Iceland to Scotland

[ólsari]

Wi are about 20 people coming to Grimsby on 26. april and we are planing tour
around Scotland until 7. may . there will be about 17 bikes in the group.
I was wandering if we scould book hotel rooms befor we com, or is it all right to order for everynight when we see how the trips goes on, thinking of wether and all that we can´t plan before.........
is it a busy time there in Scotland or is it ok. what about 1. may wekend..

another questione.. I hawe " nokia navigation " fone with givi maps, does that working there, anybody any experience of that.

Ps sorry for my englisch.'

 

[Posh Pete]

I'm pretty sure your phone nav will work. As to hotels, April is not high season but some parts of Scotland such as the capital never have a low season!

I suggest you contact Visit Scotland for advice.

Others will be along soon with more advice, I am sure. Enjoy your trip.

 

[garfield]

there's a lot of bikes and hotels in Scotland aren't that big as a rule, it may be worthwhile thinking about booking in advance, camping is good fun and easy to do....

 

[Mr K]

Be aware that 17 bikes travelling together may be difficult to manage, given the higher traffic density here.
A typical B&B would have room for 2 couples and a single, so your group will need to spread itself between several locations, unless you use big hotels.

Hope you trip goes well and post a ride report.



PS: Be aware of May Day Bank Holiday on May 3rd which wil mean accomodation is more difficult to find.

 

[AdamA]

With that many people you would be best off looking for hostels as they are geared up for larger groups, be it the SYHA ones:
http://www.syha.org.uk/home.aspx

or the independent ones such as:
http://www.moragslodge.com/
http://www.skyewalkerhostel.com/index.htm
http://www.hostelflodigarry.co.uk/
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Sandra-s-Backpackers-Hostel/Thurso/5076

And for something a little different try here:
http://www.sleeperzzz.com/

 

[Deleted account rno]

Following on from AdamA's suggestion of some good hostel accomodation, you might be interested in the bunkhouse facilities at Blackwater Hall, on the A92 Blairgowrie to Braemar road (which is a must do route regardless of whether you use the hall or not ). We use the hall for GSer meets and it's great for parties of your size. Everyone gets a bunkbed (up to 16 and then campbeds) and there are good shower/toilet facilities and a very good modern kitchen with big banquet sized table arrangement. There are plenty of shops for foodstuffs in Blairgowrie or Pitlcohry. It works out at £10 per person per night.

The Glen Clova Hotel also has Bunkhouse facilities as well as comfortable hotelrooms and are Pro biker. Again, we have used this for GSer meets and I can vouch for the facilities here. There are good biking roads in the area taking you over onto the A92 or over Cairn o' Mount to Ballater and then over the Lecht to Speyside.

If you look in the Gathering of the Clans 2010 section, you'll find links to hotels/bunkhouse and campsite at Ullapool.

Hope you enjoy your visit wherever you decide on staying

 

[Klanky]

Just confirming what other people have said about small hotels - very difficult to get everyone in one place - unless you use the quite expensive 'big' hotels.

If you decide to come right up to the North of Scotland (John O'Groats and the North Coast) the Seaview Hotel at John O'Groats has now bought the guest house directly opposite the hotel - so they would have no problems accommodating you all if you book first. They are used to bikers and the bar is a very good laugh if there's a crowd in.

 

[ólsari]

some ideas of the ride in Scotland. still planing.

 

[AdamA]

Looks fairly good so far.
I have put it into a .gpx file with some suggestions for improvements where you have hit some very straight main roads and motorways at the expense of classics like the Hartside pass etc.
If you would like me to email it to you PM me an email address.


There are load more brilliant roads you will miss on the way, but obviously there is only so much time in a day and you can't ride them all. If you want any more suggestions let me know tho. There's not a lot of roads in (especially) Northern England and Scotland I haven't ridden and I am only too happy to help.

 

[wully]

There are two 'Forest Drives' in the Galloway Forest Park that you could take. Both are easy off road routes that take in some nice scenery...

There are quite a few scattered about the country here.

They are designed for normal family cars so should be OK for most bikes.

