Scottish foccers

[locksmith]

If I were to spend around 4 days in your Alps like countryside, where should I go for great roads and what time of year for reasonable weather.

Would travel up in a van with bikes in the back and will need a nice hotel(s) that like bikes!

[bigbluebear]

West Coast is the only place to go, stunning roads and scenery......there have been a few foreign foccers who have crossed the border into this fine country of mine (and it is mine) and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

[mickvp]

If I were to spend around 4 days in your Alps like countryside, where should I go for great roads and what time of year for reasonable weather.

Would travel up in a van with bikes in the back and will need a nice hotel(s) that like bikes!

never

Seriously, good weather typically in july and august - HOWEVER, if you want to do some round the west coast of scotland and up north, you might want to hang off till later in august or even september. It will be a bit colder, and more chance of rain, but you wont need to deal with the midges anywhere near as much (not a massive concern if you arestaying in hotels/b&b's).

the fort william road is a must, and if you get far north enough, the applecross road is good (bealach na ba), if a bit hair raising

[bigralphie]

A82 onwards you can't miss   

[caretaker]

last year i went from west wales up past lomond, glencoe, fort william, missed skye, applecross and follow the coast, ullapool, lochinver loop and on to durness. back down via lairg, on thru inverness, stirling and home. 1700 miles in 3 days. there are plenty of campsites and B&Bs but also lots of tourists. enjoy. if youre looking for a base for the van, google torguish house, a biker friendly b&b just south of inverness. you could then do the above trip in reverse and loop back up past loch ness.

[Hiswitsend]

Would you be looking to park the van up and do 4 days on the bike, or have the van at a base and return to it. Also what daily mileage are you comfortable with?

[robby boy]

West coast is a must, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Ullapool, Poolewe, Fort William, Glencoe, Glenshee, Applecross are all great areas to explore, have not been North of Bonar bridge on the bike but would recommend any of these roads.

[nsr500v4]

A tour of the scottish coast is well worth it, just pick some god weather 

[adeejaysdelight]

As the others say, West coast and North. Avoid "high" summer. The midges are a foccin nightmare. Google "the Scottish midge". The west coast is my stomping ground, and most of the roads are great. However, unlike doon south, you can't see round most of the bends, lots of them get VERY tight, there can be sun on one side of a bend and ice on the other and sometimes there are random traffic lights with no warning due to the road narrowing (usually for an old bridge).


Camping is a good shout and we are known for our hospitality the world over, so any trip advisor or booking.com recommended hotel or B & B will be fine for you and your bike.

[midden]

West Coast is the only place to go, stunning roads and scenery......there have been a few foreign foccers who have crossed the border into this fine country of mine (and it is mine) and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

HAHAHA How will you be voting 

[bigbluebear]

United we stand...divided we fall

[locksmith]

Would you be looking to park the van up and do 4 days on the bike, or have the van at a base and return to it. Also what daily mileage are you comfortable with?

Good question, we usually park the van up at a hotel and do day trips returning to the base for food and beer!
A couple of nights in one place and moving on to another area is ok.

Usually leave after brekkie around 9.30 and like to get back for 5 or 6pm.

We usually go southwards to the Alps etc but I'm trying to put the case forward for heading north!

Me and biting insects aren't the best of pals

Thanks for the suggestions so far

[Looney tune]

If you fancy doing it in two parts i.e. 2 days in the highlands and 2 days in Dumfries and Galloway / Borders then let me know as my boss owns this hotel and I'm pretty sure I can sort you out a good rate for rooms, safe parking. The village of Thornhill is very bike friendly and a great base for going east and west on some great routes for bikes.


Sorry link no workie. It's the Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms hotel.

[budgiemurray]

Crowd of 9 of us (including 3 fazer thou's) off to orkney for the may bank holiday this year. On the way back its the north and west coasts before returning home to the Borders.. we do the west coast a few times a year and love it..
Just be prepared for all wrathers and itll be fine. Even had snow and gales last year and it was still enjoyable

[caretaker]

to combat the midges, get a bottle of Avon, Skin so Soft. but put it on a few hours before you hit the road. it takes a while to absorb. dont ask me how i know...

[locksmith]

Great looking hotel Looney, I could eat everything on the menu!

[Grandma]

West Coast is the only place to go, stunning roads and scenery......there have been a few foreign foccers who have crossed the border into this fine country of mine (and it is mine) and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
May & September best times to avoid midges and crowded roads near popular places. Stayed at Inverardran House on A85 at Crianlarich, just down the road from Green Welly for years after doing Scottish National Rally, biker friendly, nothing too much trouble crept in at 4am one year after finishing rally, well placed for all the best bikey roads   Good value and fabulous breakfasts, pub across the road for evening meals, check out their website [/color][/size]http://www.inverardran.co.uk/ [/color]

[Looney tune]

Great looking hotel Looney, I could eat everything on the menu!

Menu changes quite a bit and all the game comes off the estate i work on and is seasonal fresh. Its a good place and surrounded with very good roads, locals are friendly too.

[Oldgit]

stay away from Dumfries & Galloway--the have a history of eating people--Sawney Bean's family relatives still live there, and possibly related to Russ.   

[locksmith]

Cheers guys, I'll do a bit of googling/mapping and check out some of your suggestions

[Hiswitsend]

Not had time at computer, but couple of roads not explicitly mentioned are the Laggan road (Newtonmore to Fort William) think it's the A86, links up well when going from Blairgowrie to Braemar to Tomintoul then Granton on Spey down to aviemore / Newtonmore (keeping off the A9).

Also Glasgow, Arrochar, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Oban and ending with a sensational piece of road from Oban to Tyndrum, the last ten miles is particularly sublime smooth, smooth tarmac and swoopy road ; heaven

[Grandma]

Not had time at computer, but couple of roads not explicitly mentioned are the Laggan road (Newtonmore to Fort William) think it's the A86, links up well when going from Blairgowrie to Braemar to Tomintoul then Granton on Spey down to aviemore / Newtonmore (keeping off the A9).

Also Glasgow, Arrochar, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Oban and ending with a sensational piece of road from Oban to Tyndrum, the last ten miles is particularly sublime smooth, smooth tarmac and swoopy road ; heaven

Couldn't agree more

[brooker81]

locksmith look here or maybe loch here

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8108.msg79837.html#msg79837

did the trip last year was soooo lucky with weather.

[esetest]

Glen nevis campsite near Fort William have lodges as well as good camping facilities , it's a great base to travel out from , you could get to Isle of Skye , Lochness , John o Groats , Stirling , Glencoe , Inverness , all doable there and back in a day .