please help - Scotland advice wanted

[phil on a fazer]

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

[Lazarus]

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

[tomjimtom]

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

[b3tarev3]

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.

[phil on a fazer]

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 

[richfzs]

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=kyl...ra=ls&z=10

[keithfzs1000]

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

[keithfzs1000]

Talisker whisky distillery on Skye too mmm my personal favourite yum yum yum

[dickturpin]

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

[VNA]

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;




The beaches on Harris are amazing

[robby boy]

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 )

[dr bong]

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.

[Looney tune]

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 

[phil on a fazer]

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 

[t140]

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

[ddtwelve]

turn round at hadrians wall there all foreign up north  :rollin

[Lazarus]

turn round at hadrians wall there all foreign up north  :rollin

but you might see this sign if you keep your eyes open





:lol :lol :lol

[richfzs]

:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin

[Bitfik]

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     

[coansha]

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!