Hey pal, if work, (and she who must be obeyed doesn't get in the way), I can tag along on one of your road trips. You are spoilt for choice really and Kinross is not a bad base, nice and central. The further north you go the thinner on the ground the feds are but they are out in force on the popular Oban and Glencoe roads so beware. As mentioned, Ullapool and also the Loch Carron area are awesome but you have got to take the Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh road, one of the best hoons to be had in the UK! On the way back, tackle the road to Applecross then onto Inverness by Lochness. Short trip down through Glen Garry on the A9 (then peel of at Pitlochray past Loch Tay the back to Kinross past Loch Earn. A monster hoon but if you stop often enough then you will only need the 1 week at the chiroprators!
Will let you know nearer the time if I can make it.
Cheers,
John