The stravaig around the Outer Isles sounds good Steve. Hopefully, the climate God's will be kind and the dreaded NC500 lemmings will not have reached their plague proportions on the return leg from Ullapool via Inversneckie.
If you are not in a hurry on the return from Inversneckie, try the 'old A9' route south as much as possible and after storming Drumochter take the right turn at Dalnaspidal for Trinafour and then come down the back road to Tummel Bridge, then the B846 to Coshieville, Weem and Aberfeldy. Straight on from the lights in Aberfeldy on the A826 to its junction with the A822, head south down to Gilmerton and the junction with the A85 and Crieff. Next pickup the A822 heading south to Muthill, Braco and the dual carriageway A9 to Stirling and then on to the M74/M6 to Penrith and A68 to Scots Corner etc. More detail from Inversneckie to Dalnaspidal if required!
You should also be aware that there are 40mph average speed cameras in action from Dunkeld/Birnam to Luncarty on the A9 south that is being dualled at the moment and at the weekend can take an age, with 'Stop, Start' and journey times from Inversneckie to Perth up from 2 hours to 4 hours plus. This website link below, from Traffic Scotland could prove useful.
Link:
Traffic_Scotland_roadworksThere are also 'overtaking lanes' of limited length in place that can be used to overtake slower vehicles! BUT, be aware that as they are NOT dual carriageways, with a central barrier and the 60mph average speed cameras still apply. These cameras are in place all the way from Inversneckie to Dunblane on the A9 and HGV's greater than 7.5 tonnes in weight are permitted to travel at 50mph; rather than the Scottish national speed limit of 40mph on single carriageway roads.
Slainte, Bill