Seven Nights In Inverness - Any other 'must see/must do' things?

[sgtzara]

Folks,

I've booked a week in Scotland later this year staying in Inverness for seven nights. I always enjoy planning my trips and below is what I've planned thus far for this one. My good lady is riding pillion so we're kinda looking to do the touristy thing of castles/mountain railway/mountain gondulas/waterfalls/monuments etc. but a few scenic roads thrown in for good measure.

Anything else up this area that is a 'must do / must see'?

Cheers,

Shaun.


Scotland By Bike 2012

Day One

Ferry: Belfast > Cairnryan Ferry.

Ride: Cairnryan > Inverness – 248 miles / 4hrs 45mins

Seven Nights In Inverness

Attractions en-route:
1) Take in Pass of Glencoe
2) Lunch/Shopping in Fortwilliam
3) Old Inverlochy Castle, Fortwilliam - http://www.inverlochycastle.co.uk/ - PH33 6TQ (A82 approx. 1m north of Fortwilliam)
4) Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge - http://aboutlochaber.com/attractions/visitor.../the-commando-memorial

Total Riding: 248 miles

Day Two

Ride: Inverness > Aviemore – 30m / 43min
Attraction: Cairn Gorm Mountain Resort, Outside Aviemore (Follow signs from B970) - http://www.cairngormmountain.com/page/getting-here-1?p=/page/plan-your-trip
- Mountain Railway Open 10.20am – 4pm / £9.95 Return Ticket.

Ride: Aviemore > Tomatin – 15m / 25min
Attraction: Tomatin Distillery, Tomatin, IV13 7YT- http://www.tomatin.com/distillery/visitor-centre
– Open 10am – 5pm / £3 Tour
Attraction: Findhorn Viaduct - http://www.trainspots.co.uk/locpage.php?ts_number=1075

Ride: Tomatin > Cumberland Viaduct & Battlefield – 22m / 14min
Attraction: Cumberland Battlefield - http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Visit/Times/
- Open 9am – 6pm / NTS
Attraction: Cumberland Viaduct - http://www.transportheritage.com/fi...?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=131&sobi2Id=473
- Best viewed from Battlefield at B9006 or Lenach Farm on south side of river off B851.

Ride: Cumberland Viaduct & Battlefield > Inverness – 15m – 25min

Total Riding: 82 miles
Subtotal: 330 miles

Day Three

Ride: Inverness > Dunvegan – 131m / 3hrs
Attraction: Dunvegan Castle, Dunvegan, IV55 8WF - http://www.dunvegancastle.com/content/default.asp?page=s4 - Open 10am – 5.30pm / Admission £9 / Boat trip £6 (View seals).

Ride: Dunvegan > Kyleakin – 49m / 1h30min
Attraction: Caisteal Maol – Free – Walk: http://www.theskyeguide.com/walking-mainmenu-32/14-strolls/100-caisteal-maol / Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=175200&Y=826300&A=Y&Z=120

Ride: Kyleakin > Plockton – 9m / 20min
Attraction: Duncraig Castle, Plockton IV52 8TZ – Quick Look at same:- http://www.lochalsh.co.uk/duncraig_castle.shtml

Ride: Plockton > Dornie – 11m / 22min
Attraction: Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, by Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland, IV40 8DX - http://www.eileandonancastle.com/ - Open 10am – 6pm / £6 Admission

Ride: Dornie > Inverness - 73m / 1hr30min

Total Riding: 268 miles
Subtotal: 598 miles

Day Four

Ride: Inverness > Nairn – 15m / 30min
Attraction: Cawdor Castle, Nairn, Cawdor IV12 5RD - http://www.cawdorcastle.com/index.cfm - Open 10am - 5.30pm / £9.50 Tour

Ride: Nairn > Forres – 12m / 25min
Attraction: Brodie Castle, Forres IV36 2TE - http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Brodie-Castle/
- Open Sun – Wed 10.30am – 4.30pm / NTS

Ride: Nairn > Elgin – 26m / 45min
Attraction: Duffus Castle, 5m NW of Eglin on the B9012 - http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk...tail.htm?PropID=PL_099&PropName=Duffus Castle
- Free/Open Castle
Attraction: Palace of Spynie, North of Elgin IV30 5QG - http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk...view.htm?PropID=PL_247&PropName=Spynie Palace - Open 9.30am – 5.30pm / Admission £4
Attraction: Food in Lossiemouth

