Where to go on a Scottish tour??

[glade]

Hi all,

In the process of bringing my SV out of hibernation to do a weekend camping/hostel tour of scotland with an old mate.

I'm browsing this site for routes
http://www.motorcyclescotland.com/scottish-motorcycle-routes.asp

But maybe the org could advise some good reigons or must-do roads??

Cheers!

[littleoldman2]

Just had a quick look at that site and the Northumberland route includes the M74 and A69, both rubbish with better alternative very close by. Check out the ride out threads from many members in particular Bibio and Carelesschucca. Loads of good routes and Google maps

[glade]

Will do, thanks!

[SIII]

If you are intending of coming over the border and into Dumfries and Galloway, i am more than happy to point you along the best roads around here.:smt039 Just let us know.

[Bibio]

when are you planning on coming up here?

[glade]

Won't be for a few months yet, late spring.

I'm in leeds, my mate's in cheshire so thinking meet in lake district and head up to the south west coast to loch doon, maybe as far up as loch lomond?

[JamesMio]

GMV weekend..?

A few very broad brush & basic tips then to get you going.

D&G (where SIII and me live) has some super roads, quiet traffic and pretty scenery but balanced out with scruffy looking towns (not all of them) and the odd bit of gravelly potholed tarmac here and there.

Borders are (IMO) not quite as picturesque as D&G but tend to have better road surfaces.

For a weekend trip, especially from as far as Leeds etc, I personally wouldn't bother trying to cram in too much.

Scotland is at its absolute mot gorgeous pretty much anywhere 20mins North or West of Glasgow. Literally, once you're there you genuinely cannot go wrong. The ballache is getting there (as SIII and I will gladly testify!). 90 miles of motorway/dual carriageway/traffic jammed city centre are no fun, regardless of what accent people speak with.

To get to the really good stuff, you've got to punch through the (with all due repect) frankly minging Central Belt. For a weeks tour, do it every time, but for a weekend I just don't think it's worth it.

Lakes + D&G &/or the Borders makes for a great weekend, and there's loads to see and ride here.

Any tips or help with roads or routes, just shout - we'll be happy to help.

[glade]

Brilliant!! I knew the org would deliver!

Baring that in mind, lakes and D&G looks good.

[Dicky Ticker]

Stirling is the gateway to the Highlands so you have the option of staying round lower Scotland or a quick 4 hour punch up the motorways to Stirling then motorbike heaven is your oyster.

[Bibio]

this should give you a good taste of what we get to play on :-)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Route+68&daddr=55.2156,-2.58164+to:B6357+to:Weensland+Rd%2FA698+to:A708+to :The+Holm%2FA708+to:55.5178129,-3.4141439+to:A72+to:A721+to:55.8812579,-3.378139+to:56.20487,-3.61104+to:56.3496939,-3.8449366+to:56.52827,-3.72293+to:56.58941,-3.54291+to:Glenshee+Rd%2FA93+to:A95+to:Lochaber+Rd %2FB863+to:B863+to:A816+to:A82+to:55.77616,-4.85381+to:Unknown+road+to:Ayr+Rd%2FA713+to:A709&hl=en&ll=56.084298,-4.482422&spn=4.648133,9.876709&sll=56.502681,-3.77243&sspn=0.574504,1.234589&geocode=FVzkSQMdaNHe_w%3BFfCFSgMdeJvY_ykxZDqUM5x9S DEBSz_NnvkMEw%3BFTtJSwMdovTW_w%3BFaTJTQMd8MHV_w%3B FcJ8TwMdUirU_w%3BFYZITAMd9JrL_w%3BFXQiTwMdgefL_ym1 GvVrdPmHSDHP7pOr6Td2Kg%3BFXYsUQMdnYrL_w%3BFc7rUQMd-NrI_w%3BFSmuVAMdJXTM_ykJKkBzZ8OHSDGi9lt7YgybzA%3BF UaeWQMdYObI_ympO7NFryuGSDHQLAviGWgMEw%3BFf3TWwMduF TF_yndGJzJa5uISDEUokp1eD2fgg%3BFY6NXgMdTjHH_ylpzBA E4B-GSDFAT4LcGWgMEw%3BFWJ8XwMdgvDJ_ykL0dZDmxmGSDFAQoTc GWgMEw%3BFdDQZQMdjC_M_w%3BFXqVagMdlLfI_w%3BFQJiYQM d_EW0_w%3BFXsIYQMdWJux_w%3BFRYhVwMdtvys_w%3BFTaJVg MdJM25_w%3BFaATUwMdzu-1_ym1Oc67XriJSDGwQzPhGWgMEw%3BFW7wTQMdLsi5_w%3BFXs DSQMdekTA_w%3BFXj_SAMdpojM_w&mra=dpe&mrsp=12&sz=10&via=1,6,9,10,11,12,13,20&t=m&z=7

[andrewsmith]

If your on a weekend blast, as SII, James and Bibio have said.

