Discussion
DFNorfolk said:
Evening this has nothing to do with tight arsed camper drivers as I’m looking for some ideas, inspiration and/or insider knowledge for my holiday to Skye in June so any help appreciated.
We have had a couple of driving holidays in the Highlands over the last three years with the first being a weeks road trip starting at Thornhill near Dumfries up to Oban over to Loch Ness on to Aviemore and then down to Loch Lomond. Second one first night we stayed near Ayr, ferry over to Arran, and then up to Fort William for a week and we did drives to Mallaig, Skye, Glencoe and other roads in the area.
What I’d like to know is what would be a good route from Loch Lomond to Skye and what roads near Skye should I be looking at? I know there’s one to the Kylesku bridge which Reg Local did so will be including that but are the any others? Obviously there will be but some hints and tips would be good.
Also I’ve done parts of the Old Military road on the previous trips but want to do it all this time so will be heading from Skye over to Nairn with an overnight stop at Ballater before heading south the next day, any tips on the bit between Skye and Nairn?
I know I’m asking a lot, and should probably do what we’ve done before and just follow our noses, but wouldn’t want to miss anything out that others really rate. I have booked-marked a couple of threads/routes others have posted previously but think it’s worth asking the question.
For what it’s worth I’ll be driving an FK2 Civic……
Thanks!
Every man/woman and their dog takes the A82 alomg Loch Lomond and through Glencoe. Campervans, HGVs, dodgy overtakes on Rannoch Moor. No thanks.We have had a couple of driving holidays in the Highlands over the last three years with the first being a weeks road trip starting at Thornhill near Dumfries up to Oban over to Loch Ness on to Aviemore and then down to Loch Lomond. Second one first night we stayed near Ayr, ferry over to Arran, and then up to Fort William for a week and we did drives to Mallaig, Skye, Glencoe and other roads in the area.
What I’d like to know is what would be a good route from Loch Lomond to Skye and what roads near Skye should I be looking at? I know there’s one to the Kylesku bridge which Reg Local did so will be including that but are the any others? Obviously there will be but some hints and tips would be good.
Also I’ve done parts of the Old Military road on the previous trips but want to do it all this time so will be heading from Skye over to Nairn with an overnight stop at Ballater before heading south the next day, any tips on the bit between Skye and Nairn?
I know I’m asking a lot, and should probably do what we’ve done before and just follow our noses, but wouldn’t want to miss anything out that others really rate. I have booked-marked a couple of threads/routes others have posted previously but think it’s worth asking the question.
For what it’s worth I’ll be driving an FK2 Civic……
Thanks!
I go this way - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kzTCDdTk9yS2d8Tz5 - it's a nicer drive imo, plus I also have another reason.
There are two shops in Inveraray which specialise in Scotland's finest product, so I take the opportunity to replenish my stock.
3 choices from Fort William to Skye.
Mallaig to Armadale ferry - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2xSH7FrVtmBQZ6cRA
Glenelg to Kylerhea ferry - https://maps.app.goo.gl/R2w5HXbZiEPsFvRD6
Skye Bridge - https://maps.app.goo.gl/pDXSZUr7DeFeh46T8
My personal favourite is the middle one as it includes:
The Mam Ratagan pass and the superb view across Loch Duich to the Five Sisters.
MV Glenachulish, which is unique in being the world's only surviving manually operated turntable ferry.
It only takes 6 cars at a time, so you'll likely need to be patient in the summer months.
However it's only 535 metres shore to shore, so crossing time is minimal before it unloads/reloads and comes back again.
Another reason to use it, is it's owned by a Trust and run by a Community Interest Company (unlike CalMac!) so it deserves every bit of support.
Roads near Skye. Obviously the Bealach na Bà (the Pass of the Cattle) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ubDYg1rknCkAtFcC7
The Applecross Inn can get rammed. I prefer the Walled Garden. Bonus points if you spot Get Carter's wheelie bin (near Shieldaig).
Kylesku is much further away with two routes to get there.
The fast one - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TanYJA74WaaAekEJ7
The scenic one - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zsECEizyTPHKPJSa8
Pics of Glen Docherty (near Kinlochewe) appear many times in this thread.
Skye to Nairn: again, two routes.
North via Garve - https://maps.app.goo.gl/3fuogViw5RyF5BZS7
South via Fort Augustus - https://maps.app.goo.gl/wwg5Fa7TFB1tqjjz9
Either way take the B roads from Inverness to Nairn. Avoid the A96, It's the main road between Inverness and Aberdeen and carries a lot of traffic.
A kamikaze idiot nearly took me out one time which is why I use the parellel B roads. Much less hair raising.
Btw, if you're interested in historical stuff, I can recommend a visit to the Culloden Battlefield site. Allow plenty of time as there is a lot to absorb.
Heading south from Nairn to Ballater, at Ferness you can pick one of two routes::
A939 via Dava and Grantown-on-Spey - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBj4ajWDh53Q7ZUJA
B9007/A95 via Dulnain Bridge - https://maps.app.goo.gl/7R3msk6r6U7mTgWT7
The B road climbs to 1260ft at the Beum a' Chlaidheimh (the Cleft of the Sword).
