Help with trip to Scotland

[DrD]

Dot and I will be in Scotland in July.  We will stay in Edinburgh for a couple of nights, and one night by Loch Ness.  Finding a good hotel in Edinburgh should be relatively easy.  Any suggestions for a bed and breakfast near Loch Ness?

Any recommendations for a car rental while we are there?  (Yeah, I know, four wheels....   )

I know, no mc content.

[Orson]

Send Notarian a PM.

He lives in Aberdeen and knows the area  

[FJR-UK]

http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/
http://www.roomsininverness.co.uk/
http://www.lochnesswelcome.co.uk/index.asp

Some links for you. I've used Auto Europe and they do offer competitive prices.

Loch Ness is quite long. Inverness is a nice town and will offer the most options. Fort Augustus is on the south tip of the loch and might be worth a look. Sorry I can't be more helpful than that.

In Edinburgh, you might have a look around the Leith area for a place. It's a happening area and out of the centre. Morningside is a bit more posh, but still cheaper than city centre. If you can find a bargain around the Grassmarket, that's a nice place to stay in the middle of things.

[Papa Lazarou]

From Tripadvisor, here's a few:
The Lovat, Loch Ness
Kimcraigan B&B
Glenurquhart House Hotel
Glenmoriston Arms Hotel
Craigdarroch House Hotel
Whitebridge Hotel

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/

[notarian]

A biker, in a car, in Scotland?  = too right,  

No clue on car rentals other than Budget, Hertz, Avis type. Other than borrowing a friend's Daimler on 2 occasions to ferry my daughter around Scotland, I haven't driven a car in 20 years. Now, when she comes she tours on the Multistrada.

I don't know Loch Ness accommodations very well. When I'm in Inverness I stay with friends. I've stayed a few times at the Invergarry Hotel (mainly because its on the magnificent A87) and like it plus the bar & dinners are very good. Nice people and when they had the outbuildings let me lock my bike(s) in one. However, this is 5 miles south of Loch Ness located on a pretty river.

I've been told  by 2 friends that the Manse B&B in Invermorriston is most excellent. If its that good, its probably 20% pricier than other B&B's.

I've ridden thorough Foyer (east side of loch just north of Fort Augustus) many times and thoughts are always of staying there. Its a very picturesque village in a forest beside Loch Ness, by a waterfall, in the Highlands - need I say more? Unfortunately, its always been too early to stop riding! The Foyer House B&B has the highest overlook view of Loch Ness and is popular. I took Orson on some of the roads leading to and through Foyer to Fort Augustus and they were among of his favourites.

Drumnadrochit is another quaint village to consider and is very close to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness and 12 miles from Crannich where there is a stunning drive/ride out through Glen Crannich to Loch Mullardoch - take a thermos of hot chocolate and couple of rowies and enjoy a morning snack by the loch. I don't know if the hotel is still open or I'd suggest you snack there.

Other than that, I can't help too much with personal knowledge of accommodations on/near the loch but, if you want to know about roads, where they go and why take them, especially on a bike (or a car)...

Here is an excellent website on 'Undiscovered' Scotland. I use it, studied it quite a bit and is 90% spot on.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/index.html

Do you have a route outlined from Edinburgh to Loch Ness and back or are you dropping the car off elsewhere?

[DrD]

Do you have a route outlined from Edinburgh to Loch Ness and back or are you dropping the car off elsewhere?

Thanks all, but especially notarian.  

We will spend a day in Edinburgh, then a day around Abernyte (where Dot's mother was born and lived until she emmigrated to the USA in her early 20's), then a long drive to Peterhead ending by Loch Ness, then a leisurely day getting back to Edinburgh.  We are thinking of seeing some sights in the Cairngorms National Park on the way back.  

Thoughts?

[katrider]

I really enjoyed Inverness, spent an extra day there visiting the distilleries in the area, went up to Lousiemouth and Edrendour Distillery, visited Culloden. I stayed at a B&B in Inverness and liked it very much, but you know there are dozens of decent options in that area.

