Day of arrival in Glasgow

Depending upon your time of arrival you might want to visit the sights in Glasgow or others nearby.

Glasgow to Connel ~ 180 miles ~ 5 hours riding

Depart Renfrew heading to Ardrossan where we board the ferry to the Isle of Arran, the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, and considered "Scotland in Miniature". Highland Boundary Fault splits the Island into highland and lowland areas making it very popular among geologists. We partially circuit the island before boarding another ferry that brings us to Tarbert on the Mull of Kintyre.

Turning north we next reach Lochgilphead where the Crinan Canal cuts through the Kintyre Peninsula, then onwards to Dunaad Fort that dates from the Iron Age and was the seat of the Medieval Kingdom of Dal Riata, one of four ancient Kingdoms that united to form the Kingdom of Alba that is now Scotland.

The journey continues in a northerly direction reaching Inveraray, a former royal burgh and county town of Argyll. The castle in the town is the ancestral seat to the Duke of Argyll.

As we progress further north we pass the ruins of Kilchurn Castle on the shore of Loch Awe and this is where we change direction deviating west and taking a stop at the quirky St Conan’s Kirk before ending the day at Connel

Connel to Arisaig ~170 miles ~ 5.5 hours riding

We take the short distance from Corran to Oban where we board a ferry to the Isle of Mull, the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, though only the eighth in population density with about 3000 inhabitants. The coastline is over 300 miles and so we shall only do a partial circuit on the island, mainly embracing the better parts, from a rider’s perspective, of the Aros peninsula. Most tourists head to Iona and Tobermory and so miss the parts you shall see.

We leave the island from the colourful town of Tobermory crossing to the Ardnamurchan peninsula making our way through more sparsely populated lands as we make our way east to Corran where we take our third ferry of the day.

The journey next leads north to Ft Wiliam where you shall see the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then we deviate west to Glenfinnan where the Jacobite uprising began and also where you might catch the steam train crossing the viaduct as used in the Harry Potter films.

We end the day at Arisaig where the nearby Sands of Morar were used in the film Local Hero. Loch Morar is Scotland’s deepest fresh water loch (1017ft / 310m) it also has the shortest river (about half a mile) and powers a hydro electric plant on the rivers descent to the Sound of Sleat.

Arisaig to Glenelg via Skye ~ 190 miles ~ 5.5 hours riding

The day begins with a short ride to Mallaig where we catch the ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye where we shall spend the day exploring the largest island on Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. Here the Cuillin Mountains deliver dramatic scenery and varying colour from black basalt and gabbro to the red hills that are mainly granite.

We first head to Elgol, a dead-end track, though the pretty harbour makes the journey worthwhile, we then turn back to Broadford and at Sligachan we could visit the Fairy Pools then continue to Dunvegan where the castle is the home to the Clan MacLeod Chieftain. The castle is an interesting stop bat the midges in the garden can spoil the visit at times.

The next major town we pass through is Uig. At this point we could cross the Quirang or take the coastal road to Skye Museum of Island Life and onwards around the island. Further stops will be to see features like Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr before we reach the Island capital Portree.

To make an interesting end to the route we shall take the last remaining turnstile ferry in the world. This was the original crossing to Skye and it still ferries between Kylerhea on Sky and Glenelg on the mainland. We end the day at an old inn close to where Gavin Maxwell wrote his classic Ring of Bright Water.

Glenelg to Eddrachilles~ 195 miles ~ 5.5 hours riding

Close to Glenelg there are two 2,000-year-old tall broch towers, Dun Telve and Dun Trodan that we shall visit briefly then we cross the Bealach Ratagan to Invershiel before traversing the shore of Loch Duich taking our next stop at Eilean Donan Castle.

The route progresses north to Strome Ferry and around Lochs Carron and Kishorn to Tornapress where we ride up to the Bealach na Ba viewpoint befoe turning back. The historic mountain pass was built in 1822 and is engineered similarly to roads through the great mountain passes in the Alps. It has very tight hairpin bends often with adverse cambers that switch back and forth up the hillside with gradients up to 20%. The Bealach na Ba is the greatest ascent of any road climb in the United Kingdom.

Returning to the A896 we pass through a valley and along the shore of Loch Coultrie and Loch Dahm before reaching Shieldaig then the shore of Loch Torridon before heading inland again towards Kinlochewe. We now alter course again to the west along the southern side of Loch Maree and onwards to Gairloch.

