Scotland Mini Tour

[graingerblaze]

Hiya, I'm looking for advice for those that have done the NC500. Having read books, watched YouTube videos and played on Google Maps, I wish to plan a realistic but fun mini tour of some of Scotland's best roads.

I drove to Fort Willian (via Oban) last year and loved the roads, especially around Glencoe. I would love to have a whole week to explore to full NC500 route, but I only have a long weekend due to family commitments. So, I plan the following:

Day One – Saturday
Leave home (near Cockermouth) and travel up to Invergarry. This looks to be 242 miles, so I estimate a 7-hour ride (with 2 hours’ worth of stops/breaks). I have camping gear (tent etc), but if I can find a cheap pod or hostel that will be my preference. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very grateful.

Day Two – Sunday
Leave Invergarry and head to the Applecross pass via the A87. This is the one pass I really want to do as it looks amazing! I will continue around the coast on the NC500 until I reach the Corrieshalloch Gorge and leave the NC500 to run across to Inverness. This day will be 229 miles, probably an 8-hour ride as lots of photos will be required. A stop in Inverness area, campsite or hostel, ready for the final ride home the next day.

Day Three – Monday
Leave Inverness and head home via Invergarry, Fort Willam and Glencoe. Basically, the same route as Saturday but with an extra 22 miles along Loch Ness. Another healthy ride of 284 miles, so 7-8 hours with breaks.

I would love to do more of the NC500, but given I only have three days, I think this is achievable and practical… what do you think? Should I be more ambitious and head further north? I appreciate a week is needed, maybe next year.

I’m planning on going end of April, when the midges will be hopefully sleeping and kids at school. Any recommendations on places to stay, alternative routes all very welcome. Thank you.

[2112]

Those are very sensible and achievable routes for the time you have. Day 2 will be a long day as your average speeds will be a lot lower than you think on those small, wiggly roads. We stayed at the Invergarry Hotel (https://www.invergarryhotel.co.uk/) which is not cheap but very comfortable and relaxing with excellent food. If you've had a wet day to get there it will be worth every penny. For Inverness we've stayed on the outskirts at the Travelodge (just East of Inverness, off the A96) which has a pub nearby and the Inverness Shopping Park, in case you need dry clothes... If you get time, check out the Culloden Viaduct, very impressive engineering. Heading home from Inverness I would suggest heading East to Nairn (or check out the Culloden Viaduct on the way), turning right and heading to Grantown-on-Spey, Tomintoul and over the Lecht (one of the UK's highest paved roads, stunning views). From there it's down to Crathie, turn right along to Braemar and then over Glenshee (the Cairnwell pass is the UK's highest road) and ultimately down to Perth. That's a great run back on some stunning roads, even the M74 is quite scenic, for a Motorway. Either way - enjoy it 

[graingerblaze]

Thank you 2112, I shall definitely look at your suggestions for the ride home on day three. The second day ride will be a challenge, as those twisty roads will be far slower, although for me that's the main aim of this trip. Google maps reckons 6 hours (229 miles), so I'm thinking leave by 09:00 in the morning and even with 3 hours worth of stops/breaks, I should end up in Inverness around 18:00... seems achievable although a long day I agree. Thank you.

[2112]

Just another little note regarding day 2, food stops can be a bit hard to find. We've done that route a few times now and have always struggled to find a restaurant or cafe that is either open or has space. The Applecross Inn seems to be 'permafull', never been able to get in there for years! It may be worth popping a snadwich and a bottle of water in your top box just in case.

[graingerblaze]

Great suggestion! 

[Upt North]

I'm with 2112, day two will probably take longer than you think.
Day 3, I'd go Lecht, Braemar and A7 to the M6. The A7 is an outstanding route.
Upt.

[Mep]

I've been to Scotland a few times now and have done most of those roads and camped, or stayed in caravans or pods. It'll be a great ride. When you have more time you need to continue on the NC500 to Durness and back around as it's excellent the further North you go. My thoughts.

Day 1 . If you can avoid the motorway you should and take the A75, A76 through Dumfries & Kilmarnock. You can cut back through Glasgow or take the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon. OK, it adds time but is a much better ride. I don't know where you are staying in Invergarry, but Glen Nevis campsite in Fort William is excellent. It will add some time to day 2 if you stay in Fort William, but means you can do a more scenic day 1, which you won't do a lot of in reverse on day 3.

Day 2 looks good.

Day 3. Best to take the quickest way home as you plan, or at least a different route to day 1 in reverse. A9 then A7.

Distances soon add up in Scotland. The roads are for the most part quiet and fast flowing. You be on single lane roads for a limited time. Take 2 flasks. One for water and one for tea/coffee. Bring lots of snacks too. Get lunch at a garage/shop on your way. You can chose where you stop for lunch, preferably somewhere with a great view. Top up often. Try and and pass through Tyndrum for the Green Wellie. Enjoy, and make sure you share it with us here.

