Cairncroft is a long way from just about anywhere.

It's a full day's drive from the south of England, but the journey may be broken with a night stop over. The AA's website provides a route planner, and a searchable database of hotels and roadside motels (including Motorway Service Station Lodges) with an on line booking service. The motorway service stations are homogenous unexceptional places, but one deserves a mention. Westmorland (just north of Penrith on the M6) is the only independently owned motorway service station / hotel, and is recommended by Egon Ronay. It is in a pretty location and the food is slightly less fat saturated and more digestible than most.

There are motorways and dual carriage-ways all the way to Perth. The upgraded, but still mostly single carriage-way A9 is then the quickest route north to Inverness. This is potentially a very fast, dangerous road. For some reason (known only to the County Engineers) it seems as if the road is on a permanent bend. Overtaking is often hazardous, and being stuck behind a slow vehicle can be very frustrating, but if you do find yourself in the clear, watch your speed - the limit is 60mph and it is enforced by the local constabulary with some zeal. The speed cameras are also cunningly hidden behind large road signs. The A9 travels through two high passes, at about 1,500ft - these tend to catch the weather, and in winter are sometimes impassable. These are the Drumochter Pass (just north of Perth) at 1,516 ft, and the Slochd Summit (just south of Inverness) at 1,328 ft. Follow the A9 north from Inverness. After crossing the Cromarty Firth bridge continue for a few miles and the turn left (signposted Alness) onto the B9176 towards Bonar Bridge. This route generally avoids the lorries and caravans, which continue round the coast on the A9, and it also has some excellent views over the Dornoch Firth from Struie Hill. At the foot of the hill, join the A836 and continue to Ardgay and over the bridge to Bonar. Take the first left turn after crossing the distinctive bridge (still the A836) north towards Lairg. After 5 miles, turn left towards Lochinver (A837) and after crossing the River Shin bear left following the A837 (which then becomes a single track road with passing places) for approx. 4 miles before turning right at the signpost for Altass. Follow this road for about 2 miles - Cairncroft is a white bungalow on the right (name on gate). If you come to Rosehall Primary School, you have gone 400 yards too far!

An alternative to the car is the bus to Inverness, but the journey time exceeds the car (14 or 15 hours from Reading to Inverness) and car hire upon arrival remains a necessity if you wish to get around in the Highlands. Check out the available services and timetables at the National Public Transport Timetable for all bus, rail and coach enquiries.