 

[boatman]

hi there
i see you are coming through my little town (girvan) from newton stewart look out for the road surface on that strech it is currently in quite a poor condition . Not a dangerous road but watch out !some of the bends tighten up quite unexpectedly .
Hope you all enjoy your trip

 

[AdamA]

hi there
i see you are coming through my little town (girvan) from newton stewart look out for the road surface on that strech it is currently in quite a poor condition . Not a dangerous road but watch out !some of the bends tighten up quite unexpectedly .

I bet these guys get the odd unannounced visitor to their front room.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=girva...d=rJy3VJOJC_0mSCFsT271Tw&cbp=12,346.4,,0,0.61

At least you can give it a dry run on streetview now.

 

[ólsari]

I think they better hawe the door open, I´m not schore I can stop so fast.

Thanks to you all, I can see we don´t hawe to worry about help there, grate people.

with lowe from Iceland

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Komdu Sæll og Blessaður Ólsari og Vilkominn til Skotlands!

Sæll Ólsari,

Þu tala ensku gött og yæra læra Íslensku bara svölitið.

Eftir þu fara norður í Skotland og skemmtilið gera þu koma suð til Edinburgh og Berwick Upon Tweed?

Yæra bondi í Skotland(nálægur Dunbar) og eg fara til íslands með BMW GS mótorhjól og jeppi fimm tími 2005- 2008. Þess sumar ég fara til íslands 24 mai- 6 juni og 'reiðhjól' Hringvegur ef veður er gött eða dvelja í vestur íslands og fara til Vestmannaeyjar, Snaefellsnes og Vestfirði ef veður er ekki svo gött!

Kveðja FP.

 

[garfield]

Sæll Ólsari,

Þu tala ensku gött og yæra læra Íslensku bara svölitið.

Eftir þu fara norður í Skotland og skemmtilið gera þu koma suð til Edinburgh og Berwick Upon Tweed?

Yæra bondi í Skotland(nálægur Dunbar) og eg fara til íslands með BMW GS mótorhjól og jeppi fimm tími 2005- 2008. Þess sumar ég fara til íslands 24 mai- 6 juni og 'reiðhjól' Hringvegur ef veður er gött eða dvelja í vestur íslands og fara til Vestmannaeyjar, Snaefellsnes og Vestfirði ef veður er ekki svo gött!

Kveðja FP.

you're not fair.....I was struggling to get to grips with short hand scots.....

 

[ólsari]

Originally Posted by Farmer Palmer
Sæll Ólsari,

Þu tala ensku gött og yæra læra Íslensku bara svölitið.

Eftir þu fara norður í Skotland og skemmtilið gera þu koma suð til Edinburgh og Berwick Upon Tweed?

Yæra bondi í Skotland(nálægur Dunbar) og eg fara til íslands með BMW GS mótorhjól og jeppi fimm tími 2005- 2008. Þess sumar ég fara til íslands 24 mai- 6 juni og 'reiðhjól' Hringvegur ef veður er gött eða dvelja í vestur íslands og fara til Vestmannaeyjar, Snaefellsnes og Vestfirði ef veður er ekki svo gött!

Kveðja FP.

sæll BÓNDI. You are grate to trayng to write Icelandic, it´s not for eweryone, I understand what you are talking about, thats all we need.

Við förum örugglega til Edinborgar í ferðinni. Þakka fyrir gott boð.

Ég á heima í Ólafsvík á Snæfellsnesi, er bakarinn á staðnum. Ef þú átt leið hjá endilega að koma í heimsókn.

from google translate. for the others. it´s working, not on every word but working........

blessed BÓNDI.

We certainly go to Edinburgh. Thanks for a good bet.

I live in Ólafsvík the peninsula, is bakaranum locally. If you pass by please come in to visit.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

How are you (and the bikes) getting to Grimsby ?

 

[AdamA]

How are you (and the bikes) getting to Grimsby ?

And more importantly, why?

 

[Biking Viking]

And more importantly, why?

We haven't got enough paved roads up here

 

[Biking Viking]

How are you (and the bikes) getting to Grimsby ?

Most of the bikes are to be shipped in a container, hence Grimsby (Immingham), some are kept in the UK and on the mainland. The group will fly in.......