View Full Version : Please comment on my route
Hi, looking to do round Scotland and right across the top to John o'groats. Starting from Dunoon and returning to there with 3 nights out. Looking at around 200 miles a day.
If there are any bloody awfull roads i have planned or am just missing some cracking roads please let me know, don't really know the roads on the south bound route, specificaly the roads thro' Cairngorms.
Any input & advice appreciated:grouphug:
Route :-
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314,-5.48429+to:57.2883,-5.64934+to:A87+to:57.69632,-5.65669+to:58.11529,-4.96728+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6385,-3.13068+to:A9+to:56.97988,-3.38758+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=57.204735,-4.284668&spn=1.466825,5.410767&sll=57.171992,-4.12262&sspn=0.734057,2.705383&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Uh_WAMd_lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFWwmagMdRMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx 3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFUBgcAMdjq-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFdrEdgMdkDS0_ynxZmLC pdKPSDFgxXXcGWgMEw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFaTAfgMdyDrQ_ynvEFROnN6aSD HgCmzhGWgMEw%3BFagVagMdemzF_w%3BFahxZQMdRE_M_ymJ5A g86uaFSDGxvk7cGWgMEw%3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE 55aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=9&sz=9&via=1,2,4,5,7,9&vpsrc=6&z=8
It hasn't got 3 laps of the Kinlochleven loop in it ;)
carelesschucca
19-08-11, 05:00 PM
If it was me I'd try and get Applecross in there :)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Kyle+Of+Lochalsh&daddr=Applecross,+Strathcarron+to:Gairloch&hl=en&sll=57.284328,-5.71552&sspn=1.077712,2.463684&geocode=FegWagMdwMmo_ymr0KvkgJuOSDFw4993HGgMCg%3BF UJabAMd_0Wn_ylNPyyoC4GOSDHtYmEBs3YSng%3BFcy_cAMd6z up_ymH-NuJ32-OSDFdnoU_D3jLsQ&mra=ls&vpsrc=0&z=10
and three laps of this
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=North+Ballachulish,+Fort+William&daddr=Kinlochleven+to:B863&hl=en&sll=56.69945,-5.07246&sspn=0.136847,0.307961&geocode=FZwYYQMdnfGw_ylD7_osQjaJSDEwVbw2np4eaA%3BF R5fYQMdSzy0_ymb90KTEC6JSDGEF3qe6tWDEQ%3BFbLkYAMdfh Gy_w&mra=dme&mrsp=2&sz=12&vpsrc=0&z=12
Applecross is more important though, kinda
i'm planning on doing roughly the same thing next year. if it were me and i wish it was i would be doing this. except maybe different overnight stops.
full route:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314,-5.48429+to:56.7118872,-4.9796279+to:57.2883,-5.64934+to:A87+to:57.494867,-5.8608714+to:57.69632,-5.65669+to:58.11529,-4.96728+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6385,-3.13068+to:A9+to:56.97988,-3.38758+to:56.70795,-3.98802+to:56.37435,-4.01236+to:56.22929,-4.36026+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=57.686533,-6.097412&spn=4.423468,14.27124&sll=56.485245,-4.21051&sspn=1.141948,3.56781&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Uh_WAMd_lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFc9aYQMdVQS0_yl9nIPj4DGJSDEB X23cGWgMEw%3BFWwmagMdRMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx3XTcGWgME w%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFVNNbQMd-ZGm_yn_cNe-FICOSDHg0G7cGWgMEw%3BFUBgcAMdjq-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFdrEdgMdkDS0_ynxZmLC pdKPSDFgxXXcGWgMEw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFaTAfgMdyDrQ_ynvEFROnN6aSD HgCmzhGWgMEw%3BFagVagMdemzF_w%3BFahxZQMdRE_M_ymJ5A g86uaFSDGxvk7cGWgMEw%3BFW5LYQMdzCXD_yk9qt00xa-ISDEw5bXiGWgMEw%3BFU40XAMduMbC_ykxWiSwHJGISDHxiIHc GWgMEw%3BFar9WQMdvHe9_ykH7MM9xfCISDGh-lDiGWgMEw%3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=14&sz=9&via=1,2,3,5,6,7,9,11,12,13,14&vpsrc=6&z=7
Day 1:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314,-5.48429+to:56.7118872,-4.9796279+to:56.8460968,-5.0956945+to:57.2883,-5.64934+to:A87&hl=en&ll=56.821927,-4.515381&spn=1.131797,3.56781&sll=56.843011,-5.095725&sspn=0.017674,0.055747&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Uh_WAMd_lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFc9aYQMdVQS0_yl9nIPj4DGJSDEB X23cGWgMEw%3BFRBnYwMd8j6y_ykpHz8-k8yOSDGgCm_cGWgMEw%3BFWwmagMdRMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx3 XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4&vpsrc=6&z=9
2 detours to take in Kinlochleven loop and Neptune's Staircase just outside Fort Billy.