When I drove it in October last year I encountered only one other car in the whole 14 miles.
HTH.
Red Devil said:
Every man/woman and their dog takes the A82 alomg Loch Lomond and through Glencoe. Campervans, HGVs, dodgy overtakes on Rannoch Moor. No thanks.
I go this way - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kzTCDdTk9yS2d8Tz5 - it's a nicer drive imo, plus I also have another reason.
There are two shops in Inveraray which specialise in Scotland's finest product, so I take the opportunity to replenish my stock.
Ah, the rollercoaster! Be strong of stomach and hope some chancer in an HGV doesn't get lead astray by their satnav. I go this way - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kzTCDdTk9yS2d8Tz5 - it's a nicer drive imo, plus I also have another reason.
There are two shops in Inveraray which specialise in Scotland's finest product, so I take the opportunity to replenish my stock.
S7GVC said:
I am planning a two day bike trip in Scotland, sailing into and out of Cairnryan.
The route on day 1 is up the coast to Ayr, boring motorway to Glasgow, A82 as far as Alexandria, then up the East of Lough Lomond on A811 then A81 to Aberfoyle, through Dukes Pass. Then A821 and A84 to Lough Earn, and A85 back onto the A82.
When we get as far as the Green Welly Stop, would we be better to head onto Oban, via the A85, and stay there for the night.... Or would staying in Glencoe, going via the A82, be a better ride?
Day 2 is down via Lochgilphead, back up to Inverary, Tarbet, and down the West side of Lough Lomond to Glasgow. Then, if we're feeling up for the mileage, down the M74 as far as Elvanfoot, and through Galloway to Newtown Stewart, then back to Cairnryan.
I've never done a bike trip like this before, so I'd love some advise / critique. I am working my way through all the pages on this thread, so apologies if something similar has already been answered, but I would really appreciate any advice on the following concerns:
1) Mileage - day 1 is 200 miles, and day 2 is 250 miles. Is that too much to do in a day (on Scottish roads, with two guys on sports bikes)
2) Cairnryan to Glasgow - is there anyway to avoid the motorway, or is it a necessary evil to get North quickly?
3) Route from The Green Welly Stop - should we head to Oban via A85, or Glencoe via A82?
1) Not sure sorry.The route on day 1 is up the coast to Ayr, boring motorway to Glasgow, A82 as far as Alexandria, then up the East of Lough Lomond on A811 then A81 to Aberfoyle, through Dukes Pass. Then A821 and A84 to Lough Earn, and A85 back onto the A82.
When we get as far as the Green Welly Stop, would we be better to head onto Oban, via the A85, and stay there for the night.... Or would staying in Glencoe, going via the A82, be a better ride?
Day 2 is down via Lochgilphead, back up to Inverary, Tarbet, and down the West side of Lough Lomond to Glasgow. Then, if we're feeling up for the mileage, down the M74 as far as Elvanfoot, and through Galloway to Newtown Stewart, then back to Cairnryan.
I've never done a bike trip like this before, so I'd love some advise / critique. I am working my way through all the pages on this thread, so apologies if something similar has already been answered, but I would really appreciate any advice on the following concerns:
1) Mileage - day 1 is 200 miles, and day 2 is 250 miles. Is that too much to do in a day (on Scottish roads, with two guys on sports bikes)
2) Cairnryan to Glasgow - is there anyway to avoid the motorway, or is it a necessary evil to get North quickly?
3) Route from The Green Welly Stop - should we head to Oban via A85, or Glencoe via A82?
2) just get north the quickest way.
3) I would stay in Oban but go via Glencoe and the A828. Glencoe is stunning and although it's a busy road, worth it for the scenery. Oban has a bit more to do/see than Glencoe village and will be about 30 miles more.
some bloke said:
S7GVC said:
I am planning a two day bike trip in Scotland, sailing into and out of Cairnryan.
The route on day 1 is up the coast to Ayr, boring motorway to Glasgow, A82 as far as Alexandria, then up the East of Lough Lomond on A811 then A81 to Aberfoyle, through Dukes Pass. Then A821 and A84 to Lough Earn, and A85 back onto the A82.
When we get as far as the Green Welly Stop, would we be better to head onto Oban, via the A85, and stay there for the night.... Or would staying in Glencoe, going via the A82, be a better ride?
Day 2 is down via Lochgilphead, back up to Inverary, Tarbet, and down the West side of Lough Lomond to Glasgow. Then, if we're feeling up for the mileage, down the M74 as far as Elvanfoot, and through Galloway to Newtown Stewart, then back to Cairnryan.
I've never done a bike trip like this before, so I'd love some advise / critique. I am working my way through all the pages on this thread, so apologies if something similar has already been answered, but I would really appreciate any advice on the following concerns:
1) Mileage - day 1 is 200 miles, and day 2 is 250 miles. Is that too much to do in a day (on Scottish roads, with two guys on sports bikes)
2) Cairnryan to Glasgow - is there anyway to avoid the motorway, or is it a necessary evil to get North quickly?
