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. :)

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.

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:thumbup1:

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 :)

Excellent - there's plenty of great options there.

Thanks,

Alex.

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.

applecross - the pass of the cattle, its unmissable so im told. wish i'd known before i went up there on the bike :oops2:
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.

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).

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

Stopped in Applecross back in May, great campsite and pub.

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

http://www.mysterybeach.co.uk/Photos/IMG_1006.jpg

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.