I DROVE MY CHEAP £950 FREELANDER 2 TO BEN NEVIS!

[@jovialgent9963]

My best mate died 2 months ago & we travelled over from Ireland to Inverness where he was cremated. We drove home via Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, Glencoe & Loch Lomond. Such an incredible drive with awe inspiring scenery!! Truly beautiful. ♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RhythmAndRibs]

RIP to your mate

[@jovialgent9963]

@@RhythmAndRibs Cheers pal! 👍🏼

[@sarah-ws2tg]

Amazing…RIP to your friend…you’ve taken in some fabulous scenery there, Glencoe in particular gets me every time 👍

[@BobTheBlue]

I hope you raised a glass or 10 to your mate!

[@jovialgent9963]

@@sarah-ws2tg thank you, yeah Glencoe absolutely stunning. Matt should take an Aston Martin up that way!! Breathtaking!!

[@simonbiggit6475]

Love these vlog type of videos. Believe it or not, a lot of us are here for your personality and humour, not just the cars 🤣

[@HighPeakAutos]

Glad you like them!

[@ericsbuell]

I concur 🤗

[@Pappaphill-77]

I 2nd that I'm actually looking forward to seeing you go to Wales in the Freelander and seeing your cottage. Love Wales.

[@Pappaphill-77]

You work hard and need to do things like this, life is short.

[@Ameenjimmyhaq]

💯

[@ninjabobable]

Spat out my Coffee when it cut to the shot of you and the hat :) :)

[@delboyfly1139]

Same 😂

[@andrewf1326]

Oh mate, I'm so with you. Uncontrollably cracked up! 😂

[@tonyb1184]

It's nearly 40 years ago that I ran up Ben Nevis I did it as part of my Duke of Edinburgh awards if I remember rightly it was my silver. I was also sponsored and the money I made went to Booth Hall Children's Hospital who saved my brother's life. Well done Matt

[@ianbrown4242]

I bought my FL2 HSE because of one of the first High Peak Auto reviews. I still have it and still love it.

[@mikemcnulty6029]

Well done, Matt. You were lucky to see a lovely "inversion" where the mist stays in the glen and you rise above it..quite literally!

[@Carrera-gp9od]

Ben Nevis is actually one of the easier hills to climb , it also has a great pub at the bottom ! I reckon the fruit flies were the dreaded Highland Midgy

[@Lakesman5308]

Probably Horse flies or Clegs they called over the border , bite like hell

[@Carrera-gp9od]

@@Lakesman5308 Clegs are a hell of a lot bigger than midgies We get them up here too 😂

[@jacketrussell]

I climbed to the summit of Ben Nevis in 1962 with my Dad and brother. I was 8 at the time. My Mum decided to sit it out. We were on a 4 week camping holiday all round Scotland; driving up from Birmingham in my Dads Austin A35 van which he had converted with side windows. Happy days,

[@ivoteunissen]

These vids are a great! Nice change form the buying content!

[@steve1962]

2009 I rode up to Fort William from West Oxon with my 15 yr old son ( BMW 1100RT) and we spent a week riding the fabulous roads in the area. One of the highlights was the ride back down the A82 to Glasgow, starting at 5.30am.....G.L.O.R.I.O.U.S......we had the road and stunning scenery all to ourselves until we reached Dumbarton. The west coast of Scotland is just stunning. Steve

[@johnpirie3800]

West is always best Steve. I stay in East Kilbride and we are up that way regularly on the bikes. Recently bought a Blackbird and it is a fabulous bit of road. Glad you enjoyed it buddy. You and your son ride safe and come back up and do it all again. Best wishes-John.

[@VayMutch]

Nice job Matt! 06:15: You're lookinng at Beinn Dòrain, it's a beauty. 13:45: That's a cloud inversion, you're lucky to have the clouds down there and not up with you! This happens when the cooler air (with all the moisture) settles at the bottom of the glen and the hot dry air rises up. Not an everyday sight.