Here's the place I stayed...

http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/armadale-guest-house.en.html?aid=311088;label=armadale-guest-house-6csfkhHB2mGlqwfO5ssxYwS7345663683;ws=&gclid=CJLL2LK_oa8CFSFgTAoddHy-XQ

But again, lots of choices.

You know, Culloden is not too far out of Inverness:

http://www.nts.org.uk/culloden/

Also, I rented a VFR from a fellow in Manchester and I had a great ride for three weeks. More than a car but cheaper on the petrol and lots easier to park. Am I preaching to the choir???

Just in case...

http://www.newhorizonsbikehire.co.uk/

Cheers...

[notarian]

Thanks all, but especially notarian.  

We will spend a day in Edinburgh, then a day around Abernyte (where Dot's mother was born and lived until she emmigrated to the USA in her early 20's), then a long drive to Peterhead ending by Loch Ness, then a leisurely day getting back to Edinburgh.  We are thinking of seeing some sights in the Cairngorms National Park on the way back.  

Thoughts?

You've lost me completely on the Peterhead part and ending by Loch Ness.

Abernyte is halfway between Perth and Dundee (East Coast) off the A90. Peterhead is 2 hours north of Dundee above Aberdeen (also on the East Coast). Loch Ness is close to the West Coast in the Highlands.

So, why Peterhead, or is this a mistake for another town?

If Peterhead is correct then I assume you are driving around the Grampian coast and onto Inverness to Loch Ness. This is a dull route for car or bike and very time consuming. There are other routes and soooo much better, mucho spectacular even, going from Abernyte to Loch Ness.

Let me know about this and if you like, I'll offer up a route that will knock your socks off and get you there faster and fresher - or/and add more to it to include an even better journey but will take a bit longer and still be less time than the Peterhead - Inverness - Loch Ness route. All roads will be 2 lanes (not single track or 4 lanes) and really fine tarmac.

Note

Loch Ness and the Great Glen - dead centre at the south end (on the way from Fort Augustus to Foyer)

[DrD]

Note:  Please post, or PM, me this route; it sounds fantastic!

The reason for the Peterhead tour is two fold:  1) I want to gaze on the North Sea, 2) Well, I am Peter.....

However, if that route is as boring as you write, then please suggest an alternative one.  I can skip Peterhead, but maybe we just get to Aberdeen for a good view of the sea?

I still want to gaze on the North Sea.  In my earlier days I sailed on the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.  I won't be sailing on the North Sea, but I want to gaze upon it.

[Papa Lazarou]

Don't swim in it either. It's freezing-the Gulf Stream is on the other side of this little island.

[notarian]

Edinburgh to Abernyte and Scone Palace (Perth). This should satisfy your need to see the North Sea as it takes in practically the entire coastline of Fife. Anstruther is my favourite village in Fife and the Smuggler's Inn serves a fine pint. St Andrews (home of golf) is a short way north from Anstruther, then over the Tay Bridge to Dundee. From Dundee take the M90 about 4 miles south to Inchture and Abernyte.

