August and September is prime midgies time.
April 2015 was superb but completely unusual .
Ferry bookings can be a problem at short notice i.e. watch the forecast and go !
Take your pick!!!!

Think about going up the coast from Stranraer to Gourock and taking the ferry across to Dunoon the head up northwest --- rather than Kilmarnock Glasgow main road route. Dunoon ferry runs continuously, 20mins wait Max.

I have had two new bikes from Edinburgh Triumph in recent years.
I thought the cost to change was excellently low. The service is excellent and you will get a good deal on any extras.

And Lomo are nearly next door to Devine's !!

Asymmetric panniers available from matt Gray. I have a pair on my tiger. £270 delivered.

Check out aluminium panniers on eBay . made to your spec. They are not painted/or coated, do not come with mounting pucks but if you can diy pucks and paint they are a bargain. Made by a guy called matt grey, lives Scarborough area.

Don't know how Santa is going to cope !

:( The road bridge being shut on one side is having a huge impact on traffic flow and is really bad news. The crossings further up the river are horrendously busy and the impact spins out for many miles. The Bridge is already busy so I can't see any extra trains being laid on to help. Anybody fancy ...