Now then here is my report on three glorious days out on Scottish roads, in particular the northern / western roads.
A few things to set the scene.
There were three of us, all on BMWs of different ages, types, and all of different riding abilities, experiences.
There was my R1200GS, a K1200R, and a K reg K1100 thingy.
It was over a Thursday, Friday and Saturday (17-19th June) and actually turned out to be a good combination of days. I certainly noticed the increase in traffic on the Saturday.
Door to door was 1115 miles.
Never rained, and on Friday / Saturday temps were in low 20s.
Day 1
So me and the K1200R left Montrose and up over the Cairn, head for Westhill Abn pick up the K1100, and off we go.
Off to Alford and through to Rhynie, by the way nice wee section of road on the up hill section. Then Dufftown and on to Craigellachie, and stop for the biker’s bacon roll in the hotel.
If you are interested in Malts interesting room in this hotel, wall to wall, floor to ceiling of bottles on shelves.
Suitably refreshed then headed over to Culloden, just to take a photo with the bikes in view of the monument as one of the lads has some competition at work where there are various places, objects he needs for his list.
Through Inverness (fuel stop) and down the road south side (bit of fun) of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus.
Stop and after lunch, then on to Drumnadrochit, nae sign of Nessie. From here the wee road to Cannich and all the way to Beauly. This was a mixed bag road with one section maybe 10miles of loose chippings. (Lost the will to live at that point) However there were sections that were most enjoyable on the bike, worth the detour if you have time.
After coffee and bun in Beauly, we went through Muir of Ord, Contin, and through Strathpeffer and onto Dingwall.
Arrived in Dingwall at rush hour!! I kid you not, fecking grid lock even for a bike.
Along the North side of the Cromarty Firth pick up A9 and at Evanton, take the Struie.
An old play ground for me. Awesome road.
Then one of the biking highlights was Bonar Bridge to the A9.
This is a section of the old A9 before the bridge went in at Dornoch. Not a car on the road, and a cracking bit of road. We all got to the far end parked up to share tales; the other pair were well impressed.
Then onwards and upwards to John O’ Groats, got there about 9pm. Met one of my young nephews,
who in his own way led us back to Thurso to our hotel - The Park Hotel.
Now done 400miles and had a couple of beers to wash down some excellent food.
Day 2
This would see us go over the North road the A836 and then the A838. I see there are wee signs on them to remind you that these are the roads you are on. So many
tourists must be thinking this cannot be an “ A” road, I must be lost!!
Splendid isolation are the Caithness / Sutherland heath lands.
Across the Kyle of Tongue and photo opportunity with the queen of Scottish hills Ben Loyal.
Stopped at Smoo Cave Hotel, Durness for a cuppy.
I think the hill in background was the one Top Gear drove a Range Rover or whatever on to the top.
South of Durness met the BMW fan club.
Heading towards the Loch Assynt area. It was now positively hot.
The Beatle’s “long and winding road” came to mind at this view. Miles and miles of road like this all the way to Skye in the South.
Who needs to go anywhere else when the weather is like this.
Then went on a seriously narrow road to Drumbeg, and then onto Stoer Lighthouse.
Then onto Ledmore, Ullapool, Garve Achnasheen , you know wehre we are heading for now
and then detour through Torridon,
Then up the Bealach na Ba
Even the Stig was out on the road.
Evening light
Finally hotel.
That’ll be Eilean Donan castle in background.
Day 3
Time to visit Skye.
This is up at the North end Uig.
Approached Quiraing from the east side
the other side was like a mini Bealach Na Ba road.
Now heading down the east side of Skye
Ridge in the background.
Ridge as seen from just north of Sligachan on the A863. On this road had a wee tow from a Hayabusa and a Blackbird, met later in a petrol station, yes they smiled, even a GS can get a wiggle on!!
Spean Bridge and the commando memorial before going to Fort Bill for tea.
Then on way home went through the Coe, Killin, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld Cupar, and up the A90.
Spoiled rotten we were.
