recomended rides West Coast Scotland

[Taff]

wow , that's just unbelievable , you'r pulling our leg now . I mean how the feck could a pub like that survive

Funnily enough, that's exactly what I thought as we rode past it. Doing a quick Google search and I think it's the pub in photo 3 in THIS blog, although I thought it was called a different name.

We set off in a light and cool morning mist at 7am and after the first few miles passed through the village of Lairg. From here there was little civilisation marked on the map on the 40 mile mountain road to Tongue except for a very small village mid-way along called Altnaharra and an intriguing landmark called the Crask Inn.

We arrived at the Inn at around 9:15am and asked the lady in the back garden if there was any chance of a pot of tea. She turned out to be the landlady and invited us in to serve us with tea plus 2 slices of home-made cake for £1.20 each. She then told us that she was just taking the dogs for a walk and if she wasn't back by the time we left would we mind leaving the money on the bar. Not only did she trust us to pay but also left us in charge of an empty bar!!

Lovely scenery .... but hell it's bleak and isolated on that road. During one fag break, we came to the conclusion it would be the ideal place to hide a body, as I'm sure there are massive areas just off the "main" road that haven't seen people in years.

 

[parabiker]

Thanks for the replies folks, and espeacially Dave for emailing me 3 routes.

Anyone know how long it will take realistically to go round the whole of Mull and Skye. I am working on a route to try and do both.

Thanks

PB

 

[aRTy_Hexhead]

Skye, Mull and Arran

Thanks for the replies folks, and espeacially Dave for emailing me 3 routes.

Anyone know how long it will take realistically to go round the whole of Mull and Skye. I am working on a route to try and do both.

Thanks

PB

What in the same day

Skye's got good roads, two way and lots of visibility.

Mull's west coast roads are full of crap in the middle, single track, no visibility = SLOWSLOWSLOW.

Even the 'main' road from Iona to Tobermory is 80% (guess) single track
Good in places but.........
IMHO !!!

ps Arran is just as bad!! If you've got the time, the weather and you like spectacular views then it's oka for a bimble. Enough said!

 

[parabiker]

Hi folks, just got back from my trip and I must say it was the best one yet, far far better than the Alps. Stayed at the Ardgour Inn who made us very welcome and gave a good "cash" discount. Did Mull, the Ardnamuchin pinincular, Applecross and followed the northern coastal road. Heading home we rode to Grantown on Spey along the A86, and then on the A939 then round Edinburgh to Moffat. Stayed at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel (they have individual garages for your bikes, how mad is that) then head home the next day to the midlands.

All that I can say is, you lucky lucky people having roads like that on your doorstep. Thanks for all the advice and tips and perhaps see you 1st week in May 2011, cus Im coming back for more !

Cant recommend both Inns enough, but The Buccleuch Arms Hotel is the best ever. Great rooms, fantastic food, real ale and cheap rooms. Perfect.

Cheers

PB

 

[wully]

Tell me about it. We rode the A836 to Tongue back in April - about 50 miles of single track road with passing spaces, and hardly a house in sight. I passed a roadside pub and checked the next house - 12 miles to the nearest house. A bit un-nerving TBH.

Good job you were on an Adventure bike....

 

[Grandad]

How were the midges in Glencoe. A few of us are doing similar early Sept?

 

[wully]

How were the midges in Glencoe. A few of us are doing similar early Sept?

Midges are wee bastards no matter where you meet them.

Stock up with some Avon Skin So Soft at the Green Welly Stop

 

[bhud]

I seem to recall passing that pub at a fair lick on the GOTC

So the stuff in the middle of the road affects the bike handling - must try and get onto a road with no passing places

 

[Klanky]

I seem to recall passing that pub....

Which is worthy of comment because you didn't stop off at it....

So the stuff in the middle of the road affects the bike handling - must try and get onto a road with no passing places

I believe the Highland Cooncil deliberately put the grit in the middle to make life more interesting for bikers.

 

[bhud]

Which is worthy of comment because you didn't stop off at it....

Did read something here that somebody did stop for a cuppa and were welcomed warmly.

I would use the search button but that is too easy.

 

[Jazbee]

Hi folks, just got back from my trip and I must say it was the best one yet, far far better than the Alps. Stayed at the Ardgour Inn who made us very welcome and gave a good "cash" discount. Did Mull, the Ardnamuchin pinincular, Applecross and followed the northern coastal road. Heading home we rode to Grantown on Spey along the A86, and then on the A939 then round Edinburgh to Moffat. Stayed at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel (they have individual garages for your bikes, how mad is that) then head home the next day to the midlands.

All that I can say is, you lucky lucky people having roads like that on your doorstep. Thanks for all the advice and tips and perhaps see you 1st week in May 2011, cus Im coming back for more !

Cant recommend both Inns enough, but The Buccleuch Arms Hotel is the best ever. Great rooms, fantastic food, real ale and cheap rooms. Perfect.

Cheers

PB

+1 for the Buccleuch Arms, the owners and most of the staff are bikers and enjoy a bit of the craic in the evenings Glad you enjoyed your trip and haste ye back

 

[bsogri]

Midges

Kinlochleven has to be the capital of the world for midges but the loop is outstanding, just don,t stop

 

[Klanky]

+1 for the Buccleuch Arms, the owners and most of the staff are bikers and enjoy a bit of the craic in the evenings Glad you enjoyed your trip and haste ye back

Good heads up for the Buccleuch J and Para, I've considered stopping there a few times but always seem to end up stopping somewhere else.

I'll stick it on me 'definite' list.

 

[Ronno]

I'll stick it on me 'definite' list.

then you can phone them the week afore and say you cannae manage

 

[Klanky]

then you can phone them the week afore and say you cannae manage

Yah fukah.

But uncomfortably accurate.

 

[Ronno]

Yah fukah.

But uncomfortably accurate.