old - Fazer Owners Club - old
General => General => Topic started by: phil on a fazer on 17 July 2012, 01:41:40 pm
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Hi
I'm planning a trip to Scotland at the end of September. I will be travelling from Worcestershire to Ullapool to meet up with some peeps. I've roughly planned a trip but I'm looking for as much info as I can.
Going to travel up from Worcestershire to Dumbarton on the first day, M5 & M6 motorway then I will get off and go via Dumfries, Kilmarnock before hitting the M77. (I HATE motorways so I thought this would break up the journey?)
Then Dumbarton up past Loch Lomond, A83 to Inveraray, A85 to have a look at Oban then North up to Fort William. I might keep going (especially if the weather is bad) up to Inverness (meant to be nice?)
Then up to Applecross, or across if I end up in Inverness. The Applecross loop is 34miles (ish), how long realistically does it take to ride the loop?
This is where my plans get (even more) vague. :o
I want to go to harris & Lewis so was thinking of camping on Skye after Applcross. Then catching the ferry (early in the morn) over to Tarbet which I believe to be £13. Then heading back from Stornaway to Ullapool the day after (but in the afternoon) which I believe to be £21.
Every one says that Harris & Lewis are beautiful. My mate says I shouldn’t bother going over unless spending a good few days there, but I don’t have the time…plus its more of an adventure if a boat is involved. :)
Going to spend a rest day in Ullapool, is there anything really there? (I will know some people there mind ya)
Next day it's off for a circular ride along Durness & the north coast.
Then it’s the home leg. Thinking of going from Ullapool, past Inverness to Elgin. Then south to Perth through the Cairngorms Nation Park (the road that goes via Tomintol & Braemar). I will stay somewhere between Perth and Stirling.
Then motorway back down to Worcestershire.
I would love to spend 2 or 3 weeks and fully explore but I don’t have the time so I'm looking at making the most of my trip and seeing some great views, towns, beaches, roads (some gravel tracks would be nice as im taking my Tenere).
Would also like to go to a Whiskey Distillery, any recommendations? Went to the scotch experience in Edinburgh, but that was a tasting and I will be on my bike. :'(
Any advice would be great. Cheap places to stay? Towns to vist? Roads to ride? Realsitc mileage per day……anything!!
Thanks
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phil
if you hate motorways, why not head up the coast through largs / inverkip / greenock to get to the erskine bridge and then over to Loch Lomond and beyond
(http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?action-media;sa=media;in=500)
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I would say head west out of Fort William to Mallaig, take the ferry across to Skye.
The A830 along the coast is one of the nicest roads I've ever been on, this just a day after the A82!
(looking at your route, I can't tell if you're going along this route... if you are, then carry on ;) )
The road from Fort William to Inverness is really good, but when I went, (about this time of year 2009) there were loads of coaches and not many safe overtaking places (2 up + luggage taken in to account) and while the GF enjoyed it, I found myself getting quite frustrated I couldn't enjoy it, always looking to do more than 30... and not wanting to be behind a wide load with wide loads coming the other way, on narrow roads.
The north loop to Durness is lovely too (in tough biker way) if you're up there for any length of time, take a peak in Smoo cave for a nice 15 mins of the bikes
So yeah, a lot of blabber about not much at all
Tom
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Ferry across from Castle Leven to Dunoon - then onto Inveraray. Lancaster hotel in Oban is a good stop, bit old and dated but they have a swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi - perfect to revive tired bods. Great breakfast all at about £30 a night.
As TJT says the road from Fort William to Mallaig is a decent road, especially when you get on the new part. If you are camping there is a superb spot on the beach just outside of Mallaig.
On Skye you must go see the Quiraing and the Old man of Storr - outstanding scenery.
