best motorcycle tours scotland

The Ultimate Scotland Motorcycle Tour

Welcome to the Ultimate Scotland Motorcycle Tour! This route wraps the best of Scotland into one-week and one thousand miles of pure riding bliss.

By Mike Taylor

Mike’s a European Touring Expert and seriously knowledgeable on Scotland.

Self-guided motorcycle tour of Scotland

A Motorcycle Tour of Scotland needs to be on every biker’s bucket list. And if you haven’t been yet, (why not, ey?) then take on this beauty of a route and it’ll tick all the boxes – trust me. Phenomenal roads, gorgeous scenery and some of the best Scotland has to offer. Have a crack at this route, you’ll love it.

• Miles: 1000
• Time away: 7 days
• Cost: £350 – £1200 depending on accommodation, food and drink

The ultimate Scotland motorcycle route

This ride takes in some of the best Scotland has to offer including part of the NC 500 and a couple of our islands. Starting in our nation’s capital, Edinburgh, jump on your bike and head north through the Cairngorm Mountains over the Cairnwell Pass and the Lecht, two of Scotland’s highest roads to Tomintoul.

From there we head up the East Coast to John O Groats taking a scenic detour via Bonar Bridge. From Groats keep the sea on your right and follow the stunning North Coast Road to Durness and on to Scourie. 

After Scourie take a right just after the Kylesku Bridge and follow the small single track roads through Assynt, which has some of Scotland’s most amazing scenery. You’ll absolutely love motorcycling through through Drumbeg, Clachtoll and Lochinver. 

After Lochinver stick to the wee roads and follow signs for Achiltibuie, making sure you take a ride around the small Coigach peninsula. Ride past the prominent hill Stac Pollaidh (pronounced Stack polly) and down to Ullapool. 

From Ullapool we’re back on to wider, flowing roads following the coast around to Gairloch and on to Torridon. Here’s where you can get your head down and have a blast. Keeping the sea to our right hand side, we take a right turn at Sheildaig and follow the coast around to Applecross. Take the more famous Applecross road, the Bealach Na Ba over to Lochcarron then follow signs to Kyle of Lochalsh and cross the bridge to the gorgeous Isle of Skye. 

We won’t be on Skye long as we head to Kylerhea and take the famous Glenelg Ferry over to Glenelg and ride along the phenomenal A87 towards Fort William where we take the A830 signposted for Mallaig. Just after Glenfinnan take a left and follow the A861 to Salen before taking a right along the B8007 to Kilchoan. 

It’s also worth visiting Ardnamurchan point, the most westerly point of the Scottish mainland. At Kilchoan we get the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Spend at least one day riding Mull. Once you’re done, catch the ferry from Fishnish to Lochaline. If you’re looking for food or a campsite at this stage head to Strontian. If not, carry on to the Corran Ferry. Follow the A82 south through the stunning Glencoe before turning off a Killin, riding along the side of Loch Tay and back down to Edinburgh.

Now, I know that’s a lot of information but it’ll give you an absolutely unforgettable tour of Scotland. There’s still loads more to see here for when you come back again, which I’m sure you will! If you’d like a help or a guide for your travels feel free to give me a shout at PassingPlacesTours.com

To save this route in Google Maps click here.   Or click the little star icon just above the map to save it to your Maps. 

Getting there and back

From the continent, get the ferry to Newcastle in the north of England and ride up. It’ll take you a couple of hours to get to Scotland and the route is well signposted. From further away, fly into Edinburgh, Glasgow or Prestwick. There are a few options to hire bikes around Edinburgh and Inverness too.

Accommodation

Camping in scotland.

Take a tent! There are plenty campsites and you can also wild camp in some places. Scotland is an incredible place to ride and then pitch up your tent and you will love it! Just be sure to leave no trace of your camp.

Check out this website’s detailed and comprehensive article on wild camping in Scotland. It’s packed with info: justgoexploring.com

And you can find more info on camping in Scotland here: visitscotland.com

For more info on what to take, have a look at these guides too:

• The Best Motorcycle Friendly Campsites in the UK
• The Motorcycle Camping Guides
• The Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist

Accommodation can be sparse and expensive in Scotland. Make sure if you aren’t going to camp and are going for a hotel or bed and breakfast, that you book well in advance to secure your stay. 

Here’s a handy booking.com map to give you an idea of the types of hotels available on this route.

Zoom out to see all of the available hotels on this loop. 

A seven day trip around the end of August or September will give quieter roads, less midges and hopefully better weather. It’s the best time for a motorcycle tour in Scotland. You’ll have plenty time to explore too. And my top tip is to plan for the best weather but prepare for the worst.

The trip will cost you from around £300 upwards depending on where you stay and how often you eat out. Wild camping is free and camping is £10-£15 per night on sites. Hotels and bed and breakfasts start around £50 per person in high season and go upwards from there. A main course in a pub is around £10-£20.   

Rentals and tours

You can easily ride to Scotland from anywhere in the UK and ride this route solo and on your own motorcycle using this guide. Or, you could still use your own bike but join me for a guided-tour (more info in the author box below).

However, you may not want to use your own bike, or might be coming from abroad in which case, renting a bike or joining a guided motorcycle tour might be a better option. For great companies based in Scotland, check out the below link. 

READ MORE: Recommended Motorcycle Rental and Tour Companies in Scotland

About the author

• Mike runs a motorcycle touring company in Scotland. If you fancy a guided tour or need some help planning the perfect route, get in touch with him:  passingplacestours.com
• Mike’s business is on our recommended companies: Motorcycle Tour and Rental Companies
• Read more of Mike’s guides on the Contributors page

Read more on Motorcycle Travel in the UK 

Thanks for checking out our Ultimate Scotland Motorcycle Tour. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycling in the UK that we recommend you read next. 

• Motorcycle Touring Guides
• UK Motorcycle Travel Guides
• The Best Motorcycle Routes in Scotland
• Motorcycle Touring for Beginners
• Europe Motorcycle Travel Guides

Try these next…

The 10 BEST Motorcycle Camping Tents

What to Pack for a Europe Motorcycle Tour

The 5 Best Motorcycle Sat Navs

The Best Motorcycle Bluetooth Headsets

Tips for Planning a European Motorcycle Tour

The Best Motorcycle Top Box

Are you planning a motorcycle tour of Scotland? If you have any questions please post them below in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

10 thoughts on “the ultimate scotland motorcycle tour”.

Great article right here! i’ve been looking for a new route up in Scotland and this fits the bill perfectly. Going to give it a try.

Just stumbled across this and want to say a big thumbs up and thanks to you for putting it together – especially the route and map. Billy

Hi Billy, thanks for your comment – nice of you to say! Glad you liked the article 🙂 Cheers

Best months to avoid are June – September as the Midges & Campervans are at their peak during these months, especially on the West Coast (NC500) & Skye. This route does not cover Skye but it’s definitely worth a visit! The A939 from Glenshee – Braemar – Tomintoul is by far my favourite stretch of road in the Highlands (Section B).

Hi Andy, thanks for this. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions – especially for including your favourite stretch of road! Much appreciated. Cheers mate, Andy

Hola. Estaba valorando ir en Marzo. He visto que el clima es bastante malo pero no hay mucha lluvia. Estaría bien? TRANSLATE: Hello. I was considering going in March. I have seen that the weather is quite bad but there is not much rain. It would be good?

Really good, helpful advice. Thinking of a ‘biking Scottish trip this year with camping gear.

Great site, keep up the good work!👍😊

Hi Ian, Glad you liked Mike’s article, and thanks for your kind words on the website! If you’re planning a camping trip to Scotland, you may find our Camping Guides section of interest. You’ll find loads of useful guides in there on gear, tips and our recommended camping sites in Scotland too! Have a great trip and all the best, Andy

This looks absolutely gorgeous!! Is there anything that’s mandatory to take with you as far as laws go and foreigners might not have thought of?

Thanks for this!

Hi Bram, thanks for your comment. It depends where you’re from. If you are flying in to rent a bike, then the rental company will have more information on what the requirements are. You will need to look into that. Importantly, you will of course need the correct paperwork such as driver’s licence, vehicle registration, mot, insurance, idp if your licence isn’t in English etc. Check out this link for the UK Gov website https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence Cheers and enjoy your ride in Scotland!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  Notify me when new comments are added.

Motorcycle Touring in Scotland- the Ultimate Guide

Planning a motorbike trip to Scotland? Want to know the best riding routes or best places to visit? Here’s everything you need to know to go motorcycle touring in Scotland.

Don’t forget to grab your FREE motorcycle maintenance checklist below to help you get ready for your trip.

*We work hard to make this the best motorcycle touring & tips website possible. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own . Ride safe!

Motorcycle Touring in Scotland – why you should go!

Scotland is one of the best places to go motorcycling in the UK . The mix of scenery, history and epic twisty roads is just magical.

One of the best things about being able to go motorcycle touring in Scotland is that you can get a feel for the country in a short space of time. It’s not a huge country and you can see an awful lot in just 10-14 days on a Scotland Road trip.

In this guide, we’re going to share with you everything you need to know to go motorcycle touring in Scotland, including how to travel to Scotland with your bike, the best places to visit in Scotland, planning your itinerary and route, where to stay, riding tips and other practical advice to help you have an amazing Scottish road trip.

Motorcycle in Scotland- Where to go

When planning a motorbike trip to Scotland, the first thing you need to do is decide where you’re going (and how long you are going for!)

How long to go for?

You can easily visit and explore Scotland for just a few days or a week and it’s quite easy to navigate around. Of course, if you have two weeks or longer, you can see a lot more of the country.

If you’re riding to Scotland from within the UK or driving with your bikes on a trailer, Scotland is pretty easy to find- just head North!

How long does it take to ride across Scotland?

Scotland isn’t a huge country and you can get across it quite quickly if you use the main roads.

As a guide, Gretna Green (right on the southern border between England and Scotland) to John o’Groats (on the northern coast) takes about 7 hours (360miles and average speed 51mph)

It’s also not a wide country. Oban (west coast) to Edinburgh (east coast) is only 124 miles and will take about 3 hours. (Average speed 40mph)

TOP TIP: As you can see by those timings, you will NOT be driving at motorway speeds for most of the country. The roads are often small and slow. Don’t underestimate how long a journey will take you- especially if you keep stopping to take photographs of your motorcycle in epic places (don’t worry- we all do it.)

Best Motorcycle Routes in Scotland

Some of the best roads to ride in Scotland include:

• The NC500. One of the most popular but it’s easier to tour it by motorcycle than tour the NC500 by motorhome.
• The SW300 – one of the most scenic roads in Scotland

Make sure you bring a motorcycle camera or helmet cam – the scenery is spectacular wherever you go!

Best places to visit in Scotland by motorbike

Some of our favourite places to visit in Scotland include:

• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
• Isle of Skye- you can see most of it in 2 days
• John o’Groats- touristy, but you have to visit at least once
• Edinburgh- especially the castle and Arthur’s seat
• The Cairngorms- The biggest National Park in the UK
• Any of the whisky distilleries
• Orkney- you can do a day trip to Orkney with your motorcycle, just like we did.

And, of course, you HAVE to watch the series Outlander (or read the books!) – it’s a wonderful way to learn about the history while enjoying some eye candy 😉

When is the best time to visit Scotland?

Scotland is worth visiting at any time of the year, but for different reasons. It never gets crazy warm- top temperatures in August only average 19c and it can (and does!) rain whenever it likes. So always bring appropriate clothing, layers and a coat!

Spring in Scotland

Spring is lovely- as long as it’s after April. The moors and fields are full of Spring flowers and the views are beautiful. Although technically Spring starts on 21 February, the weather doesn’t really warm up until end of April/ May- average temperatures in May are 15c Avoid the Easter holidays if you can- prices get hiked up then and it can get very busy.

Summer road trips in Scotland

Summer is great temperature wise… but there are 2 big downsides to summer- crowds and midges.

Scotland gets VERY crowded in the summer holidays (July and August)- especially around the big cities and attractions, like Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and anything to do with Harry Potter. Also, famous routes like the NC500 become over-crowded with campervans and motorhomes trying to find places to stay (we’ll deal with that shortly.)

Having said that, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (held in August) is well worth the cost and crowds- it’s a wonderful experience.

Midge season in Scotland

Never heard of midges? Visit in summer and you will! Midges are flying insects. Scotland has a type called biting midges, which are active between May and September (temperature dependant.) However, the very worst time is July and August where it’s almost impossible to get away from them.

I cunningly married a man who attracts midges, mosquitos and everything else (smart, huh?!) and he got bitten horrendously when we were in Scotland in July. However, even I (who rarely gets bitten and normally sits there smugly while he complains) was attacked by these terrors. So DEFINITELY get some decent protection.

Autumn in Scotland

Autumn is actually our favourite time to tour Scotland. The days are still long and (fairly!) warmish, the leaves look amazing as they change colours, and the busy summer crowds have gone. Roads are clearer and there are still enough hours in the day to explore and see things.

The weather will be chilly from the end of October into November and many places close at end of October, so do your research if there’s something specific you want to do or see.

Winter motorcycling in Scotland

I’ll be honest, winter in Scotland starts around the end of November and runs until April. It gets COLD, there will be snow and you’ll need to prepare your bike and yourself with appropriate gear. The days are also shorter, so you’ll have less time to explore.

Having said that, there are some reasons to visit Scotland in winter, despite the weather, snow and many places being shut.

The best time is Hogmany (New Year’s Eve). The festivities and parties are legendary, especially in Edinburgh and there’s almost guaranteed to be music and dancing at a pub near you.

It’s also the only place to go skiing in the UK, so it’s the place to go to hit the slopes.

Planning a riding route to  Scotland

Honestly, it’s not hard to find Scotland- just drive north from anywhere in England! 🙂

From Dover to the Scottish border takes about 6 and a half hours (385miles). The quickest route is to use the motorways- A2/M2/M25/M11/ A1(M)

You could also use the M40/M6, but be warned that the traffic around Birmingham is often awful and it only gets worse on the M6. If you go this route, go as early as possible and avoid rush hours.

Some top tips for route planning:

• Avoid driving in rush hour where possible (usually 7-9am and 4-6.30pm)
• Try to avoid driving on the weekends or on bank holidays- LOTS of traffic
• Alternatively, get up early and do as much driving as possible before the traffic hits, then stop and have a nap somewhere safe- a huge advantage of having a motorhome or campervan with a bed with you!!

Can I ride to Scotland in the Winter?

Yes, generally the major routes are open all year. However, if you’re not native to the UK you should know that we are AWFUL at dealing with snow and adverse weather (although Scotland is admittedly better than England).

At the first sign of snowfall, expect drivers to do the craziest things, including but not limited to driving at 3mph, driving down the middle of the road, stopping unexpectedly, taking 17 hours to decide if they’re turning and generally forgetting all common sense (I’m British, I’m allowed to say this stuff 😉)

Borders / Customs in Scotland

Scotland is part of the UK. There is no ‘hard border’ between England and Scotland- you can just drive right across. If you are going on a ferry, you may be required to show some ID, but otherwise you don’t need any.