[@steve1962]

Never been up Ben Nevis but I have been up Scafell Pike 3 times ( when I was a boarder at school in Keswick and fit as a mountain goat). In my class were both daughters of the famous fell runner Joss Naylor, and we did meet him and his border collie on one of the trips up Scafell..... he came bounding round the corner and made fell running look oh so easy. Happy days Steve

[@theloneranger2101]

Matt, you didn't really need to wear the Red hair wig with that tam o' shanter, I don't know whether anyone has ever told you, but you already have Red hair. 😄 Great video, something a bit different from your usual, and I really think you should do more road trip videos and show your followers your favourite places in the UK. 👍

[@jimbrown2688]

Loved it. I'm in Scotland so not only was its great to see him take one of his cars on a trip. But, he took it to stunning Fort William and Ben Nevis. Plus, he only had nice things to say about Scotland. Nice one...

[@iainmacleod4007]

I spent 25 years in the Highlands and loved it. My father’s side of the family are Highlanders in any case although I am a lowlander being Edinburgh born and bred. I am going up to Fort William and Mallaig next week. Can’t wait.

[@Dan.Dawson]

Always reminds me of Prince Philip does this car. He stuck to the Freelander 2 despite newer offerings- and yes, overturned it in his late 90s, walked away, and then got another delivered the next day. What a legend.

[@wirralsquirrel713]

That’ll be the NCAP 5 rating! I bought a 64 plate SE Tech from LR 7 yrs ago to replace my old FL1. Had the choice of FL2, Evoque or Disco Sport. The gent at the LR Service Desk told me last year “you chose well” & I certainly did especially as it had 15k miles & cost £10K less than the others. I absolutely love my FL2 & take it off road regularly. I would recommend anyone thinking of buying one to get a SETech to HSE 2.2 TD4 on a 2013-14 plate. I think LR made the worst mistake by discontinuing the FL2.

[@matjenkins9025]

Well proud of you Matt, I went to Glencoe and Ben nevis whilst doing a mountain leaders course with the army, lived in Edinburgh Castle for 4 years and was the best time !!!!! Scotland is brilliant get some irnbru mate!!!! Yes and now living in Mississippi and hate it

[@shennmack]

I left glencoe, 16° in bright 🌞 arrived at the summit 2°, sleet with zero visibility......you were so lucky Matt.

[@antonycharnock2993]

Same when I climbed Ben Nevis for the first time. Probably better when you get a temperature inversion like Matt did.

[@b.2221]

Welcome to the land of rain Matt, and thank you for a great start to the weekend with your great video Sir.

[@soniklabstudios]

"I've never been that happy" is probably the greatest line on this channel ever! :-p Nice one Matt, but did the Freelander make it back and did you sort the issues with the steering?

[@patrickfarrell9230]

As always, a pleasure to watch. Well done and I enjoyed the difference

[@HighPeakAutos]

Many thanks!

[@alanhunter2009]

Very entertaining. You should start a travel series. And the "see you Jimmy" hat was the icing on the cake.

[@5ebra1]

Enjoyed the video. You picked a great day to do it. I had a similar power steering issue which was diagnosed as a faulty battery. It was hydraulic steering not electrical. It sounded wrong but I changed the battery and the steering returned to always being assisted.

[@paulgaskin269]

Had the same problem with mine was the steering rack in the end

[@warren6815]

That drive up through Glencoe to Fort William is breathtaking. Did Ben Nevis last April, stunning hike. We did it on a Friday and unusually had the summit to ourselves for about an hour. Perfect conditions though. Watching this has made me want to do it all again!

[@nigel.w]

Congrats! From a high peak to the highest peak.

[@dansimmons21]

Congrats on summiting - and loving this kind of content! Fun story, when I hiked Ben Nevis last summer, there was a Scottish bloke who carried a rowing machine all the way up the top, rowed a marathon at the summit, then carried it all the way back down - all for mental health charity. His mates were with him making sure he did all the carrying himself. Made everything I've ever done feel a bit pathetic to be honest lol - big respect to that guy.