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i wasnt planning on going to Mallaig because it looked out of my way as i wanted to get to Applecross...but you say theres a ferry to Skye??? how much?
b3tarev3: hotel sounds good, whats Oban its self like? im looking for cheap accomadtion as i will camp half & B&B the other half (or use cmaping pods). i just wish there was more cheap accomadtion as when your on your own paying £55 a night is steep
Im just worried about Mileage. im no "iron Butt" rider, i like to enjoy my tours at a nice pace. but its hard to plan as we all know 100 miles on one road could take the same time as 25 miles on another. really want to find some back roads seems im on my Tenere...crappier the better, none of this lovely black asphalt that the Fazer craves :D
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phil, google Cal Mac for the ferry prices. Its a short crossing. Then scoot up Skye, and as you head towards the bridge at Kyle of Localsh (to get back to mainland), keep an eye out for a wee road heading off on the right to Kylerhea - that tiny ferry there is awesome, and it saves you having to look at the hideous bridge. Some great little roads both sides of the ferry, linking to the main roads too ;) Make sure there a sign for hte ferry at the turning off the A87 (it runs when the guys turn up, which is most of the time :lol :lol )
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=kylerhea&daddr=Skye+Ferry+Filling+Station,+Armadale&hl=en&ll=57.183902,-5.559082&spn=0.384033,1.352692&sll=57.226764,-5.676327&sspn=0.023974,0.084543&geocode=Fe0qaQMdx3Wp_ynbi6mSapmOSDE5HvejFxBtTw%3BFW-zZgMdhOyl_ymbYePhpB6MSDGL_2bXcQTibQ&t=h&mra=ls&z=10
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Dont have to take ferry you can go across the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh A87 and when you come back call in Loch Carron (up th A890) beautiful scenery good road and cracking hotel (B&B). Stop there then applecross just up the road :) Sorted
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Talisker whisky distillery on Skye too mmm my personal favourite yum yum yum
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Phil
you look to be doing similar to the route i did a couple of years ago, but in reverse.
I did around 1250 miles in 4 days and wouldn't want to do many more. In the saddle most of the day to do that!....it's not motorway miles.
If the weather is kind i would also recommend the ferry to Dunoon. it's a break for the butt and nice roads at the other side, i think it was only a couple of quid. I met a fazer rider on board from glasgow area who used the ferry as a shortcut to the 'decent roads.
The road back over the Cairngorms is interesting and good for the bike. Breamar is a good stop for a bite if you hit it at the right time.
D
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Taking the ferry to Dunoon is a good idea, it gets you away from the traffic.
Or you could go mad and take the ferry to Arran, maybe even spend a night or two there, Arran is lovely. If Whisky is a priority then take the ferry from Arran onto the Mull of Kintyre, then get the Ferry to Islay and check in for a couple of nights. Hire a push bike and start peddling round the distilleries, or bus and hitch.
Harris and Lewis are cracking, and yeah I can easy spend a week or two out there, but with the RET (Road Equivalent Tariff) that has been in place the last few years there's no reason not to take a quick peak.
You could go from Oban to Barra, and wander right up the outer Hebrides, you'd love it. Though bear in mind ferry charges between islands (only applies mainland to Island and back) are not RET rates.
Or go Uig to Lochmaddy and spend a couple of nights on Berneray - a day walking round this wee island is a must. It's my favourite place in the world, and there's a cracking wee hostel (no booking allowed) right on the shore.
Really just wander where you fancy. A lot of the places you have mentioned I can spend time there exploring and going back again to explore more. Round about Durness is beautiful for example.
They have had a fantastic summer up North, though the farmers and crofters are having a hard time due to the almost total lack of rain.