Scotland uses GBP (sterling) as currency. You might receive banknotes with ‘Bank of Scotland’ on them. These are legal tender in England and Wales too. But you do NOT need ‘Bank of Scotland’ bills- Bank of England is fine.

Bringing a dog / pet into Scotland

If your dog is England or Wales based, you can travel with them into Scotland without any paperwork, although we always recommend carrying microchip details and details of their innoculations, just in case.

If your dog is NOT UK based, you will need to carry:

• Microchip details
• Proof of rabies vaccination/ Pet Passport
• Proof of Tapeworm treatment – must be given between 1 and 5 days before crossing into Britain. The treatment is not necessary if you travel  DIRECTLY  from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway. You do NOT need a second tapeworm treatment for travelling into Scotland if you have already been in England or Wales for more than 5 days.

Hiring a motorcycle to tour Scotland

If you don’t have your own bike, or don’t want to ride to Scotland, you can easily fly in and hire one. Just make sure to ask how to get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are at the airport itself and you might need to book a taxi.

To rent a vehicle in Scotland you must:

• be at least 21 years old, (certain car categories may require older) Some hire companies have a maximum age limit of 75.
• hold a full cat A motorcycle licence for at least 24 months and have had regular driving experience.
• proof of UK address (like a bill) or proof of where you’re are staying (other nationalities).
• show identification (identity card for EU citizens or a valid passport for other nationalities) 

You can expect to pay from around £60/ day for a motorcycle in June out of peak season.

Motorcycle touring in Scotland- what gear do you need to carry?

Unlike  motorcycling in France  or many countries in Europe, there is NOT a list of equipment you MUST carry in your vehicle for any of the countries in the UK.

That being said, it makes sense to carry this safety gear with you:

• Warning triangle
• Hi-vis reflective jackets  – NOT mandatory but highly recommend if you break down at night
• A tyre repair kit.
• If you wear glasses you should carry a spare pair
• Winter tyres are not compulsory, but we highly recommend them if visiting Scotland in winter.
• First aid kit
• Spare bulbs – not compulsory, but useful
• Crash helmets are mandatory for motorbike/ moped riders and passengers.

NOTE – If buying a helmet, check for an ECE 22 E-Mark label to be road-legal on European roads. Read more.

Don’t forget to do your motorcycle maintenance checks before you leave- grab your FREE motorcycle maintenance checklist here

What documents do you need to road trip in Scotland?

If you’re driving or riding in Scotland, you need to carry the following documents:

• Passport (or identity card if from Ireland)
• Driving licence (check it is in date!) An EU driving licence is accepted
• Vehicle registration document/ V5 logbook. (See below)
• Motorcycle insurance documents
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle must be legally taxed and MOT’d
• Personal travel insurance

You also do not need a green card, IDP or trailer certification if you are UK based. If you are based outside of the UK, please ask your insurer to confirm what they need to provide to make sure you are covered (it varies from country to country.)

Many UK residents choose not to carry their vehicle registration documents with them, as a safety measure against theft. However, you may be asked to present yourself with the document at a police station within a few days. If you cannot do this (if you live outside mainland UK), then you should carry the registration document with you.

Tolls or Vignette in Scotland

You’ll be pleased to know that Scotland does not have a vignette system and there are currently no toll roads. You can just turn up on your motorcycle and ride.

Tips & Laws for motorcycling in Scotland

Scotland has a good road network, including plenty of smaller roads made for motorbikes.

Some basic rules for driving in Scotland:

• Scotland drives on the LEFT, like everywhere in the UK, but opposite to most of Europe
• Overtake on the right (NEVER undertake)
• Speed limits are shown by a circular sign, with a red border and number (in miles per hour)
• The use of the horn is prohibited in built-up areas from 2330 to 0700 hours.
• Farm animals or wildlife are common on rural roads- always take care, especially at night
• At some junctions you might see criss-crossed yellow lines painted on the road. Do not stop in these boxes- stop before them and do not enter until the exit is clear.
• Many buses in the UK have cameras on the back; do not drive in bus lanes- you will be fined.
• There is NO rules for headlights to be switched on during the day.
• Police cars, ambulances & fire engines always have priority- they could use flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights. Pull safely to the side of the road and let them pass.
• Roundabouts are common in Scotland. Give way to vehicles from your right, and turn left on entering the roundabout.
• It is common for very rural roads to be single track, with passing places. These places are NOT parking spots- do not leave your vehicle here, you will block the road.
• Scotland does NOT have on-the-spot fines for driving offences (although you can be stopped and given a ticket which you can pay later). You will either be asked to report to a local police station within a set period of time, or a fine will arrive through the post.

Speed limits in Scotland

Motorway signs are blue with white writing. Other road signs are green or brown for places of interest.

Speed Limits for motorcycles and vehicles under 3.05t are as follows (unless otherwise signed!)

• Motorways- 70mph (112km/h)
• Major roads/ dual carriageways- 70mph (112km/h)
• Outside built-up areas- 60 mph (96 km/h)
• Built up areas- 30 mph (48 km/h)

Many residential areas have speed limits as low as 20mph 32 km/h), especially near schools.

Speed cameras in Scotland

There are many speed cameras in Scotland. Pay attention to your speed- fines are not as severe as if you were motorcycling in Switzerland, but they are still pretty high.

Drink driving laws

Driving under the influence of alcohol is taken very seriously in Scotland and the UK. Scotland only allows 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood. As always, don’t ride and drive.

Petrol/ Diesel

There are plenty of fuel stations across Scotland, although they are less common in rural areas. We recommend not letting your tank drop below half-full and filling up when you can if you are driving into remote areas, like around the NC500. As with everywhere, you’ll find the prices slightly higher on the motorways.

Petrol – Unleaded 95 ‘premium unleaded’ (E10) / unleaded 97 ‘super unleaded’ (E5).  Green handles on pump and pumps will clearly label petrol as either E10 or E5.

Diesel is diesel. Black or yellow handles on pump

Some places are 24h pay at the pump (mainly near cities), but many require you to go into the shop and pay the cashier after you’ve filled up- there will be a sign to tell you what to do. (Leave your bike in front of the pump and make a note of the pump number.)

You can pay using cash or a credit card. European visa cards are usually accepted- remember you will pay the exchange rate. Many places do NOT take American Express.

More useful things to know when motorcycle touring in Scotland

Some more tips to help you enjoy your time touring in Scotland.

Phone Dialling Code:  +44

Capital : Edinburgh

Emergency Numbers:  999 will get you police, fire, ambulance and coastguard. Also, 112 (the European emergency number) will also work in the UK

Language – The official language of Scotland is English. Gaelic is also spoken and you may see signs in Gaelic.

Currency – GBP (£ sterling) You can exchange money at banks or many post offices or travel agents. There are also a multitude of ATMs available. Scotland does have its own sterling notes, so most currency in Scotland will look different to elsewhere in the UK.

Cards – most major credit and debit cards are accepted. American Express is only taken in large stores (often not at fuel stations)

Timezone – GMT. During summer, the country adopts British BST – Summer Time (UTC +1), which usually ends in the last week of October

Tipping-  Tipping is not expected but appreciated. 5% – 10% in restaurants is standard if you are happy with the service.h

Shops – Many normal shops close at 5.30pm, with bigger supermarkets often open until 10pm. Many small shops will not be open on Sundays, but bigger supermarkets and garages may be open for about 6 hours (often from 10-4pm)

Some of the local Scottish dishes to try include:

• Tattie Scones- also called potato scones. They’re not ‘scones’ with cream and jam, but like potato bread, which is traditional with ‘proper’ breakfasts. Talking of which
• Scottish Breakfasts- sausages, bacon, black pudding, tattie scones, baked beans, fried eggs, mushrooms… yum
• Haggis (sheep parts including lungs, heart etc), which is mixed with oatmeal, suet, and seasonings and then cooked in a sheep’s stomach. I’ll be honest, I’ve never tried it…
• Cullin Skink- a hearty soup made with Finnan haddock (smoked haddock), potatoes, and onions. Also known as smoked haddock chowder in other parts of Britain.
• Cock-a-leekie soup- basically a soup with whatever’s to hand thrown in.
• Scottish Shortbread. Traditional biscuits, sweeter than oatmeal cookies- very buttery and sugary. Delicious!

Touring Scotland with a dog

If like us you tour with your dog on your motorcycle, you’ll be pleased to know Scotland is pretty dog friendly and there are plenty of places to walk with them both on and off-lead. They’re allowed inside many restaurants, pubs and cafes- usually just ask if there isn’t a clear sign.

They are not allowed into public places like museums, but are usually welcome on trains and most public transport with a lead.

Using a drone in Scotland

You are allowed to take and fly your drone in Scotland, but it is a legal requirement for all drones weighing between 250g and 20kg to be registered and flown by competent pilots.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority works hard to balance drone users with other airspace users and have lots of information and tools to help.  Find out more here .

READ MORE:  What’s the best travel drone (and how to choose)

We also recommend getting the Drone Assist app on your phone or iPad, which will tell you where you can/ cannot fly.

You might also find these posts useful:

• Motorcycle touring- how to get started
• 5 of the best motorcycle roads in Europe
• 50 awesome gifts for motorbikers

See all our motorcycle touring posts here

Kat has spent years touring the UK and Europe by motorcycle, car and motorhome. It was the idea of motorcycle touring which pushed her to go from nervous new biker to excited explorer and she still can’t believe some of the crazy mountain roads she’s ridden!

She has owned several bikes, with her favourites being a Triumph Scrambler for long rides and her current speed demon- a ZX6R (both purple!) Whilst she loves to travel, her favourite thing is to help other bikers (both male and female) gain the confidence to have their own epic adventures. Ride safe!

Like this? Your friends probably will too...

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• North East Scotland
• North West Scotland
• Central Scotland
• South East Scotland
• South West Scotland

Welcome to Motorcycle Scotland

Without doubt Scotland must rank amongst one of the very top motorcycle touring destinations in the world. It has everything. Great roads! Amazing scenery! Ever-changing geography!

That’s before you mention the friendly people, the whisky, castles, rich history and amazing places to stay. If you are a passionate biker and intend coming to, or are already in Scotland, then this is the site for you.

Motorcycle Scotland

More Information

Get in touch.

• BikeInsurance
• BikeSocial Membership
• Online Service Centre
• About your Policy
• Visit MyAccount
• Get a Quote
• Making a claim
• No Claims Discount
• Policy Documents
• Biking Tips Biking Tips
• Bennetts BSB Bennetts BSB
• Why Bennetts?
• What is included?
• Defaqto Rating
• Additional Cover Options
• How to SORN a motorbike
• Young Rider Bike Insurance
• Classic Motorbike Insurance
• Multi Bike Insurance
• Custom & Modified Bike Insurance
• Comprehensive motorbike insurance
• SERV Blood Bikers
• Third Party Fire and Theft
• Third Party Only Bike Insurance
• Latest News
• 50cc & 125cc Insurance
• How to be a Happy Commuter
• Advantages of Commuting
• Lambretta Scooter Insurance
• Peugeot Scooter Insurance
• Piaggio Moped Insurance
• Vespa Moped Insurance
• Bike Manufacturers
• Car Insurance Car Insurance
• Group Products Group Products
• Motorcycle News
• Racing News
• Motorcycling Advice
• Motorcycle Blogs
• Motorcycle Reviews
• Product Reviews
• Classic Bike Buying Advice
• Motorcycle Events Motorcycle Events
• BikeSocial Authors
• BikeSocial Contributors
• News and Views
• Top 10 Motorcycle routes in: Scotland

Top Ten Motorcycle Routes in Scotland

SimonHbikes

Simon rides motorbikes, and then writes about them. He also co-presents the Front End Chatter podcast and plays bass guitar rather well.

• Electric Motorcycles
• Destination Iceland: Preparing your motorcycle for adventure
• Destination Iceland: The first few days
• Destination Iceland - Part 1
• Destination Iceland: Nathan Millward on a BMW R1200GS
• Destination Iceland: 18 things you must pack for any motorcycle adventure
• Destination Iceland: 18 things you never knew
• Destination Iceland: Nathan Millward LIVE
• Mad or Nomad Journals: Part 1 - Cheap Travel
• Mad or Nomad Journals: Part 2 - Learning the Lingo
• Mad or Nomad Journals: Part 3 - What they don't tell you
• Mad or Nomad Journals: Part 4 - Pillion Tips
• Mad or Nomad Journals: Part 5 - Touring Turkey
• Mad or Nomad Journals: Part 6 - Solo, Pillion or Group?
• The Nick Sanders Expedition Centre
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #1
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #2
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #3
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #4
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #5
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #6
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #7
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #8
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #9
• Nick Sanders World Ride – Moments #10
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #11
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #12
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #13
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #14
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #15
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #16
• Nick Sanders World Ride - Moments #17
• Top 10 motorcycle friendly campsites
• Top 10 Motorcycle routes in: Europe
• Top 10 Motorcycle routes in: Ireland
• Top 10 Motorcycle routes in: The Alps
• Top 10 Motorcycle routes in: The UK
• Top 10 Motorcycle Routes in: The World
• Travel Advice - Choosing the best motorcycle touring holiday
• Travel Advice - Do you need travel insurance on a motorcycle?
• How many motorcycles get stolen from racetracks?
• Travel Advice - Europe’s motorcycle crime hotspots
• Travel Advice - How to plan a weekend of motorcycle trail riding
• Travel Advice - How to plan your perfect motorcycle holiday
• Travel Advice - How to plan your perfect weekend motorcycle trip
• Travel Advice - How to ride in Croatia
• Travel advice: How to ride in Europe
• Travel Advice - How to ride in France
• Travel Advice - How to ride in Germany
• Travel Advice - How to ride in Ireland
• Travel Advice - How to ride in Spain
• Travel Advice - How to ride in the USA
• Travel Advice - How to stay legal at the Isle of Man TT races
• Travel Advice - How to take your motorcycle on a ferry
• Travel Advice - How to tour on any motorcycle
• Travel Advice - John O'Groats to Land's End motorcycle routes
• Travel Advice - Motorcycle touring made easy
• Travel Advice - Nine myths busted about riding in America
• Travel Advice - The dreaded carnet
• Travelogue - 13,000 miles off road across America on a Honda CB500X
• Travelogue - Round the world on a Honda CRF250L
• Travelogue - 15 reasons why riding Route 66 will change your life
• Travelogue - Route 66 - Chicago to LA
• Travelogue - South Africa on a bike... are you serious?
• Travelogue - The stranger side of biking
• Travelogue - The 28 most useful things I learned on the way to Faak Am See
• Travelogue - The Tempest Two ride to the Sahara

Close your eyes and throw a dart at a map of Scotland, and chances are you’ll hit a great road – either wriggling, vice-like tarmac, scenery from God’s own gallery or, most likely, a combination of both.

