Northern Whippets & Clogs Blackb

Fri 27^th - Mon 30^th May '05

2005 Four Day Tour of Scotland

This is a four day mile-munching tour of Scotland, starting from and returning to Carnforth in Lancashire, taking in the furthest northern point on the UK mainland - Dunnet Head - and a whole host of other Scottish and Northern English scenic and biking delights. In detailed planning since October 2004, and purposely not advertised widely to keep the number of attendees manageable and within the accommodation resources of some of the most remotest locations being visited, this has been a confirmed, fully booked and closed event since December 2004.

Although the chances of you being able to still find suitable accommodation available are probably going to be fairly low, if we are passing through areas convenient to where you live or will be touring yourselves, then do get in contact and maybe we could share some riding and chin-wagging time with you.

Please note that the Attendees' List now carries details of who's taking what in the way of emergency gear, such as puncture repair kit, first aid, etc.

	Garmin MapSource Download 5 Day Weather Forecast 15 Day Weather Forecast
Route Map(s) – Sunday 29th of May '05 (click map to enlarge):
	Garmin MapSource Download 5 Day Weather Forecast 15 Day Weather Forecast
Route Map(s) – Monday 30th of May '05 (click map to enlarge):
	Garmin MapSource Download 5 Day Weather Forecast 15 Day Weather Forecast

Related Links:
Loch Lomond	Loch Fyne
Fort William	Loch Ness
Brora	Dunnet Head
John O'Groats	Wick & Thurso area, where Keiss is situated
Helmsdale	Inverness
Aviemore area	Callander area
Inverkeithing	Galashiels