The Hostel at Berneray;
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2383/2866096240_5197130c75.jpg)
The beaches on Harris are amazing
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3369/3441698649_487b45e224.jpg)
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There are distilleries in Oban and Fort William (they are on your main route), If you come over the Elgin way you are right in the middle of Speyside, (malt whisky country), over here we got some great distilleries to tour, Glen Moray in Elgin, Glen Grant in Rothes, Cardhu in Knockando, (other brands available :pokefun ), I personally would allow myself 3 or 4 days on the West coast as the roads and scenery are spectacular. (Also remember there is no such thing as a good whisky, there is only some better than others, and the ones recommended above are personal favorites of mine :lol )
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The best thing to do when you get to Fort William is to keep on riding, it's a shithole. Fort Augustus much nicer. Have a little diversion to Kinlochleven, cracking road.
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Hi Phil, I know you say time is an issue ( how many days) but going by some of these posts you will be up here for months :lol .
My area is Dumfries & Galloway, an unknown gem for many bikers. If I am not working the day you hit Dumfries I can meet you in Thornhill (if you want company) and sort out some food. Depending on your time restraints I can take you to Drumlanrigg Castle for some good photos of your bike with castle in background. Leave there and go up the Dalveen pass to Elvanfoot, then across to Leadhills, then Wanlockhead (highest village in Scotland) then rejoin the Kilmarnock road (A76) just bellow Sanquhar, an hour tops for this and the roads/scenery are well worth it. Sanquhar - Kilmarnock in Approx 30 min.
Alternative route but a wee bit longer would be, Thornhill, Moniaive, Carsphairn, Dalmelington, Ayr, Kilmarnock. Lovely roads but not quite the scenery but still good. The bonus to look at on this route is the Galloway forest park with lots of well maintained forest tracks. I know a good number of people on the XRV forum go there to 'play' every year, but you would need to contact the Forestry Commition for permission first. The only snag with that would be probably having to stay somewhere for the night.
Let me know what you do anyway as I would join you from Thornhill to Kilmarnock anyway.
Russ :)
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wow....thanks for this! lots to think about now. :eek
Think im going Sunday morning up to Dumbarton. Need to be at Ullapool either Thursday evening or Fri morning. Then Leaving Ullapool for worcester Sunday (would like to go via Cairngorms as i will be heading up on the west coast).
Just found out theres no Ferry from Uig to Tarbet on Wednesday morn! :'( might need to cross Tue evening, at least i got some more time on the Island.
The above means i will need to camp somewhere closer to Skye, say the A87 from Fort Augustus to Dornie. any recomendations?
If i go Dunoon - Inveraray - towards Oban - fortwilliam it means i will miss Loch Lomond? When ever you talk about Scotalnd the words "Loch Lomond" & "applecross" all ways pop up. is it worth missing it?
I like Whiskey, fan of Glen Moray. will be on bike though so if a tour is half the time spent tasting then theres no point. Just interested in the process. (and buying a bottle for the night)
i will put up a rough route and a break down of my daily plans / mileages. it might sound like im trying to Rush through scotland but im not, just trying to get a good flavour.
Keep it coming guys, this is a massive help. Thank you ;)
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I would miss out the A83 Oban road and take the A82 lomond side up through Glen Coe, refuel in Fort William and head up through Glen Garry and Glen Shiel ( beware the wild goats and ponies on the road ), I am only a mile or so from your route on the A76 PM me nearer the time if im not working i would keep you company for some of it, unless you had something specific to stop for in Dumbarton another hour or so would take you up to a campsite at the DROVERS (google it) in Inverarnan on lomond side, if you're heading for torridon check STEVE CARTER for some nice pics of the area
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turn round at hadrians wall there all foreign up north :rollin
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turn round at hadrians wall there all foreign up north :rollin
but you might see this sign if you keep your eyes open :)
(http://www.iccile.co.uk/23887130_7045581759.jpg)
:lol :lol :lol
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:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
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Sorry to be pedantic, I guess someone had to :b
If you really want to visit a Whiskey distillery you will need to come to this side of the Irish Sea. Bushmills has a fine tour if you ever find yourself on the North Antrim coast! Oldest distillery in the world I think, stand to be corrected tho.
