Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Review of Dukeld 1/2 Day in 09 D3
On Monday I did a 1/2 Day session at LRE Scotland in Dunkeld, Perthshire. It's pretty easy to get to but watch out for roadworks on the A9 between Perth and Dunkeld - had me stationary for about 20 minutes. However you can exit the A9 at Luncarty (before the roadworks) and follow the B9099 until you get to a Church at Caputh, then turn left on to the A984 (called Boat Road once you reach Dunkeld) and follow it all the way in to Dunkeld - avoiding the traffic which can be 40-60 minutes stationary when busy. I took this route on the way back down.
I did the full 3 hours on the off-road site (rather than a 50 minute on-road session which is the usual procedure on the half days). The instructor (Andrew Penny) was calm and collected [even when slipping perilously close to rocks and tilting beyond comfort on the side slope) and taught me a few things I didn't know about the D3. He took me on a route which was different to the standard 1/2 day course, encompassing the rock crawl, sand pit and steep descent through the trees (evoking memories of our near-miss with a tree in Tong).
It was fascinating to compare the 09MY HSE to our comparatively aged '54 original. The biggest differences I noticed were that the interior (with piano black trim and rouched leather) was more elegant and smart whilst the new 19" alloys and painted bumpers makes it look much more upmarket. A pleasant bonus if you're buying a new one but not the kind of material to warrant an upgrade when our '54 still does the job we bought it for (beautifully).
It was the first time I've had to left-foot brake which was challenging at first (a few heads through the windscreen) but I was surpisingly able after a bit of practise. The technique is to treat it like a clutch - press softly when pressing the brake as if finding a bite. The rock crawl was tense (the wheels were excessively muddy and kept slipping from the desired position) but following some very gentle wheel nudges and throttle touches I made it through unscathed.
All in all I'd highly recommend the venue (they own a 280 acre site and have exclusive access to over 5000 acres of local wild highland estates such as Blair Atholl. It's got every kind of off-road challenge you could hope for the scenery in some parts is just breathtaking. The staff are friendly and helpful and ensure you have a good day.
Some photos below - the rest are in my gallery and an external PB album (link in my gallery).
The protection plate in the last shot, is that the O/E part ?
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10th Apr 2009 1:19 pm
MikeT
Member Since: 31 Aug 2008
Location: Lancs
Posts: 260
Looks like it was a great day.
What didn't you know about the D3, that you learned?
I visited the Skipton experience, and the instructor had a trick for putting the vehicle into extended mode, although I haven't been able to replicate it !
10th Apr 2009 1:39 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72799
Has been a while since I've been to LRE Dunkeld! They seem to be making a pigs ear or the A9 roadworks, god help us when they start dualling it, though that's not likely in my life-time!
10th Apr 2009 1:49 pm
ayrshiredisco
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: Ayr
Posts: 619
shiny moose wrote:
The protection plate in the last shot, is that the O/E part ?
O/E part? its a winch type mantecIf in doubt............flat out.
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10th Apr 2009 2:41 pm
nealgs
Member Since: 13 Jan 2008
Location: Leeds
Posts: 327
I'm off to do the Skipton experience for a half-day on the 23rd only the 2nd time been off-roading, ever (even though had landrovers for over 8 yrs - lol
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only the 2nd time been off-roading, ever (even though had landrovers for over 8 yrs - lol 
