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Ride to Scotland - July 2015

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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 23:49 - 18 Feb 2015    Post subject: Ride to Scotland - July 2015 Reply with quote

Hello together,

as it didn't worked last year to visit UK/Scotland, we start a new attempt to come on the island (for us from Switzerland).

We are planning to sail from Amsterdam to Newcastle and then stay at the following cities:

Peebles-Region of Loch Lomond-Oban-Isle of Skye-Isle of Harris and Isle of Lewis-Lochinver-Wick-Inverness-Newtonmore-Perth-Lochearnhead-Edinburgh-Newcastle

and then we sail back to Amsterdam.

Do you know some special interesting motorbike spots (roads or so) where are hard to find in the net?
Maybe you driven yourself to some nice places.

Best regards from winterly Switzerland
Fredy
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Skudd
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PostPosted: 00:04 - 19 Feb 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Roads I went for especially were the likes of Applecross. You may have road like it back home, but for us it is fun, steep and stwisty, Also the likes of Electric Brae, A719, Maybole, South Ayrshire as there is an optical illusion of you rolling up hill. couldn't see it my self, but others laughed their heads off doing it.

Love the West and North of Scotland better than the East side, but all Scotland is great.
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doggone
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PostPosted: 00:15 - 19 Feb 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

You would probably enjoy some of Northumberland on the way or coming back.
Alnwick has an impressive castle used in many movies.
On the coast Holy Island causeway, and Bamburgh castle are spectacular.
Also the Roman Wall is fascinating - the best section is Housesteads but it is not a place to visit if the weather is poor.

When I visit Scotland it's hard not to find time for Skye.
The roads to it are quite special and when there take the tiny road to Elgol for an hour or two - and don't miss the road over Quirrang.
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Casper
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PostPosted: 17:02 - 19 Feb 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

How many days? You riding from Switzerland to IJmuiden in the same day (8 hours ish) if you are staying the night in Amsterdam or wherever thats 4 nights straight away. A lot of Scotland you dont get far fast so plan your route carfully. If you are only here two weeks i would recoment getting up north ASAP and if any time left near the end of the trip then play round the borders area. Using the A1 from Newcastle you can be in Edinburgh in around 2-2.5 hours. Then up the M9 to Stirling and hang east on the A811to Loch Lommond. Then up north on the A82. As i say, if you must see Peebles do it on the way back as if you dont h ave time you wont be missing much. West is best when up north.
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FriendlyEllis
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PostPosted: 19:46 - 19 Feb 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the west of Scotland google the A87 from Skye, then the A890 north.
At the T junction at the end head left (south west) along the A896 (but divert west over to Applecross) then come back onto A896 and continue north to the A832.

Head west on A832 and follow it north through Gairloch and Poolewe.

When it joins A835 shoot northwest upto Ullapool and have fish and chips.

Then take A835 back south east to Inverness.

Then shoot down the A9 to Perth or if your not rushed for time and the weathers nice, take the Old Military Road over the Cairngorm's.

Continue down to Edinburgh for an evening out with a few beers then back to Newcastle the following day in time for the ferry home?

That's what I'd do!
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 00:19 - 20 Feb 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

GPz750 wrote:
How many days? You riding from Switzerland to IJmuiden in the same day (8 hours ish) if you are staying the night in Amsterdam or wherever thats 4 nights straight away. A lot of Scotland you dont get far fast so plan your route carfully. If you are only here two weeks i would recoment getting up north ASAP and if any time left near the end of the trip then play round the borders area. Using the A1 from Newcastle you can be in Edinburgh in around 2-2.5 hours. Then up the M9 to Stirling and hang east on the A811to Loch Lommond. Then up north on the A82. As i say, if you must see Peebles do it on the way back as if you dont h ave time you wont be missing much. West is best when up north.


Hello GPz750 and all who are answering/reading this,

we are planning to stay for 14 nights / 15 days in Scotland from arrival until departure of the ferry in Newcastle.

Most of the accomodations will be booked in advance but we have some range during the days for drive smaller roads!
Only the ferry to/from Harris/Lewis are only once or twice a day and so, we have planned to stay in Staffin/North Skye for the night.
So we can sail in the morning from Uig to Tarbert and next day afternoon from Stornoway back to Ullapool and then staying at Lochinver for the night.