[@rodbridgman7873]

Have done Nevis a few times. You were lucky to get such a wonderful day...when you do though, the experience is second to none...Great video Matt, keep them coming...

[@TruckerMurdock]

I'd love another Freelander. Bought a 03reg FL1 for £550, sold as seen, 1.8 petrol, turned out all receipts for all known issues. Had her 5yrs and 60k, had her off road, drove her like I stole her, in the end it was the body and electrical stuff that gave up. I'd love a FL2 HSE, I'll never doubt a good Freelander.

[@Ultravox1981]

Stunning. Well done mate. My old knees wouldn't let me do that now. Amazing how packed it is. All best

[@Skootavision]

Fair play Matt, been watching for a couple of years now I reckon and was looking down at my phone, listening to you, then looked up and you had the Moose loose aboot this hoose thing going on and I laughed out loud for a good minute. 😂 have a great weekend.

[@michalsolecki5590]

I live in Peru, the highest highway I have ever driven, 4995m. From Arequipa to Colca. Canyon. Scotland looks awesome. Look after yourself!

[@nigelbond4056]

First time I climbed Ben Nevis, a kind local called me a pillock on a hillock 🤣

[@definitelynotadam]

Should have worn the hat.

[@vickybatchelor6858]

I never had any doubt that you would make it to the top. Well done boys! Hope you've got your power steering sorted. Loved the video. Thank you ❤

[@DJTMCR]

Well done Matt, another really well put together video (easily as good as or better than what you get on traditional tv) and well done for doing Ben Nevis. I’m planning to do this in the summer. I’ve done other 2 peaks previously. What I would say, don’t bother carrying spare trainers up, save the space for food 🤣 just wear the boots in before hand and you will be fine!

[@franklove9897]

Yes I was a bit confused as to why he put the trainers in the bag and left no room for the sandwiches.

[@dbulmannz]

We have owned a 2010 freelander, and it has been super reliable. We've only had to replace a battery in 5 years.

[@connclissmann6514]

Well done! You achieved two distinct objectives: climbed the highest UK peak and also demonstrated why you should be wary of owning a 2010 Freelander unless you have a tame mechanic available. Great scenery so thanks for taking us along.

[@danielsellers8538]

Hi Matt, 😊 13:50 enjoyable video throughout Ben Nevis is an amazing place that loved the vehicle. Enjoy your break

[@brunorosa2227]

Well done, there's another 281 Munros to do now which are, by and large, people free apart from actual hillwalkers. The car is important but so are the hills, one year we did 5 in a K11 Micra stuffed to the gunnels with camping and hiking stuff and tons of whisky and Stella, happy days.

[@urwindj]

Brilliant Matt, made me laugh out loud. Took my 22 year old daughter and her friend up to Ben Nevis when they did the 3 peak challenge - i went to sleep in my bimmer in the exact parking spot you parked the Freelander. Wonderful memories. And what heroes they were completing it under 24 hours - so you’ve got a couple more peaks to do!

[@craigl89]

You’re incredibly lucky to get weather like that at the top. I had a similar experience and when chatting to a local guide he said there is less than 10 days a year where it’s completely clear at the top

[@andrewl3655]

Great video Matt. Love the new travel vlog format.

[@leevanqueef2658]

I climbed it 23 years ago. Drank a good half bottle of 18-year-old malt at the top. The descent was very interesting 😂

[@dylanogden1597]

That other one is Beinn Dorain, a fine climb in its own right alongside its neighbour 👍 If you ever go back you should try the ascent up the CMD Arête, does the hill justice and away from all the crowds! Good on you and good on the old Freelander 👍👍

[@mguuu813]

the funniest vid I've seen for a long time, well done to you both #fantastic

[@edsmith1158]

Filter in the power steering reservoir. Same design as the Mondeo uses. New reservoir and a flush normally sorts it.

