France > Scotland & back - summer 2025

Motorcycling Rideouts & Touring
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Hi all,
Since it is winter, storms are blasting and motorcycling is a bit on a hiatus, I’m starting to think of a nice summer ride from the Loiret region of France (just south of Paris) to Elgin.
Why? you may ask…
Well…
I got married there, at the cathedral (yes it’s in ruins), and it would be a nice anniversary trip.
COVID blocked us from celebrating our 10th anniversary back there, and now that I live in France, I thought it would be a nice destination to hit…
I know, a french dude getting married in Scotland? What da heck?
It gets more complicated than that, you see… I was living in Canada at the time, so why Scotland? My sister in law was traveling there with her husband, so we decided to do a destination wedding and have them as witnesses. We toured the region, drove up the whisky trail and enjoyed ourselves every minute.
I even had a chance to meet and chat with Danny MacAskill in Fort William, days prior to a downhill competition there, which was a highlight.

Time to go back and get more haggis with a side of mushy peas and a Caledonian!!

So…

I need your input on “must sees”, “must rides” and “must dos” (and dont’s), best time of year (I know it always rains in Scotland :laughing: )
I’m open to all your suggestions, best routes, best Inns to stay/eat/drink at, etc…

Thanks fo the tips and sláinte!

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I’d think May’d be best for weather. I love the road going up from Blairgowrie up to Braemar, then the B976 (hang a left just past Balmoral) via The Lecht up to Tomintoul.

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Yep, that Glenshee road from Blairgowrie to Ballater/Balmoral is a cracker! Then onward to Tomintoul, and Grantown on Spey, Aviemore and the Cairngorms, magic riding.

There is also a recognised driving route called the NE250 which covers that north east corner north of Aberdeen, and in that same area is the Alford Motor Museum which is an interesting visit.

I have had reader’s rides articles around these routes in Motorcycle Sport and Leisure magazine - the maps are attached, and I’ll message you with my e-mail in case you want me to send the full articles… might give you a few other ideas. :thinking:

Map - Aviemore Loop - 350 miles
Map - Aviemore Loop - 350 miles983×543 164 KB

2024 - NE250 map
2024 - NE250 map716×408 102 KB

Map - Alford Route - 320 miles
Map - Alford Route - 320 miles1920×1960 298 KB

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I’ve messaged the magazine pages to you, rather than fill up these pages with my ramblings!! :smile:

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Maybe you want a more direct route to just get up there, which would be the M74/M8/M80/A9. From Carlisle north here are a few things that might be of interest -

Moffat (41 miles from Carlisle) - The Buccleuch Arms Hotel is a well known bikers hotel with motorcycle parking, storage and (I think) workshop facilities. I haven’t stayed there but it’s popular with motorcycle journalists riding north and will offer information on local rides etc.

Glasgow (+58 miles) - low emissions zone, 20mph limit, and a lot of traffic management, bus lanes, bus gates etc. so travel in the city can be a pain. Could be a good stop off point because there are plenty of hotels etc., or stay in close by towns or suburbs.

Stirling (+25 miles) - Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument always make this a worthwhile stop and nearby Falkirk has The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel which are worth a look. More hotel options here too.

Pitlochry (+58 miles) - a picturesque highland town with cafe’s, restaurants and a pleasant walk down by the dam and fish ladder. Always a good lunch stop for us! The A924 east from here then the B950 would take you to the good bit of the A93 Glenshee road up to Balmoral etc., if you have had enough of the A9…

House of Bruar (+10 miles) - an alternative lunch stop at this retail attraction. Good cafe, and plenty of clothes, food, garden, antique and souvenir shopping.

Aviemore (+47 miles) - Scotland’s ski capital, a busy commercial highland town with hotels, restaurants, and the road out to Loch Morlich and the Cairngorms (10 miles) has great scenery and views. If the funicular railway is running it is a fun ride to the top, or a challenging walk if you like that sort of thing!

Elgin (+48 miles) - nearby Scottish Dolphin Centre is meant to be interesting (I haven’t been), and there is the NE250 driving route, I have messaged you my ride on that.

You probably knew all that, but your trip had got me thinking so I thought I’d jot it down!! Hope you enjoy planning your route. :laughing:

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Thanks for all that. Brilliant roads indeed. I remember going down some single lanes in the highlands, in the middle of nowhere, passing through small villages and thinking “Man… that would be fantastic on a bike!”… well, I’m going to make that a reality. It’s a long overdue 10th anniversary trip back, and it’ll be delightful to experience UK & Scottish roads on 2 wheels.
I tend to stay away from highways, as they are pricey here in France. They are also super boring, and have been on 1 this summer to save time, but only because there was the Vercors as a treat, at the end of 3+ hrs on a mostly straight & boring highway road.
Summer 2024 trip was from Cepoy (home) to Nyons, through the Vercors (913kms in a day), then onto Firenze via the Bonette pass and the Lombarde pass, and back via the Aoste Valley, Albertville, Cluny, Vezelay and home.
Small roads, hardly any traffic, it was awesome.

I’ve taken notes of your suggestions and I thank you very much.

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Any tips there? I’m going there next summer.

Brilliant, especially Lombarde!

Did that last September with @hubaxe , coming from Martigny via Grand bernard, through the valley and out again via petit Bernard.

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