Curves book - Scotland

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Stefan Bogner, a German, is the author of several quite nicely produced touring books, each suggesting some rides or drives * around some of the more interesting (at least from a road and scenery point of view) parts of Europe.

As it was on offer on Amazon, I picked up his book on Scotland, which is quite good consisting of a nicely detailed journey from Glasgow, up and around Skye, back to the mainland, curving up, then down again to finish in Edinburgh. A good enough, reasonably relaxed four or five days away, I guess.

I'll cut Mr Bogner's routes into BaseCamp, then - just as I did with the parallel book on the Alpine passes - I'll add in some some pictures, so bods will know what they might expect to see.

9783667107190.jpg


For a bit over a tenner, the book - it's a sort of cross between a guide book and a coffee table book, published in both English and 'foreign' - is pretty good value. I picked up a couple of his others when away in Germany and Italy, which are OK enough too.


* He seems to get some support from Porsche or at least the giants of Stuttgart are taking some advertising space in the publications. That's not a bad thing as somebody has to pay for the time and effort to create the book in the first place. The advertising is harmless and doesn't detract from the purpose of the book... nor do you have to buy the car.

Richard
 
I might do but not necessarily on a motorbike. After more years than I care to remember, I am reacquainting myself with the ease (and fun) of four very decently sporting wheels...
 
This looks to be a very good book - both in terms of the routes and the photography. I've pre-ordered my copy from Amazon! Thanks for sharing this :)
 
Day 1. Glasgow to the Isle of Skye

https://www.dropbox.com/s/04usbooqug4o0x4/1. Glasgow to Glenelg Kylerhea Car Ferry.GPX?dl=0

In listing the hotels and things to see I have done nothing more than lift them out of the book, which seemed only polite and it's a nod towards the author's efforts. All the five days are offered up as sort of taster of Scotland, not in anyway a definitive guide to all the best ways from A to C via B. No doubt there are 'better roads', cheaper, more popular or less popular places. Find your own, is all I can suggest. Similarly with the routes, I'm sure that there'll be shouts or moans that some possible alternative part has missed out or done one thing when it should have done another. It's all a compromise... If you know something that will knock the pants off it all, share it or keep it a secret....if you must.

Things to see

Inverary castle

Loch Ba

Glencoe mountains

Skyfall (Bond film locations)

Hotels

Oyster Inn, PA37 1PJ

http://www.oysterinn.co.uk

Ardanaiseig Hotel, PA35 1HE

http://www.ardanaiseig.com

Hotel Eilean Iarmain, IV43 8QR

http://eileaniarmain.co.uk

Duisdale House hotel, IV43 8QW

http://www.duisdale.com

Brakken Brae B&b, IV45 8RU

http://brackenbrae.com

Seafood

Lochleven Seafood, PH336SA

http://www.lochlevenseafoodcafe.co.uk


inveraraycastle.jpg


Loch-Ba-%26-Meall-a'Bhuirdh.jpg


1920px-Scotland_Glencoe.jpg


article-2695551-176E190A000005DC-54_634x471.jpg
 
On the things to see list there,I wouldn't bother with " skyfall" all that is ,is a lay by where he parked up. It's a dead end road off glen coe. You would be far better going on a few more miles and adding in the kinlochleven loop ,which is superb to ride .
 
Doing this thread, I realise how little I know about where is where in Scotland. I have heard of Ullapool for years and Applecross but had no idea where or what they are. Everyday a school day, it seems.

It all looks OK, that's for sure.
 
That's the lot.

Not a bad look around Scotland, I guess.

Here's all five of the Curves days in one file:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i5v7f916a99x9a3/Curves - Scotland.GPX?dl=0

=======

I have also made a second version, where I have added a Scottish tour, created by RiDE magazine, available to download here:

http://www.ride.co.uk/magazine-routes/routes-from-ride-magazine

In this version, I have left the Curves routes in their original magenta but coloured the RiDE routes green. It's perhaps interesting to see where the two overlap. It might help anyone planning on going up to Scotland from the Midlands. If nothing else, it should show how routes from two (or more) different sources can be mixed together, to form one holiday.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i2eqwh1yhtr9t02/Curves - Scotland 2.GPX?dl=0

In creating the whole thread I used BaseCamp to create and display the routes, Google for the hotel details and for the pictures, something anyone can do for sure. Give it a go.... It's free, it's fun, you can't break it and they can't touch you for it.

Richard
 
Well done Richard (and thanks for the plug!) Though I think (a) the Visit Scotland lot should be sending you a bottle of whisky and (b) you've done yourself a serious disservice by not actually riding this lot yourself... It's amazing. Admitting you're not sure where Applecross is? You'll be chased off the site by a mob with flaming brands and pitchforks...
 
Admitting you're not sure where Applecross is? You'll be chased off the site by a mob with flaming brands and pitchforks...

I was having the very same thought! Listing Nairn as a place to see is a bit strange though. It has a lot of churches, loads of traffic lights, a harbour and a beach but that's about it. Living fairly close to Nairn I wouldn't recommend it as a place for someone to go and see specifically. Sorry if you happen to live there! :thumb:thumb
 
Admitting you're not sure where Applecross is? You'll be chased off the site by a mob with flaming brands and pitchforks...

I exaggerated for dramatic purposes only. Everyone knows it's next to Hatton Cross, not far from terminal five.

As regards Nairn? I have no idea why the German listed it. I guess it's the point his route swung south again.... heading back towards civilisation.
 
Given that they make quite nice tours for bods to have a look at, I'll have a go at bashing out the routes from a couple of other Alps 'Curves' books I've got.
 


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