[@vincentpoole7588]

Matt. Glad to hear your mention of the next trip in your Rangie sir to Scotland ! Had the first overnight camp with a new lady last Sunday night and we slept in the back, watching the stars overhead. Even she noted how practical the beast was and started the old Buick 215ci V8 the next morning rock crawling our way out of the national park in low range - first gear auto just as steep as the view. Thank double mattress topper next ? V.

[@milktonfang]

stayed in Fort William in those pods, fun, but not so comfy for two in a bed especially when they only access in and out of the bed is through the bottom

[@heeeeeresrossy]

I love that you love Ben Nevis & the Highlands of our wee country. I'm from Oban, which is a mere 50 miles away. Great video.

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Good video Mathew, its nice to see you taking some time out for yourself for a change!!!

[@flyme195]

My 2012 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE was the most reliable car I’ve ever had and I’ve had a few. Also the only car I regret selling. The route you took didn’t take you far away from the Drumclog Off Road centres absolutely amazing fun! Every time I went, I’d have someone in a heavily modded defender or something commenting on how brave I was bringing a lowly Freelander there. Note, not once did I get stuck! Get yourself back up here!

[@George-ko8cd]

For your power steering issue - usually if the steering gets lighter as you accelerate it points to a bad pump

[@hughmarcus1]

There’s a well known issue with the power steering on them. There’s a gauze in the header tank that clogs up. Unless the mechanic has seen a few of them they won’t know. Even if you change the rack & fluid you’ll still have an issue. If it’s left long enough it will kill the pump because it can’t get enough fluid. The trick is to fit a new header tank.

[@AndrewGriffiths-lf9ug]

I love my 2008 FL2 which I’ve had for 3 years. Earlier this year I had a very similar steering issue, initially thought it just needed flushing but turned out the only thing that properly sorted it was a new steering rack. Been perfect since.

[@steveegginton535]

The scenery in the Highlands is so stunning. I climbed Ben Nevis twice in my youth may years ago it is some climb so well done on making it. Apparently there was a hotel called the Observatory Hotel at the top of Ben Nevis where climbers could stay but it closed during the first world war and never reopened. Even more amazing is that as a publicity stunt a company had a Model T Ford driven up the mountain they had to lay a wooden track so the car could get up there!

[@omduk637]

Loved my Freelander 2. Read before I bought it that I would hate the repair bills but love the drive and that was so true. Had a few repair bills which when I think were wear and tear in most cases but the drive was so good If I could have a euro6 I would definitely have another. The discovery sport is not as good in my opinion.

[@user-ym1ff1vg8c]

Well done Matt Kinder Scout is always a good hike if you're staying local to home A Mam Torr weekend sunrise is a treat too Look forward to your next video

[@iancolePRD129G]

Fantastic video Matt, scenery amazing, great videography. The. Accommodation was just all you needed. I now want to do that trip and walk up Ben Nevis. I'm sure the Freelander got you home OK. Keep doing what you do Matt.

[@davidtelford546]

Matt, you could have spent a few nights with me and the Mrs In Glasgow to break up the drive, last hill I climbed was goat fell on the island of Arran great scenery and perfect phone signal for some strange reason bloody midges are a nightmare keep up the great work and try something more challenging next time

[@neilt7145]

Well done Matt. Lovely drive up there from Loch Lomond onwards. Especially when you get to Glencoe.

[@lyndamiller2623]

That was brilliant, thanks for taking us along 👍

[@gordonbarnes8229]

Great video Matt - wow you were lucky with the weather - nowhere better than Scotland when the sun shines! But people die on Ben Nevis most years due to the weather changing so suddenly and not being prepared for it!

