A Scottish Day-Loop West of Glasgow

It was the middle of a longer journey... 5 road days totalling 1,235 miles. The two days northward from the southcoast of England to Linlithgow, Scotland were pleasant, as we had time to avoid cities and avoid the slabbing of motorways most of the time. The 1st of our 2-day journey homeward included 3 hours of motorway, and some hard jolting sidewinds. Temps rose to upper 86F, and despite the electronic billboards warning of heavy rain, we managed to go between those downpours that were visible to the left and right. The scenery was quite pleasant (for a motorway) through Scotland. We hit traffic between Liverpool and Birmingham, finding out it that schools were just out that day for the summer holidays. The final day home was a shorter day, with time to meander the A-roads and a few B-roads avoiding many cities. It was hot (82F) and dry.

Sorry for no photos of the days up and days back. This post is really about a day loop I did while staying a week in Linlithgow, Scotland. On that day, I rode 268 miles, stopping often to take photos. The temps were a pleasant 61-72F, and only a few minutes of sprinkles crossed my path... not even enough to wet the roads.

First, the map:



Starting at a holiday cottage near Linlithgow, Scotland... Peaceful pastures with grazing sheep...



View over Linlithgow from the one-lane farm road connecting the cottage with the main roads...



On a short stretch of Motorway to Stirling, I rode by some recently added monuments of 'Kelpies' (photo taken the day before when we walked around that site near Fallkirk).



Leaving Stirling toward Loch Lomond, a view of the Stirling Castle.



Views along Loch Lomond...



More views along Loch Lomond...



Views along Loch Goil...



More views along Loch Goil...



Some highland scenery as I head up a pass...



A 'pond' (Loch Restil) on the A83 pass between Beinn an Lochain and Beinn Ime...



Riding in and out of 'tree tunnels' along some shores gave occasional views across the water. This castle is near Inverary...



Another view near Inverary...



A sample of the many 'tree tunnels'...



The town of Inverary...



The town of Ardrishaig...



A typical town street view (in Lochgilphead)...



Pastoral scenery as I rode inland across the peninsula northward on the A816..



Curving up and down and around craggy hilltops...



Views along Loch Melfort...



Curvy countryside...



More views along Loch Melfort...



More views along Loch Melfort...



Leaving Loch Melfort...



Entering Oban...



Center of Oban...



Heading inland and eastward through the mountains...



Lots of roadside greenery...



Little dabs of snow in the shadows of some peaks...



Loch Lubhair near Crianlarich on the A85...



Another mountain pass on the A85...



Loch Lubnaig on the A84...



Through Stirling again, with another angle to view that castle...



Back above Linlithgow, the cows welcome me 'home' on the farm road to the holiday cottage...



The End.

Great riding report and pictures Euro-Feejer!Very nice sceneries!

Thanks for sharing with us!

Awesome!

Thanks for sharing...word has it that one of my ancestors was from an area south of your loop. It would be fun someday to visit the area.

We went through some of that area in 2011. I was very pleased with the roads, even in the highlands. I loved the pass through Glenshee in the Cairngorms. I would love to go back and tour some more. Plenty of daylight!

Alright !! Great pics

IF .... I was forced to live in the UK again it would have to be Scotland. We loved Oban when we were last there.

Thanks Euro-feej

Mihalis fjr said:

Great riding report and pictures Euro-Feejer!Very nice sceneries!

Thanks for sharing with us!

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+1, Gunny; fantastic ride report and outstanding photographs, Thank You Very Much!

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Loved seeing this too. But no trip to Oban would be right without a stop here.

Very Good Stuff! Thank you so much for sharing those wonderful photos.

Really enjoyed the photos. Now I have a better idea of what Scotland looks like.

My favorite RR's are those that show me a place I've never been and inspire me to go there.

Nice work.

Great RR and pics 'Euro, thanks for taking us along!

--G

Hudson said:

My favorite RR's are those that show me a place I've never been and inspire me to go there.
Nice work.

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Well said Dave. And this can be an inspiring place.

Thanks for the ride Euro.

Fantastic RR and the pictures are inspiring and make me what to visit someday.

Thanks!!