Day 2:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=A87&daddr=57.28067,-5.56112+to:57.4439894,-5.8153249+to:57.69632,-5.65669+to:58.11529,-4.96728+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue&hl=en&ll=57.871053,-4.663696&spn=2.19994,7.13562&sll=56.477662,-5.460205&sspn=1.142177,3.56781&geocode=FU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFZ4IagMd4CSr_ynhCcfikpCOS DHwpnHcGWgMEw%3BFZWGbAMd5EOn_ynXwn3sCoGOSDHRbQLiGW gMEw%3BFUBgcAMdjq-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFdrEdgMdkDS0_ynxZmLC pdKPSDFgxXXcGWgMEw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg&mra=mr&via=1,2,3,4&vpsrc=6&z=8
added Applecross
Day 3:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Kyle+Of+Tongue&daddr=58.6385,-3.13068+to:A9&hl=en&ll=57.356164,-3.287659&spn=1.115608,3.56781&sll=56.698474,-4.625244&sspn=2.271149,7.13562&geocode=FUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFaTAfgMdyDrQ_ynvEFROnN6aSD HgCmzhGWgMEw%3BFagVagMdemzF_w&mra=mr&via=1&vpsrc=6&z=9
no change, an easy day
Day 4:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=A9&daddr=56.97988,-3.38758+to:56.70795,-3.98802+to:56.37435,-4.01236+to:56.22706,-4.33854+to:56.125563,-4.3589719+to:Midge+Ln%2FA880&hl=en&ll=56.731635,-5.306396&spn=2.269148,7.13562&sll=56.582179,-4.441223&sspn=1.13903,3.56781&geocode=FagVagMdemzF_w%3BFahxZQMdRE_M_ymJ5Ag86uaFS DGxvk7cGWgMEw%3BFW5LYQMdzCXD_yk9qt00xa-ISDEw5bXiGWgMEw%3BFU40XAMduMbC_ykxWiSwHJGISDHxiIHc GWgMEw%3BFfT0WQMdlMy9_ynB0UvhMPGISDGxbIncGWgMEw%3B FXtoWAMdxXy9_ykfIm4p4feISDHxy8qbHWgMEw%3BFSdWVgMdT tC0_w&mra=dvme&mrsp=2&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5&vpsrc=6&z=8
the whopper, this i think is the best of all the days as it takes in the Cairngorm, Queens View, Lock Earn, Dukes Pass and Rest and be thankful.
