Scotland Trip: August 2008

**petevtwin650** · 20 Aug 08, 10:47 AM

Ok 1,504 miles in five days and the 996 didn't miss a bit. Not even in the heavy rain on the way back. Only mishap was this: Self Inflicted Wound

Set off from Rugby at 9 am and met up at a couple of places until we were a group of 12 bikes. No other Dukes though. Filtering around Glasgow was fun in the rush hour but we all got through unscathed and started to enjoy the Scottish roads proper.

Stayed on a campsite but in one of these.

A wigwam. Sleeps 4 and costs 15 quid a night with bedding.

Woke up to this view every morning.

The site had a shelter with cooking amenities which also served as the bikes service area due to having a level floor for checking oil and allowing the chain to be lubed. About 300 mls of oil used

Set off for the first rideout group meet at a HydroWater station visitors centre IIRC.

From there we did a lovely route until our lunch stop at this hotel

More demanding roads with fantastic scenery follewed in the afternoon before we set off to do the infamous Dukes Pass. A rollercoaster of a road that fills you with fear and a sense of achievement when you safely arrive.

The day was completed by some much needed nosh at the Drovers before an earlyish night.

Next day was a later start and shorter ride but still a couple of hundred miles. We ended up at the Falls of Dochart and the sun came out to top the days little jaunt off.

Another excellent meal at the Drovers and early night.

On Monday all the local lads had gone home so we had our own run out. 4 bikes doing Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan, St Augustus, Inverness, back down the East side of Loch Ness and meeting up at Spean bridge with the other 2 guys from the South.

Glencoe.

Glenfinnan Monument

Loch Ness Monster Centre

East Side of Loch Ness

Commado Monument Spean Bridge

With the other 2 guys now

Larry, Lissas constant companion wearing kilt with sporran and commerative t shirt

So back to the Drovers once again and another early night due to a long day ahead.

Tuesday, travelled back down as a group of six. This was the only day I needed to wear my waterproofs as it lashed down for a fair portion of the 8 hour journey home. Even if in nearly all the pics the weather looks dire we suffered litle rain and even then the roads dried quickly and didn't spoil the fun.

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys open roads with stunning views.

Lastly various scenic shots.

**spike748** · 20 Aug 08, 11:05 AM

Nice post Pete.

Glad you overcame the fuel problem.

**rupert** · 20 Aug 08, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Loch Ness Monster Centre

Surely that should be the 'Loch Ness 996 Centre' as there is not a Monster in sight?

**Tush67** · 20 Aug 08, 12:12 PM

Nice one Pete

. Not envious atall, no siree, nope...oh okay then, yes I am. Glad you enjoyed the trip. Where next then?

**royum** · 20 Aug 08, 12:17 PM

That looks positively tropical for Western Scotland, Falls of Dochart in one of the photos?

**DukeDesmo** · 20 Aug 08, 01:31 PM

Great stuff, glad you enjoyed it.

**Tasminracer** · 20 Aug 08, 02:37 PM

cool im planning my own first road trip from the midlands up to glasgow and ft william, with a little run to mallaig..

G

**its me** · 20 Aug 08, 06:56 PM

Fantastic pics!
Can't wait now for our jaunt in sept.
Will post some pics when we get back.

**petevtwin650** · 20 Aug 08, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tush67

Nice one Pete

. Not envious atall, no siree, nope...oh okay then, yes I am. Glad you enjoyed the trip. Where next then?

Wales this weekend for Lissa to do a white water rafting trip otherwise it would have been the Midland Supersports gathering of the Clan trip on here. Then the following weekend a ride all over East Anglia. September :Weekend in Wales staying at a Bunkhouse and riding all over the place. October: Rideout around Shropshire. Busy, busy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by royum

That looks positively tropical for Western Scotland, Falls of Dochart in one of the photos?

It was gorgeous and so hot. We were never cold all weekend just a little damp occasionally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasminracer

cool im planning my own first road trip from the midlands up to glasgow and ft william, with a little run to mallaig..

G

If you're thinking of camping or B&Bing you might find this a little unusual.

Glenfinnan Station Museum, Restaurant and Accommodation, Scottish Highlands

**Tush67** · 20 Aug 08, 10:11 PM

Pete - If it's South Wales I hope that Lissa is ready for the rapids! It has rained every day for the last two weeks, and torrentially so on and off in the last 48 hours. Looks brighter for Friday, but Saturday and Sunday are more mixed.

**Douglas** · 20 Aug 08, 11:37 PM

Great post, fantastic pics!

Got me in the mood - we leave tomorrow morning for Speyside for the week, We have put the 748 and the 750ss in my van, and plan a few Scottih miles in the same areas. Cant wait!

**MarkG** · 21 Aug 08, 06:43 AM

Pete, looks like a great trip, and hats off to you and Mrs. Pete for traveling on a "torture rack"

Thanks for posting the pictures.

**ducbird** · 21 Aug 08, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas

Great post, fantastic pics!

Got me in the mood - we leave tomorrow morning for Speyside for the week, We have put the 748 and the 750ss in my van, and plan a few Scottih miles in the same areas. Cant wait!

Have a great journey Douglas and Mrs Douglas

and wow wow wow Pete and Lissa great journey...

**moto748** · 21 Aug 08, 12:28 PM

I was in the Spean Bridge/Kyle area in July. In the one good week of sunshine!

Perhaps next year we can organise a Ducatisti mini-tour?

**hjworton** · 21 Aug 08, 03:45 PM

It(Scotland) really is the best place to ride in Britain - as long as you don't mind the odd downpour.