7 Days around the UK.. Sussex to Ullapool

[Jumpjim]

Just back from a fantastic week long trip around the UK and thought I'd post the route up on here in case it's of any use to anyone contemplating the same thing...

Day 1 - A boring schlep from Sussex, M25, M40 etc. finishing at Side Farm campsite in Patterdale, Lake District. The camp site itself is on a fair slope, and I would say borders on the basic side but has stunning views over the Lakes. A short walk to the local pub for dinner.

Day 2 - A fantastic tour of the Lake District, taking in Windermere, Coniston, Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass and some stunning roads around and over the area. From Keswick we had a lovely ride across country to join the M6 just south of Carlisle for the motorway section up the M74, ending up at Luss campsite on the banks of Loch Lomond for a wet but scenic overnight stay. The camping and caravanning club reckon it's one of their most scenic campsites..

continued....

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Probably crossed paths. Been up with family 4 girls and me went up on me bike to compensate. The girls went to all the tourist attractions I had 3 days riding around. Hope you managed to dodge the rain and mist. Thanks for posting.

 

[Jumpjim]

Day 3 was a longish but incredibly scenic route from Luss up to Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye taking in the coast road round through Oban, and up to Fort William for Lunch.

From Fort William it's a quick whizz up to Spean Bridge and a "must-do" stop at the Commando Memorial with stunning views of Ben Nevis in the background.

From there you head up the A87 which has got to be one of my FAVOURITE roads of all time (I can't begin to tell you how much fun it is ), and peeling off to take the ferry over to Skye.

Once on Skye you have two options for accomodation:

Glen Brittle campsite at the bottom of the Black Cuillins with a gorgeous beach and incredible views but you are a fair way from the nearest pub so self catering is in order or...

Sligachan Bunkhouse which for £16 each for a bunkroom for 4 people (or £20 if you want linen/duvets) I can't recommend highly enough. After a wet start to the day we went for this in a big way! The bunkhouse has a kitchen, sitting room with coal fire, fantastic shower/washroom facilities, and is 2 minutes from the Sligachan Hotel which has a great bar/restaurant and a separate campsite if the bunkhouse isn't to your taste.

 

[Jumpjim]

Day 4 (Map) - The most incredible scenic ride from Glen Brittle/Sligachan on Skye, around Loch Carron up through the highlands on some fantastic fast roads to Ullapool for a lunch stop. After lunch one of the highlights of the trip was the Wester Ross coastal trail round past Ben Eighe, Loch Torridon and ending up in Applecross for a slap up dinner at the Applecross Inn (Famous throughout Scotland for it's food... ).

You can probably see from the photos but it is INCREDIBLY beautiful up round the coast.

The Applecross campsite is great, a short walk from the Inn, and does a fantastic breakfast before continuing your travels..

 

[Jumpjim]

Day 5 (Map) - A longish day out from Applecross to Loch Ken, south of Glasgow.

The route initially takes you through the Bealach na Bà pass above Loch Carron which is pretty spectacular and VERY steep.

After that it's time to go and play on the A87 again back towards Fort William, with a scenic coffee stop at the Eilean Donan castle before thrashing back to Fort William. The route then takes the A82 through Glencoe and across the Trossachs national park for a fast blitz back past Loch Lomond. A quick whizz around Glasgow and a boring short stretch down to Ayr before diving off through the New Galloway national forest ending up at Loch Ken campsite for the evening. Self catering again here.

 

[Jumpjim]

Day 6 (Map) - Loch Ken to Edale, Peak District

Route finishes off the New Galloway forest, a short motorway thrash to Penrith before diving off to explore the Yorkshire Dales and after diving round Manchester you end up heading up Snake Pass before finishing off at Edale, slap bang in the middle of the Peak District...

A longish but thoroughly enjoyable day out. If we weren't so tired or had more time I would probably go east from Carlisle and join the dales at the top end actually...

 

[Jumpjim]

And finally Day 7 finishes off the Peak District with some fun roads before joining the M1 southbound...

Please feel free to play with the routes on Google maps... I've put them up on here hoping somebody else may utilise bits of them and have as much fun as we've had in the sunshine for the last week!

 

[stubox]

Nice report thanks, really must get up there this year.

Stu