peterco
19-08-11, 07:38 PM
Take applecross and take penisular road back to sheildaig.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Kyle+Of+Lochalsh&daddr=Applecross,+Strathcarron+to:Gairloch&hl=en&sll=57.284328,-5.71552&sspn=1.077712,2.463684&geocode=FegWagMdwMmo_ymr0KvkgJuOSDFw4993HGgMCg%3BF UJabAMd_0Wn_ylNPyyoC4GOSDHtYmEBs3YSng%3BFcy_cAMd6z up_ymH-NuJ32-OSDFdnoU_D3jLsQ&mra=ls&vpsrc=0&z=10
Stay off the A9 and from Grantown go to Nairn or Forres:thumright:
dizzyblonde
19-08-11, 09:15 PM
Nah........its rubbish, I think you should let me do it instead, you wouldn't like it at all ;)
DarrenSV650S
19-08-11, 10:02 PM
If you have the time it's well worth taking the coast road between Ullapool and Unapool. They're not fast roads, they're more single track, very twisty, up and down kind of roads :D The scenery is awesome. And you can also visit the "best little shop in Britain" :)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=ullapool&daddr=58.0777424,-5.246396+to:58.1793655,-5.2971768+to:unapool&hl=en&ll=58.087315,-4.936981&spn=0.407259,1.234589&sll=58.079692,-5.114136&sspn=0.203674,0.617294&geocode=FVJ6cwMdu0yx_ylhs6e3-zCOSDENyMkBc5PEWQ%3BFS4ydgMdRPKv_ynZCgDcVCWOSDFxwX XcGWgMEw%3BFSW_dwMd6Cuv_yl5MzR0biaOSDEQ1XXcGWgMEw% 3BFVTTeAMdD4mz_ykxMJdOsyqOSDEVSVjBBxyWFA&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1,2&vpsrc=6&z=10
And if you really have loads of time, the road from Tongue to Lairg has amazing views and is very fast and twisty.
Have a look here for some picys
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=156105
Thanks for all the feedback:grouphug:, seems like i got it roughly right.
Have been over applecross in the car a couple of times (once at the end of december, snow on the road in a 405 SRi, bloody scary :smt088 cos there wasn't the armco barriers that there are now) is it actually that much fun on a bike?
Thanks Bibio for the Dukes pass, etc. As i said don't really know that part of our green and wonderful land. As for stops, these arn't fixed, just were approx 200 miles apart, thought that was OK for a daily tota,l for 4 days in a row.
Darren - was up there last week, did the coast road from ullapool to lochinver, discovery mpg dropped to about 20mpg cos its all 1st & 2nd gear in the Landie. Crakin pics will have to go see Smoo caves, thanks.
Modified route - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314,-5.48429+to:57.2883,-5.64934+to:A87+to:57.44147,-5.58132+to:57.69632,-5.65669+to:58.11529,-4.96728+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6385,-3.13068+to:57.52007,-3.79757+to:High+St%2FB9102+to:56.97988,-3.38758+to:56.71873,-3.88579+to:56.44873,-3.78607+to:56.39687,-4.13452+to:56.2134,-4.38976+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=57.368015,-3.197021&spn=2.920888,10.821533&sll=57.11835,-4.141846&sspn=1.470256,5.410767&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Uh_WAMd_lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFWwmagMdRMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx 3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFb58bAMd-NWq_yn19mMnyYiOSDFRxW7cGWgMEw%3BFUBgcAMdjq-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFdrEdgMdkDS0_ynxZmLC pdKPSDFgxXXcGWgMEw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFaTAfgMdyDrQ_ynvEFROnN6aSD HgCmzhGWgMEw%3BFcavbQMdvg3G_yl3W3fWHYGFSDEgV3DcGWg MEw%3BFYbFagMd4OjI_w%3BFahxZQMdRE_M_ymJ5Ag86uaFSDG xvk7cGWgMEw%3BFYp1YQMdIrXE_ylrDU2PI6-ISDHA1YHcGWgMEw%3BFdpWXQMdqjrG_ykfhPO1456ISDERQVPh GWgMEw%3BFUaMXAMdiOnA_ylXwC_eeJOISDHBagviGWgMEw%3B FZi_WQMdgAS9_ym3DF-cVPeISDGgUB7iGWgMEw%3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE5 5aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=8&via=1,2,4,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,14,15&vpsrc=6&z=7
with the possibility to add Kinlochlven and applecross in on the day - depending on the weather and progress.
