Scotland early September.2010 ..about time i did a write up!

[hellraiser]

All going to plan, i'll be taking a tour of Scotland between 28th August and 11th September.
Mostly wild camping i reckon, and the odd campsite aswell.

So, two weeks and a day to do with what i please!
Although will probably spend between 7 and 10 days away and have some time back home.

Used to visit Scotland every year, especially the Highlands, half my family from there, so kind of know what to expect.
Getting very excited. Only just over two weeks to prepare.

Route planning at the moment, but open to change.

Places i intend to re-visit:

Loch Lomond,
Inverary,
Oban,
Fort William,
Inverness.

Definitely need to see Eilean Donnan Castle, never been, and apparently is an ancestral home of my family.

Should pay a visit to Elgin, as my Granny and Grandad have moved there.

Keep hearing about Ullapool, looks like i may have to try there too.

Used to visit Tarbert? Tarbert? a bit, struggling to find the right one.
Will have to ask me Dad.
There's probably a lot of places i've left out, especially ones from my youth i'd love to go back and visit.
Just have to see where the road takes me.

Not really looking forward to the motorway all the way up there though

Deciding whether to wear textiles (few years old now) or leathers and waterproofs for if WHEN it rains.

Any tips, advice welcomed, i have read quite a bit on here already.
Just good to speak my mind to people who'll be more interested than the average person i'm gonna be banging on about this trip to.

Cheers.
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1987 FZ750 - 1994 YZF750R

[FURBAR]

You can have mixers with your vodka, and pitch your tent in the shade if it's hot ... Oh .. and buy ciggys .. leave your rollups at home ..
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Fuk um !!

[hellraiser]

Hahaha! funny fucker! Nice one!

Some thoroughbred advice there.

Might ask tutton to come along and get properly lost this time.
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1987 FZ750 - 1994 YZF750R

[pepperami]

I`ve Never known Scotland not to have lots of flying bitey things in the warmer months, so midge cream is going to be a must?

what bike are you using?
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[hellraiser]

Yeah, i'll be investing in some decent repellant
May be lucky, as havent been bitten much in the past,
but havent been up there for a long time, i might taste better nowadays.

Going on this yzf750 .

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/YZF%20750/DSC01575.jpg

Got a gel seat cover on it's way to me.


Pretty big shopping list to get out the way, panniers and tankbag needed badly.
Think i might struggle fitting panniers to a single seat unit though.
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1987 FZ750 - 1994 YZF750R

[kitty kat]

Skin So Soft by Avon is the recommended stuff for midges. The camping shop near my place of work actually have it on the counter and sell it as a midge repellant. A lot of the lads on here as well swear by it.
If you pass through Tyndrum there is a bike stop called The Green Welly, a chance to fuel up and have a brew and also get some tips from local bikers about the best roads.
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Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[gmanxiii]

I've been along pretty much that route both bank holiday weekends for the last 2 years. It will rain, and rain lots... interspersed by the odd day of glorious sunshine and dry flawless tarmac...

Recommend hoping onto the ferry at Mallaig to Isle of Skye, theres some glorious views there and taking the bridge back across to the mainland. Eilean Donnan is a few minutes after you cross that bridge. have you thought about B&B's? maybe even breaking up the trip with the odd night in one? god send to be able to have a hot shower, proper bed and somewhere to dry your kit after 6 hours of riding in torrential downpour.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[Skudd]

You need to to do the Applecross pass. Lovely road ,made me giggle.
____________________
Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[hellraiser]

[Tonka]

[hellraiser]

I am a bit of a last minuter.
Have checked what the sunset times are going to be when i'm up there, so hopefully should have set up before dark.
The tent i've got looks very quick to put up so shouldnt be a problem.
Liked to have gone earlier in the year to make the most of the long days. Used to love those late, light nights when i was a kid.

Ideally i'd like to set up camp, then go for a short wander in whatever place i'm staying for the night.
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1987 FZ750 - 1994 YZF750R

[Daz324]

Well if your up by tarbet and if you like seafood I can recommend popping accross on the A83 to the loch fyne oyster bar

https://shop.lochfyne.com/

The food is so fresh and it tastes amazing! been there a few times and to a few others on the seafood trail, was planning on doing a ride along all the restaurants when i get some time (and money)

All the beset

Daz

[Devans]

Ullapool is worth a visit, great roads around!

Make a note to to from Fort agustas to isle of skye the road is insane!

[dextersaurus]

I've never been, but theres apparently some cracking roads up the north east...

Dunc

[hellraiser]

Should be setting off later today!

