Scotland no motorways

I'm all set for my holiday in Scotland. My plan is to ride from Coventry to Fort William and beyond without using any motorways at all . I've got it fairly well sussed and I've been to Scotland many times before . Anyone got any ideas or suggestions especially the Ashbourne to Kendal stage ? I've nothing against Manchester but its very much in the way.

Go through the peak district, then into west Yorkshire and across towards kendal or Carlisle while trying to stay in the moors.

This is what I would do to avoid the west side

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Coventry/Fort+William/@54.166544,-2.7787468,7.83z/data=!4m71!4m70!1m60!1m1!1s0x4870b151656e22b7:0x4f660f5564f0689!2m2!1d-1.519693!2d52.406822!3m4!1m2!1d-0.9800836!2d52.7434682!3s0x4879d778cbbe3ccb:0x46801dfd457ea682!3m4!1m2!1d-0.7462355!2d52.8551074!3s0x48782d75cc2f0bff:0xc2def23f0a4dad15!3m4!1m2!1d-0.5912017!2d53.0130061!3s0x4878382607089331:0xde46d67f80b84f7c!3m4!1m2!1d-0.7581343!2d53.1552815!3s0x48784cf158752b75:0x93abacca623f9503!3m4!1m2!1d-0.760345!2d53.375537!3s0x48785577cd12f6d7:0xd5e4a81435afa6e4!3m4!1m2!1d-0.8206561!2d53.5423382!3s0x487902a22877c3bb:0x92f1c0a969456e3e!3m4!1m2!1d-1.1652195!2d53.8466225!3s0x4879391315a44b3f:0x8909f0ffc04f6093!3m4!1m2!1d-1.3302418!2d53.8995198!3s0x4879461c02f64521:0xc98d45f8047c15df!3m4!1m2!1d-1.68398!2d53.9585539!3s0x487bfd910aac07c7:0x60d9d6f19b764842!3m4!1m2!1d-1.82403!2d54.1405757!3s0x487c0692ecce1bcf:0xf5f6305dee129322!3m4!1m2!1d-1.8731039!2d54.3360667!3s0x487c19f34814ed3d:0xb2202a00e5618bf5!1m5!1m1!1s0x48893323371c031b:0xcda03ee308544821!2m2!1d-5.105218!2d56.819817!2m1!1b1!3e0

This is what I would do to avoid the west side

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Coventry/Fort+William/@54.166544,-2.7787468,7.83z/data=!4m71!4m70!1m60!1m1!1s0x4870b151656e22b7:0x4f660f5564f0689!2m2!1d-1.519693!2d52.406822!3m4!1m2!1d-0.9800836!2d52.7434682!3s0x4879d778cbbe3ccb:0x46801dfd457ea682!3m4!1m2!1d-0.7462355!2d52.8551074!3s0x48782d75cc2f0bff:0xc2def23f0a4dad15!3m4!1m2!1d-0.5912017!2d53.0130061!3s0x4878382607089331:0xde46d67f80b84f7c!3m4!1m2!1d-0.7581343!2d53.1552815!3s0x48784cf158752b75:0x93abacca623f9503!3m4!1m2!1d-0.760345!2d53.375537!3s0x48785577cd12f6d7:0xd5e4a81435afa6e4!3m4!1m2!1d-0.8206561!2d53.5423382!3s0x487902a22877c3bb:0x92f1c0a969456e3e!3m4!1m2!1d-1.1652195!2d53.8466225!3s0x4879391315a44b3f:0x8909f0ffc04f6093!3m4!1m2!1d-1.3302418!2d53.8995198!3s0x4879461c02f64521:0xc98d45f8047c15df!3m4!1m2!1d-1.68398!2d53.9585539!3s0x487bfd910aac07c7:0x60d9d6f19b764842!3m4!1m2!1d-1.82403!2d54.1405757!3s0x487c0692ecce1bcf:0xf5f6305dee129322!3m4!1m2!1d-1.8731039!2d54.3360667!3s0x487c19f34814ed3d:0xb2202a00e5618bf5!1m5!1m1!1s0x48893323371c031b:0xcda03ee308544821!2m2!1d-5.105218!2d56.819817!2m1!1b1!3e0

That's an interesting one , I'll keep that as a plan B. I'm looking forward to the b7076 - b7078 section . I did a bit of it last year and it's like having your own private road with the M74 just through the fence. You can still access all the M74 services but from the back.