Everyone has their own definitions of a great road – for some it’s a wide open, fast and flowing A-road; some prefer tighter corners and more gradient, and some riders like the really squirrelly single-track stuff with humps, bumps, yumps and blind bends. Some like riding at a decent lick picking the right line and some prefer a more leisurely pace, admiring the scenery. And some are two-up on mega-tourers, some solo on sportsbikes. Scotland’s roads cater for it all.

And here’s our top ten (roads or combinations of road) – it’s not a definitive list, so please feel free to add your own contributions and recommendations in the comments module below.

10. A830, Mallaig to Fort William

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/dWTpJLnveGPqXp3E9

Distance: 43 miles

Time: 1hr 7m

The A830 – also known as part of the Road To The Isles – is the perfect palate cleanser following a leisurely ride round Skye, ready to head back to the mainland. The Armadale to Mallaig ferry takes 45 minutes to cross from Skye’s southern peninsula and drops you in Mallaig, a small port that was once Europe’s most prodigious supplier of herring. The A830 to Fort William was built in the early 19 th century by famed civil engineer Thomas Telford – and judging by its hectic layout, not for nothing was Telford also known as The Colossus of Roads (many other roads in Scotland and north Wales bear his signature).

The A830 is a rider’s road, with good, grainy Scots tarmac and a fabulous well-paced rhythm, with multiple complex bends flowing into one another. But before the good stuff, we recommend a short diversion along the beaches and shoreline on the B8008 (right after crossing the river Morar just outside Mallaig). Then pick up the A830 for the remainder of the ride. The road traces a similar 40-mile path to Fort William as the West Highland railway line, skating south around the mountains overlooking Loch Morar to the north (Scotland’s deepest loch), the rocky northern edge of Loch Nan Uamh and, criss-crossing the rail line, along the north banks of Loch Eilt and Loch Eil before dumping you into Corpach and Fort William.

9. A83 & A816, Tarbet to Oban

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/MuXLK2D3gf3EdWYE6

Distance: 85 miles

Time: 2hrs 15m

The biggest problem with riding on the west coast of Scotland is knowing which road to choose – pick one route and you immediately dismiss other classics. Such is the dilemma faced by riders who reach Tarbet, two thirds along the length of Loch Lomond on the A82 north from Glasgow; turn right, staying with the A82, and you get a dazzling run of loch-side bends before Crianlarich, then the increasingly imperious Glen Coe ride, still on the A82 (see further up in the list).

But if you turn left, onto the A83 you’re in for a different kind of ride – less of the epic glacial majesty, more your lush, tree-lined lochs and moderate mountain runs. And the road itself is a sweeping, rushing whoop of delight, lacing small town and villages together as it loops around the head of Loch Long, climbs through Glen Croe, then drops along Glen Kinglas and loops again around the top of Loch Fyne. The A83 then winds south along the west side of Loch Fyne before heading west to Lochgilphead where it meets the A816 north towards Oban.

The A816 carries on in the same vein, passing through low hills and sweeping views out across the Slate Islands, and along the south bank of Loch Melfort into Oban with a steady, rhythmic pulse – it’s a great ride for dialling into the sheer pleasure of smooth A-road momentum rather than stop-start narrow back roads and pulling into passing places to let oncoming motorhomes by.

The town of Oban has settlement roots into prehistory, but the modern town was based around a whiskey distillery and only became significantly populated in the 19 th century – today, it’s a bustling ferry port and a centre of tourism.

Out of Oban, the A816 turns into the A85 for the run north up to Connel where it switches to the A828 before reaching Ballachulish Bridge. Here, continuing north beyond Fort William, then Invergarry before heading for Skye, returning to pass through Glen Coe, makes up one of the best routes in Scotland.

8. A836 & B9176, John o’ Groats to Evanton

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/irPjeEwZZHGR1gWb8

Distance: 130 miles

Time: 2hrs 50m

The A9 and A99 threading up the eastern side of Scotland’s coastline to John o’ Groats isn’t a bad bit of riding, but it’s a measure of how good the west coast it it’s often seen as a bit of a warm-up act to the real thing. But if, for some reason, you find yourself at JOG and not wanting to complete the full NC500, but don’t fancy just riding back down the A9 again, a diversion along the top of the mainland on the A836 as far as Tongue, then a giddy drop across the heart of Sutherland – still on the A836 – cascading all the way pretty much back to Inverness – is a good alternative. The first part of the A836 through Thurso is fairly unprepossessing, but gets livelier past Raey. Flying past glorious beaches at Melvich, Strathy, Armadale and Bettyhill, stay on the A836 as it unexpectedly turns left off the main road just before Tongue, snaking up into the bleak expanse of mountain wilderness heading south towards Altnaharra – location of the UK’s lowest-ever recorded temperature (-27.5°C on 30 th December 1995). The road is narrow and hard work if you’re piloting anything larger than a middleweight; owners of Gold Wings beware. There are plenty of passing places – part of the riding pleasure on these kinds of roads is your skill in timing, so you can slide into and out of a passing place just as traffic arrives in the opposite direction, without breaking your stride. Well, I enjoy it.

After a while the A836 breaks into wide, sprawling conifer plantations, then winds through Lairg and onto Bonar Bridge – where a left fork over just after the bridge gives you a last burst of hilly, moorland crazy on the B9176 before plonking you on the A9 at Evanton, just outside Inverness. The diversion has added only an hour and 30 miles to your journey from John o’ Groats.

7. A712, Crocketford to Newton Stewart

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/f4joMzsSSeWFg7hH8

Distance: 33 miles

Dumfries and Galloway is something of an overlooked Scottish gem. Stretching from the far side of Moffat in the east, across the M74 and reaching over to the western coastline at Stranraer, the county is nothing if not varied in landscape. The centre of the region is dominated by the Galloway National Park, an area of forests, high moorland and lochs with a special desolate beauty. Through its centre runs the A712.

Like the county as a whole, there’s something for everyone on the A712. Also known as the Queen’s Way for the second half of its length, the road peels off the A75 outside Dumfries at the Galloway Arms Hotel and, for the first four miles it’s an unspectacular but rhythmic roll, twisting lazily through low farmland and dry stone walls. But after Brooklands the first rocks slopes appear and the road starts to writhe with more intensity. The A712 carries on like this, gently entertaining, until It passes through New Galloway where it strikes into the Galloway National Park, the houses and farms stop and the conifer plantations and hillsides begin. It feels like you’ve ridden across a boundary into a different world, as the road widens out and takes on a more dramatic, undulating vibe. The reservoir at Clatteringshaws is a good place to stop and have a brew and a mooch – the dam was built in the 1930s and a road runs up alongside with a great view. Opposite, the Raider’s Road Drive offers something unusual for Scotland (or anywhere, these days): it’s an unpaved road running for ten miles through the forest, and it’s open to two-way traffic, including motorhomes so you can’t go bonkers. But it’s a great chance for adventure bike owners to stand on the pegs for a bit of easy off-roading (but it is very slippery; mind that 19in front on road tyres!).

Back on the A712, another ten miles of forest chicanery await – the final run into Newton Stewart is a flurry of corners and fir trees. There’s much more to discover – the crazy unclassified side road coming off the A714 at Bargrennan and heading up through the north of the park towards Straiton (really) is fabulous entertainment for a lightweight adventure bike. Peel off at the Bell Memorial car park for a special treat!

6. A832 & A896, Ullapool to Tornapress

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/1cTHfnPnjezQWaG69

Distance: 100 miles

Time: 2hrs 30m

Part of the NC500’s best bits, the A832 (which actually comes off the A835 trunk road some 12 miles south out of Ullapool) and the A896 that connects with it at Kinlochewe features some of the route’s best riding and scenery.

Just as the going on the A835 starts to get wide open, the A832 turning on the right at big bus stop layby, signposted for Dundonnell, Aultbea and Gairloch, looks like a return to some of the nadgery stuff you might have experienced further back north along the NC500. A lot of riders think the NC is all big, fast, wide open roads, for some reason. Nothing could be further from reality – I’ve seen wider footpaths than parts of the NC500.

The A832 climbs gently at first, with several sections arrow straight, rising and falling like a heartbeat as the tarmac glides over the rugged landscape, chunky crags glowering across a frothing river. Conifers and silver birch groves herald Little Loch Broom, then the A832 crosses the peninsula and, in front, Gruinard Island rises from the sea. The road is still wide and two-lane, threading past Gruinard Beach – stop for photo – and winding along the undulating coastal topography with stunning sweeping views out across the Summer Isles.

As the A832 turns away from the sea, through Poolewe, it narrows and funnels into Gairloch, then turns south alongside Loch Maree and into Kinlochewe. The A896 is a right turn just after the garage, narrowing and running through silver birch groves – with Torridon’s slopes building in the near distance. As you run beneath its flanks, catch the sun dropping behind at the right time and the view is breath taking. The last slim wiggle of tarmac down towards Tornapress gives you glimpses of the famous Bealach na Bà ahead – and that’s another ride in itself!

5. A702, A701 & A708, St John’s Town of Dalry to Moffat

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/cntkBDEpmyArKqxn6

Distance: 91 miles

“Don’t tell everyone how good it is round here; they’ll all want a bit of it!” – so goes a common refrain from riders in the know. And their secret? It’s Dumfries and Galloway again, and the roads spilling across the M74 towards the Borders to the east. The epicentre of this region is focussed around Moffat – where, conveniently, you’ll find the Buccleuch Arms Hotel (not to be confused with the hotel of the same name over in Melrose on the A68), possibly one of the most biker-friendly hotels in the country run by the Smith family. Dave, the boss, knows the roads around here like the back of his GS’s tank. If, for some unlikely reason, you can’t find anywhere to ride, he’ll put you on the right track.

The A702, A701 and A708 are proper rider’s roads – the scenery can’t help but be impressive, but the tarmac is the star of the show. The A702 out of St John’s sets the pace immediately, fast and open, opening out over low hills through farmland like a unrolling carpet. Each sweeper blends into the next with graceful ease – there are no tight bends or hairpins to catch you out. In 1990s this is the kind of road would’ve been sensational on an EXUP or early Blade; the mind boggles. These days though, although there are no speed cameras, it’s much more about pace, not speed. You can’t get nicked for riding with ‘pace’, can you?

After Moniaive the A702 calms a little as it momentarily bisects the A76, then picks up again as it heads towards the M74 (okay, the scenery here is seriously impressive). At the motorway, pick up the B7076 south shadowing the M74, for a mile of three, then turn back left when it meets the A701 coming out of Moffat. This is the road around the famous Devil’s Beef Tub – a deep hollow between four hills, where thieves – the ‘Devils’ – hid stolen cattle in the 17 th century.

To make the most of the ride, take a sharp left signposted Talla Fruid (it’s easy to miss) and follow the narrow road as it rattles alongside Talla reservoir and up, across and over the hills to Megget reservoir, then down to meet the A708 at Cappercleuch, at the side of St Mary’s Loch. From here, the fast run back down the A708 into Moffat should see your bike stored in a secure shed and you in front of the fire in time for a pint and food at the Buccleuch.

4. A939 & A93, Grantown on Spey to Blairgowrie

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/LdoocePAnkCnU8Pz6

Distance: 78 miles

Time: 2hrs 10m

The Cairngorms are a distinct range of mountains, east of the traditional rides around the west coast and defined on the western flanks by the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness. But on their eastern side the A939 and A93 are a much more scenic, challenging and exciting ride. Just after crossing the Spey, the A939 picks up the challenge of matching the West Coast’s marvels. It’s a sensational ride, following an old military road laid in the middle of the eighteenth century – swooping bobsleigh-style runs through pine forests, dipping, diving and turning across moorland and mountainsides, hairpins at the Bridge of Brown, a cuppa at the tea-room, then stumble suddenly into Tomintoul – a rigid noughts-and-crosses grid of houses and streets designed by Scottish military nobleman Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, in 1775. Then up past the Lecht ski centre to drop down with scene-stealing views across the eastern side of the Cairngorms. At Gairnshiel Lodge, swoop left onto the B976 and follow the rickety road up and over, cutting the corner off the main, tourist route. Join the A93, past Braemar, and the way starts to rise again up towards the Spittal of Glenshee. It’s one of three roads claiming to be the highest in the UK – at just over 700m above sea level, the temperature in the Cairnwell Pass drops a few degrees as you wind between the peaks. Then the long run down to Blairgowrie starts – the longest, most intense set of whoops, doops, bends and twists this side of motocross track. It’s a riot, so intense there’s no time to contemplate scenery. By the time you roll into Blairgowrie you’ll be ready for a rest.

3. A890, A896 & Bealach na Bà, Auchtertyre to Applecross

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/F72A86Dd5vDZCZ719

Distance: 35 miles

Time: 1hr 10m

The distance and time tell the story – 35 miles seems like a short hop, but the wonders on the way will stop you in your tracks (if the hairpins don’t) and the ride can take half a day.

The A890 is a side turning right off the A87, signposted for Lochcarron but easily missed. To start with it’s fairly smooth and wide, but tightens rapidly as it climbs, barely an A-road, rising up and down through conifers and over the top of low hills like a drunken eel. After a splendid view across Loch Carron the road drops down and winds up running along the southern bank of Loch Carron, following the Kyle railway line. It crosses at Strathcarron, then take left onto the A896, doubling back through Lochcarron itself. Take your time through the village – in years gone by a minority of villagers proposed discussing the feasibility of actually banning bikes from the village; an idea overwhelmingly rejected by the rest of the village.

The road climbs out of the village then wiggles, Armco lined, through a narrow valley before emerging at Ardarroch, looking out across Loch Kishorn. As the A896 curves round, the Applecross peninsula appears across the flat river drainage basin at the foot of the mountains. It’s an impressive sight. Take a left the signpost for the Bealach na Bà, warning the road is impassable in wintery conditions, and advising caravans, large vehicles and learner drivers to take an alternative route. Sounds serious.

For the first few miles the Bealach na Bà rises steadily, the rocky walls of the pass growing in spectacle until they tower over the road. By the time you hit the first of several hairpins, the views behind, back down the valley, are truly astounding. As is the gradient – the Bealach na Bà is the steepest climb in the UK, riding from sea level to 2000ft in six miles and hitting 1:5 gradient in places – mostly on the hairpins. A viewpoint at the top lets you spin round and have a proper gander. If the mist has cleared. But wow, what a view. To find anything comparable you’d need to nip over to the Norwegian fjords. Great, jagged creases of granite, strewn with boulders the size of houses, this looks the very essence of a glacial training ground, where ancient gods practiced shaping the planet as if it were made of Play Doh.

The run down to Applecross (apparently that’s not actually the name of the village but it’ll do) is basically a dash to the pub – the Applecross in, geographically disengaged from the rest of the world, is an absolute gem; great food, great hospitality, and rammed with hairy hikers and mad cyclists. Ale, and relax.

2. A82, Balloch to Inverness

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/CZs9wot3yvxuDjdq8

Distance: 150 miles

There are two trunk roads to Inverness; the A9 (big, wide, some dual carriageway) carries the bulk of the freight and business traffic – and the A82 handles the tourists (so it gets a bit busy at lunchtime). It starts north of Glasgow but the first few miles are standard getting-out-of-town stuff – then soon, as it runs alongside the western edge of Loch Lomond towards Tarbet, trees and hills take over – there’s something intensely thrilling about the sudden shift in landscape from an urban trudge to big skies, big trees, big rocks and big water, all shrouded in mist.

As the A83 swings right at Tarbet, it narrows into a fiendish series of corners winding under trees following the loch’s edge, then explodes into wide skies again as it nears Crianlarich, all speedy conifer plantations blurring by in a streak of larch green, with the rising topography of Ben More blending brown and purple hues in the background.

Be patient through the average speed cameras towards Tyndrum – refill at the Green Welly – and then the road forks left onto the A85 to Oban or the A82 on the right. Across the Bridge of Orchy, pointy Beinn Dorain looming on the right, round the fast, 180° left hand bend at Achallader, then up the hill – stopping at the top, exposed to the wind, to watch red deer browsing across the heather above the banks of Loch Tulla. Across the high plateau of Rannoch Moor, through a desolate landscape of granite boulders, dark pools and long grass, then into the jaws of Glen Coe, guarded on the left by the hulking shadow of Buachaille Etive Mor.

Glen Coe is around 6 miles long; the A82 winds down from Rannoch between the mountains to the valley floor, the river Glen to the left, passing through the village of Glencoe at the far end of the valley. But ‘valley’ isn’t big enough. Forced apart by the crushing, slithering mass of successive, incomprehensibly vast ice age glaciers, the power of the landscape is in the dizzying height and proximity of the mountains standing shoulder to shoulder, looming ominously to either side like giant, bruised trolls. Cold measurement betrays a glimpse of the scale: the floor of the glen is around 100m above sea level; the peaks to either side rise to almost 1km. Look up either side and you’re staring in bewildered befuddlement at granite presence towering over half a mile high in the sky. It’s as if some ancient Gaelic God hurled a colossal bowling ball into the mountains, smashing a route between them.

The scene overloads the brain; in the same way peering over a tall cliff disorientates and seduces the senses, so looking up at the jagged ridge of Aonach Eagach to the right of the road has you swaying unsteadily on your feet with vertigo. The saw-tooth spine of the mountain cuts sharply against the blueness beyond; the detail of the rocky outcrops and fissures in its vertical sides are rendered with impossible complexity, like a flawless computer animation.

After all that, the run over Ballachulish Bridge and up the side of Loch Linnhe (or is it Loch Eil? I can never tell) to Fort William is a good-natured romp – and the rest of the A82, switching sides to run up the Great Glen alongside Loch Ness on its northern bank into Inverness – is a sweet, easy ride, peppered with villages and touristy places to stop and wander.

Of course, you’re unlikely to make it that far, because just after Spean Bridge on the A82, is Invergarry – and there’s a left turn there you’ll want to make, onto the A87 – because the A87 is the single best road in Scotland.

1. A87, Invergarry to Uig

Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/ZPBTXaWDt6rozaNd7

Time: 2hrs 20m

Other roads have better scenery (but not by much) and other roads are better pure riding roads (again, not by much). But if you want the best combination of both, with the added bonus of a decent, 100-mile stretch, then the A87 is the one.

Out of Invergarry, the road climbs uphill twisting through purple heather hillsides and ranks of slender silver birch, glimmering and shivering in the breeze. The dusty grey tarmac – starting to break up in places but still plenty grippy enough to shred tyres – writhes back and forth, trying to catch you out as you sneak looks over your shoulder down across Loch Garry or out towards Lock Loyne. As the A87 crests the ridge it feels high, on top of the world, with striking views across across Loch Loyne to the mountains beyond, and Cluanie Forest. Up here the air, filtered through dazzling sunlight, tastes fresher.

Then the A87 drops down in a blizzard of bends, straightens itself up, and turns left at a T-junction and heads off towards Glen Shiel – a pacey, scenic romp along Loch Cluanie through more mind-mangling mountains that gradually narrow, funnelling down into the village of Shiel Bridge – as the hillside ridges loom, this was where the Battle of Glen Shiel was fought between the English and Scots in 1719 – the Socts supported by a company of 300 Spanish marines. It’s a long way from Spain to come and die on a rocky hillside – and it’s easy to imagine the smell of gunpowder smoke as you pass by.

The A87 speeds along the edge of Loch Duich to Dornie – and to Eilean Donon, a castle standing on a small rocky outcrop in Loch Alsh, where Highlander was filmed 35 years ago, in 1986. Was it really that long ago? You can almost hear the clash of swords as Sean Connery wrestles with Christopher Lambert’s accent (it’s also where a contingent of the Spanish marines holed-up, before the castle was obliterated by English warships anchored in the loch – the castle was in ruins until it was rebuilt in 1919).

Onwards on the A87, the run into Kyle of Lochalsh, over the Skye Bridge onto the Isle of Skye – and away north into the island skirting Loch na Cairidh looking across to Scalpay, and dropping along the edge of Loch Ainort, then Loch Sligachan. The road then winds and climbs towards Portree, the capital of Skye, ending up in Uig, a small harbour with ferries to the Hebrides. There’s a lot to see and do here – Skye has a wealth of exploring, from the Old Man of Storr to the crazy landslip landscape of the Quiraing. The best thing about taking the A87 to Skye is the chance to ride the A830 from Mallaig once you’re done – and which, conveniently enough, is where we came in…

• Top 10 Motorcycle Routes through the Alps
• Top 10 motorcycle riding routes in the world

Latest articles from BikeSocial

Welcome to the Crieff Cloverleaf.

Four days of glorious motorcycle touring from the perfect base in Scotland.

Scotland’s incredible landscapes and exceptional roads make it a must-ride destination for motorcyclists from all over the world.

The Crieff Cloverleaf brings you four FREE all-day routes, especially designed for motorbike touring .

Soaring through the northern alpine Cairngorms and the southern rolling hills of the Borders, curving around dramatic West Coast mountain lochs and East Coast seaside vistas, the Crieff Cloverleaf brings you plenty of the best of Scotland’s biking in every direction.

From sweeping progressive A roads to winding country byways and adventurous single-tracks, the Crieff Cloverleaf has something to thrill every motorcycle rider . It takes in some of Scotland’s most-loved biker roads, and some of our hidden gems too.

Each Cloverleaf route starts and ends in the beautiful hillside town of Crieff , Perthshire – so there’s no need to pack up all your luggage every morning. Just leap out of bed, jump on your bike and go!

New for 2024 - ride with us! Join Kona for a fabulous day's biking with our new Guided Ride options. Enjoy one of our Super Scotland day rides, or a bespoke route planned just for you.

See a bit of everything.

Tour stunning landscapes to the north, south, east and west.

The Crieff Cloverleaf routes are designed with bikers in mind!  We’re passionate riders ourselves, using our local knowledge to bring you an amazing motorcycle holiday.

Each route includes a great mix of riding, from twisty A roads for the sporty types to adventurous single track for the natural explorers.  Whatever kind of biker you are, there’s something to savour on every Crieff Cloverleaf route.

Each one-day Crieff Cloverleaf route involves around 6 hours on the bike, divided into four separate legs.  Daily distances range from 188mi/303km to 238mi/383km, depending on terrain.

Each leg ends at a suitable spot for your coffee stop or lunch break. Wherever possible, stops also have a petrol station and toilet facilities available.

Looking for accommodation?

Our free Crieff Cloverleaf RoomLink service helps you find rider-friendly accommodation with private parking in Crieff. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll put one of our welcoming hosts in touch with you directly. We also offer free trip planning support for clubs and groups .

The routes.

Classic biking roads

Biker gathering points

Route highlights

Hidden gems

Ready to ride? Follow the sun with SunSpot , our free weather forecast tool for the Crieff Cloverleaf routes.

Cloverleaf North

N1:  Crieff – Braemar (A)

N2:  braemar (a) – nethy bridge (b), n3:  nethy bridge (b) – kinloch rannoch (c), n4:  kinloch rannoch (c) – crieff.

Cloverleaf West

W1:  Crieff – Tyndrum (A)

W2:  tyndrum (a) – taynuilt (b), w3:  taynuilt (b) – arrochar (c), w4:  arrochar (c) – crieff.

Cloverleaf South

S1:  Crieff – Abington Services (A)

S2:  abington services (a) – peebles (b), s3:  peebles (b) – kincardine way services (c), s4:  kincardine way services (c) – crieff.

Cloverleaf East

S1:  Crieff – Alyth (A)

S2:  alyth (a) – newburgh (b), s3:  newburgh (b) – falkland (c), s4:  falkand (c) – crieff.

New! Discover the Little Leaf.

Prefer shorter days on the bike.

If you’re looking for fantastic half-day routes starting and finishing in Crieff, check out our Little Leaf shorter routes .

These are every bit as stunning as the main Crieff Cloverleaf routes – just not as long!

Gear up and get a room.

Great gear, easy stays – what’s not to like?

Get into the Gear Shop

Stickers, patches, neck tubes, t-shirts – we’ve got it all!  Several items are produced right here in Crieff, and we’re proud to feature our very own Crieff Cloverleaf Tartan .

Get sorted with RoomLink

Coming to ride the Crieff Cloverleaf and looking for a biker-friendly stay? Our free RoomLink service helps bikers find beds. Just fill out our simple online form , and our partners will do the rest. We can also help clubs and groups !

What’s the craic?

The latest news and feedback.

Our unique SunSpot weather map provides route-specific, through-the-day riding forecasts for today, tomorrow and the day after, to help you plan your rides.

• What Bikers Are Saying

Wondering what it’s like to visit Scotland and ride the Crieff Cloverleaf? See what bikers are saying in their Crieff Cloverleaf feedback!

• SatNav GPX Files and Routes

Ready to ride? Grab the latest Crieff Cloverleaf GPX files or Google Maps routes for simple navigation – or go your own way using our online map.

Treat yourself.

Join the Crieff Cloverleaf mailing list.

We’ll keep you informed with Crieff Cloverleaf news and offers.

We’ll also share any discounts and special offers we can blag from our brilliant local businesses.

Ride the Crieff Cloverleaf.

It’s a motorcycle touring holiday you’ll never forget.

Done the Crieff Cloverleaf?

• Guided Rides with Crieff Cloverleaf
• Rider Training with Roddy Benzies
• Crieff Cloverleaf Map →
• The Little Leaf – Shorter routes
• Emergency Help
• Mailing List
• Make a RoomLink enquiry
• Support for Clubs and Groups
• View Basket
• Our Wee Shop in Crieff
• The Crieff Cloverleaf Tartan
• Video Reviews
• Press and Print Reviews
• Share Your Thoughts
• SunSpot – big-screen version
• SunSpot – mobile-friendly version

Website use of cookies

Bikerbnb.com

Plan Your Next two-wheeled Adventure with Bikerbnb

We built Bikerbnb because we know how hard it is to plan the trip of a lifetime on two wheels

Since 2018, our dedicated team has successfully delivered curated motorcycle escapes in Scotland, Spain and now Morocco

a new adventure platform for motorcyclists

Do you want to take the difficulty out of planning your next big ride? Don't worry about whether you're hitting the best sites and stops - our team of experts have crafted a thrilling adventure series across Scotland, Spain and Morocco for all types of riders.

We offer bespoke adventure tours across Scotland featuring the best of the Highlands, the Spanish region of Catalunya and now Morocco. Self-guided tours and motorcycle hire from Edinburgh, Scotland are available from our headquarters at Saltire Motorcycles.

Ride the best routes across Scotland, Spain and Morocco with Bikerbnb. We offer only the newest motorcycles from Royal Enfield, quality riding gear from manufacturers like Fuel Motorcycles and unforgettable food, drink and stays.

Introducing the new royal enfield himalayan 450

Three unique locations - many options!

• The Iberian Scramble: 4 experiences this spring / autumn 2024
• The Moroccan Scramble: Introducing the Dune Traverse

• The Iberian Scramble: 4 experiences this spring / autumn 2023

Highland scramble motorcycle tours

Bikerbnb’s The Highland Scramble is a guided motorcycle experience that covers roughly 1,000 miles across the north of Scotland over five days 

From June through September, we run The Highland Scramble, a curated events series that features not only the best riding that Scotland has to offer, but also the best food, drink and motorcycle-friendly accommodation.

Our Scottish adventures tours start and finish in the capital city of Edinburgh at our workshop inside Saltire Motorcycles. Here, you can collect your bike, get suited up for the adventure and meet your fellow riders and ride leaders.

Each experience is thematically designed and offers something unique. Check out our premium North Coast Traverse if you want to see a wee bit of everything while staying in comfortable settings or the Skye Traverse for a more rusticl island-hopping adventure on the wild west coast. 

Iberian Scramble motorcycle tours

Bikerbnb’s The Iberian Scramble is a guided motorcycle experience that covers 800 kilometers across the Catalonia region of Spain over five days

At the start and end of each riding season, the  team at Bikerbnb packs their bags and heads to sunny Spain to run The Iberian Scramble. Our Spanish rides start and finish in the capital city of Barcelona and travel north along the coastal region of Costa Brava into the Pyrenees for some high altitude alpine adventures. You’ll be sure to find what we do off the bikes is just as important as what we do on the bikes: good food, drink, and again, the best stays across Catalunya. 

This season we are running four events featuring our classic Catalunya Traverse that offers a unique overview of the country from sun-swept beaches to mountain passes and our Trails Traverse – a special off-road oriented adventure across the Pyraneese.

Moroccan scramble motorcycle tours

Ride from Marrakesh to Merzouga and conquer the Atlas Mountains, dive into desert dunes and immerse yourself in the rich culture, hospitality and cuisine of North Africa

The Dune Traverse is a brand new adventure from Bikerbnb. We will start our journey in Marrakesh where we will collect our bikes and travel south over high mountain passes, endless gorges, a palm oasis and of course, the Sahara Desert.

The Dune Traverse features stays premium accommodation, authentic dining that will not leave you hungry and travels that will cover points of interest like Merzouga, Dades, Ouzoud and the bustling markets of Marrakesh.

SELF-GUIDED MOTORCYCLE RENTAL

From our Edinburgh, Scotland headquarters, we have a fleet of Royal Enfield motorcycles to support your adventure in the Scottish Highlands

Bikerbnb is an official Royal Enfield experience partner. This means that we work closely with Royal Enfield – the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer – to equip our riders with some of the best bikes for exploring the north of Scotland. Our fleet includes the award winning Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Himalayan 411 – both are ideal for long distance touring and adventure. Our bikes are insured for riders from all over the world and are well maintained to ensure a safe and reliable excursion.

If you are unable to bring your riding gear with you, we have helmets, jackets, trousers, gloves, panniers, phone mounts and more for hire from our shop to ensure your safe and comfortable travels. 

different routes & rides for all types of riders

The highland scramble.

• Starting and finishing from Edinburgh
• Mostly on-road and tarmac
• Support vehicle and support team
• Professional photography

the Iberian scramble

• On and off-road riding

the Moroccan scramble

• Starting and finishing from Marrakesh

motorcycle rental from Edinburgh

• Quality apparel and gear for rent
• Insurance and recovery included

bikerbnb Adventure diaries

Stay up to date with our latest offers, where we are riding and upcoming events

The Highland Scrambler 650

Learn more about our tours and rentals

Announcing a new partnership with Fuel motorcycles

Rider testimonals.

Ride reports from the the Highland Scramble, Iberian Scramble, Moroccan Scramble and Edinburgh motorcycle rental

Bikerbnb 2024 partners

We are proud to work alongside our official ride partners to deliver some of the world’s best motorcycle experiences

Motorcycle Tours in Scotland

Magellan have a wide range of motorcycle tours that visit scotland and with its magical scenery its not hard to see why. ride the famous nc500, explore the glorious isle of skye and the national parks of the north england just across the border. our motorcycle tours in scotland are available as guided tours or pick one of our self guided options on dates to suit you....

23 days STARTS Peak District, UK 05/07/2024 – 27/07/2024

23 day guided tour of the British Isles exploring the best biking road, historical sights, national parks and more.

• HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE

12 days STARTS Peak District, UK 16/07/2024 – 27/07/2024

Spend 12 days exploring the magical scenery of Scotland, the famous NC500, the glorious Isle of Skye and the National Parks of North England.

23 days STARTS Peak District, UK 30/08/2024 – 21/09/2024

12 days STARTS Peak District, UK 10/09/2024 – 21/09/2024

23 days STARTS Peak District, UK 04/07/2025 – 26/07/2025

12 days STARTS Peak District, UK 15/07/2025 – 26/07/2025

23 days STARTS Peak District, UK 29/08/2025 – 20/09/2025

12 days STARTS Peak District, UK 09/09/2025 – 20/09/2025

23 days STARTS Peak District, UK 03/07/2026 – 25/07/2026

12 days STARTS Peak District, UK 14/07/2026 – 25/07/2026

23 days STARTS Peak District, UK 28/08/2026 – 19/09/2026

12 days STARTS Peak District, UK 08/09/2026 – 19/09/2026

23 days STARTS South East, UK BEST TIME TO GO: March to October

Ride 3000 miles and explore the best biking roads in 4 countries.

• SELF GUIDED

12 days STARTS South East, UK BEST TIME TO GO: May to October

Spend 12 days exploring the magical scenery of Scotland, the famous NC500, the glorious isle of Skye and the National parks of North England.

5 days STARTS Edinburgh, UK BEST TIME TO GO: March to October

Trace Scotland's wild and remote northern shoreline on this breathtaking coastal loop

HIGHLIGHTS OF MAGELLAN'S MOTORCYCLE TOURS TO SCOTLAND

The ancient Scottish capital oft referred to as the “Athens of the north” with its famous castle overlooking the medieval old town also offers the chance to visit the sites of the battle of Culloden and the Glencoe massacre.

Hadrian’s wall

Follow in the footsteps of Roman legionnaires as you explore the ancient barrier built to keep out the marauding scots over 2000 years ago.

Distilleries

Take the chance to visit the Talisker and Tomintoul Glenlivet whiskey distilleries as well as John O’Groats and the hotel where Drambuie was supposedly invented.

Cuillin & the Isle of Skye

Ride the jagged foothills of the Cullins and take in the various castles and renowned blacksmiths shops of Gretna Green, which has long been famous for conducting marriage ceremonies for eloping under-age English couples.

The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to route 66. Starting in Inverness and winding up the West Coast to Applecross, Torridon and onto Ullapool. Visit the most northerly point in Scotland and pass John o’ Groats before returning to Inverness.

Pop down to the 23 mile long waterfront of this famous loch and see if you can spot “Nessie” the monster who legend has it lurks in its depths.

Wonders hidden in the UK: The ultimate road trip

With so many glamorous destinations on offer in Europe and the Americas, it's easy to lose sight of the delights we have sitting right on our doorsteps. With knife edged mountains separated by deep valleys in the north, rolling countryside in the south and the green expanse that is Ireland in the west, the UK … Continued

Magellan is quite simply the best motorcycle touring company I have traveled with (& I've been with a few!). Absolutely superb customer service and the guides are just great - extremely helpful, and nothing is too much trouble for them. You are very well looked after throughout the whole trip!

Two more guided trips booked for 2021, with more to follow in the future!

The level of planning they put into their tours is amazing. Fantastic roads, superb hotels, all focused around having the best possible time on your bike. I've only had the fortune to meet one of their guides, but if he is anything to go by, they are a passionate, dedicated, encouraging, humorous group of human beings who love their jobs.

• Remember me
• Log In Forgot your password? Forgot your username?

Reuthers Scotland / Europe Guided Motorcycle Tour

Once in your life feel like a Highlander - on a Harley-Davidson! With our 8 day Guided motorcycle tour through Scotland, enjoy the exciting mountain world of the rugged Scottish Highlands and the magnificent nature in the North of the British Isles. After starting in the provincial capital of Edinburgh you will ride to Stirling Castle, where Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland at the age of 9 months. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain awaits you in Fort William. When you visit Eilean Donan Castle, the castle might look familiar: the first part of the "Highlander" saga was filmed here. After a boatstour on Loch Ness a whisky tasting at the Glenfiddich Distillery at the Whisky Trail awaits you, before the Guided motorcycle tour through Scotland ends in Edinburgh.

Day 1: Edinburgh

Welcome to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital - also known as Athens of the north. For those who are arriving the day before, we have a visit to the famous Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia as part of an optional program. In the evening we then have our official welcome dinner with a welcome drink and a tour briefing.

Day 2: Edinburgh > Fort William

Today we will first pick up our Harley-Davidson rental motorcycles and then visit the Sterling Castle with its 75m high castle rock. In this castle Mary Stuart was crowned at the tender age of only 9 months as the Scottish Queen. Another important site is Glencoe, which we will reach at around noon after driving through the "Valley of Tears". Beneath the highest mountain in Great Britain - Ben Nevis (1343 m) - is our overnight stop and the entrance to the Scottish Highlands: Fort William.

Day 3: Fort William > Ullapool

The Road to the Isles and the Glenfinnan Monument are definitely worth a stop before we visit the famous Elean Donan Castle, where the first part of "Highlander" was filmed. Our overnight stay is planned to be in Ullapool, a small fishing village. Here, so they say, the Scottish wilderness begins.

Day 4: Ullapool > Tongue

Today we experience the loneliness of highlands at first hand. The popular Reuthers Roadside Lunch provides for the bodily welfare. Another highlight are the Smoo Caves, the largest sea caves in Great Britain. We will spend the night in Tongue, which also has a castle.

Day 5: Tongue > Golspie

We continue on the "North Coast 500" - the Scottish response to the legendary American Route 66. In the truest sense of the word we cruise on to the most northern point of the British mainland: Dunnet Head with its lighthouse. We'll take our lunchbreak a few miles further in the northernmost village of the British mainland, in John O'Groates, at the end of the road. An additional mandatory stop during this exciting day is Dunrobin Castle with its picture-book garden. The well-preserved castle is also the seat of the Sutherland Clan.

Day 6: Golspie > Inverness

Starting from Golspie we first drive past Inverness and visit Urquhart Castle with its history of more than 1500 years. Then, in Fort Augustus, at the southern end of Loch Ness, we will take a boatstour and maybe even the famous monster of Loch Ness, "Nessie", will welcome us...

Day 7: Inverness > Craigellachie

A highlight of our Scotland trip is undoubtedly the Culloden Moor, where once the tragic battle between the Scottish clans and the English took place. Passing Brodie Castle and Elgin Cathedral we directly arrive at the Whisky Trail in Scotland. With an extensive tour in one the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland, the Glenfiddich Distillery, we will learn more about the Scottish whisky. There is a good reason that our overnight stay is close to the distillery.

Day 8: Craigellachie > Edinburgh

Last day of our Scotland tour. If possible, we visit Balmoral Castle, summer residence of Queen Elizabeth II. or instead the restored Davidson Cottage, home to William C Davidson. In 1857, at the age of eleven he emigrated to the USA with his family. There, he built a shed for his sons. That shed became the first Harley-Davidson® workshop situated on Chestnut Street, now Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee... After drop off our Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Edinburgh, we will celebrate our traditional Farewell Dinner in the evening. Sometimes saying goodbye is the "beginning of a wonderful friendship", so let's meet again on one of our dream tours in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe or the USA.

Learn more about this Guided Motorcycle Tour:

What's included - pricing - dates.

What's included: * The Original Tour - developed and organised by Reuthers * Reuthers Tour Guide - trained and multilingual * Rental Motorcycle for the Tour including third party and comprehensive insurance * Reuthers POMZEC© (Peace Of Mind Zero Excess Coverage) for the rental vehicle * 8x Accommodation Hotels/B&B in shared Double Room * Accommodations including Breakfast * Reuthers Partner Vacation Program© (Escort Vehicle for Companions) * Luggage Transportation during the Tour * Secured Payment Certificate (Sicherungsschein) * Reuthers Tour Book with Itineraries and Tips * Reuthers Travel Lecture (in English) * Reuthers Welcome Drink * Welcome Dinner in Restaurant * Farewell Dinner in Restaurant * Reuthers Roadside Lunch© * Boatstour Loch Ness * Local Ferries * Fuel for the Tour * Transfers Airport > Hotel > Rental Station > Hotel > Airport * Entrance and Parking Fees * Whisky Distillery Tour * Reuthers Rewards"> Reuthers Rewards Best Value - NO Hidden Costs > Why Reuthers ?

Pricing: Guided: Rider own Motorcycle = GBP 2875 Guided: Rider Rental Motorcycle = GBP 3945 Guided: Passenger Motorcycle = GBP 2325 Guided: Passenger Escort Vehicle = GBP 2435 Twin Room extra charge (2 separate beds instead of 1 common bed) = GBP 105 Single Room extra charge (instead of shared Double Room) = GBP 755

Optional Bookings: Additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = GBP 95 Additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = GBP 110 Additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = GBP 195 Additional Accommodation after the tour in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = GBP 95 Additional Accommodation after the tour in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = GBP 110 Additional Accommodation after the tour in Single Room = GBP 195 Edinburgh Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = GBP 275 Edinburgh Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = GBP 285 Edinburgh Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = GBP 365

All pricing payable in British Pound . 3% Early Bird Discount (booking more than 12 months prior tour start) 2% Golden Ager Discount (age at least 60 years prior tour start) 10% Group Discount (from 8 registrations made within one week, one common Payment of Balance) 2% Harley Owners Group Discount 2% BMW Motorcycle Owners Club Discount 2% Indian Motorcycle Riders Group Discount 2% Riders Association of Triumph Discount Please note: The Total Discount for all applicable Discounts is a maximum of 10%.

Paying in the above tour currency is the cheapest way. If you prefer another currency - simply select:

Your selected Currency

Important note about  >   Pricing

Please select from the popular > Harley-Davidson touring models

By the way, this Scotland motorbike tour and our Ireland Motorcycle Tour are part of the 25 day My Heritage trip which also includes England . If your ancestors once left the Old World in order to build a better New World, you now have the opportunity to learn more about the countries of your forefathers...

> Country-specific information > Terms and Conditions for Tours > More information on key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302

This website uses cookies > see Data Privacy Policy / Imprint

Diese Webseite verwendet Cookies > siehe Datenschutzerklärung / Impressum

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Dunrobin Castle

© Sara Katherine Lamb

https://i0.wp.com/sarakatherinelamb.com

A guided motorcycle tour around Scotland

If you saw Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II funeral cortege as her coffin was moved from Balmoral to Holyrood you will have seen it passing through some glorious Scottish scenery. This tour embraces some of the best views Scotland has to offer.

This is a relaxed ride that even offers an opportunity to take a day off if you don't want to ride every day. It is a variation of a Scottish Circuit tour that we first offered in 20 years ago so it seems fitting to represent it now.

Some aspects of this tour and hotels have been altered to embrace parts of the route Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's coffin passed through.

This motorcycle tour traverses some great Scottish roads and visits scenic locations to offer a flavour of the diversity Scotland has to offer.

Day 1 - Sightseeing around Glasgow

Participants will arrive at various time of day and so this day can offer rest for those who have travelled long distances whilst giving others a chance to do some sightseeing in Glasgow.

Your accommodation is at one of Glasgow's city centre high quality 4* hotels.

There is much to see and do in Glasgow. For those wanting somewhere free and indoors we have the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum other museums and art galleries include The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel, The Burrell Collection, The House for an Art Lover, Huntarian Art Gallery, Centre for Contemporary Arts, Gallery of Modern Arts, Glasgow Science Centre, The Peoples Palace and Winter Garden, The Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace, Scotland Street Museum, The Police Museum, The Tenement House and many more. The city has a plethora of historic buildings and if you simply want to perambulate the streets and look up and down you will find no shortage of interesting architecture. Glasgow means 'dear green place' and hosts many large and interesting parks. If you want entertainment you will find live entertainment in many of the city's bars, concert hall and theatres. If you are into sports there are many stadia and arenas. The city also has places of worship for all religions so there are cathedrals, churches, synagogues, mosques etc. In short you will find little difficulty finding something to do in Glasgow.

Day 2 - Glasgow to Carberry ~ 150 miles ~ 4 hours riding

The first days riding takes a short motorway ride to escape the city before joining country roads. We shall pass through the Clyde Valley as we make our way to Lanark where we take our first stop at the New Lanark Visitor Attraction, a restored 18th century cotton mill and workers village on the banks of the River Clyde. The full exprience can take time so thgis may well be a place you will want to visit again, but we need to continue our journey and depart after an hour or so to continue east to Peebles where we break for lunch.

After lunch we travel further east to Melrose then onwards to Kelso then north through Duns to the Royal Burgh of Haddington taking a number of short breaks along the way for photographs before ending the day at Carberry Tower Hotel. This was formerly the home of Lord Elphinstone. The 16th Lord Elphinstone, married Lady Mary Bowes-Lyon who was the sister of Queen Elizabeth (the Mother of Queen Elizabeth II). If you are fortunate you may be allocated one of the bedrooms where the princesses Elizabeth or Margaret slept when staying at Carberry.

Day 3 - Carberry to Ballater ~ 160 miles ~ 4.5 hours riding

We depart Carberry and circumnavigate Edinburgh as we make our way to the Forth bridges. The iconic Forth Rail Bridge (1890) and the Forth Road Bridge (1964) will both be seen from the Queensferry Crossing, opened most recently in 2017, that we will use..

Once in Fife we take a coastal route to Aberdour before passing through the Fife countryside and stop for a short refreshment break at Falkland where some might want to visit the Palace.

Our next stop will be at St Andrews, an ancient religious settlement and the home to Scotland's oldest university, though better known to many as the birth place of golf.

Our next river crossing is at the River Tay and break for lunch just north of Dundee. After lunch we cross Glenshee to Braemar then pass the Royal residence of Balmoral to end the day at Ballater.

Day 4 - Ballater to Dornoch ~ 150 miles ~ 4 hours riding

Leaving Deeside we head into Speyside, those who appreciate Scotch Whisky will see many familiar names as we pass through the likes of Glenlivet and Glenfiddich around Dufftown as we snake our way around the eastern side of the Cairngorm National Park. We shall stop for morning coffee in Dufftown where some might want to go for a stroll to visit the Whisky and Heritage Centre or the local purveyors of our national drink.

Our route progresses through soft rolling hills and moors to Nairn where we stop for lunch. If you are interested in history you may prefer to visit nearby Fort George or the Culloden battlefield site.

Our final leg of this day will take us north bypassing Inverness and over the Beauly and Cromarty Firth's to end they day at Dornoch.

Day 5 – Sutherland circuit ~ 200 miles ~ 6 hours riding

This circuit embraces Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty as we head north east to our first stop at Dunrobin Castle, the stately home of the Earl of Sutherland, to take a castle tour, then we continue our ride.

Anyone who prefers a rest day could head back to the hotel after visiting Dunrobin Castle.

The scenery will change dramatically as we make the relatively short journey across Scotland from Dunrobin on the East coast to Lochinver on the West.

Depending on how long was spent at the castle we shall probably stop at Altnacealgach, a pretty spot overlooking Loch Borralan, or continue to Lochinver for lunch.

The fishing port of Lochinver has the steep sided Suilven and other mountains as a backdrop that help emphasise the stark contrast between east and west.

The coastal route we next take will bring views across the Summer Isles as we make our way to Ullapool then back to the east to the spa town of Strathpeffer and to see the Mermaid of the north and the pretty fishing village Portmahomack then after a short stop for photos we make our way back to the hotel in Dornoch.

Day 6 – Dornoch to Uig ~ 190 miles ~ 5 hours riding

We depart Dornoch heading south to Beauly and onwards to Drumnadrochit where we join the eastern shore of Loch Ness and break for morning coffee.

We continue along the eastern shore of Loch Ness for about 10 miles before deviating to the west and on our way towards the Isle of Skye taking our next stop at Eilean Donan Castle which is probably among the most recognised Scottish castles.

The first fortress established on this tiny island in the 6th century, however, the castle we see today was created from ruins between 1911 and 1932. Ot recreates what stood on the site around 1719 when it was destroyed during the Jacobite uprising. The castle has a good café where we break here for lunch.

We cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye, Scotland’s largest island, and make our way up the coastline with views over to the islands of Scalpay and Raasay taking our next stop at Portree, the islands capital which was voted one of the most beautiful villages in the UK.

Our final leg continues up the coast to The Storr, a rather distinctive rocky hill and Kilt Rock, a 90 meter tall cliff whose structure resembles a pleated kilt as make our way to the Skye Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir. This cluster of thatched cottages offers an insight of the living conditions of crofters on the island around the 19th century. We end the day at a hotel in Uig.

Day 7 – Uig to Oban ~ 175 miles ~ 5 hours riding

Our first stop is just 30 miles away at  Dunvegan Castle the home of the MacLeod Clan chief. We stop for a castle tour then continue south to Sligachan and onwards to Armadale where we take a ferry back to the mainland port of Mallaig.

Back on the mainland we head east towards Fort William where you may catch a glimpse of the steam trains that operate along the line between Ft William and Mallaig. This is particularly picturesque as the train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct where we stop at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. Here you can learn more about the Jacobite uprising or simply enjoy a light refreshment and the views of the viaduct and monument.

Our next stop is just before Ft William at Neptune’s Staircase, the work of Thomas Telford, an impressive rise of 8 locks at the southern end of the Caledonian Canal. Built between 1802 and 1833 it is the longest canal staircase in the British Isles. We then progress to Ft William where Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, is in the backdrop.

Our final part of this route takes us south to Oban where we end the day at a hotel overlooking the bay and out to the island of Kerrera and further away Mull and behind the hotel McCaigs tower, modelled on the roman Colosseum the folly was erected between 1897 and 1902 to provide work for local stonemasons.

Day 8 – Oban to Glasgow ~145 miles ~ 4 hours riding

We make our return journey to Glasgow but not directly. We first head to the Isle of Seil where we cross the "Bridge over the Atlantic" and onwards to Easdale which was once the centre of slate production in Scotland.

From Easdale we retrace our steps a bit then turn south to Dunadd Fort, the iron age capital of Dal Riata one of the four ancient Kingdoms of that existed before the creation of Scotland. Three parts of Scotland united in 843AD and Dal Riata / Strathclyde was conquered in the 11th century.

We take our next stop and a refreshment break at Crinan where the Crinan Canal joins the Atlantic Ocean. The canal has operated since 1801 and connects Ardrishaig on Loch Gilp with the Sound of Jura to afford shorter navigation between the Clyde and the Inner Hebrides. After coffee we follow the canal to Ardrishaig then turn north to Inveraray, a model town designed in 1747 by William Adam and completed by John Adam and later Robert Mylne. We stop here for lunch and for those who want to take a tour of Inveraray castle or visit the jail (it's a tourist attraction, honest!).

We make our way around Loch Fyne, Scotland’s longest loch, then cross the "rest and be thankful" to Arrochar and onward to Loch Lomond making a stop at another model village, Luss. There has been a settlement here for centuries because it is known the Christianity reached Luss in the 6th century. The current conservation village largely dates from mid 19th century. We take a brief stop here before completing our journey and the tour back in Glasgow.

Hired bikes are returned and you retire to the hotel where you started the tour for dinner, bed and breakfast.

Day 9 - Homeward bound

The tour is complete and the time has come to contiune your travels or head home.

The prices can differ slightly across the season and will include 8 nights dinner, bed and breakfast mainly in 4 star rated hotels.

Solo Rider in private room (with en-suite): £3,900

Rider and Pillion/Guest (sharing double or twin room): £5,050

Two Riders sharing twin or double room: £6,040 (£3,020 each)

The above do not include motorcycle hire. We offer a range of bikes to rent visit our web site for more details https://www.mctours.eu/tour/110/scotland/glasgow/scottish-circuit

From £3900 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

April — September

Contact details

• 44 (141) 4160230
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Small Group (1-16)

Tour prices

From £3900 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour gallery

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Tour company information

Mctours ltd.

Seeing Scotland by motorbike is a unique and memorable experience and with McTours you can expect a motorcycle tour that adds a touch of luxury. These motorcycle tours visit interesting places and typically stay in the best hotels. The relaxed pace affords riders an opportunity to absorb the landscape and culture of the places visited. The broad range of tours not only traverses great roads that meander through outstanding landscape but also deliver a stimulating experience when visiting places of interest. Many focus on Scotland’s history or take you to locations used in film and television.

Social Channels

Visit McTours Ltd

Opening times

Monday - Friday : 09:00 - 17:30 Saturday & Sunday by arrangement

Other tours from this company

There is more to Scotland than the North Coast 500

Departs: Glasgow West End, Glasgow Airport, Aviemore, Dornoch, Scourie, Skye, New Glasgow

This Scottish motorcycle tour traverses some great twisty roads in the Scottish...

Key facilities

Price from:

£2950pp

Outlander Film Locations Motorbike Tour

Departs: Dunblane, Stirling, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Mallaig, Inverness

This motorcycle tour is designed to offer riders who are fans of the Diana Gabal...

£3360pp

Robert The Bruce Trail Motorcycle Tour

Departs: Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow

Enjoy a 5 day, 4 night holiday experience with 3 days motorcycle riding visiting...

£1250pp

Flexible Scottish Motorcycle Tour

Departs: Glasgow

With many in the UK considering a Staycation around Scotland this year which cou...

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

• North Coast 500
• Golspie to Latheron
• Scotlands ‘Route 66’
• Gairloch to Ullapool
• Fraserburgh to Inverness
• Inverness to Cullen
• Lairg to Durness
• Applecross to Lochcarron
• Leverburgh to Stornoway
• Bettyhill to Laxford Bridge, via Altnahara and Lairg
• Road to the Isles
• Huntly to Dufftown, via Cock Bridge and Grantown-on-Spey
• Road to Skye
• Bridge of Cally to Pitlochry
• Strathaven to Muirkirk
• Invergarry to the Kyle of Lochalsh
• Duke’s Pass
• Muirkirk to Troon, via Ayr
• Dickie Bow ride
• Glasgow to Fort William
• Glasgow to Inveraray
• Oban to Campbeltown
• Bikers’ Viewpoints
• Expert Motorcyclist Tips
• Riding in Scotland

Motorcycle Routes in Scotland

Scotland offers motorcycle routes with scenery and adventure like nowhere else on earth.

Breathtaking Roads: Road to the Isles

Breathtaking roads: devil's beef tub, breathtaking roads: mountain, breathtaking roads: forest, breathtaking roads: coastal.

Select an area of Scotland for your motorcycle route

• Video Route

Breathtaking Roads: Road to Skye

A stunning ride through rugged landscape and picturesque villages through the largest island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Scottish motorcycle route: Leverburgh to Stornoway

A riding adventure across the isles of Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Motorcyclists who choose this route are rewarded with mountain scenery and white sandy beaches.

Scottish motorcycle route: Bridge of Cally to Pitlochry

A 40-minute journey that showcases Perthshire’s beautiful rolling hills and forests. The route finishes in the bustling, vibrant town of Pitlochry, which is well worth a visit.

Change Cookie Settings

Motorcycle Tour of Scotland

We are pleased to introduce the ultimate in Scottish touring, incorporating the freedom of the open roads, breathtaking mountain scenery, sweeping bends, history and culture abounds. Touring Scotland by motorcycle you can pause when you spot any must-photograph vistas before you visit famous castles or simply take in the traditions of welcoming locals.

Covering the scenic west coast, magnificent lochs and glens of the highlands, and spectacular cityscapes of the lowlands, it’s time to discover Scotland enjoying the freedom only two wheels can offer!

Perfect Time To Go

April - September

Number Of Nights

Prices From

Find out how we can customize this package for you:

For further information and bookings please contact us:

Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1592 752990 Fax: +44 (0)1592 331680 Toll Free: 1-888 678 1567 USA/Canada

• Tour Details

Accommodation:

7 nights on a bed and breakfast basis in biker-friendly hotels throughout Scotland Suggested Itinerary

• 1 night Pitlochry
• 2 nights Inverness
• 2 nights Oban
• 1 night Loch Lomond
• 1 night Edinburgh Airport

Sightseeing:

• 7 day sightseeing pass allowing entry to all Historic Scotland properties. Any other entrance fees to be paid direct.
• Motorcycle rental (F800 GT or similar) including luggage hire and GPS
• Additional insurance premium payment required for all non-UK licence holders. Paid direct
• Return ferry crossing to Isle of Mull

Alternative motorcycle models are available on payment of a supplement, prices on request.

Included in this package:

• 7 nights accomodation on a bed and breakfast basis
• All hotels will be at least 4 star
• Scottish Heritage Sightseeing Pass
• Rental of BMW motorcycle (if you have your own bike we will deduct the bike hire)
• Ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull

Free Motorcycle Touring Routes of Scotland

• October 26, 2020

On this page, you will find our free motorcycle touring routes of Scotland. Without doubt some of the best motorcycling roads you will find in the UK.

We rode the Four Day route twice in 2020 had only one wet day. The three day tour around the west of Scotland is equally invigorating. I can’t decide which of them I prefer. The riding on both is simply stunning.

If you’d like to know more, there are articles in the Tour section or you can search “Scotland”.

Download, ride and enjoy … What could possibly go wrong?

If you have a route that you would like to share, get in touch and with the Editor, and we will do our best to include it.  Download, ride and enjoy. What could possibly go wrong? All the motorcycle touring routes are GPX 1.1 version files.

All of the motorcycle touring routes are provided “as is” without guarantee, liability or any assurances.  The lawyers said we had to include that sentence. All we can tell you is that we had an excellent time planning and riding them.

Scotland Day 1 Darlington to Edinburgh

Scotland day 2 through the cairngorms, scotland day 3 inverness to fort william, scotland day 4 fort william to carlise, bonus route carlisle to harrogate.

For those of you that will be heading south or east, there is a bonus route through the Pennines, that ends at a petrol station in Boroughbridge, northeast of Harrogate and close to the A1.

The bonus route is best ridden early in the morning.

Breakfast can be found at the Chatterbox Cafe in Saint John’s Chapel.

If you are so inclined, consider buying us a cup of coffee. We drink enough of the stuff while planning these routes.

Touring the West of Scotland

There are so many stunning roads to ride that a map showing the best motorcycling routes in Scotland would simply read – “Help Yourself.”

Whereas the NC500 is perhaps the most famous route, that doesn’t mean it is the only route.

We went to the start of the NC500, at Inverness twice, and then built a completely different route.

You can download the GPX files for that tour of Scotland from this page.

And while all of that is going on, Scotland’s West and South-West region often gets overlooked, despite having arguably one of the finest 100-mile sections of motorcycling road anywhere.

Running from Dunoon to Oban, the A815 and the A83 roads run along and around Lochs, twist and turn, pass through picture-postcard villages and towns until you eventually arrive in Oban.

It is 100 miles of motorcycling bliss, but not the only reason to ride these routes.

The Queen’s Highway and the ride through the Trossachs National Park are all memorable roads to ride.

Download, ride and enjoy. What could possibly go wrong?

West of Scotland Day One

West of scotland day two, west of scotland day three.

Free Motorcycle Touring Routes

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

On This Page ...

Dunlop TrailMax Raids On An Africa Twin

Manufacturing Motorcycle Accessories – Scanning My Honda NT1100

Liberty Media MotoGP WorldSBK Dorna and 4.2 Billion Euros

HyperPro Suspension Upgrade – The Search For Shocks

Missed Moffat Roads – The First Tour of 2024

Money Saving Dunlop Tyre Deals

How Was Your Winter: Any Corrosion?

Take Me To Your Dealer: Motorcycle Servicing Stories

The Palatinate Package Germany – Free Motorcycle Touring Routes

The New Bike Ritual: Shopping For Motorcycle Accessories

We are avid motorcyclists, scribblers of words and technology geeks. This website contains our inane ramblings.

We test motorcycles and related products for manufacturers, ride all year round and generally spend as much time as possible doing anything motorcycle related. All of the views expressed on this website are our own. 

🗹 Privacy, T&Cs, & Cookies

🗹 Email the Editor

🗹 Product Testing Philosophy

🗹 Media Pack

Privacy Overview

Motorcycle Tourer

Riding Scotland’s North Coast 500 on a Motorcycle

Motorcycle Tourer | 26 December 2023 11 June 2023 | Route Planning , Routing Tips

If you’re looking for an unforgettable road trip, look no further than the North Coast 500 (NC500) in Scotland. This 515(ish)-mile route around the north coast of Scotland starts and ends at Inverness Castle and offers stunning coastal scenery, unique attractions, and plenty of opportunities to explore.

The NC500 is also known as Scotland’s Route 66 because it takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Along the way, you can spot dolphins, visit castles and distilleries, take in breathtaking views from cliff tops, and explore quaint fishing villages. You can even take a detour to see some of the famous lochs of Scotland.

From outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking to cultural experiences such as whisky tasting and visiting historical sites, there is something for everyone.

