Scotland tour this June

[MarkShelley]

I am working on The Open which is at St Andrews this year and we are having a site shut-down between 5-7 June so I thought I may do a mini tour, probably taking the Thursday off as well so I get back Saturday evening.
This is a photo of my planned route which is highlighted in orange. Hopefully you can see it ok. Total mileage is 757 and according to the AA route finder it will take 25 hours. This is an average of 30mph. I know some bits will be nadgery and slow, but I am pretty sure it won`t be that slow as an average. Any comments?

 

[MarkShelley]

I should have added that I reckon my two overnight stops will be at Kinlochewe and Durness.

 

[Blackal]

The route looks pretty much what most people would do

I'd recommend perhaps Ullapool as the first overnight stop? A bit more of a buzz about the place than Kinlochewe.

Al

 

[Schtum]

I take it you're staying in Ainster while you're up here.

 

[DC]

yep nice route indeed ..the west is best ,esp if the weather is good ..take some time to enjoy the backdrops as opposed to going to fast past them , especially up in the far west corner above Ullapool etc , check out the beaches at Durness.

 

[gerarddwatts]

A couple of points...

Going from Granton I would go north on the A939 and across to Cawdor and thus Inverness....
Your chosen route from Lairg looks as though it goes up by Loch Hope...is this road re-opened? It was washed away in the winter, but anyway I would think you are better going up to Tongue...I would..the views at Tongue are better. The Hope road is quiet, remote, pretty, and very slow.

Edit...you are going past my door....coffee could be on....might even go with you..

 

[Johnny B]

The scenery through Ullapool up to Durness is quite something. Beautiful part of the world....rain or shine
Hard old two days though buddy. Hope you enjoy.

 

[Silverlining]

I went up last year, one of the strangest highlights for me was coming back over the forth road bridge on a sunny day. Magic.

 

[WEE BOAB]

I'd slow down a bit and take in the sights.....

 

[MarkShelley]

The route looks pretty much what most people would do

I'd recommend perhaps Ullapool as the first overnight stop? A bit more of a buzz about the place than Kinlochewe.

Al

i was thinking that may be a little too far , but open to correction if anybody thinks different. As long as there is beer at the stop I am not too fussed. It is mostly about the ride.

 

[MarkShelley]

The scenery through Ullapool up to Durness is quite something. Beautiful part of the world....rain or shine
Hard old two days though buddy. Hope you enjoy.

It is three days riding

 

[MarkShelley]

A couple of points...

Going from Granton I would go north on the A939 and across to Cawdor and thus Inverness....
Your chosen route from Lairg looks as though it goes up by Loch Hope...is this road re-opened? It was washed away in the winter, but anyway I would think you are better going up to Tongue...I would..the views at Tongue are better. The Hope road is quiet, remote, pretty, and very slow.

Edit...you are going past my door....coffee could be on....might even go with you..

I am going clockwise, thinking the sea will be on my side. Welcome to join me if you wish though

 

[MarkShelley]

I take it you're staying in Ainster while you're up here.

Yes indeed. I am renting a house from mid May through to the week after The Open. I have stayed at The Waterfront a few times already when I have been up for meetings and in 2005 I stayed in Pittenweem so I know the East Neuk pretty well. Lovely part of the World

 

[Schtum]

Yes indeed. I am renting a house from mid May through to the week after The Open. I have stayed at The Waterfront a few times already when I have been up for meetings and in 2005 I stayed in Pittenweem so I know the East Neuk pretty well. Lovely part of the World

We frequent The Waterfront fairly regularly. Usually, it serves the best fish 'n' chips I've ever had but the past couple of times it hasn't been quite so good. We took a ride-out from the East Kilbride Motorrad dealership there for lunch at the end of April last year.

 

[DJ GSA]

I'm doing something similar anticlockwise though and more coast roads. 1500 mile in all and all about the scenery.

 

[Billd]

Planning a counterclockwise trip this summer myself so will follow this thread with interest. Keep the comments coming c/w route maps please.

 

[gerarddwatts]

I'm not sure I could explain why, but I think this route is best done anticlockwise....saves the best til later maybe? I definitely think the Durness to Ullapool stretch is best done N to S....views are better IMO. The only downside is the bit from Applecross to Kishorn is infinitely better going S to N. But theres nothing to stop you coming N-S and then trundling back up to the top?

The section from Perth to Granton is also better S-N...again IMHO.

Good trip whatever

 

[Pablo1]

3 days looks about right, nice route, do yourself a favour at glencoe take a right turn towards village of kinlochleven and circuit the loch on your way towards fort william, great wee road.

 

[Johnny B]

Should do it comfortably in 3 days.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

Clockwise is best IMO, done it hunners of times. I'm in Dundee, and would gladly join you if you wanted some other company as it falls in perfectly just a couple weeks before I'm off to Europe.