Continuing mainly along coastal and Lochside roads we reach Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve which is about a mile long, 200ft deep and 33 ft wide. The gorge leads to a flat-bottomed glacial trough at the head of Loch Broom.

We progress onwards to Ullapool and then further north we cross the characteristicly styled curved Kylesku Bridge and into theNorthwest Highlands UNESCO Geopark  to end the day at Eddrachilles near Scourie with southerly views across Badcall Bay.

Scourie to Brora ~ 185 miles ~ 4.5 hours riding

Heading north we pass through Scourie and onwards to Durness where some might want to visit the local chocolate factory before we deviate east along Scotland’s North Coast.

Just outside Durness we reach Smoo Cave that some might want to see, I warn you though, it is a long walk down making it a touch climb back up especially wearing riding boots! Our next point of interest is a zip line across one of the gorgeous sandy beaches we have in Scotland. Whilst the Golden Eagle Zip Line to Ceannabeinne Beach is fun please bear in mind it is one way down, so you need to walk back up to recover your bike! If nothing else these two stops will keep you fit.

There is a café at a weaver centre just east of Tongue where we might take a refreshment break or continue to the café at the visitors centre near Bettyhill.

The next point of interest is Dounraey, the UK's first nuclear power station, built in1955. It became the centre of fast reactor research and development from then through to the mid 90’s and has been undergoing decontamination ever since. Later comes Thurso followed by a museum named Mary Ann’s Cottage and then Castle Mey, a home of the late Queen Mother, now in Trust. It is open to the public buy closed at times during July and August but if you want to visit, we shall try to add it into the route plan.

Continuing east we reach John O’Groats, the UK mainland’s most north easterly habitation. From here you can look over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Isles.

The journey south isn’t a great ride relative to where you have been but we can make it interesting with stops at places of interest along the way including Castle Sinclair Girnigoe that dates from 1490, Whaligoe Steps that lead to a natural harbour with 250 ft high cliffs, Waterlines heritage Centre at Lybster, The Timespan Museum at Helmsdale and more before we end the day at The Royal Marine Hotel n Brora.

Brora to Loch Rannoch ~ 200 miles ~ 5 hours riding

The day begins with a ride south to Dunrobin Castle the home of the Duke of Sutherland and the most northerly of Scotland's great houses.

Next we head west through Rogart to Lairg then south to Bonar Bridge and onwards to Dingwall before reaching Strathpeffer where we could take a break at the former Victorian Railway station

A little further on we reach Beauly where the 13th century priory is in ruins but undergoing repairs. The land around Beauly is very fertile with grains and fruit being regular crops.

Continuing in a southerly direction we join Loch Ness at Drumnadrochit then follow the route through the Great Glen part Ft Augustus and Loch Lochy to Spean Bridge where we deviate course again, turning to the east to Loch Laggan and onwards to Dalwhinnie.

The final leg of this route heads south on the A9 briefly exiting at Garry Bridge onto a minor road leading to Trinafour then onwards on the B847 and B846 to Kinloch Rannoch where we end the day at a Spa hotel overlooking the loch.

Loch Rannoch to Glasgow ~ 150 miles ~ 4.5 hours riding

Departing Loch Rannoch, we head east to Loch Tummel and onwards to the Victorian town of Pitlochry, we then loop back to the west loosely following the course of the River Tay through Aberfeldy to Kenmore which is on the western shore of Loch Tay. We shall take a stop to see the Crannog then cut through Glan Quaich and south to Crieff.

From Crieff we turn westerly along the course of the River Earn to Lochearnhead where we change direction again turning south towards Callander. At Kilmahog we take the Dukes Pass over to Aberfolye.

The River Forth begins at Loch Ard and we briefly follow the upper reaches of the Forth before deviating again to the west to the southern end of Loch Lomond.

The final leg of the journey brings you back to the Glynhill Hotel close to Glasgow Airport where a Spa treatment awaits to unwind you after this long journey.