Abernyte is miniscule and I've no idea how long you want to spend there, but do know it is a large antique centre. I've routed you into Perth on easy back roads and especially to worthwhile Scone Palace. For tomorrow's journey to Loch Ness I suggest you spend the night in Perth or near Perth as it is the jumping off point for the drive to Loch Ness. If you go back to Edinburgh, you'll have to drive back to Perth anyway and that's a waste of valuable time.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Edinburgh&daddr=56.0643913,-3.213606+to:Kirkcaldy+to:56.15716,-3.07098+to:56.19622,-2.82522+to:Anstruther+to:56.29197,-2.65512+to:Dundee+to:56.45439,-3.01448+to:Abernyte+to:56.4627,-3.31455+to:Scone+Palace,+Perth&hl=en&ll=56.208232,-3.199768&spn=0.806572,2.458191&sll=56.426054,-3.016434&sspn=0.200494,0.614548&geocode=FWTHVQMd1VnP_ykjJpilALiHSDEnF-d8exTyZA%3BFYd5VwMd2vbO_ykB0Muz88mHSDFICJDbMQqR0g%3BFVlGWAMdh8_P_ym9ENovVDWGSDEtaeVLvXoB0A%3BFejjWAMd_CPR_ymNojLNUbOHSDFQdmjcGWgMEw%3BFXx8WQMd_OPU_ykbda2BlFSGSDGw1TyWHWgMEw%3BFQTlWQMdBcvW_yl3MezRLlSGSDETVgMsbs51Sg%3BFYLyWgMdcHzX_yn_Gm0oavmGSDF0HzGwgW_d1A%3BFcKKXQMdn6vS_ynTnGOrREGGSDEq5Us4HjvklA%3BFfZsXQMdsADS_ynx-zoQSUOGSDHQki9j53QI5Q%3BFWyeXQMd4yLP_ykNx6NzYUCGSDH2R0Uqamq9tg%3BFWyNXQMdimzN_ymFCktP-z6GSDEQZkDiGWgMEw%3BFXrwXAMdiInL_yHn09yEEt0MNA&oq=Scone+Pal&mra=dpe&mrsp=8&sz=11&via=1,3,4,6,8,10&t=m&z=9

Perth to Loch Ness. The quickest way cross country from Perth is the A85, which happens to be a lovely route. The A85 intersects with the A82 that is the main route north to Loch Ness. I'm suggesting you continue past the A82 to the coast and swing north past Port Appin (The Pier House for lunch is very good but you may be too early), Stalker's Castle and enter Glen Coe from the north. This is stunning stuff and Glen Coe is a must see. Dramatic, powerful, like a punch in the belly. I've routed you into and just past Glen Coe as an in and out, so turn around and come back down and see it again - from the opposite direction.

At Glen Coe village, turn right for Kinlochleven and take the 12 mile drive around the loch. Its my favourite motorcycle road in Britain. Mighty fine in a car too, but on a bike...wow.

Now you'll join the A82 and up through the Calledonian Canal to Ft Augustus and Loch Ness. However, at Spean Bridge I recommend turning right for Roybridge and taking in spectacular Glen Roy. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/roybridge/glenroy/index.html

Be sure to in St Augustus, its a fine spot for an outside break right at the canal locks.

I made Drumnadrochit the end point on Loch Ness for convenience.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Perth,+Scotland&daddr=Port+Appin+to:A82+to:56.70354,-5.06337+to:Turret+Bridge+to:Drumnadrochit,+UK&hl=en&ll=56.882001,-4.361572&spn=1.58474,4.916382&sll=56.793358,-5.465698&sspn=0.794223,2.458191&geocode=FfKEXAMdSqbL_ykDTUj7xhWGSDEYlvR9bhRftg%3BFb3xXgMdiHqt_ymtQ0GhlkSJSDGRb8U7pU7p8A%3BFQiiYAMdRjC1_w%3BFTQ6YQMdNr2y_ym3x7QFPzGJSDGEAz5tNKxqwQ%3BFfxNZQMd6la3_yk9t0XbLSiPSDELh02qFtzvxw%3BFePaagMdD6i7_ymHudjvWRCPSDES75oh-vVVsQ&oq=d&mra=mru&via=3&t=m&z=8

If you somehow find yourself an extra day at Loch Ness, here's a 6 1/2 hour day route that takes in some of the very best of Scotland.

See a bit of Inverness, a drive in and out of Strathpeffer, the A835 to Little Loch Broom, Gruniard Bay, Gairloch, Badachro Bay, Loch Maree, Glen Torridon, Loch Carron, Castle Eileen Donan, the 5 sisters (mountain peaks). There will be a few stretches of single track but you can see well ahead and there are plenty of passing pull overs.

