Oban-Inverness and rtn

[Spikehammer]

I know most of you will be very busy with the GOTC so feel free to reply at a later date but there's a few the questions I'll post anyway.

I'm coming up the Scotland with about 10 other bikes on 27-30 September.

We're staying at the Blackaddie House Hotel, Sanquhar on the Thursday night and also on the Saturday. We're in The Town House in Oban on the Friday and trundle back south on the Sunday.
I really want to make the most of my time up there on the bike so all help would be appreciated. I don't mind putting the miles in by the way so long milage days won't be an issue as long as the rides are worth it and I can get fuel.

Heres what I'd like help with:

Good routes to Sanquar from the south, we can come up either way as we're heading up from the Midlands.

Routes for a few good rideout that starts in Sanquar and end in Oban for the Friday. I really fancy a trip up one side of the Caledonian canal towards Inverness and then back down the otherside to Oban. Is this doable?

Again rideout routes from Oban ending in Sanquar for the Saturday. I don't mind going out of my way if the ends justify it..

Then on the Sunday we'll head home. That'll be M-way all the way I fear..

Thanks for any help and hopefully I'll meet a few of you on the way round.

 

[Deleted account rno]

Hi Spikehammer. Myself (and no doubt others) will be more than happy to help but I'll post up after the weekend.

 

[Toddy]

Mapsource

Hi Spikehammer, Do you have access to a copy of Mapsource?? which comes with a Garmin GPS and I can suggest some great routes or if not, let me know and I can email some screen prints. Rgds, Dave

 

[Spikehammer]

Hi Spikehammer, Do you have access to a copy of Mapsource?? which comes with a Garmin GPS and I can suggest some great routes or if not, let me know and I can email some screen prints. Rgds, Dave

Yep, got Mapsource, use it with my Zumo.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[G.C.]

I really fancy a trip up one side of the Caledonian canal towards Inverness and then back down the otherside to Oban. Is this doable?

No, you can do the first section fron Banavie, just ouside Fort William, B8004, which takes you along to Gairlochy and above Spean Bridge. There you join the A82 and continue to Fort Augustus, where you can ride around either side of Loch Ness. I prefer the A82 heading North and then take the B862 Dores road back.
Have fun.

 

[Spikehammer]

Thanks for the replies and PM's so far. Started putting something together now so keep the great info coming in.

 

[Spikehammer]

Right we're just about ready to roll on Thursday. Theres now 27 of us!

We're breaking into various groups due to the varying types and sizes of bikes. There are BM's , Harleys, Plastic Fantastics and even a KTM or two!

The rideouts up in Scotland will be in smaller groups as well for safety reasons and due to differing aspirations.

I still intend to do the Inverness run altough a run to Applecross is also on the cards. Which would be better?

If your about or see us about give us a 'tossers wave' or we'll kick yer haggis...

 

[wully]

Applecross

If you get the time and the weather then get to Oonyackistan - great roads and stunning sticky-up bits.
( also used to be known as Skye)

Word of warning... some of the locals are a bit wild- best subdue them with offers of alcohol, then you'll be just fine..

 

[Voyager]

Word of warning... some of the locals are a bit wild- best subdue them with offers of alcohol, then you'll be just fine..

But don't try out-drinking them

 

[Uinneag]

Drink me

 

[Spikehammer]

Well we went, we saw, we drank ourselves silly...

Stopped in Sanquhar on Thursday night at The BlackAddie. Great hotel with a new owner who's biker friendly so 'bookmark' the place for the future guys.
The food was very good and the trip up through the Lakes was spectacular. Did the usuals like Kirkston etc.

Friday dawned grey but dry and so we suited up and split into smaller gropus (there were 23 of us overall).
We then took various routes up to Oban. My groups route took in the Brig o'Turk and the Dukes Pass and a great road into Oban from the Green Wellie.

Stayed in the centre of Oban and had the best oysters I've ever eaten, they were so good I had them for starters and afters... The place was called the EE:USK.

Old git acting as nightwatchman in the hotel was not having any messin' and stopped us drinking at 02:00. His combover was so big he would have made Bobby Charlton look like a wookie....

Saturday saw another grey but dry day and we again headed off in various directions, some up to Applecoss, others stayed in Oban and went to see the seals. My group went out via Fort William and did Glen Coe, Dukes Pass, Birg o' Turk etc again. We then headed to Invergarry (sic) and Hunters Quay.

Back to Sanquhar and the BlackAddie for the night and yet more merriement..

Sunday was a bit brighter and still dry so we all packed up and headed south, my group back through the Lakes and then the Dales, stopping in Hawes and dropping over the top via Malham Cove.

Mixed in with the Sunday traffic for the last bit of motoway slog and got home at 6:00pm.

Did 1286 miles in total and saw some wonderful countryside with great people and great views.

We'll be back up next year, this time further up and hopefully take in Oonyakistan.....

 

[Boon]

nice up here innit


but dont tell everyone!!!!


BTW EEUSK means fish in gaelic

 

[Andy Davies]

nice up here innit


but dont tell everyone!!!!


BTW EEUSK means fish in gaelic

........and the chap that owns the restaurant has a Bentley registered E3USK!

Andy