carelesschucca
20-08-11, 12:56 PM
Honestly Siii add the little bit in for the Kinlochleven loop its only and extra 17 miles or so but the roads amazing. Not to be missed.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314,-5.48429+to:56.71504,-4.95904+to:57.2883,-5.64934+to:A87+to:57.43486,-5.59031+to:57.69632,-5.65669+to:58.11529,-4.96728+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6385,-3.13068+to:57.52007,-3.79757+to:High+St%2FB9102+to:56.97988,-3.38758+to:56.71873,-3.88579+to:56.44873,-3.78607+to:56.39687,-4.13452+to:56.2134,-4.38976+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=56.674338,-5.136795&spn=0.273877,0.615921&sll=56.678865,-5.136795&sspn=0.264413,0.615921&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Uh_WAMd_lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFSBnYQMdwFS0_ym5F-H9GS6JSDGROnPcGWgMEw%3BFWwmagMdRMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDG x3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFexibAMd2rKq_yn19mM nyYiOSDFRxW7cGWgMEw%3BFUBgcAMdjq-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFdrEdgMdkDS0_ynxZmLC pdKPSDFgxXXcGWgMEw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFaTAfgMdyDrQ_ynvEFROnN6aSD HgCmzhGWgMEw%3BFcavbQMdvg3G_yl3W3fWHYGFSDEgV3DcGWg MEw%3BFYbFagMd4OjI_w%3BFahxZQMdRE_M_ymJ5Ag86uaFSDG xvk7cGWgMEw%3BFYp1YQMdIrXE_ylrDU2PI6-ISDHA1YHcGWgMEw%3BFdpWXQMdqjrG_ykfhPO1456ISDERQVPh GWgMEw%3BFUaMXAMdiOnA_ylXwC_eeJOISDHBagviGWgMEw%3B FZi_WQMdgAS9_ym3DF-cVPeISDGgUB7iGWgMEw%3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE5 5aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=11&via=1,2,3,5,6,7,9,10,12,13,14,15,16&vpsrc=0&z=11
That shortcut avaoiding Oban was full of sheep and tractors last time i was there. Maybe better just going through the town as it only takes a couple of minutes.
I would also go to Kinlochewe via Lochcarron as you'll pass some of the country's finest mountains.
You might find the run down from Wick to Inverness a bit dull. If it were me (which it aint!) I'd miss out John O Groats and head south from Point C to Lairg.
Of course, you want to keep some of the good roads for your next trip :cool:
The Oban bypass was just a google map error!
Have I not already included Kinlochewe via Lochcarron? or have i got that wrong?
Never been right to the top, so that is the reason for going to John O'Groats, will have to save the road to Lairg for next time. i was there last week but came over the road from Ullapool way.
Thanks for the input.
[QUOTE=SIII;2592401]
Have I not already included Kinlochewe via Lochcarron? or have i got that wrong?
QUOTE]
I mean the actual village of Lochcarron. Turn left at the T junction after you pass through Strathcarron. It's the road that would take you to Applecross. You will pass the mighty Liathach, one of our really great hills!
Holy 'thread resurrection' Batman !!!
Am finally going to get to go on my wee ride-around. First attempt was snowed back - last Easter:(
Have modified route slightly, we are going to go down to the Mull of Galloway on the first day and then follow the coast (as close as is possible) all the way up Durness, across the top to J of G's and down to Nairn. That way it will be a proper end-to-end job.
Sunday morning set off and return Thursday night. Never done 5 days on the bike, so looking forward to numb bum and aching shoulders :pale: after 1200 miles.
carelesschucca
12-07-13, 07:45 AM
You'll love it! Hope the weather stays good for you. Enjoy the freedom.
