Trip around the UK (2013)

[james1988]

Hello,

The - semi convinced - other half and I are intending on doing a tour of the UK early'ish next year. Today, her in doors, decided that she would like to see the Northern lights and it got me thinking, why not incorporate into our tour. At the moment it starts in Portsmouth and heads up through Wales, Scotland and then back down through England.

I have two weeks to do the trip in and I was hoping for some advice on whether I'm trying to cram to much in for two weeks travelling.

Secondly, has anybody seen the Northern Lights from Lerwick (I'm thinking of adding it in and taking out Wales)?

Finally, what is the weather like at Summer time in the Highlands and very north of Scotland (may head right up to the top)?

Most of our time will be spent camping with some days / night spent in B&Bs.

https://goo.gl/maps/rQaJV

James

[Dave-the-rave]

In Scotland it's not unusual to experience all four seasons in one day, even in summer, so if you take what you would need for the whole year you'll be fine.

[stinkwheel]

You only see the aurora from Scotland in the middle of winter on the very coldest of clear, frosty nights and even then only occasionally. Usually at the peak of the 11 year sunspot cycle. I've seen them five or six times and I lived up in Aberdeenshire until I was 17.

Going to Lerwick in mid January/February on a motorbike is asking to get stuck there either in a large pile of snow or waiting for a ferry that can't leave due to storms.

No point looking for them in the middle of the Summer, it doesn't get dark at night that far North.

Far North in the middle of summer is either absolutely tipping it down with rain or the most bright, stunning sunshine you'll see. Or fog. Or all three.

Midsummers Day on Shetland 2006
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/simmer%20dim/shirts.jpg
Midsummers Day on Shetland 2007
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/summer%20run%202007/28500014.jpg
Midsummers day on Shetland 2008
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/shetland%2008/Photo18_8.jpg
Midsummers Day on Shetland 2009 (same place as 2007)
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/summer%202009/dscn0077.jpg
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[james1988]

Thanks for that. Is it worth heading to the Shetlands for two nights or would it be more worthwhile to stay on the Mainland? I'd love to go there at some point in life.

On the other hand I'd like to visit the distilleries so those few days could be better spent having a mooch about.

James

[stinkwheel]

It's a long journey up there. Overnight from Aberdeen, about 14 hours to Lerwick.

What I've done in the past, and it's a superb way to see Scotland on a bike, is to go up to Lerwick from Aberdeen (if you have time go to Perth then take the Braemar and North Deeside road to Aberdeen) and spend a few nights on Shetland. On the way back, every other ferry stops at Kirkwall on the Orkney Isles at midnight so I got off there and camped up (there are spaces at the kirkwall campsite or the local hostels are used to midnight arrivals).

Couple of days on Orkney then picked up the Gills Bay ferry from St Margrets Hope which takes you to the North East corner of Scotland near Dunnet Head.

I then headed aWest, following the North coast to Durness, down through Ullapool, through the Torridans, over the top from Strathcarron and dropped down into Kyle of Lochalsh. Then across the bridge onto Skye and pick up the ferry to Mallaig. From there to Fort William, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor Crianlarrach and Stirling.

Instead of Skye-Mallaig, the A87 through Glengarry is also good.

That ought to blow your mind sufficiently.

That route on Google Maps

EDIT: Once you've seen one or two distilleries, you've seen them all. You'll pass plenty.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[stinkwheel]

Looking at your original map. Consider going through the middle of Wales on the A470. That South coast road has absolutely nothing whatsoever to recommend it.

In Scotland, there are MUCH MUCH nicer places than Loch Lomond (which is infested by verminous neds from Glasgow who go there, set fire to anything they can find that burns then get pissed up on buckfast tonic wine while listening to techno music at full blast and having knife fights with one another). The road along it is shite, dangerous and means you have to go through Glasgow.

If you want to camp by a Loch, keep on the motorway to Stirling then turn West. Turn off for Oban at Tyndrum then turn left on the A819 will take you up along Loch Awe.

Make it a main aim to go on as little of the A9 as you can.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[james1988]

Thanks for the advice.

The route is only a rough draft as I wanted to see what sort of mileage I would be covering. When it comes to the main event, I'll more than likely do it by map on the day rather than stick to a set route.

I'm unsure of whether I'm going to head across to St. Davids at the moment. I grew up a stones throw away from Brecon so I might hang around there for a day or two instead before heading North.

Considering I spent 22 years of my life living in Wales, I've never once been to Snowdonia; it's a must for this trip.

I'll definitely take what you've said on board. Prepare for the 'what tent' thread next.

James

[TheBikerStig]

One thing about camping in scotland, ITS BLOODY FREEZIN IN THE NIGHT! Even if the temp is warm in the day, I ended up sleeping in my leathers. Also cant recomend the a82 through glen coe enough. A87 is another must.
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Some say that he is the sole survivor of Atlantis, and that he refused to speed test a new Hayabusa this morning simply because there was no milk for his Brexit. All we know is hes called TheBikerStig.