Ride: Elgin > Barnhill – 7m / 18min
Attraction: Pluscarden Priory, Barnhill -http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/elgin/pluscardenabbey/index.html - Free

Ride: Barnhill > Inverness – 38m / 1hr

Total Riding: 98 Miles
Subtotal: 696 Miles

Day Five

Ride: Inverness > Whaligoe – 96m / 2hr10min
Attraction: Whaligoe Steps, Whaligoe - http://www.caithness.org/atoz/whaligoe/allthesteps/index.htm

Ride: Whaligoe > Wick – 8m / 15mins
Attraction: Girnigoe & Sinclair Castles - http://www.castlesinclairgirnigoe.org/visit-opening.html
Location: Continue through the centre of Wick on A96 heading north and, just after the Linsay's Coal Merchants on the left, turn right on Henrietta Street signposted Papigoe and Staxigoe. Take fourth right down Girnigoe Street signposted Staxigoe and Noss. First left on Willowbank again signposted Staxigoe and Noss. In Staxigoe turn left along single track toad signposted Noss and follow that to the car park near the lighthouse.

Ride: Wick > John O’Groats – 16m / 20min
Attraction: John O’Groats Land

Ride: John O’Groats > Mey - 7m / 10min
Attraction: The Castle of Mey, Mey, Thurso KW14 8XH - http://www.castleofmey.org.uk/visitorinformation.cfm - Open 10.20am – 4pm / Admission £10 / Gardens & Grounds £5.50

Ride: Mey > Dunnet Head – 9m / 10min
Attraction: Dunnet Head

Ride: Dunnet Head > Inverness – 122m / 2hr20min

Total Riding: 258 miles
Subtotal: 954 miles

Day Six

Ride: Inverness > Glenfinnan – 79m / 1hr30min
Attraction: Glenfinnan Monument & GlenfinnanViaduct, Glenfinnan – Open 10am – 5pm (NTS – Free). http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Glenfinnan-Monument/Prices/

Ride: Glenfinnan > Ben Nevis Ski Slope, Fortwilliam PH33 6SQ – 19m / 25min
Attraction: Ben Nevis Gondola - http://www.nevisrange.co.uk/gondola_times_and_prices.asp
PH33 6SQ (North of Fortwilliam) - Open 10am – 5pm / £11.25 Return Ticket – Restaurant at Top – Menu: -http://cms.nevisrange.co.uk/cust_images/donloadable%20forms%20brochures%20etc/cafe%20menu%20july%202011%20website%20version.pdf

Note: If good day, consider extending ride to include Pass of Glencoe

Ride: Inverness > Strone IV63 6XJ – 43m / 50min
Attraction: Urghart Castle - http://www.castles.org/Chatelaine/URQUHART.HTM - Open 9.30am - 6pm / Admission £7.20 Each

Note: If late start, consider doing Urghart Castle en-route to Fortwilliam which will allow more time to be spent there.

Ride: Strone > Drumnadrochit – 4m / 5min
Attraction: Loch Ness 2000 Visitors Centre, IV63 6TU - http://www.lochnesswelcome.co.uk/sectionDetail.asp?sid=76

Ride: Drumnadrochit > Inverness – 15m / 20min

Total Riding: 163 miles
Subtotal: 1117 miles

Day Seven

Ride: Inverness > Golspie – 52m / 1hr5min
Attraction: Dunrobin Castle, Golspie KW10 6SF - http://www.dunrobincastle.co.uk/visit-the-castle/opening-times-and-prices.htm - Open 10.30am /4.30pm Mon-Sat and 12pm / 4.30pm Sun – Admission £9.50. Falconry displays Mon – Sat 11.30am and 2pm.
Attraction: Explore Golspie

Ride: Golspie > Shin Falls – 22m / 30min
Attraction: Shin Falls - http://www.fallsofshin.co.uk/directions.php

Ride: Shin Falls > Dornoch – 20m / 25min
Attraction: Explore Dornoch

Ride: Dornoch > Inverness – 43m / 51m

Total Riding: 137 miles
Subtotal: 1254 miles

Day Eight

Ride: Inverness > Kilmarnock – 192 / 3hrs10min
Attraction: Take in Pass of Glencoe
Attraction: Dean Castle, Kilmarnock KA3 1XB - http://www.deancastle.com/

Ride: Kilmarnock > Dundonald – 10m / 15min
Attraction: Dundonald Castle, KA2 9HD - http://www.dundonaldcastle.org.uk/

Ride: Dundonald > Ayr – 10m / 15min

One Night In Ayr

Total Riding: 212 miles
Subtotal: 1466 miles

Day Nine

Ride: Ayr > Cairnryan – 45 miles / 1hr
Ferry: Cairnryan > Belfast Ferry.