Also going north or South take in Alston and the Hartside pass :thumbsup:

[carelesschucca]

http://g.co/maps/5bdw6 A701 Moffat to Broughton.

http://g.co/maps/a562z A712/A702 Newon Stewart to Elvanfoot.

http://g.co/maps/npyza A84/A85 Stirling to Tyndrum.

http://g.co/maps/vrcdf A822/A826 Crieff to Aberfeldy.

http://g.co/maps/9ke4m A83/A816 Arrochar, Lochgilphead to Oban.

http://g.co/maps/pchf9 B863 Kinlochleven Loop.

http://g.co/maps/9h48h A821 Dukes Pass.


Here's a small selection of roads that I love for different reasons.

But being honest for every route I've put on here there are 5 others somewhere else in Scotland that are amazing. Anything on the west coast is nice if you make the effort to get up there its well worth it.

[TheRamJam]

Carbeth - Balloch - Arrochar - Inveraray - Lochgilphead - Oban - Fort William - Dornie - Tornapress - Applecross

[carelesschucca]

Carbeth - Balloch - Arrochar - Inveraray - Lochgilphead - Oban - Fort William - Dornie - Tornapress - Applecross

http://g.co/maps/q98tw this route then :)

[TheRamJam]

http://g.co/maps/q98tw this route then :)

More or less Dean yeah. Just throw in the Glen Fruin Rd and that by that :D

[Quiff Wichard]

Go
Ride
Enjoy

the place and the people are fabulous... it truly is a different country ... you think you've been on a plane and landed in New Zealand or similar- its breathtaking

[SIII]

Here's what I am planning to do in the 1st week of April.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314014,-5.4842941+to:57.28829,-5.64932+to:A87+to:57.43488,-5.5903+to:57.6963194,-5.6566965+to:58.1152513,-4.9673673+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6384847,-3.1306778+to:57.52008,-3.79753+to:High+St%2FB9102+to:56.9798763,-3.3875545+to:56.718707,-3.8858052+to:56.4487557,-3.7860439+to:56.39682,-4.13448+to:56.2134266,-4.3897772+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=56.938981,-3.883667&spn=1.522383,5.410767&sll=57.11835,-4.141846&sspn=1.470256,5.410767&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Ul_WAMd-lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFWImagMdWMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx 3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFQBjbAMd5LKq_yld9KYd tYiOSDE0r30VsHvlpw%3BFT9gcAMdiK-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFbPEdgMdOTS0_ykpLxQ3 utKPSDGAj8H-Xbeisw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFZTAfgMdyzrQ_yn960yOm96aSD HvPkN2VISlBg%3BFdCvbQMd5g3G_yl3W3fWHYGFSDEgV3DcGWg MEw%3BFYbFagMd4OjI_w%3BFaRxZQMdXk_M_yk_ZmdYweaFSDG 7l5Llw1_KAQ%3BFXN1YQMdE7XE_ymhlunqLq-ISDGACsLJBqs7Dg%3BFfNWXQMdxTrG_ylPmHmG-p6ISDF3NAj78Y5aAA%3BFRSMXAMdsOnA_ynPjGaOeJOISDFW5k d5KXCKpw%3BFbK_WQMdbwS9_ymr_HBuU_eISDHXLkZhqVqkBw% 3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=8&via=1,2,4,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,14,15&t=m&z=8

[littleoldman2]

