Scottish Highlands & The Isle of Man - CGB2501
Everybody is streaming to Liverpool the start of our British adventure. Charles and Peggy hopped over from the Tour around Ireland, which they combined. Some others choose to arrive a couple of days earlier to battle the jetleg and the rest is expected to find their way before the welcome briefing starts - the official kick off to our tour. After the presentation comes the fun part, the handover of the motorcycles and setup of the bikes for the next day. We finished the day with a relaxed drink at the bar and a wonderful diner with view of the docklands.
Finally, our fantastic journey through Scotland and to the Isle of Man begins. We start off leisurely along the coast to Southport and then briefly take the highway. Then we get a small taste of what awaits us over the next eight days: tiny roads, known locally as goat tracks, and there are plenty of them. Including goats and sheep - shitt on the road. Fantastic views await us in the Forest of Bowland. It's a rugged area with sandstone hills. In Heysham, we can immediately check in for our ferry and look forward to the crossing. It will take three hours. A calm sea would be very welcome. In the late afternoon, we reach Douglas on the Isle of Man, and the adventure can begin. First, we quickly fill up with gas and then head to our hotel right on the promenade. We get our first impression that motorcycles are a great passion here. Afterwards, we take a pleasant walk to our restaurant before our first day comes to an end. We're already excited, because tomorrow at 6 a.m. we'll be heading to the "race track."
This morning we had some early risers, of to the mountain race course to experience a bit on TT magic first hand. Even before breakfast they went, just with the first light of day. What an unforgettable memory this is. Joined by the rest of the group after a healthy bite we made our way south for a leisurely ride together. We had a fabulous stop at Murray's Motorcycle Museum. Full with race memorabilia and some fantastic models through all ages. The ladies had a seat on the original FZR400 of Carolynn Sells, who was the first woman to win a victory at the Many Grand Prix. The guys at the museum were just so full of stories and passion for their race track it was a pleasure listening to them. Afterwards we went for a coffee break at the famous Sound Cafe, right at the south tip of the island overlooking the strong currents that are typical for the passage between the islands. We had a short exchange with some british riders who also came to see the race. On our way back to Douglas we went through the beautiful coastal landscape with the heather in full purple bloom. Arriving in Douglas we discovered the roadblocks for the race were more extensive, than anticipated. However, that turned out to be shear luck. We ended up in a great spot to watch the race, surrounded by many locals and veteran visitors, who were happy to share their race knowledge and experiences over the years. The neighbouring parish had just open their doors, selling coffee and cakes and also provided some bathrooms and chairs for the spectators. When the first bikes passed us only a couple meters away it was like an assault on our senses. It takes your breath way, your hair stands up and instant adrenaline kicks in. We were on an absolut high watching the racers fly by. What a blast!
Today it was time to say goodbye to the Isle of Man and head back to the mainland. After the morning ferry ride we made our way north to Windemere, gateway to the famous Lake District. The place was heaving with tourists and we decided only to stop for a short break and a quick coffee. Another small ferry took us over the lake and then we were heading deeper into the backcountry and towards the our highlight the well-known Hardknott pass. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking but the small country roads and the steep climb over the pass proofed to be a small challenge for our group, which we could nevertheless master. On the other side we followed the beautiful valley further until we had to commit to some bigger A-Roads again. The late afternoon sun followed us all the way to Keswick and the Castlerigg stone circle. One of the more prominent circles amongst the nearly 1300 in the whole of the UK. With the rain clouds pushing in from the west we hurried to get going to our final destination The Horse and Farrier. It was a quaint little cottage style country inn with cozy rooms and a hearty country dinner. A great ending to a fantastic riding day.
After a very rainy night, the sun brings a smile to our faces. We enjoy our breakfast and then hop on our motorcycles in a great mood. To start an even better day. Do you have your passports ready? We're crossing two borders today. Haha, of course you don't have to show them. More on that in a moment. We leave the Lake District and head north of the Pennines, a mountainous region officially designated as an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). This is one of the best motorcycle routes in England. So let's have some fun! Hadrian's Wall (our first border, built by the Romans) is over 2,000 years old and was designed to protect us from the wild Scots. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Northumberland National Park is pure wilderness and presents us with many winding roads. Our "second" border takes us to Scotland. It's called the "Scottish Borders." It lies on the Carter Pass. On the way to Edinburgh, there are four very interesting abbeys. We stop at the one in Jedburgh and are very impressed by what was built so long ago (in the 17th century). An eventful day comes to an end. It's time to treat yourself to a Scottish whisky.
