as far as i know there arent any anywhere in scotland. that was the option of the 4x4 forums when i used to be into that.

to the OP applecross is ment to be amazing, i cant believe i missed it last time up there.

I think it sounds like a great we tour. But as there always is a but i think you either need to spend more time or less milage on the trip. Im sure it would be possible but a 125 with have a low average speed and scotlands roads are very twisty and drops your average speed even more. You will enjoy the trip better if you have a good equal time on and off the bike.

My mum, dad and me toured scotland about 3 years ago and i was on a 250cc racey rep bike and i found it good enough but wouldnt have liked to go much lower in cc.

So i would do less milage or do the same milage but over a longer time period but dont forget to always have fun.:scooter:

thanks again for the tips guys. the main gist I'm getting is mileage versus cc. did holme moss for the first time on my bike and it took an hour and ten, as opposed to my vespa which took over two hour on my first run! hopefully these things will work themselves out over the first couple of days, plus it is my first trip and am ready and willing to make those mistakes which I'm sure all you guys have on your first outing! I have also decided to let the journey take me as long as it wants. Got enough gear to last me weeks, so no need to rush.

anyways if anyone sees a white Derbi cross city heading around west scotland over the next couple of weeks, come up and say high. would love to put faces to forum names haha

Have a great time
 

Just wanted to say that and also how uplifting I've found this thread, you came on asked some questions took some advice which was freely given and now you're off.

Excellent, makes me as an armchair travelling planner type feel glad to know that you've just gone and done it all in the space of a week as I face a year of planning and red-tape.

Excellent, makes me as an armchair travelling planner type feel glad to know that you've just gone and done it all in the space of a week as I face a year of planning and red-tape.

hey Alexlebrit, ive been planning for a while. almost a year now lol what inspired me:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." THEODORE ROOSEVELT (Paris Sorbonne,1910)

Tommy,

A couple of folk have mentioned the pass of the cattle over to Applecross. I would agree that this is an awesome road, one of, if not the most, spectacular roads in Scotland. A great thing to do is cross over the pass to Applecross, stay in the wee campsite there overnight (the pub does fantastic langoustines and fish and chips) then take the road round the north of the peninsula the following day. This gives amazing views of Torridon etc.

Matt :)

I,ll second that
 

Tommy, Take MatCartneys advice and take the pass over to Applecross and stay in the campsite and eat in the hotel ( best pint of guinness i have had in years) , try the squat lobster tails. Then follow the coast around and take a stop at Gairloch, The Mountain Coffee shop does the best scones this side of Ullapool !!
Go for it, but remember to take in the scenery.

ps
 

ps If the squat lobsters off the menu have the scallops as a main !!!

Ignore all this culinary excellence, if you eat as well as everyone's telling you to you'll be far for heavy for a 125 by the time you get to the end.

(Sorry couldn't resist it).

haha I wouldnt count on that! I am reli skinny tbh. If I had anything more powerful than a 125 I would blow off! Just working on my final route. Will let you all know soon.

Hi Tommy, as others have said, you really don't want to rush too much. The best scenery is in the West, and as soon as you as you get North of Kyle of Lochalsh there is pretty much a photo opportunity round every corner and if you're anything like me then every corner requires a stop to take some photos. Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours to get 20 miles just because of all the photo stops.

thanks frogwell, charging my camera batteries as I write this!

one final question before I go, food. Im sure there will be places to get some grub, dont reli fancy taking a camping stove and mess tins are there quite weighty. is this a bad mistake?

id take a small stove if you can find room. depends where your staying (camping right?) aslong as you camp near a town/village i'd expect the pub to do food. but some are a bit of a walk from memory.
oh & i always take a stove just for that first morning cuppa to get my brain working! for that one of those backpacker hexi stoves would do. they fold up into a box about 3x2x1/2" with the fuel inside so not a lot to pack - fits in a mess tin too. i got mine in 1980 something & it says £3.99 on the box, yes i keep the box for some reason, oh it came with fuel too.

nice one hooli, thanks for the tips.

Final thanks
 

Just a final thanks to everybody who gave me much needed advice. Setting of on monday. Will post picks at my blog.

heres to a safe trip :funmeteryes: