27 May 08
Arriving at Wick Airport photographer Phil and I both feel rested, but also anxious about the journey ahead. The short plane ride up to Scotland had rattled me because it had given me time to think about what lay ahead.
After much map consultation and unscientific guestimation, I had predicted our route would add at least another 400 miles to the already substantial 800 the direct motorway route predicted. But what if it was more? What if we ran out of time? What if it took four days and not the measly two and half we had planned? Did we have enough money?
Nosing the big BMW X6 out of the car park and pointing it north to John O'Groats, it was clear we wouldn't be short of power. Our car was the xDrive35d, which had a glorious 282bhp twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six diesel under the bonnet. It is an engine that we've come to love in just about every other BMW product.
So what exactly is the X6 then? Well, according to BMW it's a 'Sports Activity Vehicle'. That may not mean much to you, but essentially, it's a 4x4 with a coupe-like rear end. It means that you have a high driving position that allows you to see deeper into corners - although a few times when things tightened up we had to lean forward to see around the thick A-pillars.
So, early impressions are good as we make the 15-mile from Wick airport to John O'Groats car park for the beginning of our A-road adventure.