Leaving the capital of Scotland behind, we had to fight our way to the early commuter traffic. Our first stop was Falkirk Wheel, the only of its kind. Scottish engineering developed a wheel log that allows ships to navigate the different water levels of two main channels by rotating up and down. We took the time to witness the whole process. From here we were heading to Sterling Castle, the medieval power centre that witnessed the rise and fall of the Scottish monarchy. A visitor magnet that is busy any day of the year. We decided to have a lunch nearby before heading towards Loch Lomond and The Trosssachs National Park. The Trossachs Road is a stunning little twisty amongst lush greenery. At the end we turned northwest and unfortunately were hit with more and more rain. It was a shame that the weather gods weren't on our side today, as the ride through Glen Coe National Park is normally of outstanding beauty. Today, the clouds were hanging low and the waterfalls were roaring due to the newly fallen rain. We stay the night at a here very typically inn, geared towards hikers in summer and skiers in winter. It is very similar to ski lodges in the alps, rustic and very cozy. So, we finish another eventful day and can't wait what the next day will offer us!
There can only be one. Right, that is one of our highlights today. But let's start from the beginning. The weather doesn't look good at all, so we put on our rain gear, because there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. But as they say, the brave are rewarded. We turned right once and drove along Loch Linnhe, and the sun came out. We drove quickly and smoothly along Loch Lochy, Loch Garry, Loch Ciuanie (loch = lake) to Loch Duich. There stands Eilean Donan Castle. The most famous castle in Scotland. "Highlander," "Braveheart," and parts of "James Bond" were filmed here. It was built in 1220. After exploring and a quick snack, we headed to the Isle of Skye. A spectacular landscape with narrow, winding roads awaits us. Another highlight today. It's starting to rain, but that's part of Scotland and makes us see nature in a different light. A great place to stay with charming hosts and even better food awaits us.
Skye greeted us with a stunning sunrise this morning, which was followed by an exceptional breakfast. So, we started the day already on a high, even the rain clouds slowly dispersed while we made our way across the island. Once we crossed the Skye Bridge we were back on the mainland and turned north around Loch Carron. After yesterday's rain, expectations were low. However, to all our surprise the weather was holding out and looked dry, therefore we decided to tackle the famous Applecross Pass. And we were more than happy we did. While climbing up the single track road, we were greeted by first rays of sunshine, the light and dark display on the nearby mountains was wonderful to watch. On top of the pass, we had a stunning panorama view over the peninsula and the bay behind it. The road down twisted and turned in a gentle manner and it was pure pleasure to do the decent. On the bottom we were greeted in true Scottish fashion by some curious highland cattle. From here, we followed the coastline under blue skies all the way around until we had circumnavigate the Applecross Peninsula. What a blast that was! Arriving at the lunch stop in Kinlochewe we all had a big smile on our face and we swapped our experiences over a ham & cheese sandwich. The next decision wasn't an easy one but due to a weather front moving in quickly, we took the direct route to Inverness and it turned out to be the right one, too. After we enjoyed a cold boot beer in front of the hotel, which Michaela surprised us with. The rain kicked in! So, we stayed dry, our thirst was quenched and the route over the Applecross pass relived. What a great finish for an even greater day!
Today is our second rest day in Inverness, the center of the Scottish Highlands. We have so many options: We can sleep in, tour the city, take a boat ride across Loch Ness, or ride our motorcycles. After our delicious breakfast together, different groups form. Seven motorcycles set off to circumnavigate Loch Ness. The sun is shining, and beautiful roads await here as well. We stop at the visitor center to understand better the hype surrounding Nessie, the prehistoric creature living in the depths of the loch. Unfortunately, we didn't see Nessie. After our short but pleasant tour, some went for a whisky tasting at the Tomatin distillery. Which was a great experience. We got shown around the premise, where and how the different stages for the whisky production take place. What is needed to produce a great single malt and what does influence its flavour. After the tour it was time to sample some of their fantastic house creations. Our couples Tommy & Yana and Joe & Terri went shopping in town after a leisurely cruise on the loch. Ah, life is good! The gang reunites for another delicious dinner. We have two days ahead of us, which are equally exciting. So, see you tomorrow on this channel again.
