Sunny Scotland! Advise needed

Teammaddie1 · Post by **Teammaddie1** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 12:46 pm

Looking at heading up to NW scotland area after a couple of days at the ABR meet at the end of April. Will be leaving Cumbria sat morning to head up to Oban for 6 nights of camping and the occasional B&B. Meeting the wife around kielder water area the following Fri for a couple of nights relaxation before heading home. Was looking a doing Mull and Skye as have never been before. Would also like to get to Ullapool Durness and Dunnet head as well, but looking at the map I can't get my head around weather I'm cramming to much in to to little time. Bearing in mind I want to enjoy the trip rather than endure it. Are these distances realistic in the time period or should I just concentrate my attention around Mull and Skye and the surrounding main land? Solo ride on a bm 650 single.

Redmurty · Post by **Redmurty** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:15 pm

Skye is a day ride. There are good camp sites on their and loads of B and B's available. Excellent roads and stunning views. When I go to Scotland I dont over plan because as you say you want to enjoy it and you may find that you stop a lot and take photo's.
Mull I've not done but you can get the island hopper on the CalMac ferry I think I have read somewhere it's about £85.
Applecross is a good one to do and again good campsite and plenty of free camping around their.
Have a great trip I'm up their at the end of May

cheers Spud

Growls · Post by **Growls** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:36 pm

What do you want to see on Mull?

Getting there takes time or cost so not really a place to go for a day.

I'd take the Corran ferry near Onich and head for Lochaline the take the Lochaline ferry to fishnish. That way you get some great riding and its much cheaper than the Oban ferry. Once you are on Mull then Tobermory is where most of the B&Bs and pubs are. The road loop around Mull can be done in a day no problem but you won't see much as you'll be concentrating due to most of the roads being single track and in poor state.

Watch for traffic, everyone on mull is a rally driver!

There are a couple of campsites but free (wildish, toilet and bins) camping is available at Calgary bay.

I lived on Mull for 3 years so drop me a pm if you decided to head there and I'll give you more info depending on how long you plan to be there.

Cheers, G

Throttled · Post by **Throttled** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:40 pm

Recommended trips from Oban

Campbeltown, 180 miles, 4 1/2 hours

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oba ... ls&t=m&z=8

Portree and Skye, 300 miles, 7 hours.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oba ... ls&t=m&z=8

Arnamurchan Point the most westerly part of main land UK. Glen Finnan, the Harry Potter railway line. 200 miles, 6 hrs.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oba ... ls&t=m&z=9

Aberfeldy and Crieff, 175 miles, 4 1/4 hours.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oba ... ls&t=m&z=9

Mull, 125 miles, 5 1/2 hours

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oba ... ls&t=m&z=9

It is £32 to take a bike, ferry times here, but you can get the 0950 ferry there and you have until 1900, or 8 1/2 hours to ride round the island.

http://status.calmac.info/Timetables/su ... ignure.pdf

Teammaddie1 · Post by **Teammaddie1** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:43 pm

Cheers Spud. Did Applecross in 07 on a shinny new blue 955tiger with the misses when staying in Newtonmore for a week. Bit twitchy coming back at 9pm with fuel light on and no fuel stations. How we didn't run out I will never no. A hotel and bar in the middle of nowhere with a fuel pump on the side appeared Like a mirrage Got the guy in the bar to open up and fill the bike. Phew, will need to find that place again. The bike I should never of sold

-Ralph- · Post by **-Ralph-** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:51 pm

Are you staying in Oban for 6 nights, or are you lifting the tent, packing the bike and moving every day?

If the latter you could see most parts of Scotland in 6 days.

Teammaddie1 · Post by **Teammaddie1** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:51 pm

Cheers, G. Planned on getting there early as sun morning and camping one night. Killechoronan camp site maybe?

Teammaddie1 · Post by **Teammaddie1** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:52 pm

Oban 1 night before mull

Teammaddie1 · Post by **Teammaddie1** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:54 pm

Oban 1 night then moving on Ralph.

Throttled · Post by **Throttled** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:12 pm

Sorry, I thought you were based in Oban for the six nights. Round Scotland in 6 days is very doable.

Another suggestion

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oba ... =5&t=m&z=7

Campsites I know of where you are close to some where to eat and drink are at Lochcarron, Applecross, Durness, Wick and Ballater.

That is an average over 6 days of 137 miles and about 4 hours riding per day.