Hi, Im planning to do a run up the northwest of scotland during the 1st week of may.

The route will be following the southwest coast following it north the taking in Skye, via Kyle of Lochalsh, then crossing from Uig to Tairbeart on the Western Isles.

Crossing back over from Steornabhagh to Ullapool and working my way north allong the coast up to Durness. I then intend to go east at the very top of scotland towards Tongue and then either south on the A836 to Lairg or continue east Thurso and John O' Groats.

It all depends on time scale if I push east or back south.

I was planning to B&B but I may change to camping (or both)


Anyway, Any comments or interested???


Roy

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"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.

I'd say you're planning a lot of riding and not much sightseeing to do all that in 8 days. I've not been to the Hebrides but Skye is certainly worth more than a flying visit!
Just my twopennyworth.

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If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito.

Hi harleyrider,

Yeah, I guess your right...Ive been skye before in the car and it was fantastic. Im keen to visit the western Isles also so two days on both would be the way to go I think?.

Its so easy to get carried away when you look at the map, The route I planned is a rough guide and can be altered.

Mabey, It would be better to terminate at Laxford Bridge after returning from Steornabhagh(Isle of Lewis) via Ullapool. Then head back down the A838 past Loch More and Loch Shin towards Lairg.

This would give me more time to spend at different locations.

Any imput is more then welcome!.


Regards
Roy

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"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.

Hi Roy, I live in Aberdeen and spend a lot of time over on the west coast, and your pushing it a bit mate but it can be done if you go some! I would suggest hanging out round Skye/Kyle of Lochash/Harris & Lewis, and if you fancy some Alpine type roads take the A890 @ Auchtertyre, then the A896 towards Lochcarron, keep following A896 until Tornapress, then take a left for Applecross and enjoy... what a road, and the scenery!!! Then at Applecross go to the Applecross Inn and take in that vista, especially those views of the Cullins and Isle of Raasay... but the food and ale... words fail me. If you love sea food and real ale... you've just died and gone to heaven . Hope this helps mate, and enjoy.

Dave.

You know the area in outline, so you will realise that in your original plan you are going for a long(ish) ride each and every day, all as per the previous posts.

But, you have fixed the dates, so you may be doing this in a howling gale/rain, day after day.
If you can flex the dates and go when the 5 day weather forecast is looking good, you will get to see the sights - that's about how I do it, anyway.

Cheers,

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Dave

Thanks for your input guys, Im gonna have to scale it down a bit for the limited time that I have there.

My plan was to travel up to Dumfries in the evening of the 29th and stay with familly there and then start the journey the next morning being already accross the boarder.

I may try and extend my time there if I can get the extra holidays from work. I think, I will have to cut out the ferry crossing between Skye and Lewis, thus giving me more time.

Roy:confused1:

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"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.

I insist, do NOT miss the road to Applecross, did it in 2005 and it was great.

(We went from Sweden to Bergen in Norway, over to the Shetlands to Orkney to John o Groats and down thru the west coast of Scotland via Islay among others.)

Just to get the idea of the driving to Applecross, they´ve put up a sign to warn off novice drivers and cars with caravans altogether from that road...

Regards, RtS

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Rikard the Swede

This is quite a good link -
Undiscovered Scotland: Home Page

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.. no gods .. precious few heroes ...

Cheers for the imput guys.

XRM, Thanks for that link. A great website with lots of info there.

Right, Ive had a good look at it and think ive found the route and where to stay in the short time I have there.

I plan to travel in the evening of tue29th April from Liverpool to Dumfries and stay the night with family. Setting off from there on Wed30th making my way to Kinlochleven(Nr Fort William) via A82 Glen Coe.

I will be camping at Kinlochleven that night and the next moring stay on the A82 then A87 towards Kyle of Lochalsh and over the bridge to Skye. I will stay for two nights on Skye (Great place).

Saturday morning I will be heading from Skye A87/A890/96 and visit Applecross. Following the minor Rd arround the coast back onto the A896 and A832 towards Achnasheen. I will be spending the night here.

Sunday, Heading for Loch Ness (gotta visit nessy) A832/835/832/33 and A82 towards Invermoriston where I will spend the night.

Monday, will be a long run back down the A82 and onto the coast road round Greenock A8/78/77 to Girvan and on the A714 to Newton Stewart where I will stay.

Tuesday, Heading back accross the boarder, following the Coast roads. I plan to head towards Whitehaven and to Wast Water, Nr Seascale.

Camping there that night and heading for home via lakes the next day.

This plan also gives me one free day to play with as I only need to be back on Thursday Evening. So I have extra scope(I think?)

Anyway, From my first post. Ive kitted out with camping gear now and plan to camp but B&B always an option if weather is dodgy.

Any thoughts??


Roy

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"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.

Roy, just noticed this thread from a while back - but couple of late bits of advice, I thoroughly recomend the campsite at Torvaig on Skye just outside of Portree. If you havent already discovered it the ride around the Trotternish peninsula North of Portree is fantastic - follow the East coast road all the way round to Uig and then back over the inland mountain road to Staffin. I'm off up to Glen Nevis area on 17th May for a week of camping, mountain climbing and touring. Can't wait.

In case you aren't aware the 'Pre 65' and 'Scottish 6 Day' trials start on 1st May and are based at Kinlochleven(Nr Fort William). Apparently things get busy running up towards the actual start so you may need to check your proposed campsite has room.
Something else to add to your list of things to see!

Cheers for the info, Its fast approching and Im just praying the weather picks up!.

Thanks

Roy

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"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.

Hey Roy, just came across your thread. Planned on doing a similar route to the one you were origionally going to do, (Fort William-Kyle of Lochalsh-Uig- ferry to Tarbet- Stornaway to Ullapool- and then round the northern coast to John o Groats- then down to Inverness and home to Glasgow). After reading the opinions of others in the thread i'm thinking of cutting out some parts as well due to time constraints. We're departing Glasgow on the 18th May so hopefully the weather is good then. Plan on staying on Harris for a couple of days as parents are from there, (childhood memories etc). Hope you have a good rideout. Like you we can't wait either!!!

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england holiday home

Im gutted, My friend who was making the trip with me fell off his bike yesterday and broke his collarbone.
He pulled away from a junction and the front(new) tyre just slid away.

So, It looks like im on my own and then to add to the bad news, scotlands only oil refienery is on strike and with the effect of panic buying there may be some shortages.

Im keeping my eye on the situation to make sure I dont get stuck when Im up in the wilds.

Regards
Roy

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"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.