I'm sure you will find many fine Whisky distilleries in Scotland, none make Whiskey tho!
Sounds like you are going have a great adventure! Enjoy m8 :D :D :D
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I would miss out the A83 Oban road and take the A82 lomond side up through Glen Coe, refuel in Fort William and head up through Glen Garry and Glen Shiel ( beware the wild goats and ponies on the road ), I am only a mile or so from your route on the A76 PM me nearer the time if im not working i would keep you company for some of it, unless you had something specific to stop for in Dumbarton another hour or so would take you up to a campsite at the DROVERS (google it) in Inverarnan on lomond side, if you're heading for torridon check STEVE CARTER for some nice pics of the area
Would agree...
I'm from Spean Bridge originally. Loch lomond side is good, but plenty tourist coaches, better avoiding the Oban loop and going through Glenco and then to Skye via Invergarry. Great road up over the top. I would agree to go to Carbost in Skye for Talisker, the manager used to be a family friend when I was a kid so I spent most holidays up there... May have given me the redcurrant drinking problem!! One other option you may not have considered is the loop from Corran ferry (just past Onlich/Ballachulish) and then via Acharacle on the A861 before joining the A830 back to Mallaig. Plenty of it single track but very few tourists, some decent bits for a blast and great scenery... The options are endless of course!
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I would miss out the A83 Oban road and take the A82 lomond side up through Glen Coe, refuel in Fort William and head up through Glen Garry and Glen Shiel ( beware the wild goats and ponies on the road ), I am only a mile or so from your route on the A76 PM me nearer the time if im not working i would keep you company for some of it, unless you had something specific to stop for in Dumbarton another hour or so would take you up to a campsite at the DROVERS (google it) in Inverarnan on lomond side, if you're heading for torridon check STEVE CARTER for some nice pics of the area
One other option you may not have considered is the loop from Corran ferry (just past Onlich/Ballachulish) and then via Acharacle on the A861 before joining the A830 back to Mallaig.
thats looks good, any info on the little ferry crossing?
i heard the ride around Loch Leven is nice?
If i stayed near Loch Cluanie, would it be to much to do the apple cross loop then onto the Talisker distillier...AND catch the ferry in the evening from Uig? Still debating weather to do Harris & Lewis or just spend more time on Skye and the mainland.
i take it the main A roads are fast? (not that my fully laden Tenere 660 is!)
Bitfik: sorry mate, meant Whisky :) (i love Bushmills though!)
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corran ferry - just shuttles back and forth, roll up, wait your turn. Cheap and quick crossing, tis lovely over the other side :thumbup
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i just wish there was more cheap accomadtion as when your on your own paying £55 a night is steep
http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/ (http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/)
http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/accommodation-in-northern-scotland-map.php (http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/accommodation-in-northern-scotland-map.php)
http://www.syha.org.uk/ (http://www.syha.org.uk/)
http://www.gatliff.org.uk/ (http://www.gatliff.org.uk/)
Just interested in the process. (and buying a bottle for the night)
The only distillery left, as far as I am aware, where you can see literally the whole process is Springbank. From the fields on the Mull growing the organic barley, to the malting floors, the un-automated distillery process, the bond houses and the bottling plant. It's top notch stuff too, only available from Whisky retailers.
Most single malt distilleries buy in their ready malted barley, they distil it in their fully automated distillery, then tank it out. A good few have malting floors and mature on site. The only ones with bottling plants I can think of are Springbank (Campbelltown), and Bruichladdich (Islay), though Bruichladdich doesn't have a malting floors (as yet).
Might be worth a look on a Whisky forum for the best distilleries to visit, some tours are definitely better than others.
If you want a good bottle, and you are passing through Inverary, pop into Loch Fyne Whiskies, probably the best Whisky shop in the UK, and unlike other Whisky retailers they usually have good deals on, will help you choose a guid un and let you taste before you buy.