3) Route from The Green Welly Stop - should we head to Oban via A85, or Glencoe via A82?
1) Not sure sorry.The route on day 1 is up the coast to Ayr, boring motorway to Glasgow, A82 as far as Alexandria, then up the East of Lough Lomond on A811 then A81 to Aberfoyle, through Dukes Pass. Then A821 and A84 to Lough Earn, and A85 back onto the A82.
When we get as far as the Green Welly Stop, would we be better to head onto Oban, via the A85, and stay there for the night.... Or would staying in Glencoe, going via the A82, be a better ride?
Day 2 is down via Lochgilphead, back up to Inverary, Tarbet, and down the West side of Lough Lomond to Glasgow. Then, if we're feeling up for the mileage, down the M74 as far as Elvanfoot, and through Galloway to Newtown Stewart, then back to Cairnryan.
I've never done a bike trip like this before, so I'd love some advise / critique. I am working my way through all the pages on this thread, so apologies if something similar has already been answered, but I would really appreciate any advice on the following concerns:
1) Mileage - day 1 is 200 miles, and day 2 is 250 miles. Is that too much to do in a day (on Scottish roads, with two guys on sports bikes)
2) Cairnryan to Glasgow - is there anyway to avoid the motorway, or is it a necessary evil to get North quickly?
3) Route from The Green Welly Stop - should we head to Oban via A85, or Glencoe via A82?
2) just get north the quickest way.
3) I would stay in Oban but go via Glencoe and the A828. Glencoe is stunning and although it's a busy road, worth it for the scenery. Oban has a bit more to do/see than Glencoe village and will be about 30 miles more.
Getting digs in Oban might prove tricky/expensive but as there's only two of you should make it a bit easier.
The A816 Oban-Lochgilphead should be fantastic on a bike (mind reading a report on the Ducati owners club and they were raving about it being one of the best biking roads in the UK, although it has changed somewhat recently through widening as it's now an 'essential logging route', yet it's not a feckin trunk road..!)
A83 back to Glasgow is a decent drive and very picturesque in places, and gets busier after Inveraray - alternatively you can take the road to Dunoon just before the Rest and Be Thankful and get the ferry across to Gourock then onto Glasgow direction.
Plenty of supercars out today in Ballater enjoying <read: being frustrated> by the semi closed roads because of the annual duck race & village festival!
But I did spot a rare black Brabus Porsche 911 wading through the crowds with a very memorable reg plate. Quite unusual that I stop and stare…… but I’ll admit I did today, sorry!
But I did spot a rare black Brabus Porsche 911 wading through the crowds with a very memorable reg plate. Quite unusual that I stop and stare…… but I’ll admit I did today, sorry!
Just a quick update to say thanks to Red Devil for your tips on our trip to Skye and I took your alternative Glencoe route on the way up and it was far better than the A82.
We actually stayed on Skye all week, as there was more than enough to see and do, so didn’t use any of the other suggested routes whilst there but I did however use the A890 route to Nairn from Skye. We also had an almost clear run from Nairn down to Ballater today on the A939 so thanks for those as they’re great roads to drive.
We’ll be doing the rest of the Military road tomorrow on the way back to Norwich, still didn’t see any bloody deer all week though 😃
We actually stayed on Skye all week, as there was more than enough to see and do, so didn’t use any of the other suggested routes whilst there but I did however use the A890 route to Nairn from Skye. We also had an almost clear run from Nairn down to Ballater today on the A939 so thanks for those as they’re great roads to drive.
We’ll be doing the rest of the Military road tomorrow on the way back to Norwich, still didn’t see any bloody deer all week though 😃
DFNorfolk said:
Just a quick update to say thanks to Red Devil for your tips on our trip to Skye and I took your alternative Glencoe route on the way up and it was far better than the A82.
We actually stayed on Skye all week, as there was more than enough to see and do, so didn’t use any of the other suggested routes whilst there but I did however use the A890 route to Nairn from Skye. We also had an almost clear run from Nairn down to Ballater today on the A939 so thanks for those as they’re great roads to drive.
Glad you enjoyed them. We actually stayed on Skye all week, as there was more than enough to see and do, so didn’t use any of the other suggested routes whilst there but I did however use the A890 route to Nairn from Skye. We also had an almost clear run from Nairn down to Ballater today on the A939 so thanks for those as they’re great roads to drive.
Any excuse for some pics.
DFNorfolk said:
We’ll be doing the rest of the Military road tomorrow on the way back to Norwich, still didn’t see any bloody deer all week though ??
Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. The latter is when you're most a risk of a collision with one, especially if you're travelling in a wooded area as they're hard to pick out.I can still remember the time I spotted a glint of reflected light up a rise in the road on the A832 near Dundonnell.
Thought for a moment it was cats eyes until I twigged how stupid an idea that was given my location!
Slowed right down whereupon a massive stag trotted across the road. I stopped and glanced over in the direction he was headed.
Half hidden in the greenery were a group of hinds. I counted 10 and there may well have been more I couldn't see. That was in October, the peak rutting season.
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