Total Riding: 45 miles
Subtotal: 1511

 

[ghiribizzo]

You're going to see a lot of boring, boring road...

On the way up - why go straight up to Inverness when you could get the Ferry from Hunter's Quay (just before Gourock) and travel through Argyll - B836+A886 to Strachur, then round to Inverary - Lochgilphead - Crinan - Oban - Connel Bridge - Ballachulish - Fort William.

If you're at Plockton, the must do is the Applecross Road.

But the A82, A9? No thanks...

 

[sgtzara]

Cheers, will have a look at rejigging things to head up that way.

Funny, was reading one of my old Ride magazines today and clocked a photo of Applecross, looks fab. Will also see about incorporating this too.

Cheers

 

[iftikartaxis]

applecross rd

the wife and i are also going to stay in inverness and tour round when are you going and where are you staying
my friend who is 72 goes to scotland 3 times a year on his bike says applecross is a must so we will be going
i'm told the landlord of the pub there comes from holmfirth so no doubt we will pop in and say hello
have a great holiday wave if we pass

 

[sgtzara]

Will do ... sitting down now to rejig things to include Applecross. I dare say we'll have lots of stops that day for pics and stuff. Can't wait!

 

[Blackal]

"Continue through the centre of Wick on A96 heading north "


Don't even slow down

Al

 

[sgtzara]

Right, that's everything re-jigged.

Just with the timings of the ferry arriving in Cairnryan on the first day I've opted to stick with the plan re the boring roads but when I'm heading back that way on day 8 I've lots more time and will do the route suggested by Ghirlbizzo then, only in reverse.

Have also re-jigged day three to include Applecross. It will make for a long enough old day in the saddle but the previous day is easy enough so will get up bright and early this day and hit the road first thing.

Cheers again for the suggestions all.

 

[fatbaldbob]

I recommend the Harbour Cafe in Lossimouth if your in the area for lunch, good food and if weather is nice sit outside, admire the boats in the harbour and if your into plane spotting watch the tornados on final approach

if your into distilleries and your passing through they have one in Forres which does tours "Benromach".

I have to agree with everyone else ref Applecross, if your in the area you have to ride the pass and have lunch at the Applecross inn.

If your going to kyle of lochash why not visit Skye Your practically there.

 

[sgtzara]

I recommend the Harbour Cafe in Lossimouth if your in the area for lunch, good food and if weather is nice sit outside, admire the boats in the harbour and if your into plane spotting watch the tornados on final approach

if your into distilleries and your passing through they have one in Forres which does tours "Benromach".

I have to agree with everyone else ref Applecross, if your in the area you have to ride the pass and have lunch at the Applecross inn.

If your going to kyle of lochash why not visit Skye Your practically there.

Cheers again for the tips, we're over in Elgin which if I recall isn't too far from Lossimouth. Visited here last time we were over and walked along the beach watching the planes overhead, enjoyed it. Will pencil this in again too and give that cafe a go.

Must say, really looking forward to Applecross now, googled a few images, looks fab.

So much to do, I wonder if I could wangle a few more days off work .......

 

[Big Jets]

First thing I would recommend is give yourself a couple of nights in Inverness,I understand its not just a Bikeing holiday ,have a night in Skye(Oonyacks)have a night or two in Ullapool ,move around ,take in the North West as much as Poss its fabulous (if you get half decent weather ).I would not bog down in Inverness ,good hub Ill grant you that but spread it out a little

 

[sgtzara]

Alas the hotel in Inverness is booked and paid for. Booked early so got a great rate but it's non-refundable.

It's my first proper bike trip excluding the odd weekend away in Ireland. Like anything, I guess the more we do it, the better we'll get at organising same and I daresay next time I'm over in Scotland on a motorbike holiday, I'll do something like above and stay in a few different places.

 

[Big Jets]

No probs mate you and your misses come over and you,ll have a great wee week ,awe the best

 

[gerarddwatts]

Forget Elgin, Forres etc....all shite roads. Go west!!
Inverness- towards Fort William-turn right A830-Glenfinnan(checking times of steam train to co-incide....
then on to Mallaig...jump on ferry
http://www.calmac.co.uk/
toodle up Sleat to Broadford for juice, south from Broadford, turn right to Kylerhea, over wee ferry to Glenelg, visit brochs
http://www.glenelg.co.uk/places/glenelg_brochs.shtml
toodle back over Mam Ratagan to Shiel Bridge, turn left for Invermoriston and Inverness....top day!!

