Motorcycle Touring
Wildcat Rally
Contributed by Richie Salt
Scotland
A 939-mile weekend motorcycle tour for the Wildcat Rally, riding from the Borders through Glencoe to Strontian, out to Ardnamurchan Point, and back via the Applecross pass.
- Distance
- 1511
- Days
- 3
- Stages
- 3
Three days and 939 miles across Scotland and the Borders for the Wildcat Rally charity weekend, starting out through Kielder and Glencoe to Strontian, looping out to Ardnamurchan, and finishing with a long solo run up to Applecross and back down through Inverness, Perth and Edinburgh.
Stage 1: Kielder to Strontian
- Distance
- 450
I stopped at Falstone Tea Rooms for dinner, with warm and sunny weather from Kielder and even warmer heading from Bonchester Bridge and Jedburgh to Edinburgh, then onto the Green Welly Stop where it reached 23C. Glencoe was epic. From there I took the Corran Ferry with a nice sunset and rode over to Strontian for a sunset and beers, looking forward to the charity ride with a long overdue catch up and exploring.
Stage 2: Ardnamurchan and Glenfinnan Loop
- Distance
- 214
A later start after a few Guinness the night before, so we had breakfast and relaxed in the morning sunshine before getting started. Then took the mega scenic route to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse and Visitor Centre with my wife as pillion. It was a great place for a pitstop, with superb weather all day, zero wind, quiet roads, and loads of wildlife including deer. Then we headed back over the hills to Salen, over to Glenfinnan, and followed a clockwise route overlooking Fort William and back to Strontian for the raffle and BBQ. No beers tonight as there was a long way home the next day.
Stage 3: Strontian to Berwick via Applecross
- Distance
- 835
Breakfast with a view at the hotel with my wife, then I went solo exploring while she took the long drive home in the car. I rode from Strontian to Fort William using the mega scenic mainland route rather than the ferry, then up to Eilean Donan Castle, and up the Applecross pass. It was 5C and fog at the summit, so I didn't hang around, though it was still 11C at the bottom. Then I headed clockwise to Inverness and Aviemore, where temperatures getting back up to 17C were much needed. Down through Perth, over the bridge, and around Edinburgh for a last tank of fuel and a snack, then had the sunset behind me as I headed towards Berwick, getting back just before it was pitch black.
Highlights
- Glencoe and the Corran Ferry crossing at sunset.
- Riding out to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on quiet single-track roads.
- The ascent of the Applecross pass (Bealach na Ba).
Trail Notes
- The mainland route between Strontian and Fort William offers a scenic alternative to taking the Corran Ferry.
- Weather on the Applecross pass can be significantly colder and foggier than at sea level: expect sudden temperature drops at the summit.
- The Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum makes a standard fuel and food stop on the way north toward Glencoe.