remeber that it can be an epic trip on public transport from Skye. 3 hours by bus to inverness and then 3 hours on train to Edingburgh. Or forever on the bus to Glasgow.

 

[rhumlady]

It seems like several hundred miles form Glasgow to Skye let alone North Wales! As said above once past Glasgow, (make that Crianlarch(?) due to the main road, A82, being single track in one place!!!) it is a very rewarding drive, as long as the weather is good.

 

[andymcp]

I grew up on Skye. Give me the name of the proposed buyer and I'll check out if s/he is good for the deal..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Searush]

Hey, it's a nice couple of days out! Go for it!

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
Seem to remeber that it can be an epic trip on public transport from Skye. 3 hours by bus to inverness and then 3 hours on train to Edingburgh. Or forever on the bus to Glasgow.

[/ QUOTE ]
No, no, there's a train all the way from Kyle of Lochalsh (change at Inverness).

 

[Danny Jo]

Ticket pricing seems a bit strange. Mallaig to Bangor, £111; Kyle of Lochalsh to Bangor £24.

One of my crew has offered to deliver it for me, just for the fun of it. Eleven hours on the train - better him than me.

 

[Danny Jo]

[ QUOTE ]
Slightly mystified about the buyer's motives. Forgive me, but it's a fairly elderly car, judging by the e-bay ad. North Wales to Skye is several hundred miles and, at the current bidding price, he's likely to double the cost by paying you mileage, rail fares and putting you up in a B&B. Saabs are nice cars (I've got one myself) and they go on for ever, but is yours really that rare and desirable?

[/ QUOTE ] The purchaser seems a good egg. He's already paid in full by Paypal, and will pay in advance for the delivery when I let him know the cost. He isn't able to collect the car because he is currently working on a ship off the West coast of Africa.

I suspect he is something of a Saab fan, judging by some of his other eBay purchases, but like you I was surprised at his readiness to take on the costs of delivery. But then £500 or so is getting him a car that is as solid as they come, handles beautifully, goes, if not like s**t off a shovel, at a respectable pace, and should be good for 9 or 10 months. Most other vehicles capable of that, and available on or near Skye, would cost a lot more than than in depreciation.

 

[Danny Jo]

[ QUOTE ]
I grew up on Skye. Give me the name of the proposed buyer and I'll check out if s/he is good for the deal.....

[/ QUOTE ] Thanks. I'll PM you.

 

[colvic987]

does the ticket price includes the tourist train from fort william to mallaig, £20 adult single, see website.

http://www.mallaigheritage.org.uk/exhibit/rail1.htm