Scottish Road Trip Planning - Looking for pointers

[wheelbarrowman]

I'm planning a road trip around Scotland for 2-3 weeks in mid May.

I'm imagining a broadly clockwise circuit taking in the west highlands, Skye, Harris, Cairngorms, and back south towards Edinburgh.

My primary focus will be hitting up mountain biking spots.


We'll be travelling in old land rovers, and therefore I'm looking for interesting (e.g. scenic mountain roads). Narrow, steep, twisty all the better.

Obviously land rovers do open the possibility of following very poor roads, however, I understand the 'green lanes' aren't really a thing in Scotland.

I'm in the early stages of plotting out a route, so therefore any tips gratefully received.

Likewise, any routes to be avoided would also be gratefully received.

[sherman]

Look up the northcoast 500.
3 weeks ddriving in scotland you will have lapped the place 4 times or more

MTB fort william and glentress are both good

[Brads67]

After the borders, stick to the West and forget the NC500, just drive about.

Buy an Island hopper and do the Hebrides

[DCerebrate]

Borders - turn west at Duns (Jim Clark museum to be up and running?), Melrose, A708 to Moffat, up M74 then turn west to Leadhills, Thornhill, Newton Stewart, Glen Trool to Straiton, then along A70 back to the M74, or intriguing diversion from Muirkirk over to A71. North - coastal roads around Montrose / Stonehaven and Fettercairn to Banchory. Lewis / Harris if you have time. Highlands are great but v congested, and there is more to Scotland. Have a great trip whatever you decide!

[Order66]

Brads67 said:

After the borders, stick to the West and forget the NC500, just drive about.

This. The NC500 is some marketing bks that drives you round some really st bits of the north east and misses out some of the best bits of the west coast.

Stick to the west coast, and by coast, I mean take the roads where you can see the water - you won't go wrong.

[Brads67]

+1 absolutely this.

To be honest, I would drive onto Skye, have a look about, but ffs don't stay there. Turn round and turn left after Kyle of Lochalsh and be treated to the best drive in Scotland up to Strathcarron and Applecross.

[GetCarter]

Lots of very good mountain biking tracks around here (Torridon). Speak to the activities bloke by the Torridon Inn, who'll point you in the right direction.

FYI: https://www.thetorridon.com

[CO2000]

Apart from the obvious West Coast, Aviemore would be good for a few days

[Brads67]

Aviemore is a dump.

Some nice roads around that way but the town is a toilet.

[TCS1]

Laggan, on the Western edge of the Cairngorms is worth a trip if you like biking. I believe the witches trails are over near fort William. That would be one leg of the journey sorted and although it's mostly main roads between the two they are picturesque.