Here's what I am planning to do in the 1st week of April.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314014,-5.4842941+to:57.28829,-5.64932+to:A87+to:57.43488,-5.5903+to:57.6963194,-5.6566965+to:58.1152513,-4.9673673+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6384847,-3.1306778+to:57.52008,-3.79753+to:High+St%2FB9102+to:56.9798763,-3.3875545+to:56.718707,-3.8858052+to:56.4487557,-3.7860439+to:56.39682,-4.13448+to:56.2134266,-4.3897772+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=56.938981,-3.883667&spn=1.522383,5.410767&sll=57.11835,-4.141846&sspn=1.470256,5.410767&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Ul_WAMd-lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFWImagMdWMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx 3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFQBjbAMd5LKq_yld9KYd tYiOSDE0r30VsHvlpw%3BFT9gcAMdiK-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFbPEdgMdOTS0_ykpLxQ3 utKPSDGAj8H-Xbeisw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFZTAfgMdyzrQ_yn960yOm96aSD HvPkN2VISlBg%3BFdCvbQMd5g3G_yl3W3fWHYGFSDEgV3DcGWg MEw%3BFYbFagMd4OjI_w%3BFaRxZQMdXk_M_yk_ZmdYweaFSDG 7l5Llw1_KAQ%3BFXN1YQMdE7XE_ymhlunqLq-ISDGACsLJBqs7Dg%3BFfNWXQMdxTrG_ylPmHmG-p6ISDF3NAj78Y5aAA%3BFRSMXAMdsOnA_ynPjGaOeJOISDFW5k d5KXCKpw%3BFbK_WQMdbwS9_ymr_HBuU_eISDHXLkZhqVqkBw% 3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=8&via=1,2,4,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,14,15&t=m&z=8

Green with envy

[Bibio]

Here's what I am planning to do in the 1st week of April.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314014,-5.4842941+to:57.28829,-5.64932+to:A87+to:57.43488,-5.5903+to:57.6963194,-5.6566965+to:58.1152513,-4.9673673+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6384847,-3.1306778+to:57.52008,-3.79753+to:High+St%2FB9102+to:56.9798763,-3.3875545+to:56.718707,-3.8858052+to:56.4487557,-3.7860439+to:56.39682,-4.13448+to:56.2134266,-4.3897772+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=56.938981,-3.883667&spn=1.522383,5.410767&sll=57.11835,-4.141846&sspn=1.470256,5.410767&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Ul_WAMd-lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFWImagMdWMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx 3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFQBjbAMd5LKq_yld9KYd tYiOSDE0r30VsHvlpw%3BFT9gcAMdiK-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFbPEdgMdOTS0_ykpLxQ3 utKPSDGAj8H-Xbeisw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFZTAfgMdyzrQ_yn960yOm96aSD HvPkN2VISlBg%3BFdCvbQMd5g3G_yl3W3fWHYGFSDEgV3DcGWg MEw%3BFYbFagMd4OjI_w%3BFaRxZQMdXk_M_yk_ZmdYweaFSDG 7l5Llw1_KAQ%3BFXN1YQMdE7XE_ymhlunqLq-ISDGACsLJBqs7Dg%3BFfNWXQMdxTrG_ylPmHmG-p6ISDF3NAj78Y5aAA%3BFRSMXAMdsOnA_ynPjGaOeJOISDFW5k d5KXCKpw%3BFbK_WQMdbwS9_ymr_HBuU_eISDHXLkZhqVqkBw% 3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=8&via=1,2,4,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,14,15&t=m&z=8

thats roughly what i want to do at some point this year but depends if i can get the time off to do it :confused:

[andrewsmith]

Here's what I am planning to do in the 1st week of April.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kilmun,+dunoon&daddr=56.1314014,-5.4842941+to:57.28829,-5.64932+to:A87+to:57.43488,-5.5903+to:57.6963194,-5.6566965+to:58.1152513,-4.9673673+to:Kyle+Of+Tongue+to:58.6384847,-3.1306778+to:57.52008,-3.79753+to:High+St%2FB9102+to:56.9798763,-3.3875545+to:56.718707,-3.8858052+to:56.4487557,-3.7860439+to:56.39682,-4.13448+to:56.2134266,-4.3897772+to:kilmun,+dunoon&hl=en&ll=56.938981,-3.883667&spn=1.522383,5.410767&sll=57.11835,-4.141846&sspn=1.470256,5.410767&geocode=FXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA%3BF Ul_WAMd-lCs_ylHmW-P136JSDGhNBObHWgMEw%3BFWImagMdWMyp_ylP40SNVpqOSDGx 3XTcGWgMEw%3BFU4magMdFMqp_w%3BFQBjbAMd5LKq_yld9KYd tYiOSDE0r30VsHvlpw%3BFT9gcAMdiK-p_ykrf941WWWOSDFgYxviGWgMEw%3BFbPEdgMdOTS0_ykpLxQ3 utKPSDGAj8H-Xbeisw%3BFUZtfAMduyu8_ykt-HqP3xmQSDGApKo7GmgMKg%3BFZTAfgMdyzrQ_yn960yOm96aSD HvPkN2VISlBg%3BFdCvbQMd5g3G_yl3W3fWHYGFSDEgV3DcGWg MEw%3BFYbFagMd4OjI_w%3BFaRxZQMdXk_M_yk_ZmdYweaFSDG 7l5Llw1_KAQ%3BFXN1YQMdE7XE_ymhlunqLq-ISDGACsLJBqs7Dg%3BFfNWXQMdxTrG_ylPmHmG-p6ISDF3NAj78Y5aAA%3BFRSMXAMdsOnA_ynPjGaOeJOISDFW5k d5KXCKpw%3BFbK_WQMdbwS9_ymr_HBuU_eISDHXLkZhqVqkBw% 3BFXxXVgMdN8y0_yk_JolKD6SJSDE55aURfjS4EA&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=8&via=1,2,4,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,14,15&t=m&z=8

Jealous?
Yep!

