Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 49
Small Scotland trip

I'm hoping to do a small 1 week trip around Scotland this summer. I'd prefer a larger trip but financial concerns limit me and, if I'm being realistic, a trip of this size is a good way to start, since I've not done bike trips before.

I'll be on a Kawasaki GT550, so a good sturdy bike but not exactly designed for off-road stuff. With that in mind, are there any roads or routes that I really shouldn't miss?

I'll be leaving from, and returning to Nottingham.

Thanks,

Alex.

p.s. I'll be at the Ripley meeting this weekend, so if you want to impart specific advice over a pint, that'd be cool.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Jun 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
for 1 week, I'd suggest up the A68 (being careful of speed cameras), maybe try the loop around the borders. A701, A7, A702, A1, and all the cross roads that link them. There's plenty in the borders to see and do, and the roads are great.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 24
Roads not to miss

Hi Dougie, If you have the time try and take in the route from stirling along the A84 through Callander and Strathyre and on to Crainlarich. Then onto the A82 to Tyndrum. Then turn onto the A85 Heading for Oban. When you get to Dalmally turn left onto the A819 along Loch Awe and into Inverary. Through Inverary and head for Arrocher along the A83, up and over the "rest and be thankful". Great route and beautiful scenery. The stretch between Callander and Tyndrum is spectacular for bikes, just mind the unmarked police cars and bikes. Wherever you go, ride safe and enjoy. Donnie
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Jun 2008
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
A nice little trip I often do from my bikes house in Dunblane is to head up the A82 as far as the turn off to Killin, then, um, turn off and go to Killin. Carry on along this road until you come to a little road that goes up to the Ben Lawers Visitor Centre. This is a fantastic road that goes over the mountains to Glen Lyon. From Glen Lyon head down to the head of Loch Tay. Take this road back through the Sma' Glen to the A9. If you can fit this, or a similar circuit into your trip it would be well worth it.

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 49
Excellent - there's plenty of great options there.

Thanks,

Alex.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Jul 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
there's a really good michelin map of scotland ISBN 2-06-710695-3, you get it in a lot of the petrol stations up here. it's small enough to fit in your pocket, and you don't really need much more.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jul 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burton On Trent England
Posts: 134
applecross - the pass of the cattle, its unmissable so im told. wish i'd known before i went up there on the bike
i love the northwest part of scotland the best, in your place i'd head up the coast & enjoy the amazing views etc. depends how far you want to go per day of course.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Jul 2008
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by domac2000 View Post
Hi Dougie, If you have the time try and take in the route from stirling along the A84 through Callander and Strathyre and on to Crainlarich. Then onto the A82 to Tyndrum. Then turn onto the A85 Heading for Oban. When you get to Dalmally turn left onto the A819 along Loch Awe and into Inverary. Through Inverary and head for Arrocher along the A83, up and over the "rest and be thankful". Great route and beautiful scenery. The stretch between Callander and Tyndrum is spectacular for bikes, just mind the unmarked police cars and bikes. Wherever you go, ride safe and enjoy. Donnie
Also, stop on the way at the Loch Fyne Fishery shop and cafe...kippers are great. And the silver beach on the way to Mallaig (take the older coast road not the by-pass route).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 81
You must take the road over to Applecross there are some camping huts that will save you some money, We went up from Chesterfield A1 to Edingburgh and up to Ullapool and then down the west coast, as someone else said the road to Malaig is nice, this was over a week last Easter
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Jul 2008
MysteryB's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK: SHREWSBURY
Posts: 33
Stopped in Applecross back in May, great campsite and pub.

Pic below is a pic of the road up to applecross.

__________________
EXPLORE YOUR HORIZONS...
06' BMW R1200GS Adventure
10' BMW G450X
11' BMW F800GS 30 Year Anniversary
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 5 Aug 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 4
You must try and get to John O Groats and experience the camp site up there. Then the next day head along the North coast and pick up the tourist route to Ullapool. It is a great route. I did it once a few weeks ago and im heading back up in a few weeks again.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
small cc suitabilty colsan1 Which Bike? 24 28 Feb 2007 14:56
Big vs. small? kl3640 Which Bike? 5 20 Jul 2004 13:46
125 scotland / iceland trip black sheep Europe 1 17 Mar 2004 20:31
Small parts... POB/London Yamaha Tech 6 28 Jan 2003 22:31
Big or small? indu Which Bike? 4 6 Sep 2001 10:59

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:27.