Holidays in Scotland

[scarfacehugo]

Hello, good friends!

I'm planing taking a 2 week tour around Scotland and the islands. I currently live in London, and the far north i've been is the lake disctrict. I'm quite used to long journeys under all kinds of weather, and i did ride all the way from Portugal and back a few times.
I would like to know your opinion on the route i chose (being the west coast the way up) and the time of year to do it. I consider myself a traveller instead of a tourist, and to avoid "tourist season" is one of my concerns. I'll try to make as many offroad miles as i possibly can (with your help), avoid B&Bs and even campsites for as many days as I can put up with the stink.

Cheers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28086354@N00/3349174537/

[Steve T]

Just my ramblings on your interest in a route for touring Scotland.

Just come on up and wander if your not bothered with campsites or B&B's, specially seeing as your planning 2 weeks.
The Borders are spectacular and make a great start to your Scottish experience - try the A7 up to Edinburgh from Carlisle (dont come up on the A68 - it's over populated with speed cameras).
From Edinburgh area the choices are vast once your north of either Stirling or Perth. I love the A93 Glenshee route north. Head west on the A85 takes you to Oban - brilliant ride. Cut off the A85 and onto the A82 and head for GlenCoe & Fort William - awesome road & route.
Up the west coast via any road will have your face cracking a smile for mile after mile - just keep going.
Skye has some seriously interesting routes - nice big island with a very big circuit if you care too go right round the island. Plockton, just north of Kyle of Lochalsh is very nice and "twee", but it takes you towards Applecross and the Pass of the Cattle - the highest, steepest accent! I've ever done in this country on a motorbike - you'll love it. Look for Lochcarron on any map and the pass is just west of it.
Go north and enjoy some of the best Euro funded roads in Scotland. That and some awesome scenery. Durness is nice - check out the hippy village at the old airforce station - great cakes and coffe (if they're open).
The top loop east takes you to Wick - try and not be dragged to John O'Groats - it's a dump, plus it's not the furthest northern point on mainland UK - Dunnet Head just east of it is. Try out any of the roads that head south throught the middle of this bit of the highlands - dont blame me if your face starts to ache with all the smilling and gawping you'll be doing.

Thats enough from me - if you want anymore ideas, just put a pin in the map of this end of the country and ride there and enjoy.

TTFN,

Steve T

[lowflyer]

Just what steve says, only I would head to the magnificent metropolis of INVERNESS.

Use it as a base, you can cover most of the west coast from it and the natives are very friendly

[rgarrioch]

Being a north-west highlander, I'm biased towards the all roads leading to Gairloch - see this thread for previous advice;
Scottish Islands / Hebrides
If it's not too late / soon, really couldn't recommend May enough as the best time, pre-midges (believe me, midges are as unpleasant a phenomenon as snow and ice, especially once you get off the bike!). But they are only really bad in the north-west. Whenever though, just put your relax-head on and enjoy.

[scarfacehugo]

I'd like to thank you very much for your time giving me all these indications.
I've just placed my Plan A route link in my post.

What about the Northen islands? Orkneys and Shetlands? Are they worth the time and money in ferries?

[lowflyer]

The two islands are very different, just depends on what you want.

Shetland is obviously more expensive to get to. It has quite a harsh environment,hardly any trees, but with some spectacular rock outcrops. The main roads are loooooong and straaaaaight due to funding from the oil industry which has a airfield base at Scatsta.Depending on when you go, you can get all night bright or conversely, dark early.

Orkney is more lush and greener,nice roads and cheaper to get to.

Both islands are steeped in history, going back in time to those theiving bachals, the Norsemen



Hope this helps.

[scarfacehugo]

What about the "touristic places to avoid" besides John O'Groats!?
Despite having to live in a big city, i dont really care much about them and would avoid them if I could. Having to live here is punishing enough, so i'll try to skip all major Northen cities unless you think it's worthy.