[SIII]

Your all welcome to join me! Leavin Dunoon on Tuesday morning, stoppin at Stromeferry, Durness and Granton on Spey.

[carelesschucca]

Your a brave man inviting us lot to come and annoy you.

[SIII]

More the merrier! I was supposed to be doing this with my brother-in-law but he's been forced to go to Cuba! Idiot!

So I am not going to cancel, fancied doing a wee tour since i got into bikes, so i am not going to cancel. Bit nervous going all that way by myself, but I enjoy riding wether with folk or without.

Going to go thru' google maps today and print out route for the sections I don't know - mainly from Granton-on-spey back to Loch lomond.\\:D/

[TheRamJam]

don't want to jinx you but make sure you have the appropriate breakdown cover

oh and make sure you take plenty of pics :-)

Good Luck!

[quikstu]

Defo recommend Applecross, North to South though for the best views.

Anyway I stay in the Glasgow area and every year do a 3 or 4 day trek with two pals.

Last year we did Glasgow to Ullapool, then Ullapool to Dornoch which took us to Cape Wrath (Top left of Scotland), then east across the very top of the country to John O'Groats (brilliant road) then south to Dornoch but ensure you go down the east side of lochness from Inverness. Then we went back across to Glasgow. Three days of bliss, bike n beer.

Isle of Skye too is a great trip and great roads and get the ferry from the south side of the island back to the mainland then back into Fort William but make sure you fule up in Skye as the petrol station on the mainland at the ferry terminal is the last before Fort William - my mate limped in on his R1.

Enjoy whatever you do.
Oh, and make sure you take waterproofs!!!!!!!!!

[SIII]

Waterproofs - touring Scotland! Im wearing a wetsuit with snorkel! LOL

:notworthy:An i thought I was the only daft eejit bothering to support the Saints! I even travelled all the way up to the last game at Love Street.:smt042

[Tiger 55]

An i thought I was the only daft eejit bothering to support the Saints
Christ, there's two of them! ;)

[-Ralph-]

Nice loop there Bib! Nicer loop there SIII!

[Dicky Ticker]

I know the lone wolf travels fastest but don't overstretch yourself by doing 300+ mile days,you are on holiday so enjoy it once you are up there. Having done umpteen tours over the last decade,especially once you are on the single track roads I find my intended journey times seem to be a bit longer than planned,be it stopping for photographs,watch wildlife or a snack,even the weather can make for a harder days riding. Only my opinion but you miss so much having to crack on to reach your overnighter.Then again if it is purely for the thrill of the ride be prepared for the odd surprise---------------but the main thing is ENJOY whatever your intention.


P.S. I bet you end up going back,I come from there and spend 7-10days touring twice a year ,once on the bike[roughing it] and then with my lady in the car[posh B&Bs] and i still find things I have never seen before.

[Black Rider]

All of this sounds/looks amazing! I couldn't get to sleep last night because I was busy reading this post n checking out all the routes. Having done my first tour in 2010 I'm keen to explore new/interesting areas and Scotland is something I've heard a lot about but never spent any time in the countryside up there. Looking at those routes it definitely looks like it's worth taking a few days out to go n explore up there n get a taster for it.
However, having just sold my sv (needed the cash and now gutted I sold her) it looks like it'll be a while - unless I get insured on a mates ;) It would've been perfect for this year if I had the bike too - I've just started seeing a girl who lives in Scotland, so that would've been ideal - definate motivation to save the pennies!
Thanks for such an interesting thread :thumbup:

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy using Tapatalk

[carelesschucca]

Do it! Get yourself a bike and come up for the GM. Its a nice we introduction to Scotland, the roads that will be used are great. You'll get to meet some of the mentalists up here too...

[Black Rider]

Haha, i'll try my best. There's a lot going on atm. Need better financial security atm before I can even think about looking at another bike (although that didn't stop me from going to the rocket centre 2day and Ooogling)

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