RR that has a few pics of what's on this route. http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,26208.0.html

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Drumnadrochit&daddr=Inverness+to:Strathpeffer+to:57.80914,-5.15604+to:Gairloch+to:57.54282,-5.50109+to:Lochcarron+to:Dornie+to:Drumnadrochit&hl=en&ll=57.529096,-4.828491&spn=0.778577,2.458191&sll=57.365052,-5.001526&sspn=0.782077,2.458191&geocode=FePaagMdD6i7_ymHudjvWRCPSDES75oh-vVVsQ%3BFY0KbQMdL4m__ykr3hctW3GPSDE9xD4u0QlDYg%3BFaOtbgMd3Lq6_ynjfSrs0qCPSDG_79MXgOXrOQ%3BFfQYcgMdOFOx_ynRJq6KS0-OSDEw9vchRDkWFA%3BFdzccAMdKB6p_ymH-NuJ32-OSDFdnoU_D3jLsQ%3BFaQIbgMdXg-s_ylrmIY1x2GOSDEnrO15wDh__w%3BFcjRawMdmQes_ynR5J2Qu46OSDHW3OtM8kYCmg%3BFdoBagMdtNSr_ylTyBXLBJGOSDF29IgLb3LHKg%3BFePaagMdD6i7_ymHudjvWRCPSDES75oh-vVVsQ&oq=Dr&mra=ls&via=3,5&t=m&z=9

You mentioned the Cairngorms for the route back to Edinburgh. This is about the best one I can think of and takes you through the Spey Whisky country too. It means a bit of 4 lanes on the A9 from Inverness to Granton-on-Spey, but from there to Perth, its Cairngorm all the way - passing over the Lech to Ballater, through Deeside (Ballater, Balmoral Castle, Braemar), over and through Glenshee to Blairgownie and Perth. Perth to Edinburgh is the M90 motorway.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Drumnadroichit&daddr=57.306112,-3.74044+to:Granton+on+spey+to:Ballater+to:Edinburgh&hl=en&ll=56.722594,-3.22998&spn=1.639723,4.916382&sll=56.43213,-3.556824&sspn=0.826156,2.458191&geocode=FePaagMdD6i7_ymHudjvWRCPSDES75oh-vVVsQ%3BFQBsagMd6OzG_ykXKOJz6IuFSDFQfMnhGWgMEw%3BFRPVagMdUNzI_yG-1aGaA5XXWw%3BFa6DZgMdF6rR_ynFxFE7n8SFSDHVQU0Ws4dTgA%3BFWTHVQMd1VnP_ykjJpilALiHSDEnF-d8exTyZA&mra=ls&via=1&t=m&z=8

[DrD]

This is extraordinarily helpful.  Thanks so much for these suggestions!

[DrD]

We went, we had fun!

Except for the feaking narrow roads.  

[Papa Lazarou]

We went, we had fun!

Except for the feaking narrow roads.  

Oh, c'mon, that's why motorcycles are narrow....

[DrD]

Oh, c'mon, that's why motorcycles are narrow....

I would have felt better on a motorcycle.  Next time, on two wheels!

[FJR-UK]

My father rented a car when he came for a visit. He loved to drive. But after one near miss when passing over a stone bridge south of Ullapool, he insisted that I do all the rest of the driving.  

Plus, he kept wanting to get in the wrong side of the car.

[notarian]

Peter,

Glad you enjoyed it. Even if you drove a car why not post up a few pics?

Note

[DrD]

Peter,

Glad you enjoyed it. Even if you drove a car why not post up a few pics?

Note

Since you asked, Note, I shall deliver!

Dot and I visited Paris before flying to Scotland.

While driving from Edinburg to Dundee, we stopped in Elie.

The real reason to visit Scotland was Dot's connection:  Her mother was from Scotland and Dot was there last in 2002 to spread her ashes at the family church grounds in Abernyte.  Naturally, we visited the church yard.  That is her cousin and his wife next to her.

The whole Steward clan is a hoot!

Leaving Dundee, we stopped at the Wallace Monument.  Yes, we climbed the 246 steps.

Then we went forth to look for Scotland!

And we visited Loch Ness.

A lovely place.  We shall visit there again.

Thanks for the guidance.

[katrider]

Next time...RENT A BIKE!!! Scotland is better on a bike.

BTW, why were you waving your arms in the middle of the road??

[paranoid_dude]

Hi, myself and my friend going to scotland in July as well(1st till around the12th). We can exchange some info if u want