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Phil on a Fazer: No worries m8, glad you took it in the spirit in which it was intended! :)
Hope you do get to explore this area sometime in the future though, gimme a shout if you ever do!
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I would miss out the A83 Oban road and take the A82 lomond side up through Glen Coe, refuel in Fort William and head up through Glen Garry and Glen Shiel ( beware the wild goats and ponies on the road ), I am only a mile or so from your route on the A76 PM me nearer the time if im not working i would keep you company for some of it, unless you had something specific to stop for in Dumbarton another hour or so would take you up to a campsite at the DROVERS (google it) in Inverarnan on lomond side, if you're heading for torridon check STEVE CARTER for some nice pics of the area
One other option you may not have considered is the loop from Corran ferry (just past Onlich/Ballachulish) and then via Acharacle on the A861 before joining the A830 back to Mallaig.
thats looks good, any info on the little ferry crossing?
i heard the ride around Loch Leven is nice?
If i stayed near Loch Cluanie, would it be to much to do the apple cross loop then onto the Talisker distillier...AND catch the ferry in the evening from Uig? Still debating weather to do Harris & Lewis or just spend more time on Skye and the mainland.
i take it the main A roads are fast? (not that my fully laden Tenere 660 is!)
Bitfik: sorry mate, meant Whisky :) (i love Bushmills though!)
Corran ferry runs throughout the day and into early evening in summer, if you missed it it would add another hour up to F/William, toward Mallaig and then loop around but that's adding a lot....
Loch Leven is a nice little loop, adds another 40mins or so, all depends what your time is like and how much off the beaten track you want.
If I was you I would not over-plan, you may be disappointed. If the weather is sh**e then it will slow you down and you may not fit in all the places you want. Main roads are fats but tourist laden in summer, particularly Oban/F/W/Inverness loop.
Towards Skye should be a bit quiter and of course you'll want a picture with eillan Donan castle (apologies for spelling, can't be bothered googling!)
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Just a suggestion for the beginning part of your trip but why use the M5/M6 , as an alternative use the A515 out of lichfield or go a little west and use the A49 both fairly good and fastish roads , a good way to avoid the dullness of the motorway
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about 45 mins up the road from loch cluanie their is a campsite at spien bridge from there applecross is about 1-2 hours away
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Thanks for all your info guys, been really quite at work (which is worrying) so have just spent all week planning my Scotland trip. My motto with tours is to plan plan plan…after all you don’t have to stick to it but it doesn’t hurt to have the knowledge.
I'm looking to see as much as I can but at a nice pace, ride different types of roads (not just A roads), see the main sights but also get off the beaten track and I don’t really want to have to ride the same road twice…I don’t want much!
I just plotted this in google, takes a minute to load though. (Ignore the points, there just in to help me plot the route). This map doesn’t include my motorway route up from Worcestershire.
http://goo.gl/maps/Eigy (http://goo.gl/maps/Eigy)
Route
Greenock – Dunoon ferry then inveraray, up to A82 then around Loch Leven.
Ive heard very mixed reviews about Dunoon to Inveraray though?
Would like to catch the Corran ferry then do the A861 up towards Fort William (but I will be on the opposite side of the water), then A830 to Mallaig for the ferry
Loop round Skye then use the Glenely to Kylerhea back to the main land, A87 up past Loch Ness to Inverness.
I know someone said to stay off the A road up past loch Ness and instead use the road on the east side of it (old military road, but is it rideable?)
Then head west on the A890 to Apple Cross and do the loop. This might seem a bit made as I've just come from Skye???
Then coast road up to Ullapool where I will be based for a few nights. From here do the Durness / Tongue loop.
Ullapool, across Inverness to Nairn. Then south through Cairngorms National Park towards Perth.
Perth through Crieff, A82 down through Loch Lomand…..then home.
I think that’s a good mix of big roads, small roads, towns, lochs, and ive put some small ferries in just for the adventure J any thoughts?