Route and Itinerary:
Start Time	End Time	Leg	Dist. (Miles)	Dur. (Hrs)	Total Dist.	Notes
Friday 27th of May '05
9:00	10:00	Carnforth Truck Stop meet-up (M6 jn35).		1.0		A chance to have a break from your trip to the meet-up and to stock-up on a late breakfast.
10:00	10:50	Up the A6070 through Burton in Kendal to the A65 then skirting east of Kendal to pick up the A685 through Tebay & Orton on the B6260 to Appleby in Westmorland.	37.8	0.8	37.8	The A6070 follows the M6 northwards but is much more interesting and gets us gently around Kendal and onto the little known but wonderful biking road that's the A685, with it's sweeping valley views and fast swooping sections high above the M6, then down into the valley and onto the slightly slower B6260 through beautiful countryside to Appleby in Westmorland. Quiet excellent biking roads the lot!
10:50	11:05	Appleby in Westmorland car park break.		0.3		15 minutes break
11:05	12:05	The A66 trunk road takes us to Penrith where we pick up the A6 until we hit the M6 which we'll use to by-pass Carlisle. After the short M6 run we're onto the A74 then A75 at Gretna as far as Dumfries where we stop to re-fuel and have a meal break.	63.2	1.0	101.0	The A66 is a fast and straight road although not tedious we're quickly to and through Penrith and onto the A6 for one of its most straight and fast sections before hopping onto the M6 around Carlisle. This short motorway section will quickly finish as we leave it for the fast A74 with its views to the south of The Solway Firth. Although a little tedious this road does heighten the anticipation for the better Scottish Borderlands roads awaiting us after the next break.
12.05	12:50	Small tank fuel stop: Shell garage junction of A75 & A780. Meal break: Travel Inn off A780		0.7		45 minute lunch break and meeting up with Controlshed.
12:50	13:50	We skirt Dumfries on the A75 and then head north on the A76 all the way to just before Mauchlin where we cut across to the B7037 and on to Galston.	61.0	1.00	162.0	The A76 out of Dumfries starts straight and fast with just the odd bends here and there but slowly begins to throw more twisties into the equation as it threads its way up the Nith valley. After New Cumnock we're back to mainly straight & fast instead of fast & twisty until we cut across country to pick up the B7037 into Galston.
13:50	14:15	Fuel Stop & Break: Spartan station in Galston.		0.4		25 minutes break
14:15	15:15	North again on the A719 this time until we meet and follow the A77 into Renfrew where we pick up the M8, M898 and across the Clyde onto the A898 then the A82 to our break on the shores of Loch Lomond.	42.0	1.0	204.0	Enjoy the views on the fast A719 and A77 through the small Lochs that litter this run into Dumfries. These are fast and more utilitarian roads chosen to get us onto the better of Scotland's roads the quicker, and we will be amply rewarded for enduring a spot of the M8 when we get onto the A82 and Loch Lomond comes into view.
15:15	16:15	Break at Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond		1.0		Time to take in the views and maybe a spot to eat. Fond farewells to Controlshed.
16:15	17:05	Along the shore of Loch Lomond on the A82 until we cut off on the A83 at Loch Long and on to Cairndow.	25.0	0.8	229.0	At last, proper Scottish roads, and a great climb through the Trossachs National Park. Not as spectacular as we'll experience in following days but a beautiful part of the country and belting roads.
17:05		Arrive Cairndow B&B
Saturday 28th of May '05
	08:30	Depart Cairndow B&B
08:30	09:30	We take the A83 around Loch Fyne and onto the A819 at Inveraray past Loch Awe and onto the A85 for a short way until north again on the B8074 to the A82 to our next break just past Loch Tulla.	42.9	1.0	42.9	What better early start to a morning than along the A83 on the shore of Loch Fyne? Well, how about the twisting climb up the Aray valley on the A819 and down to Loch Awe? The next couple of days are going to bring nothing but twisties and spectacular scenery, and here's where it starts in earnest. The B8074 will throw in some technical bends and keep the speed down a tad but open it up a bit more for the A82!
09:30	09:50	Car park near Loch Tulla		0.3		20 minutes break
09:50	10:40	Carrying on on the A82 through Ballachulis and along the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe to Fort William.	35.6	0.8	78.5	The A82 takes us over the heights and past numerous small lochs with some straight stretches punctuated by bends until we drop down to Loch Leven and along the larger Loch Linhe. The A82 along this stretch is just full of a variety of bends and swoops all framed by the loch on one side and the hills on the other.
10:40	11.10	Snack Break: Fort William		0.5		30 minutes snack break
11:10	12:00	Continuing on the A82 past Loch Lochy, Loch Oich to Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness.	32.5	0.8	111.0	A surprisingly fast stretch of road with well designed bends won't detract from the splendid views of Loch and mountain. Although a popular road there are plenty of opportunities to 'make progress'.
12:00	12:20	Break: Fort Augustus on Loch Ness		0.3		20 minutes break (watch out for Nessy!)
12:20	12:55	Still on the A82, along the edge of Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit where we take the A833 due north to pick up the A862 for the short run into Beauly.	31.0	0.6	142.0	Good progress should be made along Loch Ness and then it's the torturous climb up the A833 for plenty of twisties and excellent views before dropping down and fast to Beauly.
12:55	13:15	Fuel break: Beauly		0.3		20 minutes break
13:15	14:25	A cut across country through back lanes to pick up the A9 along the northern shore of the Cromarty Firth, across the Dornoch Firth, past Loch Fleet and on to Brora.	58.0	1.2	200.0	Apart from the short winding cut through back lanes at the start of this section, the rest of the run is on the fast and delightful A9 with its variety of views of loch, mountain and North Sea. A consistently fast section without having to go 'balls-out'!
14:25	15:25	Meal Break: Royal Marine Hotel, Brora		1.0		1 hour meal break
