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tour dates:
start: Edinburgh
finish: Glasgow
duration: app. 2+ days
kilometer: app. 690 - 725
best traveling season: spring - fall |
Everything one needs for the trip is a KTM motorcycle and fun riding it, the legends of highlander & co. in mind and a proper portion of curiosity. Almost behind every corner, curve or hill one can expect a new myth coming alive. Whatever isn't there one can make up with a bit of fantasy.
The trip starts in Edinburgh to get travelers in the mood for a legendary trip through Scotland. First of all, because the city can be reached by ferry from the European mainland. And also it is an ideal start for the trip to castles, manor-houses and gardens. From here one can easily reach the castles and manor-houses in Lothians, for example the ruins of the medieval Dirleton Castle, about seven kilometers west of North Berwick. The town has 6,500 inhabitants and is located at the coast of Scotland. It is a perfect place to get of the motorcycle and to explore the castle. It feels like entering a magical garden. Not only because the castle mirrors the charme of ancient times, but also because it has a noble and beautiful garden, which gained entry into the Guiness book of world records. However it is not the whole garden itself that can be found in the book, but for the world's longest herbaceous border.
From Dirleton Castle the trip runs in the direction of Anstruther. On the way there one crosses Forth Bridge, which is 2.5 km long. One then continues through the fishermen's village of East Neuk and finally reaches Kellie Castle. It is located south of St. Andews, near Anstruther, at the east coast. It was finnished for the Earl of Kellie around 1606. Supposedly, the oldest tower (1360) is haunted. Could this be our first legend? The castles surroundings are surely no legend. Here, like in Dirleton before, the owners paid much attention to gardening. From Anstruther the motorcyclist retuns to St. Andrews, then continues to Falkland Palace, the favorite hunting place of the Stuart kings. Then the route continues across Fife Country to Perth. Here one can visit Branklyn Garden, a small, but impressive garden. In Perth one can spend the rest of the day. The city has more than 40,000 inhabitants and is a place where one can discover additional sights here and there. Or one can go to one of the numerous restaurants or pubs and to remember the events of the day. After visiting Collectors Garden the trip continues with a stop at two castles: Blair Castle and Castle Menyies right behind Aberfeldy.
To reach Blair Castle one continues on A9 in a northwest direction to reach Castle Menzies near Aberfeldy. From here one rides for a short while in the direction of Perth and then takes a right turn and continues along A827 via Logierait and Grandtully. After about 23 km one reaches Aberfeldy. Castle Menzies is located right behind the city at the river Tay. Both castles are certainly worth a visit. Blair Castle has a remarkable collection of furniture and weapons. Castle Menzies has the better looks and location. Additonally the latter is located on the way to Mount Stuart. In order to get there the motorcyclist needs to ride a few kilometers further. But it is certainly a pleasure to ride through impressive landscapes like Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park along A85. Afterwards one continues along Soroba Road which runs through the mountains and along water, for example Loch Feochan, Loch Melfort or Loch Gilp. After another 250 km of enjoyable motorcycling through Scotland and after crossing Loch Fyne one reaches Mount Stuart. This impressive building embedded in an ancient park and garden is certainly a nice example for buildings from the British Neogothic of the 19th century. Here one should definitely take a break. Anyone not interested in the stop should not take a right after leaving Portavadie, but continue along A886 and A815 via Dunoon, Gourock as well as Greenock to Glasgow. The city makes a perfect finish for the day.
However, if one wants to visit another castle then one should follow A78 south from Gourock via Largs to Ardrossan. From here one can take the ferry to Isle of Arran and visit Brodick Castle. The castle has everything one can hope for: a great location, a long history and a beautiful park. The origins of the castle reach back to the Vikings. Today Brodick Castle accomodates a collection of silver, porcellan and paintings.
Back in Ardrossan the trip continues to Glasgow, which is about 55 km away. The city can be the ending of this trip, but as the beginning of another trip through Scotland. The trip "Classic Scotland" runs from Glasgow via Sterling to Portree, from Ullapool via Inverness to Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. |
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