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

Kick off your adventure from our base near Glasgow Airport, heading straight onto the scenic backroads of Renfrewshire. Feel the freedom of the open road as we wind our way to Gourock, where we’ll catch the ferry across the Firth of Clyde to Hunter’s Quay in Argyll, a classic start to any Highland ride. From there, we carve across the Argyll peninsula, enjoying sweeping views and quiet roads, before reaching Portavadie. Here, another short ferry hop takes us to Tarbert on the legendary Mull of Kintyre.

Turning north, we ride up to Lochgilphead, where the historic Crinan Canal slices through the peninsula. Our next stop is the ancient hilltop of Dunadd Fort, once the seat of the medieval Kingdom of Dal Riata, one of the four kingdoms that united to form Scotland. The journey continues north to Inveraray, a picturesque former royal burgh on the shores of Loch Fyne, home to the striking Inveraray Castle, ancestral seat of the Duke of Argyll.

As we push further north, the ruins of Kilchurn Castle come into view on the banks of Loch Awe, a perfect photo stop. We then swing west for a visit to the quirky and beautiful St Conan’s Kirk, before ending the day’s ride at Connel.

This route blends epic riding, ferry crossings, and a taste of Scotland’s wild history and is perfect for riders who want more than just miles under their wheels.

Connel to Arisaig ~170 miles ~ 5.5 hours riding

Today’s ride is a true showcase of Scotland’s wild west coast and island magic. We start with a short hop from Corran to Oban, where we board the ferry to the Isle of Mull, the second largest of the Inner Hebrides, famed for its rugged coastline and remote beauty. With over 300 miles of shoreline, Mull is a rider’s dream, but we’ll focus on the best stretches of the Aros Peninsula, roads less travelled by tourists, offering sweeping bends and stunning sea views. While most visitors rush to Iona or Tobermory, our route takes you through the hidden gems of Mull, letting you experience the island’s untamed spirit from the saddle.

We leave Mull from the colourful harbour town of Tobermory, crossing by ferry to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Here, the roads become even quieter as we ride east through some of Scotland’s most sparsely populated landscapes, eventually looping back to Corran for our third ferry of the day.

From here, we head north to Fort William, where the mighty Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, dominates the skyline. We then swing west to Glenfinnan, the historic site of the Jacobite uprising and home to the iconic viaduct, where you might catch a glimpse of the steam train made famous by the Harry Potter films.

Our day ends at Arisaig, near the legendary Sands of Morar, featured in the film Local Hero. Loch Morar, Scotland’s deepest freshwater loch, is just nearby, home to the country’s shortest river and a unique hydroelectric plant.

This route presents low traffic island roads, cinematic scenery, and is perfect for riders who yearn to ride through the more remote regions of Scotland.

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

We begin the day with a short ride to Mallaig, where we board the ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. As the largest island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, Skye offers riders a stunning mix of rugged coastline, open roads, and dramatic mountain scenery. The Cuillin Mountains dominate the landscape, shifting in colour from dark basalt and gabbro to the softer tones of the red granite hills.

Our first destination is Elgol, reached by a winding single-track road. Although it’s a dead end, the journey is worth it for the views and the charm of the harbour. We then return to Broadford and continue through Sligachan, where there is an option to visit the Fairy Pools. These crystal clear cascades sit beneath the towering Cuillins and are a favourite among photographers and walkers alike.

Next, we ride to Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod Chieftain. It is a fascinating stop, although the midges in the gardens can sometimes make the visit less comfortable.

We then pass through Uig, where you can choose to cross the dramatic Quiraing or take the coastal road to the Skye Museum of Island Life. Along the way, we will stop at iconic sights such as Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr before reaching Portree, the island’s colourful capital.

To finish the day with something truly special, we take the last remaining turnstile ferry in the world. This historic crossing from Kylerhea on Skye to Glenelg on the mainland was once the main route to the island and still operates today. We end the ride at a traditional inn near the spot where Gavin Maxwell wrote his classic Ring of Bright Water.

This day offers a perfect mix of island roads, mountain views, cultural stops, and a touch of cinematic history. It is ideal for riders looking to experience the magic of Skye from the saddle.

Glenelg to Eddrachilles~ 195 miles ~ 5.5 hours riding

We begin the day near Glenelg with a visit to the ancient broch towers of Dun Telve and Dun Trodan. These impressive stone structures are around two thousand years old and offer a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s distant past.

From Glenelg, we cross the Bealach Ratagan to Invershiel, enjoying sweeping views as we traverse the shore of Loch Duich. Our next stop is the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks.

The route then heads north to Strome Ferry and continues around Loch Carron and Loch Kishorn to Tornapress. Here, we take the road up to the Bealach na Ba viewpoint before turning back. This historic mountain pass, built in 1822, is engineered in the style of the great Alpine roads. It features tight hairpin bends, steep gradients up to twenty percent, and the greatest ascent of any road climb in the United Kingdom.