[@yellownev]

Well done the pair of you - a decent climb and you struck lucky with the weather and lack of midges ( not fruit flys) Loved the Jimmy Saville joke . I've done the 3 peaks twice hard work so thats your next challenge but with a decent comfy car ( we used a minibus) and a driver it'll be a breeze.... right off to research Freelander 2'S

[@Mouse2113]

That first mountain is Beinn Dorain, I climbed it and it's awesome. Still to do Ben Nevis but I've done 121 of the munro now. Great vid. The drive there never gets boring

[@sirjabbas]

Nice vid. The cars stuff is great but as an avid climber who's never got around to driving up to Ben Nevis, I was particularly interested in this one. You got seriously lucky with the weather on that day - it is not normally that forgiving. Even the light for the camera work was good. Thanks for sharing

[@HighPeakAutos]

Yes it was a lovely day, very lucky really

[@tradeplatetravels]

Such a very nicely put together travel vlog! Thanks very much Matt. Brings back memories of when I climbed Ben Nevis in 2008, and like you I was really lucky with the weather.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks

[@Longansrun]

What a day out! The Scottish highlands are paradise! Hope you become addicted. Watch all your videos. Superb viewing!

[@Murtayafourfun]

Really enjoyed this Matt, impressive achievement, didn’t doubt you’d get up there one bit ☺️, editing was spot on aswell. Such a beautiful place and what amazing scenery.

[@chazboyle9456]

stunning matt enjoy the short holiday

[@bernardpowell3582]

Nice one Matt! Slowly but surely you are taking us down the road trip road. I love it! More links to cars behavior but its new and fresh looking forward to next one 👍🏿

[@chelseaguy70]

Excellent video Matt, thank you. I have a FL2 in Spain which I love driving it. It is a great car for road trips and a bit of exploration. You’ve inspired me to do a drive to Scotland in the XK. I now just need to find the time. All the best y que lo pases bien.

[@nickwebb9290]

Great vlog. Reminded me of a drive I did to Fort William from Buckinghamshire back in 1970 in my newly acquired Mini Cooper. Didn’t do the Ben Nevis climb though, I was in no shape after driving the Cooper that far (was my excuse). Yes even back then amazed how many foreign visitors I saw and lo and behold. even an ancient bedraggled French plated Citroen 2CV. Fabulous place and lovely friendly people there.

[@josephmifsud8261]

Simply stunning scenery. We're doing a coach tour of Scotland and thr Orkney Isles in August, and we went to Switzerland last year. Switzerland is the best place we've been to

[@alchristie5112]

The Nevis range and Glencoe are part of some amazing scenery. Just a short drive from Nevis is the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, where the original commandos were trained. They used to run up Ben Nevis and the surrounding peaks. Ben Nevis is the highest of 283 Munros in Scotland. A Royal Marine Commando did all of them in 30 days, that’s averaging nearly 10 per day!!

[@senianns9522]

I have just completed a tour of Northern Thailand in my Range Rover 400 HSE. Rayong to Korat, on to Khon Kaen, to Udon Thani, to Nong Khai on the Laos border then back down to Buriram and lastly back to Rayong. Nearly 2,000km. After a week of driving I can just say it has been fantastic. I crossed the Korat plateau on many 'B type roads. The green of the new rice crops was stunning! Rural Northern Thailand and the National Parks is a must if you have a Range Rover.

[@amato5232]

That's a mighty part of the country for driving. I had an incredible run one night from skye to Glasgow in a Leon Cupra R with literally no traffic. Overtook 2 cars coming off the ferry in skye and didn't see tail lights until just outside Glasgow. It was a stunning night

[@bordercanoe]

What is with all the bottled water. The water up there is ten times better than any stuff in a bottle. I used to train on the mountain and probably done it about 55-56 times. Great video.