15:25	16:25	The A9 through Latheron where we leave the coast and on northwards to Thurso on the Pentland Firth.	54.0	1.0	254.0	This section of the A9 is a pure biking delight, from the switch-backs and technical bends along the coast to the swooping brilliant visibility of the tundra like very fast section across to Thurso. This will definitely be a stretch that you'll want to just turn around and do again!
16:25	16:35	Fuel stop: Thurso Shell		0.2		10 minutes break
16:35	17:00	Leaving the A9 until another day, we head off east along the A836 and out onto the B855 to Dunnet Head.	12.0	0.4	266.0	A leisurely potter out of town and onto the Dunnet peninsula for a winding ride past highland cattle, walkers, cyclists and what have you to the UK mainland's furthest northerly point - Dunnet Head, famous for its carnivorous plant life! Stand and look from the cliffs across the Pentland Firth to Hoy, Scapa Flow and the Atlantic Ocean.
17:00	17:30	Break: Dunnet Head		0.5		30 minutes break
17:30	17:50	Retrace the 3 or so miles back down the B855 and back onto the A836 eastwards the short distance to John O'Groats.	15.0	0.3	281.0	A pleasant moderately fast section on an 'A' road in name only! To your left the Pentland Firth, and to the right the flat land of this furthest top-right corner of the mainland.
17:50	18:10	Break: John O'Groats		0.3		20 minutes break. Check out the start-line for the John O'Groats to Land's End route! Don't expect too much more though!
18:10	18:30	South down the A99 to Keiss.	9.0	0.3	290.0	A short jaunt down the North Sea Coast on a pleasant road that proves pretty damn good on the next day! But now, you'll be too knackered to care!
18:30		Arrive Keiss B&B
Sunday 29th of May '05
	09:30	Depart Keiss B&B
09:30	10:30	South on the A99 through Wick, and down to join the A9 to Helmsdale along the North Sea Coast.	43.5	1.0	43.5	Superb biking roads, the A99 and then A9 hug the coastline providing everything from fast curves through to hairpin bends, all atop the cliffs above the North Sea.
10:30	10:50	Break: Helmsdale		0.3		20 minutes break
10:50	12:05	Continuing south on the A9 and across the Dornoch & Cromarty Firths to the north side of the Moray Firth.	66.5	1.2	110.0	Continuing the heady mix of bends and views until we drop down from the cliff tops onto the beautiful and straighter roads towards the Moray Firth and Inverness.
12:05	12:25	Break: North Kessock view point - Inverness		0.3		20 minutes break
12:25	12:35	Across the Moray Firth to a refueling stop at Inverness.	4.0	0.2	114.0	A brief exposure to a slightly more urban environment .... but not 'urban' by usual standards!
12:35	14:00	Refuel: Inverness B865 Esso & Meal: Inverness Thistle hotel		1.4		1 hour & 25 minutes meal break
14:00	14:35	Again heading south on the A9.	29.0	0.6	143.0	Although not an outstanding biking road, this long stretch of the A9 provides spectacular views and an easy way to cover the miles.
14:35	14:55	Break at Aviemore.		0.3		20 minutes break
14:55	15:50	Continuing south on the A9.	49.0	0.9	192.0	More of the A9.
15:50	16:10	Break & Refuel: Blair Atholl Esso		0.3		20 minutes break
16:10	17:15	South again, but not for long as we take the A827 west off the A9 along Loch Tummel's southern & Loch Tay's northern shores.	44.0	1.1	236.0	Back to biking heaven, and still amidst the splendours of the Scottish hills and lochs this section will throw in a whole host of exciting bends and views.
17:15	17:30	Refuel: Trossachs National Park Q8		0.2		15 minutes fuel break
17:30	18:05	We turn south on the A84 past Loch Earn's western end and across the hills to Callander.	19.0	0.6	255.0	A short beautiful stretch through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
18:05		Arrive Callander B&B
Monday 30th of May '05
	09:30	Depart Callander B&B				We will be saying farewell to Nigs & Jane as they stay on in Scotland for the rest of the week ... you lucky sods! Have a great time :-)
09:30	10:30	Heading towards Stirling on the A84 we'll cut around the north of the town on the A91 so we can pick up the A823 down to Dunfermiline on the north shore of the Firth of Forth and Inverkeithing.	46.6	1.0	46.6	The A84 is our last opportunity to sample the delights of the Scottish Highlands before we're heading south onto less mountainous terrain, although the A823 will certainly delight the biker in you. Only 40-odd miles but we'll then be in sight of Edinburgh, and into the varied sights of the Firth of Forth.
10:30	10:50	Break: Inverkeithing Ferry Toll Park & Ride		0.3		20 minutes break
10:50	11:45	On the A90, over the Forth Road Bridge and around Edinburgh on the A720 - The City of Edinburgh By-Pass. Then south onto the A7 for Galashiels.	45.4	0.9	92.0	Spectacular views from the Forth Road Bridge take us to the rapid but utilitarian Edinburgh By-Pass so that we can start to enjoy the superlative biking delights and scenic views that develop as we build up our southwards speed on the peerless A7.
11:45	12:45	Meal Break: Galashiels Cafe		1.0		1 hour meal break
12:45	13:15	Continuing south on the A7.	18.0	0.5	110.0	What more can we say about the A7 as it cuts its way delightfully un-arrow-like down through the Borderlands. If a road was designed for the 'Bird then this is it!
13:15	13:30	Refuel: Hawick Safeways		0.2		15 minutes refuel stop
13:30	14:20	The final section of the A7 southbound.	46.0	0.8	156.0	Almost 50 miles of more pure enjoyment!
14:20	14:50	Break: M6 jn42 A6 BP		0.3		20 minutes break
14:50	15:20	Switching to the A6 we avoid having to use the nasty M6!	25.0	0.5	181.0	This section of the A6 hints strongly of what is in store after Shap, and really does seriously vie with the A7 for the 'biker's dream' accolade - fast, furious and deserted. Watch out though, there are some surprise bends and corners!
15:20	15:40	Break: Shap		0.3		20 minutes break
15:40	16:30	More of the A6 southbound to Kendal and finally Carnforth.	31.0	0.8	212.0	Certainly keep your wits about you because this road just keeps throwing in more sheer thrills as it goes from excellent to better! In the same class as the A7 but for different reasons you'll always remember the 'Shap Run', even into your dotage! After your chance to recover some composure through Kendal it's a sedate yet pleasant few miles down to Carnforth.
16:30		Arrive Carnforth Truck Stop				All good things unfortunately do have to come to an end at some point, and this is it for our time together. So, after a break and no doubt a bite to eat to put you on 'til home, it'll be fond farewells.