Memorable oh yes, and I know there are still plenty of roads to do over there.
A few things to set the scene.
There were three of us, all on BMWs of different ages, types, and all of different riding abilities, experiences.
There was my R1200GS, a K1200R, and a K reg K1100 thingy.
It was over a Thursday, Friday and Saturday (17-19th June) and actually turned out to be a good combination of days. I certainly noticed the increase in traffic on the Saturday.
Door to door was 1115 miles.
Never rained, and on Friday / Saturday temps were in low 20s.
Day 1
So me and the K1200R left Montrose and up over the Cairn, head for Westhill Abn pick up the K1100, and off we go.
Off to Alford and through to Rhynie, by the way nice wee section of road on the up hill section. Then Dufftown and on to Craigellachie, and stop for the biker’s bacon roll in the hotel.
If you are interested in Malts interesting room in this hotel, wall to wall, floor to ceiling of bottles on shelves.
Suitably refreshed then headed over to Culloden, just to take a photo with the bikes in view of the monument as one of the lads has some competition at work where there are various places, objects he needs for his list.
Through Inverness (fuel stop) and down the road south side (bit of fun) of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus.
Stop and after lunch, then on to Drumnadrochit, nae sign of Nessie. From here the wee road to Cannich and all the way to Beauly. This was a mixed bag road with one section maybe 10miles of loose chippings. (Lost the will to live at that point) However there were sections that were most enjoyable on the bike, worth the detour if you have time.
After coffee and bun in Beauly, we went through Muir of Ord, Contin, and through Strathpeffer and onto Dingwall.
Arrived in Dingwall at rush hour!! I kid you not, fecking grid lock even for a bike.
Along the North side of the Cromarty Firth pick up A9 and at Evanton, take the Struie.
An old play ground for me. Awesome road.
Then one of the biking highlights was Bonar Bridge to the A9.
This is a section of the old A9 before the bridge went in at Dornoch. Not a car on the road, and a cracking bit of road. We all got to the far end parked up to share tales; the other pair were well impressed.
Then onwards and upwards to John O’ Groats, got there about 9pm. Met one of my young nephews,
who in his own way led us back to Thurso to our hotel - The Park Hotel.
Now done 400miles and had a couple of beers to wash down some excellent food.
Day 2
This would see us go over the North road the A836 and then the A838. I see there are wee signs on them to remind you that these are the roads you are on. So many
tourists must be thinking this cannot be an “ A” road, I must be lost!!
Splendid isolation are the Caithness / Sutherland heath lands.
Across the Kyle of Tongue and photo opportunity with the queen of Scottish hills Ben Loyal.
Stopped at Smoo Cave Hotel, Durness for a cuppy.
I think the hill in background was the one Top Gear drove a Range Rover or whatever on to the top.
South of Durness met the BMW fan club.
Heading towards the Loch Assynt area. It was now positively hot.
The Beatle’s “long and winding road” came to mind at this view. Miles and miles of road like this all the way to Skye in the South.
Who needs to go anywhere else when the weather is like this.
Then went on a seriously narrow road to Drumbeg, and then onto Stoer Lighthouse.
Then onto Ledmore, Ullapool, Garve Achnasheen , you know wehre we are heading for now
and then detour through Torridon,
Then up the Bealach na Ba
Even the Stig was out on the road.
Evening light
Finally hotel.
That’ll be Eilean Donan castle in background.
Day 3
Time to visit Skye.
This is up at the North end Uig.
Approached Quiraing from the east side
the other side was like a mini Bealach Na Ba road.
Now heading down the east side of Skye
Ridge in the background.
Ridge as seen from just north of Sligachan on the A863. On this road had a wee tow from a Hayabusa and a Blackbird, met later in a petrol station, yes they smiled, even a GS can get a wiggle on!!
Spean Bridge and the commando memorial before going to Fort Bill for tea.
Then on way home went through the Coe, Killin, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld Cupar, and up the A90.
Spoiled rotten we were.
Memorable oh yes, and I know there are still plenty of roads to do over there.