 

[von K]

You're going to see a lot of boring, boring road...

On the way up - why go straight up to Inverness when you could get the Ferry from Hunter's Quay (just before Gourock) and travel through Argyll - B836+A886 to Strachur, then round to Inverary - Lochgilphead - Crinan - Oban - Connel Bridge - Ballachulish - Fort William.

If you're at Plockton, the must do is the Applecross Road.

But the A82, A9? No thanks...

Nowt wrong with the A9 North of the Dornoch Bridge. Good road.

Sgt Zara: Going back to the original plan, there's been a it of work done at Sinclair Girnigoe Castle - definitely worth visiting but don't expect a tourist 'experience'. You'll get the castle, a couple of interpretive boards and some good views.

From Dunnet Head I suggest you ride West to Thurso and then on to Bettyhill rather than doubling back down the A9 to Snecky. You can cut South from here via Altnaharra and Lairg on some cracking single track roads or, if you've time, continue on the North coast to Kyle of Tongue and then head down to Altnaharra.

South of Lairg, take the road to Bonar Bridge and cut over the river and hill on the back road to Alness. Good run and little used by tourists.

 

[corms]

I agree Applecross is a must and the pub serves great food but a good route from Applecross is to head to Sheildaig - Kinlochewe - Gairloch - Ullapool - Inverness, if you want stunning scenery and a few places to stop to eat and look at.


Corms

 

[G.C.]

Old Inverlochy Castle is a bit of a ruin, an non attraction. After you get bored there (5 mins maximum) walck back across the bridge towards the A82 and over the stile, ignore the sheep and try to keep your feet dry and head to the highest point for some really nice views. This is also the site of the battle of Inverlochy (the 1431 one) there is a plaque and a nice wee bench. If the Commando memorial is your next stop take the A830 then the B8004 its mostly single track but again offers much better views of the North face of the ben. This road will take you back to the A82 at the memorial but if waterfalls is on your list take another wee detour up to Caig Falls (the Witches Pool) by Loch Arkaig.

Dont bother with the shopping in Fort Bill, take a run up Glen nevis instead then head to the Ben Nevis Inn (a 300 year old converted barn and nothing to do with me anymorefor a bite of lunch.) The Gondola on day 6 is on Aonach Mor, its two hills along from the Ben.
You don't say when you are coming over ? Hope you picked May.
Have a scout through the info sticky Discover Scotland lots of good info there for you.
Enjoy

 

[NLC]

Pop down to Kirkcaldy to say hello to Gordon Brown.

 

[sgtzara]

Cheers for the suggestion Gerard - sounds like a plan, as you know we've pencilled in Glenfinnian Viaduct anyhow, top tip re the train times, would make for a great photo etc. Will have a look at your other suggestions and see how I can work it in.

Von K - Google mapped your suggested route back from Dunnet Head, it's not that much further compared to taking the A9 and looks a good bit more interesting ... will work this in. Cheers!

 

[sgtzara]

Old Inverlochy Castle is a bit of a ruin, an non attraction. After you get bored there (5 mins maximum) walck back across the bridge towards the A82 and over the stile, ignore the sheep and try to keep your feet dry and head to the highest point for some really nice views. This is also the site of the battle of Inverlochy (the 1431 one) there is a plaque and a nice wee bench. If the Commando memorial is your next stop take the A830 then the B8004 its mostly single track but again offers much better views of the North face of the ben. This road will take you back to the A82 at the memorial but if waterfalls is on your list take another wee detour up to Caig Falls (the Witches Pool) by Loch Arkaig.

Dont bother with the shopping in Fort Bill, take a run up Glen nevis instead then head to the Ben Nevis Inn (a 300 year old converted barn and nothing to do with me anymorefor a bite of lunch.) The Gondola on day 6 is on Aonach Mor, its two hills along from the Ben.
You don't say when you are coming over ? Hope you picked May.
Have a scout through the info sticky Discover Scotland lots of good info there for you.
Enjoy

Excellent .... cheers. Can't beat local knowledge!

 

[Grahame]

If you are in Inverness try a run out to Fort George, this is an occupied barracks (Black Watch) and probably the finest fortified barracks in europe. You can watch the dolphins and porpoise playing in the channel from the Western battlements.