[graingerblaze]

Thank you Upt North and Mep. I am going the last week of April, so thought I would check the hostels, hotels etc... wow they book up fast. So, I have now reserved a hostel for Saturday night (25th April) and a motorbike B&B for the Sunday night, so even if the weather is crap I have warm dry lodgings booked.

I will keep the Saturday itinerary similar, as I know the Dumfries & Kilmarnock roads well as I often nip over the boarder for a day trips but I do fancy the A7 rather then motorway. So, I have booked myself into the Great Glen Hostel for Saturday night, then the Whitehouse B&B near Inverness on Sunday night. I have changed my route home on Sunday, a little longer but I want to try out your recommendations. Thank you.

[Upt North]

GB,
Accommodation is a pain in Scotland, it books up very quickly especially on the NC500 route. I'm sure you're accustomed to single track roads but I'll say it anyway. The motor homes up there are a nuisance and rarely move over to let anyone pass, if you do have to stop in-between passing places be very wary of the drop off from the road surface to the verge in many places. Sometimes there will be nowt to put your foot on.

[MilozFolly]

Shame you can't get over to Skye - That whole west coast is stunning and Skye is just a notch up for me.  Maybe next time!  Applecross Inn is popular but there's also usually a coffee and bacon sandwhich place across the street in an Airstream.  Pricey but you're paying for the loch view more than the bacon tbf.  Have a good one - I'm heading up for a week again as soon as the kids go back to school at the end of Aug.

[Mep]

Looks like a good update from your first post. Let's hope the weather is kind to you.

[NeilM]

Not much to add.

I did a three day up and back trip to Mull in October and the roads were extremely quiet, which meant I could really cover ground, even on single track.

April is well outside the usual van life season, so the only traffic about will be commercial or local, and they will most likely be travelling faster than you!

Including the Cairngorms is a MUST. The Snow Roads are amazing.... but hopefully cleared of snow by April.

[graingerblaze]

Thank you NeilM, I shall aim for a week away next time..  or two with so many suggestions. I’m away in July to Spain for my main bike tour this year, but I wanted to squeeze another overnight break in to substitute not going to the ABR this year. I just hope it’s not too cold in April, but then again that keeps the midges away 

[Peile]

I am thinking of a run to Scotland in May possibly, I'd also like to go to Spain/Portugal, not sure if I'll go there in May/June or wait until around mid September.
It will take me a day to get to the Highlands and a day to get home so I'd really need 7 days total for Scotland to enjoy it properly, I have never been to Skye, must have a look at it and maybe include a spin out round there too.
What are your plans for Spain graingerblaze?
I'm looking at the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao, 31 hours! and I'm not a great sailor.

[graingerblaze]

Hi Peile, tours in Europe are always brilliant as you’re almost guaranteed hot sunny weather. I go most years, use to fly solo but recently been going with a group of nutters on all sorts of bikes.

20 years ago I would use the Euro tunnel and bomb down to the south of France in a day. Nowadays, with the cost of fuel and toll roads prices I take the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander. Some fantastic roads within an hour, rather than taking a day to get there. I used to live on a boat and still sail most weekends, so I’m OK on a ferry… best to get a cabin with a sea view and stare at the horizon if feeling off. Best of luck 

[ScaredyCat]

Do the Menock Pass on the way up.

My Day 1 was: Menock Pass -> Kilmarnock - >Largs -> Wemyss bay, then all the way round the coast to Glasgow, round along the coast again Ardmay -> Inverary -> Kimelford up for Fort William. Absolutely loved it. Rolled into Fort William about 9pm.

[graingerblaze]

Thank you ScaredyCat, sounds good. I think I’m set on day 2 & 3 now from the advice on here, but day one I’m still debating. If I take the fastest route I can be at my now booked hostel in 6 hours (or so) from my home, so I’m open to a few pretty detours. I shall research, thank you 

[Jim13_Wee_Strom]

Applecross, wonderful place and worth the ride in and ride out through the pass or along the coast road (a little trickier in foggy weather  ).
If busy in Applecross itself, burger van or the inn, and you want decent food / bathroom visit a trip to the Applecross Walled Garden cafe (https://www.applecrossgarden.co.uk/) will satisfy both requirements... enjoy the experience for what it is. 

[Upt North]

I can second the Café. A very pleasant alternative.

[KingOrry]

This may seem a daft question but.. is there a tendency for people to do it more often in a certain direction.? Clockwise..?
We went up to visit a pals mum a few years back after she’d broken her leg and was recovering in Thurso hospital.
We were simply ‘travelling to get there’ so went up the east coast, so batting up the A9, then stopped at her house in Watten, between Thurso and Wick.
Just wondering if there’s more traffic going up the west, or back down, or similar in both directions.?
Caithness is pretty bleak and desolate, unless you like looking at Windmills 😉
We did return along the A82, the run alongside Loch Ness and on to Fort William and Glen Coe was good fun though.
Not sure we really went to Scotchland though, over the four days we were there it never rained once.!