Returning to the A896, we ride through a valley and along the shores of Loch Coultrie and Loch Dahm before reaching Shieldaig. The journey continues along the shore of Loch Torridon and then heads inland toward Kinlochewe. We then alter course to the west, following the southern side of Loch Maree and onwards to Gairloch.

Sticking mainly to coastal and lochside roads, we reach Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve. The gorge is about a mile long, two hundred feet deep, and thirty-three feet wide, leading to a flat-bottomed glacial trough at the head of Loch Broom.

We continue to Ullapool and then further north, crossing the distinctively curved Kylesku Bridge and entering the Northwest Highlands UNESCO Geopark. The day ends at Eddrachilles near Scourie, with southerly views across Badcall Bay.

Scourie to Brora ~ 185 miles ~ 4.5 hours riding

Heading north from Scourie, we ride through dramatic coastal scenery to Durness, where some may want to stop at the local chocolate factory for a sweet treat before we begin our journey east along Scotland’s rugged North Coast.

Just outside Durness, we reach Smoo Cave, a fascinating sea cave carved into limestone cliffs. It’s worth seeing, but be warned the walk down is long and the climb back up can be tough, especially in riding boots. Not far from here is the Golden Eagle Zip Line at Ceannabeinne Beach. It’s a thrilling ride across one of Scotland’s stunning sandy beaches, but keep in mind it’s a one-way trip down, so you’ll need to walk back up to retrieve your bike. Between the cave and the zip line, you’ll definitely get your steps in.

Continuing east, we pass through Tongue, where there’s a café at former weaver’s centre is a good spot for a refreshment break. Alternatively, we can stop at the visitor centre café near Bettyhill.

Our next point of interest is Dounreay, the UK’s first nuclear power station, built in 1955. It became a hub for fast reactor research and development until the mid-1990s and has been undergoing decontamination ever since.

We then ride through Thurso and visit Mary Ann’s Cottage, a preserved croft house museum, followed by Castle Mey, once the beloved home of the late Queen Mother. The castle is open to the public, though it may be closed at times during July and August. If you’d like to visit, we’ll do our best to include it in the route.

Continuing east, we reach John O’Groats, the most northeasterly inhabited point on the UK mainland. From here, you can look across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Isles.

The journey south may not match the thrill of earlier roads, but we’ll make it interesting with stops at places of historical and scenic interest. These include Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, dating from 1490, the Whaligoe Steps which descend to a natural harbour beneath 250-foot cliffs, the Waterlines Heritage Centre at Lybster, and the Timespan Museum at Helmsdale.

We end the day at the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora, a comfortable and welcoming spot to relax after a full day of coastal exploration.

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.

Triumph Tiger 900GT Pro

The Tiger 900 GT Pro is a thrilling new version of this popular model built with a whole new aggressive attitude and style. Supplied with top box and 2 panniers. Mileage charge is £0.30/mile. A fixed rate will be offered to tour customers to include mileage.

Restrictions: 25-75 for solo riders and a minimum of 2 years riding experience on a similar powed bike. If carrying a pillion 35-70 and 3 years riding on a similar powered bike

Weekly Hire From: Pound £1,450

Benelli TRK702

Benelli TRK702 a great all round tourer complete with top box, two panniers, heated seat and heated grips. Mileage charge is £0.30/mile. A fixed rate will be offered to tour customers to include mileage.

Restrictions: 25-75 for solo riders and a minimum of 2 years riding experience on a similar powed bike. If carrying a pillion 35-70 and 3 years riding on a similar powered bike

Weekly Hire From: Pound £850

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, top box and two panniers. Mileage charge is £0.30/mile. A fixed rate will be offered to tour customers to include mileage.

Restrictions: 25-75 for solo riders and a minimum of 2 years riding experience on a similar powed bike. If carrying a pillion 35-70 and 3 years riding on a similar powered bike

Weekly Hire From: Pound £700

Triumph Tiger 800XRT

The Tiger 800XRT is the top of the road orientated range in the Tiger 800 series with heated seats, grips and electronic suspension. Supplied with top box and 2 panniers. Mileage charge is £0.30/mile. A fixed rate will be offered to tour customers to include mileage.

Restrictions: 25-75 for solo riders and a minimum of 2 years riding experience on a similar powed bike. If carrying a pillion 35-70 and 3 years riding on a similar powered bike

Weekly Hire From: Pound £850

Triumph Tiger Sport 660

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

Restrictions: 25-75 for solo riders and a minimum of 2 years riding experience on a similar powed bike. If carrying a pillion 35-70 and 3 years riding on a similar powered bike

Weekly Hire From: Pound £1,000

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/mile. A fixed rate will be offered to tour customers to include mileage.

Restrictions: 25-75 for solo riders and a minimum of 2 years riding experience on a similar powed bike. If carrying a pillion 35-70 and 3 years riding on a similar powered bike

Weekly Hire From: Pound £1,600