Short hop to the Highlands

[Poncherello]

Hello all, will be visiting relatives and returning to Glasgow in a couple of weeks (I’ve lived in the Midlands since the 80s), and will have a spare 2 nights/ 3 days to head further up with the wife on the back. She’s never been to Scotland before and I’ve never toured there on a bike….. any suggestions on what is a sensible route to get the right balance in a such a short timescale? Thanks in advance.

 

[Wapping]

Moved from trip reports.

 

[Flintlock]

Ferry over to Dunoon. A815 & A83 round to Inveraray. A819 north then the A85 to Oban. From there you could continue south & Loop back to Inverary and back to Dunoon (A816 & A83)

 

[Davey B]

I'd do the first part of the above dropping down to Lochgilpead...to Oban, then cross to Tyndrum, then go thru Glencoe to Fort William. A night here. Road to the Isles...Mallaig to Skye ferry, loop of Skye then a loop North via Strathcarron to Inverness for a 2nd night....3rd day, ride down thru the Cairngorms via Grantown on Spey, Tomintoul to Cockbridge etc...back to Glasgow. c690 miles. 215m first day, 280m 2nd day, 190 m 3rd day

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Hail! Hail! If you time it right you could see some of the most beautiful football played anywhere in the world without even having to leave Glasgow.
Here.............

Visit Celtic Park | Stadium | Glasgow

Visit Celtic Park, one of the world's most famous Football Stadiums with excellent facilities for all occasions, including Special Events, Tours and Dining out.

www.celticfc.com

Failing that the advice above sounds ideal, easily doable in a few days without putting too much stress on the relationship IMO.
Whatever you do have a great time.

 

[Wapping]

OP, in exchange for the assistance, you could write a trip report on your return perhaps?

 

[retroman]

Hello all, will be visiting relatives and returning to Glasgow in a couple of weeks (I’ve lived in the Midlands since the 80s), and will have a spare 2 nights/ 3 days to head further up with the wife on the back. She’s never been to Scotland before and I’ve never toured there on a bike….. any suggestions on what is a sensible route to get the right balance in a such a short timescale? Thanks in advance.

I've just done a mini-tour, ride report here:

Ride Report: Island Hopping: a five day Scottish tour

Back in 2020 I got a copy of John Ferguson's excellent book The Motorcyclists Guide to Scotland. Although I've been north of the border several times before, it was always on well-trodden paths, and I felt I've been missing out. My son-in-law, Hayden, had never ridden in Scotland so it was...

www.ukgser.com

 

[retroman]

PS I'd thoroughly recommend John Ferguson's book, A Motorcyclists Guide to Scotland ... absolutely invaluable information

... and if nothing else, be sure to take some Avon Skin-So-Soft and a midge hat x2 ...you may regret it if you don't

 

[Wapping]

PS I'd thoroughly recommend John Ferguson's book, A Motorcyclists Guide to Scotland ... absolutely invaluable information

SEE HERE

All of the routes are cut into Garmin friendly GPX files, ready for you OP.

PS It’s worth buying the book, too.

 

[Posh Pete]

Ferry over to Dunoon. A815 & A83 round to Inveraray. A819 north then the A85 to Oban. From there you could continue south & Loop back to Inverary and back to Dunoon (A816 & A83)

The route I usually recommend for any trip from that there Englandshire. It cuts out a lot of the urban stuff around Glesca.

There are other options too. I'd head west to Portavadie and take the ferry to Tarbert.. From there you can head down to Claonaig and take the ferry to Lochranza and have a day in Arran, the Highlands in miniature. I like ferries! Yes, Calmac has its problems just now but the ferries I've mentioned seem to be OK. Check with the Calmac call centre first though.

 

[Poncherello]

Hail! Hail! If you time it right you could see some of the most beautiful football played anywhere in the world without even having to leave Glasgow.
Here.............

Visit Celtic Park | Stadium | Glasgow

Visit Celtic Park, one of the world's most famous Football Stadiums with excellent facilities for all occasions, including Special Events, Tours and Dining out.

www.celticfc.com

Failing that the advice above sounds ideal, easily doable in a few days without putting too much stress on the relationship IMO.
Whatever you do have a great time.

Thanks- I should confess I was at the opening of Ibrox as a young boy….

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanks- I should confess I was at the opening of Ibrox as a young boy….

Oh Lord. In that case you're dead to me.

 

[Mzokk]

Too many miles might have your wife cuffing your lugs. My suggestion Around 150 Miles per day max with stop for morning coffee and lateish lunch. On the road at 10 and off not later than 5. I'd go Day I Glasgow, Aberfoyle, Dukes Pass, Killin, Ben Lawers Dam, Back roads to Tummel Bridge sleep somehere around Blair Athol About 120 ish Miles. Day 2 Blair Athol? Spean Bridge , Gairlochy, Corpach, Fort William, Glen Coe, Invarary (Overnight Around Here) 140-150 miles. Day three Invarary, Tarbet-Portavadie, Dunoon-Gourock Glasgow About 106 Miles but two Ferry Crossings. Nice Scenery and not too Challenging two up.

 

[Poncherello]

Too many miles might have your wife cuffing your lugs. My suggestion Around 150 Miles per day max with stop for morning coffee and lateish lunch. On the road at 10 and off not later than 5. I'd go Day I Glasgow, Aberfoyle, Dukes Pass, Killin, Ben Lawers Dam, Back roads to Tummel Bridge sleep somehere around Blair Athol About 120 ish Miles. Day 2 Blair Athol? Spean Bridge , Gairlochy, Corpach, Fort William, Glen Coe, Invarary (Overnight Around Here) 140-150 miles. Day three Invarary, Tarbet-Portavadie, Dunoon-Gourock Glasgow About 106 Miles but two Ferry Crossings. Nice Scenery and not too Challenging two up.

Thank you- don’t want to put her off future trips and the shorter mileages might help. Other routes suggested look great but maybe too much for a first time. I’ll save them for later trips. Appreciated.

 

[Davey B]

Thank you- don’t want to put her off future trips and the shorter mileages might help. Other routes suggested look great but maybe too much for a first time. I’ll save them for later trips. Appreciated.

I'd agree on the shorter days then.....and perhaps book a really nice place (with spa?) to stay for 2 nights....which means that if day 2 is a bit wet, you (she) can opt out of riding...and if not...you can ride without the extra weight of luggage

 

[Flintlock]

All of the above & you now have a choice of areas - so whichever is looking to have the most favourable weather you can head there. On that theme- don't discount the borders area - I know it's not the Highlands but fabulous scenery & roads in their own right. Galloway Forest - Dalmellington, New Cumnock - B740 & B797 - onto Moffat & St Mary's Loch - a great area & if the weather is bad in other areas & good there- that's where I would head. Whichever you choose have a great trip.

 

[Mzokk]

All of the above & you now have a choice of areas - so whichever is looking to have the most favourable weather you can head there. On that theme- don't discount the borders area - I know it's not the Highlands but fabulous scenery & roads in their own right. Galloway Forest - Dalmellington, New Cumnock - B740 & B797 - onto Moffat & St Mary's Loch - a great area & if the weather is bad in other areas & good there- that's where I would head. Whichever you choose have a great trip.

Agreed the roads are much more quiet as well.