[@steliofrasco3455]

Love Scottish highlands, was there and climbed Ben Nevis in 2022. Amazing and great little burger pub at the bottom as a reward after trip down. Laughed at the doggy bag in the pocket, have loads of bags find bags in from my dog walks

[@mark120964]

Evening matt, I don't know who to congratulate more, you for doing the climb, without being bought down on a stretcher, or the freelander for getting you there 😂😂 Great vid, lovely scenery , thanks

[@patrickward8144]

Matt: I noticed it through your driver's side window as you drove past it: it's a brilliant Cafe/Restaurant/Shopping complex just through Tyndrum on the road to Ballachulish. We've always stopped there for a bowl of their Cullen Skink on our way up to Mull.

[@johngunning2123]

That was a welcome change. I had almost forgotten about the car parking charges in the UK until you mentioned how much it cost to park for the day. I agree Scotland is the most beautiful part of this planet.

[@JJherne]

Currently on a Scottish road trip, was up Ben Nevis today (weather cloudy). If you do a road trip, I suggest the NC500 👍

[@klackon1]

Cracking video! The hat reminded me of the comedian Russ Abbott. He used to wear an identical one in some of his sketches. As for being unprepared, I was walking back down Snowden some time ago and was stunned to see two large women walking toward me wearing summer dresses and flip flops. It was still spring and quite cold at the summit.

[@RichHare]

Lifted my spirits after a pants two weeks - thank Matt, great vid!

[@computingananswer766]

Big thanks Matt, very much enjoyed this.

[@johnmackay5784]

Great content. I really enjoyed watching it

[@teaboyuk]

Well done Matt, what a hike, nice day for it too! Hope you had factor 50+ on!

[@mikeplatts2603]

Used to run up those things on behalf of Her Majesty back in the 70's so happy thats all finished with, pleased you enjoyed it Matt.

[@johnzero8923]

You blended in with the see you matty hat, your one of us now.

[@lvpvsmalvm522]

I was in Thailand for two weeks and as much as I absolutely adored every second of it, it’s always a pleasure to return home to the beautiful highlands 😁

[@clintonparker4141]

Funny you mention the parking at £8:00 buy compare that to your fuel bill you had for the month!

[@stewartmarshall8790]

Another class watch with quality banter…. & fair play I can imagine that was a tough walk…..

[@MrCRAIGJSTEVENS]

This brought back great memories of my own highland adventure week a few years ago, no better place in britain to clear your head and appreciate nature.

[@terryneilbooth]

Superb location and footage. I once toured the east, north coast and western isles of Scotland in an Austin Montego…..it was in the 80s. Reckless pre planning on my part for accommodation, but one amazing experience I will never forget. The car never let me down on that long tour despite some of the roller coaster one track roads. Hoping to get back there soon 👍

[@elportogrande]

I don't know how often I have said the same thing about your channel, but yet another brilliant video. I live in Dundee on the east coast but go to Fort William and Ben Nevis frequently. It's a beautiful bit of the U.K. Roll on the next video!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thank you very much!

[@perro0076]

Brilliant .... ice-cream van .... honestly .... I think you're onto a winner with the bit telling us about 'living' with the Freelander

[@richardhunt1384]

My Dad used to work colleagues that did the Three Peaks Challenge and then come straight to work and do a 12hr night shift in Central London West End (where he worked).

[@stephenparker5272]

All the gear, but no idea- classic!

[@philipmulville8218]

Beautifully shot video. Scotland is just stunning.

[@duncanmcewan1049]

My great aunt had a house in Abington, so I was in the area every school holiday as a kid :) When I lived in London, I didn't have a car (no point), but used to rent one from "Thrifty" quite often, as they had Freelander2 HSEs as one of the "premium" options. Spent 2 weeks in Cornwall driving one (an auto luckily !). Not bad cars, but the engine felt a bit - so so... and the fuel consumption was god awful !! Oh - and coincidentally, it was a 2010 as well :)

[@crawfordg]

Hi Matt Great video as a Scot you made me laugh with that hat the sort of thing the local punters would wear at Hogmanay. Well down for getting to the summit in 4 hours. Kind Regards Crawford

[@crawfordg]

I forgot to mention that you had trouble with the famous Scottish Midges