Scotland or Bust....

[Colonel]

Hi All,

This might be the wrong place, but I'm riding from deepest darkest Sussex coast to the Scottish isles in April, I'm not in a rush and have allowed 3 days each way for the ride. Anyone got any suggestions for 'must do' roads, routes or recommendations for places to stay - I've got over my like for camping so cheap hotels or B&B'S preferred

 

[Toddy]

Suggest as soon as you cross the Border stay away from the motorway, take a left or right and head into the countryside. Miles and miles of empty magic biking roads.

 

[Udders]

A68 from bottom to top! I love that road. "Sharp bends and sudden crests" as the roadside sign says. Fantastic scenery all the way.

Also the road(s) from Gourock down to Dumfries. Superb.

The A82 from Alexandria and up to Fort William passing through Glen Coe.

When (if) you go through Fort William take a little detour up a dead end road to Achriabhach and up to the waterfall at the end. Twisty up and down road. Good fun.

 

[popeyethesailor]

My favourite is John o groats to Ullapool amazing roads stunning scenery so much so I may have to do it again this year
Oh holy island on the way up or down just off the A1 is worth a visit if you are using that route need to catch the tide right or it floods the causeway,
3 days up and down loaaaaaads of time I came back in one day 11 hrs just over 600 milles was not as bad as I thought just a bit boring once I left Scotland

 

[masterman21]

+ 1 Ullapool - John O Groats
Also: Kyle of Lochalsh -Lochcarron-Applecross-Gairloch

 

[Hustler]

Hotel in Moffat -
http://www.buccleucharmshotel.com/index.asp
Own garage and bike routes provided.

And this link as well -
http://www.motorcyclescotland.com/index.asp

 

[rce]

We have used this B&B a couple of times, nice roads around there and a good way to avoid Edinburgh. If you ask nicely they will put bike in garage

http://www.gledeknowe.co.uk

+1 on the A68 and to get to A68 come off A1 at junction after Scotch Corner and use the B6275

The A68 briefly joins the A69 (dual carriageway), if you have time avoid it and go through Corbridge. then rejoin A68.

Once you cross the border leave the A68 and follow A6088 to Hawick, A7 to Selkirk A707/A72 to Innerleithen (see B&B above)

A72 through Peebles then A721 to Carnwath then B7016 skirt round Falkirk and over the Kincardine bridge, Gleneagles, Crieff.... then take your pick (but try to keep off the A9)

 

[John Armstrong]

A68 from bottom to top! I love that road. "Sharp bends and sudden crests" as the roadside sign says. Fantastic scenery all the way.

Wtach out for the revenue generating cameras north of Carter Bar

Road out to Ardnamurchan lighthouse is good fun, and you get to just about the most westerly point on the UK mainland. I've stopped here: http://www.sonachan.com/ which was nice, and then did the most westerly to the most northerly points in a day. Basically the lighthouse, to Fort William to Commandos memorial at Spean Bridge, to Fort Augustus, up the old military road on the east side of Loch Ness, Inverness and then up the coat road to JoG and then to Dunnet Head, stopped here: http://www.northernsands.co.uk/ basic but ok and fantastic beach nearby. Then across the top via Tongue, Smoo Cave, and Ullapool.

You'll get more of an idea, with piccies here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203270

 

[Blackal]

Hi All,

This might be the wrong place,

Ya think?

Al

 

[Greg Masters]

You can and should get to north of Glasgow in a single day.

If you've only got 6 days, don't waste more than you need to riding the M6!

In the timeframe you suggest, you won't do much of the isles - Skye maybe, but no chance of getting over to the Uists or Harris/Lewis.

April - be prepared for wet weather.
May or later - be prepared for midges (and wet weather)

 

[waterloo700]

When I first moved here April was often one of the best months. Dry days and deserted roads.
Indeed the west coast had well below average rainfall for most of last year.

As a rule of thumb stay on the west coast for the roads and scenery and you won't go far wrong.

Check out the Scotland forum - your question has been covered many times over.

 

[Black Rooster]

M74/A74 average speed cams u might be imune to them but good to know
A9 fixed gatsos

 

[Colonel]

Thank for all the advice... I will be route planning soon and look forward to checking out some of the roads and scenery.

 

[Roadcaptain]

I am looking to do something similar to this in the last week of March

 

[Pablo1]

Thank for all the advice... I will be route planning soon and look forward to checking out some of the roads and scenery.

Send me your email and how many days you want to ride i'l send u some mapsource routes

 

[Davey B]

For 1 day, ride the A830 road to the isles, Fort William to Maillaig road. Then get the ferry to Skye, a lap of Skye, back over the bridge then ride south on the Fort William road. 250 miles of biking heaven. Utterly staggering roads and scenery. Stay at the corral bunkhouse, south of Fort Bill, great base to tour from, good cheap accommodation with the Corran ferry on your doorstep (straight onto the twisty turns Ardnamurchan Pt road)
Basically, anywhere north of Glasgow/Edinburgh and you at really go wrong.

 

[roddy]

M74/A74 average speed cams u might be imune to them but good to know.....

Where are the average speed cameras on the M74/A74 ? never seen them

 

[Merv]

another fan of Ullapool to John o groats,spectacular,done twice last year ,biking heaven in good weather

 

[Steve 63]

Great thread, im looking at doing similar first week in May, watch some SSDT and some west coast exploring

 

[Voyager]

Great thread, im looking at doing similar first week in May, watch some SSDT and some west coast exploring

Will you be taking in the Scottish pre-'65 two-day trial at Kinlochleven on 3rd & 4th May??

May see you there .

Bob.