Greetings from Zurich/Switzerland
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 13:24 - 04 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

YEAH - it's done Very Happy

Ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle and return is reserved Dance!

Hopefully, weather will not be too wet during our trip!

Maybe one of you have some information for me concerning CalMac Ferries:

Is it necessary to book them before for Uig-Tarbert and Stornoway-Ullapool?


We are a trio with three bikes.

Fredy
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Mudshark
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PostPosted: 13:40 - 06 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

yes need to book

https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/2311/Uig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/2360/Stornoway
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 14:36 - 06 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mudshark wrote:


Hi Mudshark,

thank you for the links. I saw the possibility to book online and that CalMac "recommend" to doo bookings in advance. We wanna be indipendent and flexible and so i asked for experiences!

Regards,
Fredy
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Northern Monkey
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PostPosted: 21:18 - 06 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

From Newcastle, avoid the A1, head north up the A697, then rothbury, netherton, then along this road

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.365144,-2.19412,3a,75y,300.63h,80.81t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNzk4UpaKldd2N2J057v-Ow!2e0?hl=en

on google it looks like it stops in the middle of nowhere, but it doesn't, it joins up with the A68 just south of the border, then go north along the a68 into Scotland,
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Aff
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PostPosted: 21:36 - 06 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

This was a very good ride:

https://goo.gl/maps/wICwg

In fact, all of the routes we took on the recent Scotjolly were very good, see them here:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=301779
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sprayer
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PostPosted: 21:56 - 27 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dalveen+pass&rlz=1C1TEUA_enGB507GB507&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Vy5mVeTRHqqqywP__YGABA&ved=0CCsQsAQ
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sprayer
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PostPosted: 22:00 - 27 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=st+mary%27s+loch&rlz=1C1TEUA_enGB507GB507&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MjBmVdPAEOOHygOgxYGoCA&ved=0CD0QsAQ
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 11:06 - 28 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks to all the tips. we will check if they are possible to drive with our day schedules Smile
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Casper
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PostPosted: 12:32 - 28 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Be warned if using the A9 Fredy. They installed average speed cameras last year so you cant speed and slow down when you spot one. Its only one road so either stick top the limit or find a better route. Better route would be the preferred option as its a shit boring road.

Enjoy jockland when you come Thumbs Up
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 13:20 - 28 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

GPz750 wrote:
Be warned if using the A9 Fredy. They installed average speed cameras last year so you cant speed and slow down when you spot one. Its only one road so either stick top the limit or find a better route. Better route would be the preferred option as its a shit boring road.

Enjoy jockland when you come Thumbs Up


THANKS for this tip - we will look to stay in the speed limit.

Fortunately, we will see a lot of Scotland on our trip and so will drive unstressed - hopefully Rolling Eyes

Also we changed a part of the route, so we don't ride down the whole A9 from Wick to Edinburgh. From Inverness we will drive down the A939 to visit Region of Balmoral and then south east to Dunnottar Castle, but not on A93 - preferably on B976/B974.
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doggone
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PostPosted: 13:39 - 28 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

sprayer wrote:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dalveen+pass&rlz=1C1TEUA_enGB507GB507&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Vy5mVeTRHqqqywP__YGABA&ved=0CCsQsAQ


I got distracted.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51429362.html/svr/1119;jsessionid=CCDD5CC1AB014DA868FE95BF9532D00B
Round here you'd get a terrace house with postage stamp garden and NO SHED for that.
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Northern Monkey
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PostPosted: 13:50 - 28 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

doggone wrote:
sprayer wrote:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dalveen+pass&rlz=1C1TEUA_enGB507GB507&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Vy5mVeTRHqqqywP__YGABA&ved=0CCsQsAQ


I got distracted.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51429362.html/svr/1119;jsessionid=CCDD5CC1AB014DA868FE95BF9532D00B
Round here you'd get a terrace house with postage stamp garden and NO SHED for that.