This is what I would do to avoid the west side

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Coventry/Fort+William/@54.166544,-2.7787468,7.83z/data=!4m71!4m70!1m60!1m1!1s0x4870b151656e22b7:0x4f660f5564f0689!2m2!1d-1.519693!2d52.406822!3m4!1m2!1d-0.9800836!2d52.7434682!3s0x4879d778cbbe3ccb:0x46801dfd457ea682!3m4!1m2!1d-0.7462355!2d52.8551074!3s0x48782d75cc2f0bff:0xc2def23f0a4dad15!3m4!1m2!1d-0.5912017!2d53.0130061!3s0x4878382607089331:0xde46d67f80b84f7c!3m4!1m2!1d-0.7581343!2d53.1552815!3s0x48784cf158752b75:0x93abacca623f9503!3m4!1m2!1d-0.760345!2d53.375537!3s0x48785577cd12f6d7:0xd5e4a81435afa6e4!3m4!1m2!1d-0.8206561!2d53.5423382!3s0x487902a22877c3bb:0x92f1c0a969456e3e!3m4!1m2!1d-1.1652195!2d53.8466225!3s0x4879391315a44b3f:0x8909f0ffc04f6093!3m4!1m2!1d-1.3302418!2d53.8995198!3s0x4879461c02f64521:0xc98d45f8047c15df!3m4!1m2!1d-1.68398!2d53.9585539!3s0x487bfd910aac07c7:0x60d9d6f19b764842!3m4!1m2!1d-1.82403!2d54.1405757!3s0x487c0692ecce1bcf:0xf5f6305dee129322!3m4!1m2!1d-1.8731039!2d54.3360667!3s0x487c19f34814ed3d:0xb2202a00e5618bf5!1m5!1m1!1s0x48893323371c031b:0xcda03ee308544821!2m2!1d-5.105218!2d56.819817!2m1!1b1!3e0

 

That's an interesting one , I'll keep that as a plan B. I'm looking forward to the b7076 - b7078 section . I did a bit of it last year and it's like having your own private road with the M74 just through the fence. You can still access all the M74 services but from the back.

I only went as far as layburn and reeth the rest just did its own thing as it wouldn't allow me to put any more points in

I could probably find a decent route for you between lincoln and hawes/layburn area depending on the type of roads you want

You could always put it out there for local members to plan your route to add a bit of fun

You could always put it out there for local members to plan your route to add a bit of fun

Now that is an awesome idea!

I'm on a phone. Give me 10 minutes and I'll post a Google maps link from a computer. You are looking at a 14 hour ride minimum though to avoid motorway (almost) completely; so you might want to split it into two days.

If you're desperate to do no motorways or dual carriageways at all, here you go

https://goo.gl/maps/cRpPcJejhym

But I'd suggest jumping on the A74(M) from Gretna to Moffat as the B7076 is boring as hell, straight as a die, and you just sit there in the 60 limit watching cars on the M74 going faster than you. Alternatively you can take the A7 to Selkirk, the A72 to Carnwath, and rejoin my route.

Also jump on the M9 from Linlithgow to Falkirk, it takes about 10 minutes.

Other than that interesting roads (and some great roads!) all the way.

Thanks Baloo, I appreciate the comments re Gretna to Moffat. I've done this journey using the M74 many times mostly on 1100cc bikes. What I should have mentioned is that this time I'm going to to be on a clapped out ER5 just for the hell of it so 60 mph might be more of an achievement than a restriction! I'm beginning to think that I might be overthinking this . Back in my younger days I just used to head north without a care and I still got to the Highlands eventually.http://i.imgur.com/zoi8eM3.png

I meant Stirling not Falkirk BTW.

I love that whole route as it takes in all the hills, Peaks, Yorkshire Dales, Pennines, Scottish lowlands and Highlands, and hence great roads and views all the way, but it's a looooonnnnggg day. And because it's twisty all the way, you have to concentrate.

If you are spitting it into 2 days, I recommend Tyndrum to Connell, rather than going up A82 with all the tourist traffic, if doing this in 1 day, by the time you get up there you won't have the time, the inclination, or the energy!

I meant Stirling not Falkirk BTW.