The days are officially counted. Today, we left Inverness and took the slow roads across the Cairngorns National Park. Wide open angulated landscapes with the heather in full bloom. The sun would occasionally pop out behind heavy hanging clouds and created a fantastic display of light and dark on the hill side. The Parks main residents are sheep and some wind turbines. Again, we followed some single track lanes through the picturesque hillside. Our coffee stop was a little later than usually today, as we had to ride further due to most cafes being closed on a Monday. However, that made us even more appreciate the hot treat when we finally reached Charlestown of Aberlour. From here, we went on the whiskey trail past some well-know and rather small distilleries. A shame we couldn't stop for another tasting. So, we continued until we suddenly spotted the Edelweiss Van when on a quiet little country road. To our surprise Michaela was waiting for us with a picnic. Nothing beats some wholesome food with a view. And after we all filled our bellies, we climbed up to the viewpoint to enjoy the surroundings. The afternoon took us on gentle backcountry roads across Aberdeenshire. We had a lovely photo stop at the Cragievar Castle, a 17th century stronghold, managed by the Scottish National Trust. We dared to have a little look into their souvenir shop and some of us couldn't resist. The last stretch to Aberdeen, our destination today, went in a breeze. We were lucky and only skimmed a big rain cloud before hitting the city. Another day in beautiful Scotland is finished and what surprises the most ist the diversity of the countryside.
Unfortunately, today is our last day of driving. But it will be an unforgettable one, full of impressions that will stay with us forever. We leave Aberdeen with only a vague idea of what awaits us. Our first destination is the royal family's summer residence, Balmoral Castle. We park our motorcycles neatly and are curious to see what the castle looks like. Unfortunately, we discover that the royal family is on vacation. Access is therefore not permitted. Fine, we'll just have a coffee then. However, the police guards offer to take a photo of us. Someone then had the idea of putting the tour guide in handcuffs. But it was just a photo. I got away with it again. Our day has only just begun, the first single tracks come and go. Wide bends make our hearts beat faster, we have sunshine. We pass the highest pass road in Great Britain, the 660 m high Crainwell pass . It lies in a beautiful national park. It's a bit chilly here, but we don't linger long. There are delicious and fresh sandwiches at Queen's View. Do we have to go up to the view? Oh, what a breathtaking view we would have missed! Rightly called “Queens View”. What comes next leaves everyone speechless. The roads (if you can call them that) are so narrow that cars brush the bushes with their mirrors. The switchbacks are a challenge. But then, as we reach the top of the plateau, a valley opens up that surpasses everything in beauty. Green meadows, a small river that has made its way through. Sheep to the right and left. A picture-book scene. But we have to leave all this behind us. We take a short drive on the highway to see another masterpiece of engineering in England, if not the world. The Firth of Forth is impressive. A railroad bridge that was built between 1883 and 1890. It is made of red metal. See the pictures for yourself, it's huge. The traffic in Edinburgh is a challenge, but we master this challenge as a team with flying colors - after all, we have been practicing for ten days. Happy and satisfied, with our luggage full of memories, we reach our castle. There, our customers reluctantly return the motorcycles. Can't we go for another ride? Yes, on our next tour. We will see each other again, everyone is convinced of that. A fantastic trip comes to an end with a great dinner and reminiscing. The gang; Scott (Butterboy), tall Mike, Ozzy, the Holmes brothers Bill, Larry and Steve, Peg the taff Girl and Charlie the Pilot , Tommy and Yana, Joe and Terri (The Ghost). Come home safely everyone! Your tour guides Franzi and Michaela thank you very much for allowing us to show you Scotland in the most beautiful way, namely on a motorcycle, and to experience it