That house doesn't have a shed either
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 14:06 - 28 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Northern Monkey wrote:
From Newcastle, avoid the A1, head north up the A697, then rothbury, netherton, then along this road

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.365144,-2.19412,3a,75y,300.63h,80.81t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNzk4UpaKldd2N2J057v-Ow!2e0?hl=en

on google it looks like it stops in the middle of nowhere, but it doesn't, it joins up with the A68 just south of the border, then go north along the a68 into Scotland,


This looks interesting - is the whole road asphaltic?
My wife doesn't drive often on non asphaltic roads Confused
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spnorm
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PostPosted: 19:40 - 29 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

With 14 nights, also consider including the English Lake District, North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales in your tour, and Dumfries & Galloway in southern Scotland Thumbs Up

North of Edinburgh/Glasgow the A93/A939 through the Cairngorms is also a must. Avoid the A9 though as it's an awful road
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Northern Monkey
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PostPosted: 22:31 - 29 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

MacZurbi wrote:
Northern Monkey wrote:
From Newcastle, avoid the A1, head north up the A697, then rothbury, netherton, then along this road

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.365144,-2.19412,3a,75y,300.63h,80.81t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNzk4UpaKldd2N2J057v-Ow!2e0?hl=en

on google it looks like it stops in the middle of nowhere, but it doesn't, it joins up with the A68 just south of the border, then go north along the a68 into Scotland,


This looks interesting - is the whole road asphaltic?
My wife doesn't drive often on non asphaltic roads Confused


Yes. The biggest problem is kamikaze sheep. You need to keep your speed down
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 07:21 - 30 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Northern Monkey wrote:
Northern Monkey wrote:
From Newcastle, avoid the A1, head north up the A697, then rothbury, netherton, then along this road

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.365144,-2.19412,3a,75y,300.63h,80.81t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNzk4UpaKldd2N2J057v-Ow!2e0?hl=en

on google it looks like it stops in the middle of nowhere, but it doesn't, it joins up with the A68 just south of the border, then go north along the a68 into Scotland,

Yes. The biggest problem is kamikaze sheep. You need to keep your speed down


Okay, that will not be the problem - we have also on our alps in the summer time kamikaze cows Wink

Then I have to check our planing to this single track...
Normally, I thought, that we drive from Newcastle Harbour to west for a visit on Hadrian's wall. But this road is to inviting Thinking
It is probably the first day in Scotland where we can drive the road AND the first day to drive on the "wrong" side for all of us!
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Northern Monkey
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PostPosted: 08:15 - 30 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are in no hurry, take the long way up the coast via the castles

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/North+Shields+Ferry+(NE-Bound),+North+Shields/Walton/@55.3490237,-2.0426107,9z/data=!4m39!4m38!1m30!1m1!1s0x487e6efb403fd0c1:0xb1d6555f3e8ae2cc!2m2!1d-1.445629!2d55.003487!3m4!1m2!1d-1.5856541!2d55.3280252!3s0x487e050a9b9e13d5:0x10e46d0f98e50e80!3m4!1m2!1d-1.6236961!2d55.4518002!3s0x487e02393c4930a7:0xd65acb3b0aca8f30!3m4!1m2!1d-1.7131177!2d55.6077095!3s0x4880ac55e6420201:0x7d385fe7fece81b1!3m4!1m2!1d-1.8087846!2d55.6801545!3s0x48874da09a21bd65:0x9677b3e54f6caf84!3m4!1m2!1d-1.9080375!2d55.3100677!3s0x487dfb2f821da69b:0x3e9e4daf0bc8acef!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x2466bd6929edb300!2m2!1d-2.288853!2d55.384987!3e0
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doggone
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PostPosted: 10:29 - 30 May 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Northern Monkey wrote:
If you are in no hurry, take the long way up the coast via the castles



Good plan, check Holy Island tide times for safe crossing though.
https://orawww.northumberland.gov.uk/www2/holyisland/HolyIsland.asp?dt=0615
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MacZurbi
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PostPosted: 12:46 - 11 Jun 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks to all your inputs.

We will start in less than 5 weeks Dance!

but I am just on the way to check if we will change routing a little bit.

At the moment we have planned to go up to Isle of Harris/Lewis.
Maybe we will change and let the Isle be and add a additional day off!

The whole trip will be 15 days/14 nights in UK/Scotland and for the moment, we only have one day off in Edinburgh planned at the end of the trip.

Regards,
Fredy
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