Scotland in November

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

Hi All,

I'm off up to Scotland in November visiting relatives in the Western Isles. Straightforward enough, I reckon my bike and riding gear will be up to job even if the weather is poor.

Thing is I'm considering making a bit more of a trip of it and heading up to the north and north west coasts, heading north to Thurso and then back along the west coast to the Isles. I got up to Inverness and across to Skye a couple of weeks ago on a C90 and was blown away with the scenery, would have liked to head further north but didn't have the time. With my 600 I could cover a lot more distance but....

Has anyone experience of Scotland at that time of year, is it likely to be too cold/wet/dark to extract any enjoyment from the trip? Smile

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

It'll be cold, wet and blowing a westerly gale. Not my idea of enjoyment on the bike.
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Georgecarnell · L Plate Warrior Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Karma :

It was great on Friday on our trip up to Skye, lots of roadworks on the Glen Coe pass but hey, that's what bikes are about!
Saturday was really wet as we left Skye for the Ardnamurchan area, didn't get dry until we reached the stopover in Strontian!
Sunday got really wet until we reached the Green Welly in Tyndrum, absolutely great place for fuel, food and WARM DRY replacement gloves cause the other 2 pairs were soaked through!!! Loads of bikers there, excellent place to plan to stop.
Weather turned really cold from there on heading towards Stirling and then south past Glasgow to Moffat where we stopped at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, a really biker friendly place who give a 15% discount on the room rate to all bikers.
Back across to Stranraer and Belfast today. Cold and wet.

Overall be prepared for the rain and serious cold from here on until the sun shines again (if ever). The riding was worth it though!!! Very Happy

kitty kat · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Karma :

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

I had a good run on the 90 with a bunch of mates, also on C90s. We went from Lancaster, through Glasgow and then caught the ferry to Dunoon where we grabbed a B&B. Next day was up the west coast and across to Fort William. Third day was Fort William to Oban via Inverness, Skye bridge and then ferry to Mallaig. Final day was about 290 miles of riding down the M8, M74 and then M6, a bit boring when top speed is 50mph.

Incredible scenery and tremendous roads, the A830 from Mallaig to Fort William is ace.

We were really lucky with the weather and had little rain but I imagine it will be pretty grim come November. I might just stick to my original plan and visit the Isles and save the far north for the spring.

Georgecarnell · L Plate Warrior Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Karma :

Kitty it was your account that gave us the heads up on the Green Welly! Brilliant place at just the right location Thumbs Up

jay12329 · Dr. Evil Joined: 02 May 2003 Karma :

Burrrrr.
HTH
J

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Windy.

Rainy.

Windy.

Dark.

Windy.

There are better times of year.

kitty kat · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Karma :

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

Cheers for the replys.

It would be grim. I'll do my visiting and do some day rides around Kintyre if the weather allows and save further adventures for after winter.

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Kintyre ? Thought you were going to the Western Isles ?
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Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

Well i live in Ullapool north west coast and i have not had the bike out for a while as the weather is just sh!te. The temperature has dropped here in the last couple of days and the wind is picking up (here comes winter). Well you wont have to worry about snow but the wind and constant rain is what you will have to put up with.

I pass through Durness did not really see any point in staying, i stayed in a smaller place outside of durness called castle town on the way to Orkney. Durness down the west coast is great scenery but you might find yourself not seeing much of anything if the weather is crap.

Ullapool goes like a ghost town in winter for the reasons mentioned above the weather is just depressing.
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Duffy1983 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

I am leaving in the morning, got all ma gear ready tonight! Im going up the west & back down the east, I cant wait obviously the weather will probably be shite but I am not expectin' it to be brilliant! It is Scotland after all. Very Happy

I'll be take up ma camera so hope to get some good photos, this will be my first "trip" never had the chance before and I am off work till Monday! I can see me hittin' the shneck for a night out with the locals!! Mr. Green

Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

Just starting to organise another week long tour around Scotland next May. Taking in John O Groats , Not sure if we are doing west to east or east to west but I do know we will be having a laugh.
Looking for some good B&Bs with ensuits, good parking for three bikes and nice views. Oh and a good pub with food near by.
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