STRAMASHER
12-07-13, 06:27 PM
Lucky man. Can't beat a good trip.
Hope it does not cause you to peruse autotrader for a Goldwing.
Looking fwd to some photies and top not to be missed roads.
Enjoy!
Alan ;)
Try and get on the A82 though Glencoe while not an "amazing" road to ride the scenery is amazing and well worth it.
carelesschucca
12-07-13, 09:50 PM
I think Ron had enough of Rannoch Moor earlier this year... Was a tad cold when we went over it. Wasn't it Ron :-)
Dicky Ticker
12-07-13, 10:11 PM
smoo
Avoiding bloody rannoch moor - hate the place !
Dicky - Plans already in place to 'Smoo'
DarrenSV650S
13-07-13, 10:57 AM
Are you guys on about Loch Rannoch? That's one of my favourite roads!
missyburd
13-07-13, 02:18 PM
Looks fab. And you'll be used to covering the distance after the first couple of days, the aches will reduce considerably.
:cheers:Ach, I'll be fine Missy.
Not planned mega miles per day so we can appreciate the beauty of Scotland. three of the lads are comin up from Northampton and will be their first time riding in our beautiful country, plenty of stops to take photo's and stuff.
Gonna be my first 'proper' tour on the bike, like a kid before Xmas today !!!
Loch Rannoch is good for views and will always remember the first time over, looking in the rear view mirror and seeing a line of SV's, on the wrong side of the road, stretching back 1/2 a mile. But just fed up riding it this year, not a very involving stretch of road.
missyburd
13-07-13, 04:22 PM
Am sure you will! Can't wait to bob up there again next week :D
Tiger 55
15-07-13, 06:53 PM
If you're taking the A816 between Lochgilphead and Oban, just be careful of the tricky left hander near Barrananoil. Easy to take it too fast and end up on the wrong side of the road...
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/tigerboz55/SIIIaccident.jpg
If you're taking the A816 between Lochgilphead and Oban, just be careful of the tricky left hander near Barrananoil. Easy to take it too fast and end up on the wrong side of the road...
Ya cheeky Bugger :rolleyes:
Aye it was us, your pal remembered my name then!
Just to let you all in, 2 of our party of 5 came off the road 20 miles south of Oban. Two seperate incidents, 1st yin youthful exhuberence and the 2nd my pal just bloody unlucky. Tigers pilot pal (should have been your shift?) flew my mate to RAH with a broken tib / fib and concussion after he bounced off the front of a BMW and the other boy ran straight on and cartwheeled bike and broke ankle.
Both OK but bikes are fecked. Am fed up with people fallen off their bikes in front of me !!! Am only gonna ride on my own from now on!
least you never rode threw body parts. RTA near Applecross as i passed and there were bike, campervan and what looked like people bits all over the place. i was to scared to look at what happened but i sorta saw the bike and it was complete toast. if the rider is still alive they are very very lucky.
Tiger 55
15-07-13, 08:03 PM
First of all I apologise unreservedly for suggesting anyone was going too fast! My mate said your mate probably was, but then again he rides a Harley so too fast = actually moving.
Should have been my shift right enough, which would have been one for the photo album. Bound to meet an Orger in the line of duty sooner or later. Let's hope it's for a blether and not a wee ride to the RAH.
Bet the beer tastes good tonight though. Early start tomorrow?
My pal that went in copter was behind me and I went round ok. Think he got spooked by cars stopping to sort first boy out and locked the front.
Settting off in the morning. 3rd time lucky. (Got snowed back last easter)
Dicky Ticker
16-07-13, 07:55 AM
Ca-canny and enjoy.I know we all like a bit of a blast at times but you see so much more just poodling along at your own pace.
When I go up with the boys we have learned that it is better just to say where you are stopping for a break and let everybody ride at their own pace rather than following each other.Works for us and as long as we all have phones no problems
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