Hopefully my rear brake pads will be here to fit them before i go. they are rather low.

Got everything on the shopping list i had,(i think) including some new boots. Bought the Hein Gericke version of the TCX infinity boots.
Bank and credit card took a battering!

Cheers for the tips on places to go
Really looking forward to this, hopefully meet some other bikers up there, maybe some off here.

First stop will be Hoddom Castle, around 274miles from here.
Will try and post the obligatory bike loaded up pic later.
____________________
1987 FZ750 - 1994 YZF750R

[doggone]

Lucky you have dry weather if not all that warm: enjoy.

[Bendy]

[Stevie GooGs]

Hope your have decided to go right up the west coast, its just lovely up here in Ullapool .

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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
Bike Pics! -> My Photography Website

[ram_doom]

From Kylesku to Scourie is a good piece of road
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TL1000s, KDX200

[hellraiser]

[chillyman0]

Cool man, so how long did those near 300 miles take you then? looks like a long old slog! Did you not get a sore neck having no fairing to cut through the wind?


____________________
preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r

[Phantom Rider Macrae]

[hellraiser]

[hellraiser]

Day 2 Friday

I awoke at around 6am. Good nights sleep, tent and sleeping bag faired well, kept me warm enough.
Looked to be another beautiful day!

Took this around 7ish.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01314.jpg

Time to take a nostalgic look around the grounds.
Hasn't changed all that much in twenty years, used to be a massive ornamental pond which has since been filled in.
The castle is just how i remember it.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01315.jpg

Apparently those barrel shaped static caravans will be available to
rent sometime. Just the one there at the moment.
I was camped just to the left of the above pic.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01316.jpg

One reason i wanted to stay here the night, was that there is a lookout tower up on a hill not too far from the castle grounds.
Used to be quite a spooky place when I was a young un'.
Rmember walking up there with my older brother, and him saying
"If there is a graveyard up here, then i'm legging it back down!"
Sure enough there is a graveyard, and both of us being at a young age,
shat ourselves and ran back down the pretty steep hill.
Dodging the many cowpats!
Maybe we had watched too many horrors films as kids.
Still, used to give me nightmares that tower, remember falling out
of the top bunk of the caravan whilst staying at Hoddom due to said nightmares.

Anyway, some pics of The Repentance Tower, and the walled in graeyard.

On the way up the hill.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01317.jpg

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There is a placard to read with some history of the tower.
I won't go into detail, but here's a link with some brief info.
My Dad to me they used to execute slaves at the tower.

Me at the only door, i'd love to have gone and looked inside.


https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01324.jpg


View from the tower, looking back the way i had walked.
You can see Hoddom Castle in the right side of the pic.
Theres a road to cross just behind the tree line.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01325.jpg

Descending the hill back to camp.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01326.jpg

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01327.jpg

Back at the castle. Golf course to the right of this if you're into that sort of thing.
River Annan runs beside the castle grounds, used to fish on it way back.
I shouldve had a better look round and took some more pics really.


https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01329.jpg

By the time i had returned to the tent and had a brew, next door was up and about.
Had a lengthy conversation with them about Hoddom, Scotland, camping and touring on a bike.
Turns out the bloke (never did get their names) rides bikes and
wants to do a ride with his mate to the west coast like i have planned to. For now they were staying a Hoddom for a week,
and going on to visit relatives in Glasgow.
Nice couple they were, charged my phone in his 4x4, gave me a bacon roll and a few cuppa's. Free breakfast!

Was getting on, packed up the tent and all the gear back onto the bike,
kitted up, and made my eventual exit around 1pm. Loch Lomond bound!
Should've left earlier, but hey, i'm on holiday.

Even with directions given i didnt see a petrol station on the way out. No matter, i'll fuel up on the way.
Sat nav confused me and missed a turn.
Got back on course and back onto the A74(M).

Got a euprhoric feeling getting nods from bikers coming the other way, plenty looked like they were doing the touring thing.
Saw signs for services, think they were 2 and 22 miles.
As i was already on reserve, i needed to refuel pronto.

No services after 2miles!
Hoped i'd have enough petrol to get me to the next one.
Trip meter was telling me otherwise.
Riding an uphill right hand bend, bike starts to struggle.
Sinking feeling, i'm going to run out........

Sure enough, fail, i ran out of go juice!! somewhere between J14 - 15.
Maybe i should have refueled before Hoddom, the day before.
Luckily i had conked out just before an SOS phone.
Got through to RAC, good job i'd took out cover only a few days before the trip.
Was told as i'm on the motorway I am a priority, and would be
supplied petrol if i had a fiver to pay for it.

