Yeah, avoid the A68 north of Carter Bar. Turn off there for Hawick and pick up the A7. A much better way up to Edinburgh.

Highlands, North, and Western Isles are all worth seeing.

Amazing roads all over the place, and most are rideable 'at pace' just stay away from the dual carriageways and motorways which are full of speed cameras and camera vans.

If you want cheap accommodation with a Highlands Base in the Cairngorms area where there are many good roads try Kingussie near Aviemore. Cheaper hotels/bunkhouses/bothies and good food/beer in the pubs.

In Inverness accommodation will be expensive in Summer, but there are still deals to be had. A great place for a stopover or to base from for riding Loch Ness area.

Go north up to Ullapool and then over on the ferry to Stornoway, then ride Lewis/Harris and catch the ferry again to Skye, then ride Skye and head back to Inverness via the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh.

If anyone needs recommendations for decent food/drink/rooms places in those areas or on the East Coast just ask. :)