Where should I ride in Scotland?
Discussion
Myself and my riding chum are off to Scotland for a week in July. We've been to Scotland twice before, the first time we did the NC500, up via Breamar and Inverness, back down past Loch Lomond and Glenshee. Last time we went to Moffatt, then used ferries to cross the headlands out on the West coast, riding the South part of Skye (was only on the Island for less than an jour as the weather was vile), staying in Oban.
So, heading back this summer and I was hoping for some tips on the best roads/scenic rides we could head for. Be grateful for any suggestions that I can use to string a route together. Thanks in anticipation
So, heading back this summer and I was hoping for some tips on the best roads/scenic rides we could head for. Be grateful for any suggestions that I can use to string a route together. Thanks in anticipation
You could try the South West? Dumfries and Galloway and then up the west coast to Ardrossan (or miss Arran completely and just get the ferry over to Campbeltown), the north through the Campbeltown peninsula up to Lochgilphead? We stayed a couple of nights at the Kilmartin Hotel which, while basic, was very nice with great food and has a great view with some lovely roads.
There's a lot of good roads around Moffat. An area that's often overlooked. The Dalveen Pass (A702 Elvanfoot to Carronbridge) is my favourite road in either direction. Muirkirk to Strathaven is a good road to get off of the M74.
Inverary to Dalmally nad onto Tyndrum is another favourite of mine.
Road out to Campbelltown is good. Traffic really thins out beyond Lochgilphead.
Glenshee to Braemar and on to Ballater is good if you want to be more east coast.
Inverary to Dalmally nad onto Tyndrum is another favourite of mine.
Road out to Campbelltown is good. Traffic really thins out beyond Lochgilphead.
Glenshee to Braemar and on to Ballater is good if you want to be more east coast.
Not going to say where to go, but a few watch outs on various road as we are getting a some deaths up here - 17 this year so far (not all other driver's fault).. So watch your riding/speed/attitude with angry famers.. 
Speed camera van at St Mary's loch if you head over Moffat way.
Creepy f
kwit old men in Biggar at the weekends taking photos of all the bikes too.. in the 20 zones... they hide behind the parked cars, all very odd.
Muirkirk road has been taken over by motoGP wannabes - The locals are very fed up with them and are in talks with the police/council to get it sorted... Had one of them trying to goad me into a race last week, he had the rear tyre down to the cords, so gives you a feel for the type of people... There was a death on the road next to it 2 weeks ago too.
If the Police don't do something soon, then they will take matters into their own hands, lets just say there is a lot of talk of mud and gravel "being dropped" Something is going to go very wrong soon on that road.. a moron crashed last weekend but thankfully didn't hurt anyone but himself.
Speed camera van at St Mary's loch if you head over Moffat way.
Creepy f
kwit old men in Biggar at the weekends taking photos of all the bikes too.. in the 20 zones... they hide behind the parked cars, all very odd.Muirkirk road has been taken over by motoGP wannabes - The locals are very fed up with them and are in talks with the police/council to get it sorted... Had one of them trying to goad me into a race last week, he had the rear tyre down to the cords, so gives you a feel for the type of people... There was a death on the road next to it 2 weeks ago too.
If the Police don't do something soon, then they will take matters into their own hands, lets just say there is a lot of talk of mud and gravel "being dropped" Something is going to go very wrong soon on that road.. a moron crashed last weekend but thankfully didn't hurt anyone but himself.
the cueball said:
Not going to say where to go, but a few watch outs on various road as we are getting a some deaths up here - 17 this year so far (not all other driver's fault).. So watch your riding/speed/attitude with angry famers..
Speed camera van at St Mary's loch if you head over Moffat way.
Creepy fkwit old men in Biggar at the weekends taking photos of all the bikes too.. in the 20 zones... they hide behind the parked cars, all very odd.
Muirkirk road has been taken over by motoGP wannabes - The locals are very fed up with them and are in talks with the police/council to get it sorted... Had one of them trying to goad me into a race last week, he had the rear tyre down to the cords, so gives you a feel for the type of people... There was a death on the road next to it 2 weeks ago too.
If the Police don't do something soon, then they will take matters into their own hands, lets just say there is a lot of talk of mud and gravel "being dropped" Something is going to go very wrong soon on that road.. a moron crashed last weekend but thankfully didn't hurt anyone but himself.
That is terrifying about the Muirkirk road, I enjoy that route. Public don't like bikes generally I find but that is too far. I also find people don't respond well when you use the horn to attract attention - everyone assumes it's an audible fingers up instead. However you need it to attract attention of folk at side roads. Speed camera van at St Mary's loch if you head over Moffat way.
Creepy f
kwit old men in Biggar at the weekends taking photos of all the bikes too.. in the 20 zones... they hide behind the parked cars, all very odd.Muirkirk road has been taken over by motoGP wannabes - The locals are very fed up with them and are in talks with the police/council to get it sorted... Had one of them trying to goad me into a race last week, he had the rear tyre down to the cords, so gives you a feel for the type of people... There was a death on the road next to it 2 weeks ago too.
If the Police don't do something soon, then they will take matters into their own hands, lets just say there is a lot of talk of mud and gravel "being dropped" Something is going to go very wrong soon on that road.. a moron crashed last weekend but thankfully didn't hurt anyone but himself.
There are a lot of good roads in the SW (Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire), depending where you want to go as well. A77 has average speed cameras so is to be avoided where you can. A75 is a bit crap with lorries but there are plenty of alternatives.
Funny, I hardly use the Muirkirk road anymore ever since a pair of gixxer fannies tried to kill me: they were like rabbits in the headlights as they rode towards me on my side of the road. Luckily my brain was still working so we all lived, but I ride that road at less common times now, and a lot less often.
Galloway, Kintyre and on up to Oban is a great shout, continue up the coast to Skye and the Quiraing.
Galloway, Kintyre and on up to Oban is a great shout, continue up the coast to Skye and the Quiraing.
the cueball said:
Muirkirk road has been taken over by motoGP wannabes - The locals are very fed up with them and are in talks with the police/council to get it sorted... Had one of them trying to goad me into a race last week, he had the rear tyre down to the cords, so gives you a feel for the type of people... There was a death on the road next to it 2 weeks ago too.
I live pretty much on that road, and whilst there's lots of respectful riders, there also a significant amount of bellends with anti-social race cans.We were up there in May in stunning weather. Had a beautiful ride around Gairloch; Glen Docherty is gorgeous as is Glencoe. We rode some circular routes from near Inverness. A lot depends on what sort of roads you're there for. The road up to Tongue was really nice but single track with passing places while the A87 from Invergarry to Uig is spectacular and open.
Olivera said:
the cueball said:
Muirkirk road has been taken over by motoGP wannabes - The locals are very fed up with them and are in talks with the police/council to get it sorted... Had one of them trying to goad me into a race last week, he had the rear tyre down to the cords, so gives you a feel for the type of people... There was a death on the road next to it 2 weeks ago too.
I live pretty much on that road, and whilst there's lots of respectful riders, there also a significant amount of bellends with anti-social race cans.Steve_H80 said:
The Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway and Argyll are all worth a visit.
Recommendations for an overnighter? I can do those ³ in a day but wouldn't mind stopping somewhere to make it a mini adventure. I've done a couple of runs to st Mary's loch years ago but I'm used to going straight up the M74 and missing it all out.Chicken Chaser said:
Recommendations for an overnighter? I can do those ³ in a day but wouldn't mind stopping somewhere to make it a mini adventure. I've done a couple of runs to st Mary's loch years ago but I'm used to going straight up the M74 and missing it all out.
The Ecclefechan Hotel has recently been taken over by a biker, don't know them, never been.. but they look like they are trying hard and moving in the right direction to accommodate 'bikers'.It's in a decent location in the boarders for ride outs, and you get to say Ecclefechan over and over again, which is always fun...
Chicken Chaser said:
Steve_H80 said:
The Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway and Argyll are all worth a visit.
Recommendations for an overnighter? I can do those ³ in a day but wouldn't mind stopping somewhere to make it a mini adventure. I've done a couple of runs to st Mary's loch years ago but I'm used to going straight up the M74 and missing it all out.https://woodlandhousehotel.co.uk/
It was very nice and I'm happy to recommend.
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