Really fancied going to Harris/Lewis but I've been reading lots of stuff on the net and I'm a little put off to be honest.
Thanks again for your input
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looks a looooooong and enjoyable route m8 - sincerely hope you get the weather for it.
ive heard there is a great campsite near Glencoe :
http://www.redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk/ (http://www.redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk/)
been highly recommended, but dont know if it fits with your plans.
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Looking good on the planning side, TBH I would miss the Loch Ness to Inverness bit out, and do the Applecross loop when you cpme off of Skye, if you want to see Urquhart Castle you can always cut back to Drumnadrochet from the Beauly side, (less tourists who are likely to be on your side of the road :eek ). This would give you more time to maybees go through the Cairngorms to Braemar and onto Pitlochry though Glenshee. Which I have still on my to do list.
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Last time I was in Ullapool there was a cafe around the back of where the car's line up to catch the ferry. If you stand with your back to the sea and face the carpark, walk through the carpark and up the ramp, go behind the shops to your right and it's about 30 yards down on the right. They sell a BIG slice of BLACK PUDDING in a bun!! Guaranteed to give you a heart attack!!! But delicious :)
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Dunno what route you intend to use to get to Castle Leven but i can highly recommend coming off the m way at Gretna, stop off at the Tesco's in Dumfries for fuel and a brew. carry on the A75 to where it meets the A712 take this and then the A713 up to Ayr, some great riding to be had just watch out for the odd timber lorry.
If you are wild camping there is a stunning spot with views to die for just outside of mallaig - there also just happens to be a toilet block 400 yds up the road!
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One point I'd make is plan your fuel stops - once you hit the more rural parts of Scotland (esp once north of Perth area), it isn't always easy to find fuel stations (esp if you're running late-ish or get behind schedule), and they can be expensive too - I were in Thurso a couple of months back and the fuel that far up was £1.44 / litre; by contrast, a motorway service station near Newcastle was £1.37 / litre (wouldn't like to say what it is atm) - allow for that in your budget, and a spare can might be a wise move too.
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Not sure on timings but past the Corran ferry, turn left not right and do the A861 out past Acharacle. Downside you miss Glenfinnan but upside is better roads. The first half or A861 from Corran is very twisty single track but from memory, surface not that great. If you have the time, the other way has better scenery as it passes by the sea lochs.
Don't stress though, either way is fine, I just personally think the Acharacle way is more into the wilds... Both ways will take you to Mallaig.
Good luck regardless.
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Just go where you fancy, you can't go wrong. And don't worry you can always pop back next year, and the year after that and.....
Ive heard very mixed reviews about Dunoon to Inveraray though?
I often use that route (I live in Largs). If I'm heading up the west coast that's the way I'll go. You can get half price tickets in the convience store in Gourock (not really worth bothering about for one crossing but good to know if you live round-about). The road is fine and it's lovely up past Loch Eck. It's a lovely area to wander about, you could extend it by wandering over to Clachan of Glendaruel, even pooping down to Colintraive to take a peak at possibly Scotland's shortest ferry crossing. Or ride over to Tighnabruaich and then take the ferry from Portavadie to Tarbert (top notch fish and chips in the cafe there) and head up to Oban from there. It's very quiet round these parts and there's some cracking bits of road, but the police also know lots of us bikers love it, so don't go daft, I got VASCARed heading up the Dunoon road a good few years back.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3345/4622850490_79b1459907.jpg)
Colintraive
You really should take a day or two off the bike. Get yer walkin shoes/boots on and chill out. Bikes can only show you so much, and it all flashes by way too quick.