The driver phoned me and said he was up near Glasgow, and would be sometime.
Smoked many fags, read map, got really bored by the side of the road. Shoulda brought a book.
At least the weather was great. Wasn't in the mood for taking pics though.

Two hours had passed by the time he got to me.
Told me that it's a common occurance on this stretch of road.
Little did i know you have to exit and go into a village/town for services.
No other obvious signs for services after that one for 2miles. Chucked petrol in, bike ok. I'm off again.
Filled tank to the brim at the next oppurtunity.

Made it to Glasgow. Traffic wasnt fun through the city, on the M8, especially around the airport.
Nearly side shunted by a woman trying to change lanes without looking!
Headed over the Erskine bridge and onto the A82.
No more motorway, proper roads to play on.

Arrived at the south shore of Loch Lomond at quarter to 5.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01330.jpg

Hung about for a snack and quick look around Balloch.
Wanted to see Inverary before setting up camp for the night.
Set off again for a ride up the west side of Loch Lomond.
Made a welcome change from riding on motorways i can tell you.

Took a right turn at Tarbet to view the Loch from the north.
Found good stop with a cracking view.
Little rocky outcrop, and like a mini gravel beach.
Looked like someone had camped here before, remains of fires and such.
Maybe a good spot for fishing.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01333.jpg

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https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01339.jpg

There was an uphill track opposite (across the road) where i took those.
Rode up it to investigate, was access into woods, turning into a
footpath kind of deal.
Almost decided to camp somewhere in there, but was a little early and wanted to make more progress. Running out of petrol earlier
didn't help.
Set off back the way i came. Onto the A83.
Through Arrochar around half 6, spotted a chippy.
Decided i'd have a proper meal, before heading for Inverary.

Scotch pie and chips.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01340.jpg

Quick chat with a bloke at the chippy, asking if i'd rode round Scotland before.
Told him no, but had visited much of it as a kid, but hadn't returned in around 17years,
his words were something like " It's still fucking awesome!"

Headed for Inverrary, ride up the A83 was like nothing i'd experienced back home, or ever really.
Would've liked to ride it at a bit more speed, but roadworks and a dumper truck prevented this somewhat.
Riding between mountains was new to me and gotta say daunting at times. Good fun though.

Saw the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar mentioned earlier.
As i'd already eaten and had no time to stop, i didn't.

Arrived at Inverary, a lot later than i had anticipated, saw Inverary Castle from a distance,
stopped at car park at the waterfront.
Looked like a bike meeting point, was quite a few there.
I didnt have time to stick around too long, take pics or walk about.
Quick fag and stretch of the legs.
I needed to find a spot to camp before dark, and thought i would look around properly tomorrow.
I'd been to Inverary before so knew what to expect anyway.
Pretty place anyway.

Right, place to camp nearby i thought.
Got on the A819 heading north.
Kept my eye out for somewhere that looked like a decent place to camp.

Took a gravel track on the left (twice). Ended up riding on a mix of gravel and muddy track.(slowly) On a sportsbike!
Trees were pretty dense, with damp moss on rocky ground.
Not ideal to camp really.
Did see a deer though. It scarpered once it took a look at me.

Back onto A819. Getting a bit dark now.
Need somewhere to stay sharpish. Didn't want to be putting a tent up in darkness.
Got desperate and pulled up at some temp traffic lights.
Made a phonecall to the girlfriend, and got her to google campsites near me. No luck.
Ok, so hotels/b&b......
I pressed the hotels option on the sat nav and got a phone number, for one at random.
Loch Awe Hotel. Only a few miles away.
By chance they had a room and for £30, said i'd take it.

A guy on a bike pulled along side to check i was alright.
Surprised to notice that it was only the bike i was parked next to at Inverary. Ha!
Told him i was finding somewhere to stay the night.
He offered to show me a place where he was going night fishing.
As I was low on fuel and was liking the idea of the hotel, I declined.
I was tempted though.

Made it to the hotel in darkness, not knowing what surroundings i was in or what I passed on the in.
My girlfriend told me how amazing the hotel and area looked online after we spoke. This would become apparent the next day.

Checked in at 9pm, unloaded what i needed from the bike and went to my room.
Room was like an attic bedroom, cosy. It would do me for the night.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/DSC01342.jpg

End of Day 2 i'd covered 187miles and 470miles in total.

Route for the day.

https://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/h3llr4iser/Scotland%20tour%20Sep%202010/Day2.jpg
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1987 FZ750 - 1994 YZF750R

[Moo.]

Great write up look forward to reading more
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A2 Passed 18/6/10