May 2010 Fort Augustus

4 night stop over in Fort Augustus, trying out another B&B See link, Above pic is looking down the locks into loch ness, taken during evening stroll walking of a Nessey hotpot.

Day 3 ride home.

Good final night in the hotel tried the bars, burger and chips superb! this is an excellent base for exploring the Scottish borders and would fully recomend it. Next morning we decided to call in at gretna green on our way south and then headed west over to the lake district where we stopped for lunch (in the rain ). then the final push for home via, the bridge at kirby Lonsdale. At Settle we cut across the dales and over to Arncliif near Kettlewell on through Grassington, Pateley Bridge, Riply and then home to Knaresborough. Total milage for the day  181 miles.

Day 2 ride out to the mull of Galloway

Starting of with a full english breakfast, we neaded south to the mull of Galloway, the southern most point of Scotland, brilliant weather. Stopped off at Dumfries for a new pair of laces for Pluv, ( don't ask ) we then followed the heritage trail south on the Solway firth coastal route, Arrived at Stranraer mid afternoon. Time was getting on but we decided to continue south down to the Mull of Galloway only another 25miles or so. Glad we did lovely ride down. Had to go up the lighthouse for the views well worth £2.50. Never realised how close the Isle of Mann was to Scotland. We watched for a time, a storm coming over from Ireland decided to legg it back up north, it cut accross our tracks half way back upto Stranrear but we seemed to be through it in a couple of minutes. we then raced it back east to Moffat. Great day out well worth the milge. Total milage for the day 248miles.

Day 1 route.

Leaving Knaresborough about 08.30 hrs we went north on A1m to Scotch corner then picked up the A38 just north of scotch corner and headed for Jedburgh, and then onto Edinburgh over the fourth road bridge and then swung a sharp left to cross under the road and visit the railbridge for diner break. We then headed west to the Knincardine bridge and then south to pick up the M9 and then onto the A702 to Bigger stopped for an ice cream and then crossed over to the A701 ( great road ) which took us over the tops and down into Moffat.  Total milage for the day 297 miles and about 7hrs riding allowing for stops.

The Woolpack Inn Arncliff.

One last brew before home.

Cut over the tops from settle on route back, this is the village of Arncliff. the village was used for the filming of Emmerdale farm back in the late seventies/eightys. the pub in the rear was the original Woolpack inn.

You don't see a lot of these now, this ones just above Grasmere in the lakes

decided to go home via the lakes and called in here on the way back,

Mr & Mrs W

Andy always like to visit a good garden centre, always puts a smile on his face..

Look no ear's the sculptor forgot to put them on and it was only picked up on the day of the Unveiling by the local farmers.

The Moffat Ram. And its times like these that you find out who your mates are!

Another good day for the trip home.

Rear Garden at the buccleuch arms hotel, discussing bikes with one of the owners.

Visitors centre built in to hill side

here comes that storm

Back to the bikes

The Mull of Galloway light house

Fantastic location when the weathers good

Thats a lot of 'air' storage for one fog horn!

Going down now !

Looking over to the lake district.

Storm brewing

The Isle of Mann

Pluv opted to stay below and guard the gear..

Furthest point south in Scotland the mull of Galloway lighthouse

Smile for the camera mate !

Andy realy likes having his photo taken, if looks could kill!

Sweetheart Abbey

Route following coast road along side the Solway firth

Motorcycle Scotland

Another link for another good website http://www.motorcyclescotland.com/scottish-motorcycle-routes.asp

The Buccleuch Arms Hotel

This is a great hotel run by bikers for bikers, turn up on a bike and you get 15% off standard rates. Foods great, staff are freindly and there are route cards in the hotel for bikers wanting to explore the boarders. Spoilt for choice with great roads. Good selection of pubs in the town and other eating houses.
click on link for further info. http://www.buccleucharmshotel.com/

The rear garden at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel moffat.

The Hotel has a great setup for bikers, you get your own garage, washing facilities for the bikes and the lads there go out of there way to help. Fully recomend it, and the house burger with chips, or go posh upstiars in the dinning room. Very good selection of single malts, saving up some cash to try a tot of the 'snow grouse'

Andy said it was a good idea to take panniers off before parking in side, I wonder why ?

Could do with some chips !

you don't see these going down the river nidd!

It still looks better than the new one ! the bridge that is..

wonder what sort of C.V you would need to work with these lads??

sun's out, lunch scoffed ! lets get off..

If you think I'am gonner pay to go in that !!

thats one hell of a painting contract !