Ride Report: Island Hopping: a five day Scottish tour
- Thread starter retroman
- Start date
Looks like a great trip, enjoyed reading that 
And I'm glad you managed to keep well fed and watered, there's plenty around if you look
And I'm glad you managed to keep well fed and watered, there's plenty around if you look
Inspiring stuff, and a great write up with excellent photos.
I’m heading to Scotland in the first week of October … hoping for good weather
Looking to squeeze a week in before that trip too - you’ve certainly given me some ideas
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m heading to Scotland in the first week of October … hoping for good weather
Looking to squeeze a week in before that trip too - you’ve certainly given me some ideas
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great stuff MJHBInspiring stuff, and a great write up with excellent photos.
I’m heading to Scotland in the first week of October … hoping for good weather
Looking to squeeze a week in before that trip too - you’ve certainly given me some ideas
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wishing you a great trip and fair weather
Yeah .... still reading Dave 
Great write up, great photographs .... my territory. I love Arran.
Maybe the Himmi would be a better 'bike for this trip? Comments appreciated ;-)
I think from the evidence you have given us you should be a travel writer for an international travel motorcycle journal
Great write up, great photographs .... my territory. I love Arran.
Maybe the Himmi would be a better 'bike for this trip? Comments appreciated ;-)
I think from the evidence you have given us you should be a travel writer for an international travel motorcycle journal
Thanks Mickey, very kind comments, glad you enjoyedYeah .... still reading Dave
Great write up, great photographs .... my territory. I love Arran.
Maybe the Himmi would be a better 'bike for this trip? Comments appreciated ;-)
I think from the evidence you have given us you should be a travel writer for an international travel motorcycle journal
I'm not sure the Himmi would be better, just different ... there are certain points on this trip when it would have been a real advantage to have been on a smaller bike (Bastard Lane on day 2, Hardknott etc.), but at the same time the GS obviously wins on the longer slogs (motorways) plus the fast sweepers in Dumfries and Galloway. The GS also has a much better seat - Sargent, with a sheepskin, and I wear WINX biking pants = all-day comfort.
Perhaps I should do the same trip on my Himmi to compare notes
. At the moment I use this bike for day trips in Wales, and it's my go-to local bike. Maybe it needs to get out more (a bit like me).
Been there and done thatPS here's the website for the Buccleuch:
The Buccleuch Hotel and Restaurant | in Moffat, Scotland
The Buccleuch nestles in a picturesque valley surrounded by the rolling Moffat Hills, Southern Scotland, with an award winning restaurant and accommodation.www.buccleucharmshotel.com
Be warned, there is another hotel of the same name on the other side of Scotland and if you've never been it's easy to book yourself into the wrong hotel. I managed this, of course. Fortunately I realised my mistake ten minutes after booking. When I 'phoned to apologise and cancel the owner replied (with an air of resignation), "don't worry we get this all the time".
Indeed, at the correct Buccleuch I was told that bikers regularly turn up, cold, tired and expecting to stay, only to be told that the hotel is full and their ACTUAL booking is some miles distant ....!!
Very easily done
On the plus side, Moffat>St Boswells is only 42.8 miles distant, and it looks a great ride
Excellent ride report
I love Scotland on the bike if the weather is kind
To be a little pedantic you mention the A815 - i believe you meant the A816 and it is indeed (IMO) the best biking road in the UK
I love Scotland on the bike if the weather is kind
To be a little pedantic you mention the A815 - i believe you meant the A816 and it is indeed (IMO) the best biking road in the UK
Thanks
I mentioned the A815 in post 7 and this is the correct road - Dunoon to the A83 at Glen Kinglas?
We did the A816 on Day 5 Oban-Lochgilphead but I didn't mention this on my post. And yes, another brilliant road
Great pics and a very enjoyable read, brings back happy memories of a trip to Scotland 2 years ago, thanks for taking the time to share Dave
My pleasure Steve, thanks for your kind comments. Just caught up with your Scottish 2021 RR, a great read, has given me some ideas for 2024 ... we are already booked in the Buccleuch for three nightsGreat pics and a very enjoyable read, brings back happy memories of a trip to Scotland 2 years ago, thanks for taking the time to share Dave
Cracking write up and pics 
When it's nice there's no better place to be....when it's shite...it's really shite!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank youCracking write up and pics
Thanks
If we'd gone a week later the trip would have been a wash-out disaster. The island roads in particular offer very little shelter, must be really bleak and unforgiving when it's blowing a hooley and chucking it down.. As in all motorcycling trips, the weather is the key .... but especially in Scotland ... so I'm grateful we were able to experience this
I’m off to the highlands from Worcestershire next weekend and that was really helpful read- many thanks 
Great R/R, really enjoyed your laid back style and excellent pics.
I’m a big fan of John Ferguson’s book.
Spent 6 weeks camping on Arran in 1972(?) while my girlfriend completed her mapping project.
Got flooded out of Glen Rosa and ended up (wild) camping at Corrie.
Mainly survived on tins that had washed ashore . . . . labelless of course so meals were always a surprise!
Thanks for posting!
I’m a big fan of John Ferguson’s book.
Spent 6 weeks camping on Arran in 1972(?) while my girlfriend completed her mapping project.
Got flooded out of Glen Rosa and ended up (wild) camping at Corrie.
Mainly survived on tins that had washed ashore . . . . labelless of course so meals were always a surprise!
Thanks for posting!
That's great Ponch - glad it's of use. I hope the weather is good for you - have a great tripI’m off to the highlands from Worcestershire next weekend and that was really helpful read- many thanks
Thanks T&T - great story from the old days - not sure how Hayden and I would have coped with the last bit!
Terrific, TY for taking the time.
Thank you CCCTerrific, TY for taking the time.
