Thoughts on a route to ride in the Highlands

Mohawk

Mohawk

New member
I'm planning a trip to the Highlands and would appreciate ideas on a route.

I've some days planned but just ideas for others

Day 1 Norwich to Kendal
Day 2 Kendal to Drovers Inn, Loch Lomond
Day 3 ? to ?
Day 4 ? to ?
Day 5 ? to Aberdeen
Day 6 Aberdeen to Edinburgh

Day 3 considering Loch Lomond to Ullapool. Would it be possible to do this via Applecross?

Day 4 Would be nice to fit in a stop just outside Lairg where I was born.

I'm arranging the trip for myself and someone else, so it would be great to make this the best it could be. I'll also need to allow loads of time to stop for photos!

Are there any places or roads which you'd consider a 'must'? Also my mate only passed her test end of last year, how challenging is the road to Applecross?

Would really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.
 
perth to crieff to lochearnhead to crainlarich to oban to fort william to skye to inverness to aberdeen.....not all in the same day though..
defo recomened that route....great biking roads ..and i mean great!
 
lol that pretty much is my 'one day' run! but go forfar / kirrie / blair / dunkeld / sma glen / crieff cos i am not starting in norwich!
 
You are spolit for choice heading up here.
First thing is how long do you want to be riding in a day?
Roads up here are not like what you are probably used to. A lot of what you are considering is single track and you will be doing 40mph tops on a lot of it.
Yes you can do the trip to Ullapool via Applecross over the Bealach but it is close on 300 miles from Loch Lomond.
If you averaged 50mph (and that is optimistic) that is 6 hours in the saddle plus stops and you have an 8/9 hour ride.
The logical route is Loch Lomond and head west and North.
Around the top via Durness and back down to Lairg.
How much ground you cover is dependant on your stamina.
The roads are not challenging and are best taken at an easy pace to enjoy the views etc.
Generally the views get better the further North you head.
Personally I would lenghten day 2 to stop further North as Kendal to Loch Lomond is an easy run of about 3 hours. If you could do that the trip via Applecross and the following day to Lairg is a logical one and has stunning scenery.
Lairg to Aberdeen is easily done in a day and you should take the road via Tomintoul rather than the main A96. Much better scenery and a lot less traffic.
Lots of folk here will have lots of ideas but I wouldn't get too ambitious to cover all the roads in the time you have available.
I am a gnat's whatsit from Lairg so if you need any more suggestions for detailed routes or help with places to stay drop me a pm. :)
 
OK guys, I did the research... the guy's got an MHR (MHR sounds like something you pick up in NHS hospitals), my guess is he's wanting a balance of scenery, flowing roads and petrol stations.

I would suggest this:

Glasgow M8 - over Erskine Bridge and down to Loch Lomond
From Loch Lomond take the "Military Road" (I'll get the exact road number). This is a VERY fast moving road, if I was stupid enough and had a total disrespect for the law then last June I could have taken my DUCATI MOTORCYCLE over this at 150+. Great views of the Loch. At the other end the view over the submarine base is great - you might get lucky and see a boat coming home.

From here you take the road to ARROCHAR - OMG. The road up the side of the Loch is just a ROLLER COASTER. The bike will have BOTH wheels off the deck at anything above 60. Best road in the world ever !!!

From Arrochar you'll stop for a p1ss and a cuppa... great views up the Loch here too.

The next bit is Arrochar to Inverary. This can only be described as the Argyll Moto GP. You can go as fast or a slow as you want - fun either way. Scenery is awesome, so at 60 you'll be having fun and taking in the views.

Stop at the Rest and Be Thankful. Views down the glen and a crackin burger van.

Once you are at Inverary the choices are to head to Oban and Fort William or to head towards Tyndrum and Stirling. All this can be done in a day EASY.
 
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Dash - you have a Desmosedici? Wow! Why didn't you say before?

To the OP - sorry for that. Arrochar to Inverary is indeed a fine road but to say you can take it at any speed is just silly. It is probably the most heavily policed road on summer weekends, both on the road itself and speed traps set in disguise everywhere. Helicopters too.

Have a look at www.bestbikingroads.com for some good information. A multitude of knowledge on there.

Desmo talks sense, it's his backyard after all.

Depending on timings if you want some company I could run with you from here up to the borders area. Local knowledge and all that.

Peter
 
Think you may find the "guy" isn't a "guy" .;)
Old age is affecting your eyesight!!:lol2:

From the "quines" initial plans the problem is still doing the Bealach etc with an overnight stop at Loch Lomond.
I agree if the stop is moved to Fort William or Oban then it would all drop into place.
It might be better to skip the Loch Lomond stop on the way up and if necessary do that on the way back from Aberdeen/Edinburgh etc.
 
Folks thanks ever so much for your ideas.