Before embarking on your journey around the NC500 route, ensure you plan ahead. Decide where you want to go and what sights to see to make the most of your trip. Also, early planning means booking the most convenient hotels – as they fill up quickly!

Riding the North Coast 500 in Scotland is an experience that will stay with you forever. Whether it’s taking in breathtaking views or exploring unique attractions along the way, this road trip has something for everyone!

North Coast 500 on a Motorcycle: Basic Route Overview

The NC500 is a motorcycle route in Scotland that offers stunning coastal scenery and an unforgettable experience.

Starting in Inverness, the route takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, including Dores Beach, Bealach Na Ba, Glenelg and Achiltibuie.

The route is approximately 513 miles long and can be completed in three days.

Most Popular Route

• Day 1: Edinburgh to Glenelg – 200 miles
• Day 2: Glenelg to Altandhu (Achiltibuie) – 185 miles
• Day 3: Altandhu (Achiltibuie) to Inverness Castle – 128 miles

The journey begins at Inverness Castle, where free motorcycle parking is available. From here, you will travel up north to Dores Beach, located just 20 minutes from Inverness.

You will then ride south towards Glenelg before heading back north towards Achiltibuie. Finally, you will end your journey at Inverness Castle, where it all began.

Other Routes

• Inverness to Ullapool: This route takes you northwards from Inverness and hugs the coast through remote and rugged landscapes, taking in the stunning scenery of Wester Ross. Highlights include visiting the remote hamlet of Achiltibuie and the scenic village of Scourie.
• Ullapool to Assynt takes you through the ruggedly beautiful Coigach Peninsula before reaching the magnificent peaks of the Assynt region. The ride is stunning and is home to various landmarks, including the famous Suilven Mountain.
• The North West Highlands Geopark: This part of the route allows you to explore the northern coast of Wester Ross, highlighting the region’s unique geology, wildlife and heritage. The area’s most outstanding natural features include the Inverpolly Nature Reserve, formed from ancient mountains, glacial lochs and extraordinary rock formations.
• Scourie to Durness takes you along the wild and remote northernmost coast of the route, where you will experience spectacular scenery, including white sandy beaches and sea stacks.
• Durness to Thurso winds along the north coast of Scotland, passing through the vast expanse of Flow Country and John O’Groats before settling in Thurso, home to the beautiful Dunnet Bay.
• Thurso to Alness takes you through the ancient and beautiful Scottish northern coast, the Black Isle and Inverness Firth. Take in historic castles, wildlife-rich areas and local distilleries along the way.

We Rode It Backwards

Not that it matters, but when we last rode the NC500, we did it anti-clockwise – or backwards.

It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to ride the route, and I know many people that ride it clockwise before repeating the route anti-clockwise.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can extend the route as you see fit.

For example, we came up from the northwest and made a point of exploring the Lake District at the same time – both there and back. You could do something similar riding up the stunning northeast coast.

We also added extra days to the NC500, which meant that whilst we could have ridden the route in around three days, it took us a week.

North Coast 500 on a Motorcycle: How To Prepare

Before setting off on your journey, ensure you’re prepared. Have all the necessary gear, such as a helmet , protective clothing, and other items, like maps or a GPS.

It’s also wise to plan your route to know exactly where you’re going and how long it will take you to get there.

Here is a brief list of what you need when riding the NC500.

• Waterproof pants and jacket (or waterproofs to go over your regular riding clothes.)
• Appropriate gloves – it gets cold in the mountains, regardless of the time of year.
• Decent waterproof clothes/gloves/ boots .
• Use the Sat nav / route-planning app with your chosen route.
• Base layers (thermal in the colder months or lighter ones for summer.)
• A neck buff or snood.
• Evening clothes and shoes to enjoy the times you’re off the bike.
• Mozzy rep and Suncream.

A Note on the Weather

Like all mountain ranges, the mountains of Scotland have their own mind on what the weather will be like! It can change within a few minutes, and it’s common to see all four seasons in one day.

The last time we rode the NC500, we went at the end of April to avoid tourist traffic and inflated prices.

And whilst we had the roads to ourselves, we also got caught in horrendous snow – which ruined the tour for a few riders unlucky enough to find themselves on the ground. Multiple times.

If you go in the summertime, the biggest annoyance you will endure (apart from tourists) will be Scotland’s famous (and ridiculously persistent) midgies – which will try at every available opportunity to eat you from the outside in.

The midgies are so bad that I now have a midgie suit that I use for photography. Yes, I look silly. But I’m also unmolested by the midgies!

Tips For Riding The NC500

When riding the NC500, there are a few tips that can help make your experience even more enjoyable:

• Take regular breaks throughout your ride: 1) because you’ll get tired, and 2) because you should enjoy the scenery!
• Remember to take lots of pictures along the way so that you can remember all your amazing experiences!
• If riding in a group, take advantage of twin rooms rather than single rooms in hotels. Buddy up with someone and share the cost of the room, as accommodation on the route is notoriously expensive.
• Finally, stay safe by following all traffic laws and being aware of hazards such as wildlife or weather conditions.

Places of Interest along the Route

• Inverness Castle
• Dores Beach
• Glen Affric
• Strathcarron
• Bealach Na Ba pass
• Torridon Range
• Knockan Crag
• John O’ Groats
• Castle of Mey
• Dunrobin Castle
• Glenmorangie Distillery
• Cawdor Castle
• Urquhart Castle

Riding Scotland’s North Coast 500 on a Motorcycle: Conclusion

Riding the North Coast 500 motorcycle route in Scotland is an unforgettable experience. The 500-mile journey takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, from rugged coastlines and white sandy beaches to eerie lochs and snow-capped mountains.

Along the way, you’ll find plenty of places to visit, including historic castles, distilleries, and adventure activities that will keep you entertained throughout your journey.

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just getting started with motorcycle touring, the NC500 is an adventure you won’t want to miss – and one you will never forget!

Other UK routes for you to explore!

Ride This Route Through The Forest Of Bowland

10 Iconic Motorcycle Riding Routes In The UK

Motorcycling In The Lake District: Ride This 2-Day Route

Off-Bike Gems: On-Road & Off-Road Motorcycling In Snowdonia

What you need to know about camping while motorcycle touring, the best mesh motorcycle jackets in 2023.

About - Contact - Editorial Guidelines - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

Top motorbike touring routes in Scotland

With rich forests, sky-piercing mountain ranges and endless stretches of breathtaking coastline, Scotland is home to some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery.

As such, it’s no wonder why people from all over flock to Scotland to explore its unspoilt views. With so many diverse routes on offer, one of the most exciting ways to discover the Scottish landscape is by touring. To narrow down the options then, here are some of the top touring routes in Scotland for motorcyclists.

Some of the following touring routes will take more than one day to conquer, which is why you’ll need to prepare a few things before you head off:

• First aid kit
• Motorcycle cover to protect the bike against unpredictable Scottish weather
• Waterproof/insulated gear to wear over your leathers if the weather takes a turn for the worse
• Food and water, for when you’re riding in more remote areas
• Small toolkit made up of wrenches, sockets and other tools in case you have any minor mechanical issues

  If you’re an avid adventurer, you’re bound to own a few bikes, so make sure the one you choose to ride is appropriately insured  and recently serviced – the last thing you want to do is break down in the middle of nowhere. You also need to keep in mind comfort, mileage and reliability when choosing your ride.

North Coast 500

If you’re already familiar with the Scottish landscape, then you’ve probably heard of the North Coast 500 . If not, then this route is one for the bucket list. Starting and ending at Inverness, the route encompasses the UK’s northern coastline and stretches for a whopping 500 miles. Let’s just say, it can’t be done in a day.

In fact, you’ll probably want to allow yourself at least five days to explore the NC500, as there are plenty of opportunities to stop over and experience unique things – from hiking and camping expeditions to creel fishing and gourmet food experiences.

With six regions to explore, including the Black Isle, Caithness, Easter Ross, Inverness-Shire, Sutherland and Wester Ross, there is plenty to do, see and experience during your tour. It’s difficult to deny that the NC500 is one of the world’s best road trips, thanks to its epic scenery, challenging roads, and the amount of opportunities to explore off the beaten track.

Some top things to explore include Sandwood Bay, one of the most remote beaches in Europe, which is located just south of Cape Wrath. If you’re a fan of wildlife, head to the Black Isle where you’re sure to spot some of the 200 bottlenose dolphins that live in the surrounding sea all year round. Food lovers will be pleased to know that Scotland is home to some of the freshest seafood in the UK, and as such, features plenty of authentic restaurants and eateries dotted around the coastline, particularly on the Black Isle.

  During the summertime it can get very busy, to the point that the single-lane roads on the west coast struggle to cope with the traffic. To experience the landscapes at a quieter time, and when the weather is good, you should try visiting in April/May or September/October.

On a related note, you should fuel up regularly due to the remote nature of the Scottish highlands. That said, many of the villages along the route are home to 24/7 automated fuel pumps so you should be okay as long as you fill up whenever you can.

  Isle of Skye

If you’re looking for a shorter, but by no means less exciting ride, try touring the Isle of Skye. If you want to experience the island in its entirety, it’s best to start at the Skye bridge on the A87, which connects the Isle of Skye to the mainland. Stay on the A87 for the majority of the ride and head north-west onto the A850 then south on the A863 before rejoining the A87. From here you can either end the journey where you began, or turn south on the A851 all the way to Armadale, where the Ferry resides.

While it is possible to conquer this route in a day, if you really want to experience all that the island has to offer, it’s best to spend two or three days here.

Around one hour from the starting point, you should find yourself in Portree, the island’s largest town. As a serene fishing town, Portree features a sheltered bay along with shops, eateries, a school, a cinema, and more – a great stopping point if you wish to wander about the town before heading back on the road.

Slightly north of Portree lies the Old Man of Storr, a famous rock formation which is a very popular stop for hikers. Travel a little further and you’ll find Kilt Rock viewpoint where you can enjoy beautiful views of clear turquoise waters and endless stretches of coastline.

Towards the north of the island, you’ll find the Quiraing Pass, a narrow single track road with steep gradients and hairpin bends – an epic challenge for advanced riders. The road passes through the Quiraing, a popular hiking location formed from a landslip, which in turn created high cliffs, hidden plateaus and pinnacles of rock. Interestingly, the Quiraing continues to move today, which also means that unfortunately, the road at the base requires annual repairs.

No matter where you end up in Skye, expect to experience spectacular vistas, awe-inspiring mountain ranges and glorious coastlines wherever you go.

The North East 250

Similar to the North Coast 500, the North East 250 is a circular route that winds through six stunning regions including Speyside, the Cairngorms, Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, the East Coast and the Moray Coast. Shorter than the NC500 and slightly lengthier than the Isle of Skye route, the NE250 can be conquered within three days, but again, for a more immersive experience, you may want to stay a little bit longer to soak up the sights.

From the majestic mountain passes of the Cairngorms National Park and the captivating  castles of Royal Deeside to the quaint coastal villages dotted along the Moray Firth Coast, there is plenty to experience on your motorbike adventure. Resting up after a long day’s ride is made all the more easier as the route is dotted with luxury hotels, campsites, B&Bs and lodges. You’ll also discover a variety of food options – from pub lunches to gourmet meals.

Whether you prefer a quick day trip or a full on adventure, there are plenty of routes to suit any type of rider. No matter which route you decide to go for, you’re sure to see spectacular sights and discover unique experiences that can only be found in Scotland.

• Click HERE for more travel news from Scottish Field

motorcycle tour scotland

Many think Scotland is simply the home of whisky, clans, tartan and castles but Scotland has so much more than that to offer. On our tours you see where Scots live from the bustling cities such as the capital Edinburgh, to quaint fishing villages or remote but’n’bens scattered around the rugged mountain regions. In short Scotland has something that will appeal for everyone. From a riders perspective Scotland has some outstanding roads and the scenery of Scotland offers boundless beautiful from the rolling hills of southern Scotland to the dramatic mountains of the highlands, add to that over thirty thousand lochs and numerous islands and you will soon understand why Scotland is so often voted a top destination including being voted by Rough Guide readers as the most Beautiful Country in the World. Motorcycle Tours in Scotland, Cuairtean baidhsagal-motair ann an Alba, Circuits à moto en Ecosse, Motorradtouren in Schottland, Motortochten in Schotland, Tour in motocicletta in Scozia, Paseos en moto por Escocia, Passeios de moto em Escócia.

Private Scottish Highlands and Islands

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: Typically 3 star rated hotels, dinner bed and breakfast Summary: A bespoke tour for clients wanting to explore Scotlands Highlands and Islands including Bute, Arran, Mull and Skye. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, Private Scottish Highlands and Islands

Private NC500 Tour

Location: Inverness Accommodation: Quality hotels Summary: 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast guided motorcycle tour Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Inverness, Scotland, Private NC500 Tour

A private tour around Scotland

Location: Edinburgh Accommodation: Mainly 4+ star hotels, dinner bed and breakfast Summary: This is a bespoke package was specifically designed to meet the desires of a couple from the USA Motorcycle Hire Available: No Edinburgh, Scotland, A private tour around Scotland

Private Scottish Tour Aug 23

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: A mix from Self catering Castle to 4 star hotels Summary: This is a private tour around Scotland. If you would like something similar then contact us to discuss. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, Private Scottish Tour Aug 23

Scottish Circuit

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: 3-5 star rated hotels, dinner bed and breakfast Summary: With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II many will have seen some of the glorious scenery that Scotland offers as her coffin was moved from Balmoral to Holyrood. This tour will endeavour to highlight the differing landscapes that Scotland offers from the soft rolling hills to the south and east of the country to the rugged mountains and coastline on the west coast. Each day of this tour will present a different flavour of Scotland. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, Scottish Circuit

Short Scottish Tour

Location: North Shields Accommodation: Summary: This tour was specifically planned to meet the needs of clients arriving via North Shields ferry port, who wanted a budget priced introduction to riding in Scotland and passing through great scenery. Motorcycle Hire Available: No North Shields, Scotland, Short Scottish Tour

Scotland West Coast Islands and Highlands Ver2

Location: West Accommodation: Mainly good quality hotels and lodges Summary: This tour begins near Glasgow Airport and makes its was to the west coast then north to the highlands before returning to Glasgow Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes West, Scotland, Scotland West Coast Islands and Highlands Ver2

UK to Tyrol

Location: the South Tyrol region Accommodation: Typically 3 star rated hotels Summary: Return overnight ferry between the UK the Netherlands plus 11 nights accommodation in Europe with a private cabin, dinner on the ferry crossings. 11 hotel nights bed and breakfast and 5 nights dinner at hotels. Motorcycle Hire Available: No the South Tyrol region, Scotland, UK to Tyrol

Scotland West Coast Islands and Highlands

Location: West Accommodation: Mainly 4 star and good quality 3 hotels Summary: This tour begins in the Clyde estuary and makes its was to the west coast then north to the highlands before returning to Glasgow Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes West, Scotland, Scotland West Coast Islands and Highlands

Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Location: West Accommodation: 4 star hotels Summary: This tour of Scotland's Highlands also visits the Southern and Inner Hebrides of Scotland Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes West, Scotland, Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Bespoke Scottish Tour

Location: Scotland Accommodation: 3 & 4 star hotels Summary: This bespoke will circuit Scotland averaging 250 miles per day mainly on minor roads. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Scotland, Scotland, Bespoke Scottish Tour

there is more to Scotland than the NC500

Location: Highlands Accommodation: 4 star hotels, dinner, bed and breakfast Summary: The north coast 500 circuit is a fine route but just scratches the surface of what Scotland has to offer, this Scottish motorcycle trip delves a little deeper and takes you much further showing you some of the best biker roads in Scotland. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Highlands, Scotland, there is more to Scotland than the NC500

Scottish Day motorbike trips

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: Accommodation is not included on these day trips Summary: These day trips are available between April and September and take a circuit from our premises in Hillington, Glasgow. They are designed to give riders a flavour or riding with McTours and will also appeal to those who want to give a gift to a rider and people making a short visit to Glasgow or surrounding area such as riders who are on a cruise ship stopping at Greenock. We can also offer limited number of day tours for ships calling at other Scottish ports including Leith or Rosyth. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, Scottish Day motorbike trips

Scottish Bespoke 5 Star Hotels Tour

Location: Highlands Accommodation: 4 & 5 star rated hotels Summary: Starting in Edinburgh and ending in the Isle of Skye this tour has been specifically designed to meet the request of 10 Harley riders and their partners and uses the best accommodation available at each stop. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Highlands, Scotland, Scottish Bespoke 5 Star Hotels Tour

Outlander Film Locations Tour

Location: Highlands-Lowlands Accommodation: Quality Hotels - 3 Star (1 nights), 4 Star (4 nights) & 5 Star (3 nights) Summary: This motorcycle tour of Scotland has especially appealed to the ladies be it as rider or pillion. It is designed to offer an outstanding rider experience of Scotland whilst visiting some of the Scottish locations associated with the TV series Outlander travelling throughout the lowland and highland regions of Scotland. Airport transfers (Scottish Airport to Hotel), all entrance fees, ferry crossing, dinner, bed and breakfast are included and a choice of rental motorbikes is available. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Highlands-Lowlands, Scotland, Outlander Film Locations Tour

William Wallace Motorcycle Tour

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: 5* Hotel Du Vin Glasgow - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast - ensuite Double/Twin room Summary: Enjoy a 5 day, 4 night holiday with 3 days motorcycle riding. Either a long weekend (arrive Friday depart Tuesday) or mid week break (arrive Tuesday depart Saturday) touring central Scotland and visiting places associated with the life of William Wallace (Braveheart). Each day we tour a different section to visit various areas of Scotland and visit places with a Wallace connection. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, William Wallace Motorcycle Tour

Beatson Cancer Charity Fund Raiser

Location: Scotland Accommodation: Basic hostel accommodation Summary: A challenging 4 day ride to generate funds for a worthy cause Motorcycle Hire Available: No Scotland, Scotland, Beatson Cancer Charity Fund Raiser

Northumberland Pennines Scottish border

Location: Northumberland Accommodation: 4 star country house hotel Summary: This 7 day, 6 night tour involves 5 days riding and explores the coast and castles of Northumberland and rides through the Pennines and Scottish English Border areas. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Northumberland, Scotland, Northumberland Pennines Scottish border

Bespoke tour-Bennetts Biking Dreams

Location: Highlands-Lowlands Accommodation: Dinner bed and breakfast at 3 and 4 star hotels Summary: This 9 day tour has been specially prepared for Michael Phelan who was a winner in the Bennetts Biking Dreams 12 Dreams of Christmas competition. Michael's dream was to own a set of Alpinestars GORE-TEX riding kit and to test the all weather capability during a motorbike tour around Scotland. He has his clothing and this circuit is to put the kit to the test. Motorcycle Hire Available: No Highlands-Lowlands, Scotland, Bespoke tour-Bennetts Biking Dreams

Robert The Bruce Trail Motorcycle Tour

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: 5* Hotel Glasgow - Dinner, Bed & Breakfast - ensuite Double/Twin room Summary: Originally designed for Gerry and David Bruce who wanted to retrace their ancestry others can now enjoy their 5 day, 4 night holiday experience with 3 days motorcycle riding visiting places in Scotland associated with the life of King Robert the Bruce. Each day we tour a different section heading South to Ayrshire and Dumfries, East to Dunfermline and Melrose and north to Scone. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, Robert The Bruce Trail Motorcycle Tour

West Coast of Scotland Motorbike Tour

Location: Glasgow Accommodation: 5* Hotel Du Vin Glasgow - Dinner, Bed & Breakfast - ensuite Double/Twin room Summary: Enjoy a 5 day, 4 night holiday with 3 days motorcycle riding. Either a long weekend (arrive Friday depart Tuesday) or mid week break (arrive Tuesday depart Saturday) touring in the West of Scotland. Each day we tour a different section heading South to Dumfries and Galloway, North to Fort William and West to Argyle. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Glasgow, Scotland, West Coast of Scotland Motorbike Tour

Luxury Scottish Motorbike Tour

Location: Dunblane Accommodation: Doubletrees by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel - Exclusive ensuite Double/Twin room Summary: Ideally suited for riders with non-biking partners who can enjoy the facilities at this luxury Perthshire Hotel whilst you are out enjoying the fantastic roads. This is a 5 day, 4 night holiday with 3 days motorcycle riding. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Dunblane, Scotland, Luxury Scottish Motorbike Tour

Motorcycle Tour of Scotland

Location: Highlands-Lowlands Accommodation: 3/4 Star Hotels (Best Western or equivalent) Summary: This vacation is all about the journey and experiencing truly fantastic biking roads and will be challenging at times but we will take a leisurely pace with daily journeys beginning around 150 miles and largely uses Best Western 3 star hotels. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Highlands-Lowlands, Scotland, Motorcycle Tour of Scotland

Scottish Luxury Motorcycle Tour

Location: Central-Scotland Accommodation: Doubletrees by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel - Exclusive ensuite Double/Twin room Summary: This 9 day, 8 night with 7 days riding holiday is ideally suited for riders with non-biking partners who wish to take advantage of this Central Scottish hotel whilst the rider is on tour enjoying brilliant roads and scenery covering circa 200 miles or about 6 hours in the saddle each day. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Central-Scotland, Scotland, Scottish Luxury Motorcycle Tour

Two Centre Scottish Tour

Location: Highlands-Lowlands Accommodation: 3/4 Star Hotels (Best Western or equivalent) Summary: This two centre motorcycle tour is designed to offer the best rider experience of both lowlands and highlands of Scotland. Begin with 3 nights at Garfield house before heading north to Inverness for a 4 night stop and then returning to Glasgow for the final night. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Highlands-Lowlands, Scotland, Two Centre Scottish Tour

Northern and North West Ireland

Location: Ballina County Mayo Ireland Accommodation: 3 and 4 star rated hotels (dinner, bed and breakfast) Summary: A tour of the north and west coast of Ireland with a stops in Dublin and Belfast Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Ballina County Mayo Ireland, Scotland, Northern and North West Ireland

A Scottish Circuit

Location: The Highlands Accommodation: 4 star hotels, dinner, bed and breakfast Summary: This Scottish motorcycle circuit embraces the better parts of the NC500 and traverses some of our favoured biker roads in other parts of Scotland. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes The Highlands, Scotland, A Scottish Circuit

A taste of Scotland

Location: Scotland Accommodation: 3-4 Star hotels Summary: A tour traversing some great Scottish roads and visiting scenic locations to offer a taste of what the country has to offer. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Scotland, Scotland, A taste of Scotland

Central Scottish Circuit

Location: Scotland Accommodation: 4 Star Hotels Summary: This 9 day, 8 night with 7 days riding holiday is ideally suited for riders with non-biking partners who wish to take advantage of this Central Scottish hotel whilst the rider is on tour enjoying brilliant roads and scenery covering circa 200 miles or about 6 hours in the saddle each day. Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Scotland, Scotland, Central Scottish Circuit

Location: Europe Accommodation: As determined by the customer Summary: This is a bespoke tour for a specific customer and is not available to book Motorcycle Hire Available: Yes Europe, Scotland, Bespoke

Motorcycle Tours in SCOTLAND

Motorbike tours in scotland | moto tours in scotland | motorcycle holidays in scotland, not all these tours are current. please ask for up to date details..

• Motorcycle Tours in Albania
• Motorcycle Tours in Austria
• Motorcycle Tours in Belgium
• Motorcycle Tours in England
• Motorcycle Tours in Europe
• Motorcycle Tours in France
• Motorcycle Tours in Germany
• Motorcycle Tours in Greece
• Motorcycle Tours in Italy
• Motorcycle Tours in Netherlands
• Motorcycle Tours in North Macedonia
• Motorcycle Tours in Northern Ireland
• Motorcycle Tours in Portugal
• Motorcycle Tours in Republic of Ireland
• Motorcycle Tours in Scotland
• Motorcycle Tours in Slovenia
• Motorcycle Tours in Spain
• Motorcycle Tours in Switzerland
• Motorcycle Tours in UK
• Motorcycle Tours in USA
• Motorcycle Tours in Wales

• Reviews Home
• Motorcycle Reviews
• Product Reviews
• Racing News Home
• Road Racing
• Features Home
• Advanced Riding
• Motorcycle Track Guides
• Buying Advice
• Sell Your Bike

Top ten best UK motorcycle tours

Motorcycle tours don't have to be pan-European epics that take months to plan and ride, some awesome motorcycle tours can be found right here at home in 

LESS is more as the saying goes, and the same thing could be said for motorcycle touring, which doesn't always have to be a week-long slog over thousands of miles.

Looking at shorter, more bite-size motorcycle tours can also open up the option of riding on some smaller, more obscure machines, like road-going dual sport bikes, 125s and even scooters!

With that in mind, here's a rundown of the best UK motorcycle tours for you to plan and ride this summer.

North Coast 500 (NC500) – northern Scotland Let’s start off with the biggie – the 500-mile route encompassing all the best bits of the coastline of northern Scotland of Scotland and, by general consensus not only including some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain but also some of its best biking roads, making it a ‘must do’ for any biker. The distances and terrain involved means it can be a week-long loop, usually starting and ending in Inverness. Most do clockwise but many recommend the reverse. There’s a dedicated website ( www.northcoast500.com ) including detailed routes, tips, cafes etc you just need to pick a week and do it – you won’t regret it.

Black Mountain Road – South Wales Also referred to as the Top Gear road for being a favourite route used in the TV show, the BMR specifically is the A4069 which twists, dips and climbs in the western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, in Wales. Although this specific section is only around 15 miles long, don’t be put off. Use it as an excuse to visit the fabulous Brecon Beacons and from there go exploring. Alternatively, it’s just up the road from Simon Pavey’s adventure riding centre, so if you’re planning a visit there, make sure you do the BMR at the same time.

‘Bedfordshire dream’ – the B660

Blink and you’d easily miss it, simply because the B660, which has been elevated to almost celebrity status due to its popularity with motorcycling magazines in nearby Peterborough, is very easily bypassed or missed by nearby A-roads. If you’re in the area, though, it’s more than worth a diversion. We most commonly do it south-to-north, picking up the B660 north out of Bedford, before blasting off towards Keysoe. Around 12 miles of challenging sweeper later you’re in the pretty historic town of Kimbolton which is perfect for a breather. Resume and head to Catworth, Old Weston and Winwick before Glatton and the A1. Then go do it all again.

Hardknott Pass – Lake District More adventure and exploration than sports riding/scratching, this narrow, single-track Roman road holds the joint record for being the steepest in England, the other being Rosedale Chimney Bank in North Yorkshire – so it’s definitely worth ticking off, especially if you have an adventure bike. Not recommended for novices or solo riders, the Hardknott may only be around two miles long but it’s challenging and sinuous with the reward at the top of the 1,291-foot ascent (on a fine day – so choose your days carefully) being simply spectacular views across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man.

https://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/hardknott-pass/

From Skyfall with love – Glen Etive

If you can’t spare a full week for Scottish scenic riding on the NC500, why not try Glen Etive instead, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands between Glasgow and Inverness and just 12 miles – but still packed with Scottish scenery. It was also the road famously used as a location in the James Bond film Skyfall, so you’re in good company. To find it, follow the A82 between Glencoe and Bridgy of Orchy and takes the signposted turn-off near the Kingshouse Hotel, on your left if coming from the south. There are no facilities and it’s a dead end so you have to double back but it’s definitely one of the most striking roads in Scotland.

North Devon coast road

The Cat & Fiddle – The Peak District

An oldie but still a goodie – and definitely one that must be crossed off on any best British rides Bucket List. Also known as the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton in the heart of England it’s so named for the Inn which sits at its peak, so being the second highest public house in the country, which is on the border between Cheshire and Derbyshire. The 11.5-mile stretch is now heavily policed and has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous roads in Britain due to its twists and turns, while a blanket 50mph speed limit has also now limited its appeal, but it remains a mecca for motorcyclists and is a ‘must do’ on any UK biking bucket list.

Snake Pass loop – Yorkshire/Peak District

This 65-mile loop is also in the heart of England so is reasonably accessible to all and starts in Barnsley before heading west then northwest towards Holmfirth, Holme, Glossop, then the famous Snake Pass before the Rivelin Valley and back to Barnsley. There’s a bit of town work but it’s mostly rural and the view and roads are amazing. You can also have a breather at the famous Snake Pass and, being the best part of an afternoon’s ride means most of us can fit it in in a long day out.

Wootton Bassett/Stonehenge loop – South

This 65-mile route is one of the best rides in southern England and has the added bonus of taking in both historic Wootton Bassett and spectacular Stonehenge, both of which are worth stop-offs. You can start the route anywhere on the loop but from Wootton, you head to Avebury then the excellent open road to Devizes. From there, you pass over the fast expanse of Salisbury Plain passing Stonehenge before turning north through spectacular Savernake Forest and into the historic town of Marlborough then finally complete the loop over twisty Hackpen Hill. You won’t regret it!

Suzuki GSX-S 1000GT (2022) Review

Suzuki gsx-s 1000gt (2022) review | engine sound | sport tourer road test | visordown.com.

• Privacy Policy

Welcome to McTours - Motorcycle Tours

Mctours motorcycle tours, where your adventure motorbike trip through scotland, england, wales or ireland begins and motorcycle rental options are also available., tour awards, best motorcycle tours provider 2024 - scotland - travel and tourism awards 2024, motorcycle tour operator of the year 2023/24 - corporate live wire global awards 2023/24, scottish enterprise awards 2023 - best motorcycle tour operator 2023, motorcycle tour company of the year 2023 - uk - best in business awards 2023, best international motorcycle tour operator 2022 - uk - hospitality awards 2022, motorcycle tour company of the year - scotland - 2021-22, best motorcycle tours agency - scotland - 2020-21, adventure experience 2020, motorcycle touring within the uk, motorcycle tours, motorcycle hire, maps and digital media.