I love that whole route as it takes in all the hills, Peaks, Yorkshire Dales, Pennines, Scottish lowlands and Highlands, and hence great roads and views all the way, but it's a looooonnnnggg day. And because it's twisty all the way, you have to concentrate.

Sounds perfect.

If you do take Baloo's route, when you get to Alston make sure to pop up the hill to Hartside Café!

Awesome route though - if/when I head to Scottyland I'll certainly be doing that, or something close!

Why not Gretna then A75 to Stranraer and A77 north to Greenock. Short ferry across to Dunoon or round the corner to the

Bridge.

100 miles further but scenic on good but interesting roads. Allow 4 to 5 hours Gretna to Glasgow.

Why not Gretna then A75 to Stranraer and A77 north to Greenock. Short ferry across to Dunoon or round the corner to the

Bridge.

100 miles further but scenic on good but interesting roads. Allow 4 to 5 hours Gretna to Glasgow.

There's loads of nice detours you can do, I would do Ardrossan to Cambeltown, then up the coast all the way to Oban, but we'd need to know if the OP has time.

Why not Gretna then A75 to Stranraer and A77 north to Greenock. Short ferry across to Dunoon or round the corner to the

Bridge.

100 miles further but scenic on good but interesting roads. Allow 4 to 5 hours Gretna to Glasgow.

Definitely consider that one , good scenery and interesting roads are why I've decided to do this on my slow bike this year.You mean the Erskine bridge I presume.

If you are spitting it into 2 days, I recommend Tyndrum to Connell, rather than going up A82 with all the tourist traffic, if doing this in 1 day, by the time you get up there you won't have the time, the inclination, or the energy!

Definitely this, also I'd suggest the A702 Carronbridge to Elvenfoot as an alternative to the A74M or B7076

So far so good,full report to follow, thunderstorms tomorrow, oh joyhttp://i.imgur.com/8jVaeg2.jpg

You've made it up to the lumpy bits then

Thanks once again for all the suggestions. I had a great trip and my decision to go on my low performance comfortable bike proved to be the right one (ER5) . I almost did the whole trip without any motorways. I did nip onto the M8 to get around Glasgow and on the way back I got fed up with the traffic in Yorkshire so I cut across to the M1 and off again via Matlock. The rest of the trip was great. I went up through the Peak District, got lost and confused around Bolton and Blackburn, escaped back into the countryside again, up and across to Kirkby Lonsdale, over the M6 to Kendal, right through Lakeland to Keswick where I camped at Castlerig Farm campsite. Next day I took back roads up to Carlisle, found the start of the B7078 / B7076 , stopped at Gretna to photograph the Scotland sign then rode all the way to Glasgow on the deserted ex A74 which was absolutely amazing , 80 mph for seemingly ever without any cops , cameras or any other traffic . If I had a supercar this is where I would go to play with it . Once past Glasgow I took the loch Lomond road but immediately came to a halt while a car was extracted from a monster campervan. Had a nice chat with other bikers in the queue and because we were at the front we were let through and had the A82 to ourselves. Next , the Green Welly stop then torrential rain all the way through Glen Coe to Fort William. After that I took the Wester Ross Coastal Trail to Ullapool , camped at Ardmair for two days to rest a bit then up as far as Oldshoremore then did the whole thing pretty much in reverse all the way back to Coventry. Total distance 1620 miles in six days , not bad for an old ER5 rescued from the scrap heap.http://i.imgur.com/ApydLrk.jpg

Sounds like an awesome trip

Going to change your name now - Something like slowerbob?

Sounds like an awesome trip

Going to change your name now - Something like slowerbob?

Not yet , still got the GSXR 1100, just don't do the long trips on it so much nowadays.http://i.imgur.com/GWdaegP.jpg

If you do take Baloo's route, when you get to Alston make sure to pop up the hill to Hartside Café!

Awesome route though - if/when I head to Scottyland I'll certainly be doing that, or something close!

Remember to stop at the border, salute and sing the Scottish National Anthem before entering. Wipe yer feet as well.

If you do take Baloo's route, when you get to Alston make sure to pop up the hill to Hartside Café!

Awesome route though - if/when I head to Scottyland I'll certainly be doing that, or something close!

 

Remember to stop at the border, salute and sing the Scottish National Anthem before entering. Wipe yer feet as well.

Where's the checkpoint ? http://i.imgur.com/Qq2okjH.jpg

There should have been an honesty box somewhere.