You know you're right about making the 1st stop further North than Loch Lomond. The reason we planned a stop at Loch Lomond was we heard the Drovers Inn was a great night out with traditional music etc.

If we changed plans to stop further north on the Saturday night have you any suggestions for a pub with traditional Scottish hospitality?

Really appreciate your help
 
One of my google maps with cafes/hotels marked here

Do you want a route for day 2 avoiding motorways? have you sorted a hotel in Kendal?

If you can be bothered I added one of our tours starting in penrith to triptracker, route/photos should give you a few ideas :)
 
Mohawk said:
I'm planning a trip to the Highlands and would appreciate ideas on a route.

I've some days planned but just ideas for others

Day 1 Norwich to Kendal
.....

Would really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm looking to do something similar from Edinburgh this summer camping and hostelling if your looking for company?

My thoughts on the routes were:

Edinburgh to Kyle of Lochalsh
Kyle...to Durness via Applecross (or is that too long a day?)
Then to John O'Groats
Then to Lochend
Then Ballater
Back to Edinburgh

Still planning but I intend to take 5 or 6 days and flexible on routes.

Anyone have thoughts on the route or distances?

Cheers

R
 
Is Lochend as in Loch Ness?
If each place mentioned is a night stop then no not too long.
Durness to John o Groats is a very short day though!
You can easily do your route in 5/6 days and you could afford to take "diversions" to make the most of your time without going daft on huge mileages.
You have the advantage of starting a lot further North than Mohawk and could if you want cover more ground.
How about a wee trip into Skye on the way past?
If I can be of any help give me a shout. :)
 
239desmo said:
Is Lochend as in Loch Ness?
If each place mentioned is a night stop then no not too long.
Durness to John o Groats is a very short day though!
You can easily do your route in 5/6 days and you could afford to take "diversions" to make the most of your time without going daft on huge mileages.
You have the advantage of starting a lot further North than Mohawk and could if you want cover more ground.
How about a wee trip into Skye on the way past?
If I can be of any help give me a shout. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks,

Yes, loch Ness on the way back, as I want to go North on the West Coast. I was toying with Skye, but I was also thinking I'd like to play a round of Golf at Durness (well 9 holes)!

I may take you up on that shout!:)

R
 
239desmo said:
Can't wait to see the pictures of an SC with a set of golf clubs bungeed to it! :lol2:
Click to expand...

Not the best bike for luggage...well the worst I've ever had to be honest! I'm going to take my CB1000R, a little better but not much! I used to carry golf clubs on my CBF600, no problems accross the back seat and panniers, but I think I'll hire clubs this time!

Will take the SC to the masher though, I'll just about be able to carry some underwear, a tooth brush and hang-over cure!:thumbs:

R
 
Gimme a shout if you need any secure parking once in Kendal - I am sure I can help you out.

Mikey - what was the route we did, that was great and the OP's brief sounds similar ?

Hi everyone - its been a while !
 
rmarinel said:
I'm looking to do something similar from Edinburgh this summer camping and hostelling if your looking for company?

My thoughts on the routes were:

Edinburgh to Kyle of Lochalsh
Kyle...to Durness via Applecross (or is that too long a day?)
Then to John O'Groats
Then to Lochend
Then Ballater
Back to Edinburgh

Still planning but I intend to take 5 or 6 days and flexible on routes.

Anyone have thoughts on the route or distances?

Cheers

R
Click to expand...

Renato,

Why don't you come on the Highland Fling ?. That'll give you a few ideas for trips, and another Sportclassic would add nicely to the bass section of Terry Mignoni's Rolling Thunder Orchestra ,

DB
 
borderduc said:
Renato,

Why don't you come on the Highland Fling ?. That'll give you a few ideas for trips, and another Sportclassic would add nicely to the bass section of Terry Mignoni's Rolling Thunder Orchestra ,

DB
Click to expand...

I would have liked to, but I'm on holiday with my good lady.....can't complain though, as we're off to Japan for a fortnight!:D:D:D
 
Mo,
Here's the route me and my mate Aldo did last year, from Glasgow in 1 day. Best ride out I've ever had, as I spent all my summers in Aultbea as a kid :) . We also stopped at Badachro, there's a nice wee pub in the bay, and the chance to spot Jay Kay :)
The A82 Loch Lomond all the way past fort bill to Invergarry. Turn left onto the A87 and run to-wards Kyles of Lochalsh.
At Auchertyre hang a right onto the A890 to Loch Carron. When you leave Loch Carron the road is now the A896. 2 miles later was the Pass of the Cattle to Applecross on the left, which we went up and back down.
We stayed on the A896 to Kinlochewe, then turned left onto the A832 all the way to Aultbea. We came back a slightly different route, we stayed on the A832 to Achnasheen then tuned right onto the A890 towards Loch Carron.
Stewart.
 
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