Durness would be a good stop. Check out Sandwood Bay, Cape Wrath, wander up the wee hills behind the village, take a walk along the beach Faraid Beach;
Sandwood Bay;
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4815434209_35a7131906.jpg)
Scotland's most remote cafe, The Ozone Cafe at Cape Wrath;
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4079/4809491579_da9dcbe01c.jpg)
Meall Meadhonach (overlooking Durness)
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4080/4793564919_3ae6fd9f96.jpg)
Faraid Head Beach;
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4787444682_8e749c6bbf.jpg)
But really just wander where you fancy, don't worry about it, and don't try to plan every detail, just let things happen.
Really fancied going to Harris/Lewis but I've been reading lots of stuff on the net and I'm a little put off to be honest.
What's putting you off? I love the Outer Hebrides.
Oh I think petrol was 1.54 a litre back in June up at Durness. It's worth remembering that shop hours can be shorter in remote areas, and often everything is closed on a Sunday including petrol stations. There are some 24hr unmanned petrol pumps popping up here and there which can be very handy.
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Just go where you fancy, you can't go wrong. And don't worry you can always pop back next year, and the year after that and.....
thats the thing though...i want to see as much as poss in case i don't go back. i tend not to go back to places as theres so much world to explore. Only doing Scotland as I've done no euro trip this year, got two at least planned for next year :D
Some lovely photos, really cant wait to go. Looking forward to Durness & the north coast and also Skye.
You asked what i heard of Lewis?Harris? well...basically I've heard its beautiful BUT...the ferry Deck hands are idiots, it can get VERY windy, Stornaway is a pit, not overly friendly in the north. Plus if you go over you need more than 24hrs there which i wouldn't have. DISCLAIMER: these are not my views!
I'm planning on having some time off the bike on Skye and Ullapool...and maybe inverness if i go? also fancy the Glenlivet Distillery, after all its one of my favourite tipples.
Thanks
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I'm pretty much happy spending any free time I have exploring this wee country.
I'll probably never get round it all, and there's places I'll never tire of going back to.
They are a bit laid back on the ferry, but it's generally calm this time of year. But yeah if you want your bike strapped down properly you'll have to ask and persuade em. But really unless the weather is real bad your bike will be fine.
Yes it gets windy, but then again it's often much dryer than the mainland. They are suffering a drought this year.
Stornoway? Unless there's a music festival on or something, well Harris and Lewis are outstandingly beautiful and these are the biggest islands in Scotland, there's lots to see.
I've always founds folks very friendly. But it is a different world, and a different culture. And Sunday is taken very seriously. But yeah I've spent weeks out there over the years. And I'll be back some time.
I'd take time off on Skye or Ullapool rather than Inverness.
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Applecross is deceptive mate, I've done it. The roads are single track and covered in gravel and sheep shit and cattle grids. Leave yourself plenty of time. The roads are good to ride but you might need more time than you thought.
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Applecross is deceptive mate, I've done it. The roads are single track and covered in gravel and sheep shit and cattle grids. Leave yourself plenty of time. The roads are good to ride but you might need more time than you thought.
yeah I've heard that before, i think the whole of Scotland maybe the same though in terms of "time". I'll either be stopping all the time for photos...riding tiny time consuming lanes...or stuck behind caravans! :D
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if caravans hold you up on single track for more than a few passing places, just get on your horn. there are big signs telling foreigners/holiday makers to pull over for faster traffic, and a bike can travel a lot faster on these roads than others. give a wave of thanks after you pass though, and to anyone in the opposite direction that gives you right of way.
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And as you'll be a foreigner you'll be moving over when the locals come tearing up behind you.
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If you get the good weather it should be awesome, we couldn't see
anything for the rain in harris and Lewis. Another option is you could
boot along to Maliag and get an Island Hopper Ticket go to Skye, then
up to harris and Lewis, fuinishing in Stornaway and get the ferry to
Ullapool. Skye is beautiful but we unfortunately had to boot through
it due the the ferrys being gubbed and needing to get Harris quickly.
But then we wanted to do the Isle of Skye Brewery and the Stienn Inn ;)
Enjoy where ever you go its gorgous up there and take a camera ;)
Fuzzy