A couple of the lads I ride with are on about going up to Scotland for a week and I will be joining them. We plan to use fort William as our base location and will be camping. I wondered if anyone else would like to join us, dates to be confirmed. Also a bit of local knowledge is needed. What are the best times of year to go to avoid the horrible midges?
Avoid July and August cos the midges don't read the instructions on the repellants so they ignore them. The midges can even attack you when the rain drops are bigger than they are. Once inside your helmet you are fucked mate. I had more lumps on me head than the elephant man lol. I like late May. Chances of dryish weather and low chances of midges. If you really want to keep the midges away camp at a site right on the West coast. The stronger winds help keep them away.
I'm there with a 20 strong gang Early bank hols May…..go most years we are actually using FT William as a base too this year ….If you need any route planing I can help you , some of the best roads around are up there . The West side is fantastic for fast sweepers but dont ride too fast cos you miss the scenery . The isle of skye is like a public race track … go early summer well before the Kids are off skool or the first weekend in sept ,,they are more or less caravan free …you won't see much plod above Loch Lomond …
We went in mid june. Only real midge issues we had were at lock lomond and up by the green welly stop at tyndrum. Oh and one massive swarm further up while riding. Made a mess on my visor (could see a dark cloud of them just before impact). But then I realised joe (my mate) had decided his visor was fucked and completely useless........and had put it in his bag. I had to pull over due to fits of laughter.
Love Scotland for a bike trip, we went for Bsb this year and did a ride through Fort William on one of the days .. Learnt not to spray the midge spray in a zipped up tent and you can still burn you face through a tinted visor..
Magic just go and enjoy spray yourself in Avon skinsosoft or Ultimate Beauty oil and hope for the best, if you get eaten you get eaten
I went in August, to the Hebrides, the dreaded midges were abundant, however a friend who lives on the east coast says she doesn't get them there?
Yep- went late May this year and did a 1500 mile lap of Scotland and the Highlands - it is awesome - Fort William and the coast road to Mallaig is simply breathtaking (a830) - the roads are a bit gnarly these days but the views are simply spectacular - if you can make an absolutely full day of it get to Skye - camping is for the brave ! We hopped from one B&B to another ...!
Unfortunately the East coast of Scotland ain't half as pretty. Though the ride up from Inverness to Thurso is pretty spectacular. Then you hit John O'Groats - which is like a big turd :hungover:
Ducati manchester do a trip every year very well organise they take a van so you don't have to carry anything and meet you at your night stop
My mate bought a brand new Ducati from there and by the first service was taking it somewhere else ! ...Do they put all the bikes in the van ? lol
so……back to topic Ride MAgazine have done a few rides up in the Highlands and they can all be found here…scroll down to Jan 2012 http://www.ride.co.uk/Routes/
Do Ducati Manchester wipe your arse for you after you've had a sh*t, then clean up after you've had a w*nk?
Ah that's poncy touring...won't do camping though, you may as well lay down in a swamp with a sign that says "midges eat me"
have you thought about bunkhouse accommodation? I have used one in the area and having a drying room and all 'home like' facilities proved invaluable. plus the costs shared between a group can be less than individuals paying per pitch on a campsite. not quite 5* but a more refined way to stay away from home at a reasonable cost. :thumbsup:http://www.highland-mountain-guides.co.uk/