CFMOTO 650MT

The CFMOTO 650MT is a great rival to the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Suzuki VStrom 650 offering a comparable parallel twin 650cc engine, Bosch fuel injection, engine protection bars, wind deflecting windscreen, integrated handguards and SHAD panniers and top box, we think this bike offers all a rider needs if on a tighter budget. Styled by the Austrian design team Kiska and with close association with KTM the CFMoto 650MT is available for hire and is perfect for a diverse range of riding and rider skill levels. Supplied with removeable panniers the 650MT also have an adjustable windscreen and engine protection bars and features the following. 60.35HP - 45kW at 8,750rpm Torque: 56Nm at 7,000rpm 650cc parallel twin cylinder liquid cooled engine Bore x Stroke: 83 x 60mm 6 speed gearbox Bosch ECU and fuel injection CST tyres. Front: 120/70R17 Rear: 160/60R17. J.Juan brakes Dual channel ABS USD front forks and adjustable rear monoshock On the fly mapping with dual riding modes 2180 long x 835 wide x 1332 high (in mm) 1425mm wheelbase 840mm seat height 218kg 18 litre fuel tank capacity 2 x Shad Panniers (side cases) Garmin Zumo GPS Low rental plus £0.25 per mile. If carying a pillion an age restriction of 35-70 with a minimum of 3 years riding on simiar machine applies.

Restrictions: Minimum age 25, minimum experience 1 year, Excess £1500

Weekly Hire From: Pound £675

CFMOTO 650GT

The CFMOTO 650GT with its parallel twin 650cc engine, Bosch fuel injection, SHAD panniers and top box, taller windscreen and adjustable suspension with longer travel; this bike will be a perfect partner for long distance journeys. The 650GT utilises the same base engine used in their TT racer with proven reliability and offering smooth power through the Bosch fuel injection system, you'll enjoy riding the CFMoto 650GT. These bikes are equipped with the latest TFT dashboard, LED lights front and rear, plus LED indicators, Continental ABS, Spanish J.Juan brakes and Metzeler tyres. They were designed by Kiska, the powerhouse behind the designs for KTM. Built to take on the open roads and made to last those longer journeys. Using the super reliable 650cc engine, paired with high specification auxiliary parts the CFMOTO 650GT is a perfect grand tourer for those on a tighter budget. 795mm seat height, 60 BHP, 56 NM, 218kg. Supplied with 2 x Shad Panniers (side cases) and a Garmin Zumo GPS. Low rental cost plus £0.25 per mile. If carying a pillion an age restriction of 35-70 with a minimum of 3 years riding on simiar machine applies.

Restrictions: Minimum age 25, minimum experience 1 year, Excess £1500

Weekly Hire From: Pound £675

Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic

A quintessential American cruiser, the Harley-Davidson® Heritage Classic 114 has showstopping vintage details and pure rock 'n' roll style. Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine producing 94 BHP and 118.7 ft-lb (160.9nm) torque

Restrictions: Minimum age 25, minimum experience 1 year, Excess £1500

Weekly Hire From: Pound £1,345

Triumph Tiger Sport 660

A comfortable sports touring bike with a sporty 80bhp tripple cylinger engine . Equipped with two side panniers and top case. Seat Height is 835 mm. Mileage charge is £0.30 per mile. If carying a pillion an age restriction of 35-70 with a minimum of 3 years riding on simiar machine applies.

Restrictions: Theft-Damage deposit £2500, Minimum age 25, 2 years riding

Weekly Hire From: Pound £995

Triumph Tiger1200 Alpine Edition SE

The Tiger 1200 Alpine Edition was inspired by epic alpine adventures. Supplied with top box and 2 panniers. We have 2 saddles; a low heated one and regular comfort. These provide a versatile saddle height from 815mm up to 855mm to suite a variety of leg lengths. Mileage charge is £0.30 per mile. If carying a pillion an age restriction of 35-70 with a minimum of 3 years riding on simiar machine applies.

Restrictions: Theft-Damage deposit £2500, Minimum age 25, 2 years riding

Weekly Hire From: Pound £1,395

Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro

The world's most capable, agile and manoeuvrable large capacity adventure motorcycle. Supplied with top box and 2 panniers. We have 2 saddles; a low and regular comfort (both heated). These provide a versatile saddle height from 830mm up to 870mm to suite a variety of leg lengths. Mileage charge is £0.30 per mile. If carying a pillion an age restriction of 35-70 with a minimum of 3 years riding on simiar machine applies.

Restrictions: Minimum age 30, minimum experience 2 year, Excess £2500

Weekly Hire From: Pound £1,575