Scotland and Hebrides end of August - beginning of September

[sylwiak]

Starting August bank holidays weekend I'm planning to ride to Scotland for 10 days. I don't have a fixed plan but I would like to go as far as john'o'groads and then follow the coastal route along northern parts and then go down along west part of scotland to Ullapool to catch a ferry to Isle of Lewis. Then I would like to do some island hopping to Uist and Barra and then catch the ferry back to mainland (Oban).
Perhaps I'm being too optimistic and 10 days is not enough for all this? I don't know and I guess I will find out. Has anyone done similar journey in the past?
Any recommendations about scenic rides on the way, any attractions to see, good wildlife spots are welcome.
I'm 36 years old, female rider and I'll be riding alone. If anyone would like to share some parts of this journey with me, do some camping together, have a or do some hiking along the way somewhere, that would be great!
I'm planning to camp most of the time (weather permitting) but I will also stay in B&Bs when I'm too cold and fed up of camping:-)

[pheasant]

Hello Syliak,

Sounds like a good trip. I’ve thought about heading that way but never really got round to it. Ten days should be ok but I guess it depends on where you’re starting off from and what sort of millage your comfortable with riding.

I’ve not long returned from riding round the Pyrenees and wouldn’t mind heading up into Scotland if you fancy a riding partner for a few days. End of the month, early September could work. Male, slightly older and ride a KTM 690.

[sylwiak]

Hey pheasant, that would be so great if you could join, even just for few days. It's always more fun to ride together. How much time have you got and which parts of scotland would you like to visit? I'm planning to start on friday 28th of august after work from luton and be back on sunday 6th of september. I would like to get to scotland as quickly ad possible (don't mind long riding for the first 2 days) and then take it easy from there, enjoy the scenery. I've heard that north-east should be really beautiful. Pyrenees have also been on my mind for a while so would be interesting for me to find out more about your trip. Pm me for more details and we can arrange something.

[sylwiak]

Ah forgot to mention: i'm riding bmw f650 gs and don't mind some off road detours as long ad it's on the easier side :-)

[Tim Cullis]

Have a look at the information page I stuck up at Shetland, Orkney, Hebrides.

Rather than B&B you might want to look at the low cost independent hostels.

I'm planning a two week trip starting about a week before you (so long as the weather forecast isn't dire) but in reverse of your route and possibly including Orkney and Shetland. Will probably stop at Haggs Bank bunkhouse on the way up and back down.

There's not a lot of offroad around, but you could try the route north from the 'Bridge to Nowhere' on Lewis.

Might see you on the road!

[pheasant]

Thanks Tim that's awesome, i'll have a good read later.

Sylwiak, looks like your only just down the road from me, anyway i'll pm you my email and maybe we can arrange something. Not sure how much time i can spare at the mo, i'll have to play that by ear.

No preferance on where to go but i'll have a read through Tims post first. I'm good at route planning and all things gps so could easily cobble a little Scottish trip together after a bit of research.

Pyrenees are amazing, highly recommended.

[sylwiak]

Wow Tim, thank you for all that info, that's so usefull! I couldn't open your waypoints though, perhaps i try later from laptop rather than phone. Now i will have to add orkneys and shetlands on my list for some other trip in the future! I always thought it's too cold and windy there for motorbiking :-)
I hope to see you on the road somewhere!

[Lowrider1263]

Originally Posted by sylwiak

Starting August bank holidays weekend I'm planning to ride to Scotland for 10 days. I don't have a fixed plan but I would like to go as far as john'o'groads and then follow the coastal route along northern parts and then go down along west part of scotland to Ullapool to catch a ferry to Isle of Lewis. Then I would like to do some island hopping to Uist and Barra and then catch the ferry back to mainland (Oban).
Perhaps I'm being too optimistic and 10 days is not enough for all this? I don't know and I guess I will find out. Has anyone done similar journey in the past?
Any recommendations about scenic rides on the way, any attractions to see, good wildlife spots are welcome.
I'm 36 years old, female rider and I'll be riding alone. If anyone would like to share some parts of this journey with me, do some camping together, have a or do some hiking along the way somewhere, that would be great!
I'm planning to camp most of the time (weather permitting) but I will also stay in B&Bs when I'm too cold and fed up of camping:-)

You will be passing my house in the northeast could pop in for a cuppa, maybe do a few local lanes upto Alnwick or take the coastal route to Berwick,
Once over the forth bridge head for Perth then head for glen-she though the Cairngorms upto Inverness, once you hit Alness you can take a easy road round the coast or cut across do some great rural camping, all great riding road what ever you do m8

[pheasant]

Could be of interest to you.

North Coast 500 - Home

[sylwiak]

Originally Posted by pheasant

Could be of interest to you.

North Coast 500 - Home

Good link pheasant, it's good to know the route I'm planning to ride has a name. I like the motorcycle itinerary mentioned, I would probably be partially following it without knowing it. Btw I've sent you an email.

Originally Posted by Lowrider1263

You will be passing my house in the northeast could pop in for a cuppa, maybe do a few local lanes upto Alnwick or take the coastal route to Berwick

I will be passing Sunderland on Saturday so if you're about we can share some local lanes :-) Let me know your location and I will message you once in your area

Walkabout, I don't like that weather forecast at all...To follow the sunshine I would have to do some slalom there...

ROYMACNIC, reggie3cl: Thank you for your recommendations, I will add them on to my plan. Seems like my plan will have a quite good shape now. I wish I could have some more time.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by sylwiak

Walkabout, I don't like that weather forecast at all...To follow the sunshine I would have to do some slalom there...
.

You have a choice of Scottish ski resorts for that, the Lecht, Cairngorm, Glenshee and Glencoe come to mind (I skiied all of them over 30 years ago when they used to get proper winters in Scotland).

[Mr Sloane]

I am based in Sutherland - some great biking roads to be had. The route up the east coast to John o Groats - A9 is fine. Your suggested route along the north coming down the west coast is fantastic. The A9 actually start near Dunblane. Be very aware of the average speed cameras all the way north and south on the A9. having said that the scenery is good so enjoy the 60 mph speeds.

Great campsite at Clactoll just a few miles from Lochinver

Some places for good food.
House of Bruar. Blair Atholl. Just off the A9. Might appear at first instance expensive but huge portions.

Lairg- The Pier. very popular with bikers who do the loop from Inverness round through Ullapool easily done in a few hours or longer

Kylesku hotel- fantastic location - the local seafood is very good. Fish n chips

Lochinver. The Bistro. Just as you enter the village on the right.

Island hopping is good too- from Ullapoll to Stornoway then the Uists. The ferry from Lochboisdale to Oban is worth a trip. Divert to Mull and head for Iona.

Or if time is an issue just take the road south from Durness in the north all the way south to Ullapool A835. Divert on A832 for Poolewe and Gairloch. For breath taking ride divert to Applecross just north of Kishorn - "Belach Na Ba" Good camping at Applecross and the local hotel serves greta food

The A87 is another great biking road to Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge to Skye- where there are some good B & Bs and camping- Sligachan is good- a bit rough camping but the scenery is awesome.

From Skye take the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig and pick up the A830 to Fort William - now this is a great biking road with long sweeping bends and scenery too. Rough camping at Arisaig on the beach.

I could go on and on- but you can't go wrong with the highlands in what every route you take. My advice though is to take some midge spray- the little bastar** are nuisance

Good luck and safe riding