Attendees - Friday 27th - Monday 30th of May '05:				*8 bikes & 11 People*
Handle	Name(s)		No. Up.		Meet-Up & Notes	Conf.
CLIVE	Clive	Leader	1		Carnforth Truck Stop Carrying: Puncture repair kit Selection of cable ties Small torch Spare wire, insulation tape & wire cutters Tyre pressure gauge Instant metal repair Spare PMR446 radio 3 off AA batteries	ü
STUEY	Stu & Lainey	Whippets	2		Carnforth Truck Stop Carrying: 12V pump Puncture repair kit Pan Euro bulb kit	ü
QUINEY	John & Sandra	Sweeper	2		Carnforth Truck Stop Carrying: Digital multi-meter	ü
GREYWOLF	Del		1		Carnforth Truck Stop Carrying: Puncture repair kit Small torch Insulation & self-amalgamating tape First aid kit Intercom batteries Cable-ties 100W H7 headlamp bulb	ü
JANE	Jane		1		Carnforth Truck Stop	ü
NIGS	Nigel		1		Carnforth Truck Stop	ü
PRECIOUS METAL	Gareth & Sue		2		Carnforth Truck Stop	ü
SKIPPY	Skip		1		Carnforth Truck Stop	ü

Attendees - Friday 27th of May '05 only:			*1 bike & 1 Person*
Handle	Name(s)	No. Up.		Meet-Up & Notes	Conf.
CONTROLSHED	Graeme	1		Joining at the Dumfries lunch break location and going as far as Loch Lomond	ü

Accommodation:
Important - Please note: Requesting that we arrange accommodation for you implicitly infers your acceptance of these terms & conditions: Deposits are non-refundable, unless we are able to sell the room on to another rider. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the event will result in the full room rental having to be paid. Where advance deposits are not required 'NR' will be entered under Dep. Paid.
Friday Night the 27th of May '05			Cut Off Date: Closed
Cairndow, Argyllshire Cairndow Stagecoach Inn, Cairndow, Argyll, Scotland PA26 8BN £35.00 per person, bed & breakfast Website: http://www.cairndowinn.com/index.htm
Handle	Booked In At	Room Type		Total Nightly Cost	Dep. Paid
CLIVE	Cairndow Stagecoach Inn	Double en-suite		70.00	NR
GREYWOLF / SKIPPY	Cairndow Stagecoach Inn	Twin en-suite		70.00	NR
NIGS	Cairndow Stagecoach Inn	Double en-suite		70.00	NR
PRECIOUS METAL	Cairndow Stagecoach Inn	Double en-suite		70.00	NR
QUINEY	Cairndow Stagecoach Inn	Double en-suite		70.00	NR
STUEY	Cairndow Stagecoach Inn	Double en-suite		70.00	NR
Saturday Night the 28th of May '05			Cut Off Date: Closed
Keiss, By Wick Sinclair Bay Hotel, Keiss, By Wick, Caithness, Scotland KW1 4UY £18.00 or £22.50 per person, bed & breakfast Website: http://www.sinclairbayhotel.co.uk/
Handle	Booked In At	Room Type		Total Nightly Cost	Dep. Paid
CLIVE	Sinclair Bay Hotel	Twin + bathroom		36.00	NR
GREYWOLF / SKIPPY	Sinclair Bay Hotel	Twin + bathroom		18.00/18.00	NR
NIGS	Sinclair Bay Hotel	Double + bathroom		36.00	NR
PRECIOUS METAL	Sinclair Bay Hotel	Double en-suite		45.00	NR
QUINEY	Sinclair Bay Hotel	Double en-suite		45.00	NR
STUEY	Sinclair Bay Hotel	Double en-suite		45.00	NR
Sunday Night the 29th of May '05			Cut Off Date: Closed
Callendar, in the Trossachs The Bridgend House Hotel, Callendar, Perthshire, Scotland FK17 8AH £27.50 or £29.50 per person, bed & breakfast Website: http://www.bridgendhotel.co.uk/home.asp
Handle	Booked In At	Room Type		Total Nightly Cost	Dep. Paid
CLIVE	The Bridgend House Hotel	Basic Double + bathroom		55.00	NR
GREYWOLF / SKIPPY	The Bridgend House Hotel	Twin en-suite		27.50/27.50	NR
NIGS	The Bridgend House Hotel	Double en-suite		59.00	NR
PRECIOUS METAL	The Bridgend House Hotel	Double en-suite		59.00	NR
QUINEY	The Bridgend House Hotel	Double en-suite		59.00	NR
STUEY	The Bridgend House Hotel	Double en-suite		59.00	NR