Dumfries and Galloway. I am planing on going for a ride to this area using Moffat as a base for a couple of days. Anybody have any tips? Thanks in advance
Have a visit to The Chrichton in Dumfries. Lovely gardens and buildings there, and there’s a decent Holiday Inn on the grounds (below)
Some of the best roads in the area are the Queens way (A712) mennock pass & Dalveen Pass,the A708 up past St Marys loch is pretty good too
I live but a wee way up the 701 from Moffat. Try this https://www.motorcyclescotland.com/routes/ In these days of satnavs etc., I would still recommend OS 1:50,000 Sheets 72, 73, 77,78,79 and going off piste. It is a great mix of sweeping A roads and unclassified hill tracks where getting deliberately lost is part of the fun.......you would scarce believe the run over the top from Tweedsmuir to St Mary’s Loch was so close to Edinburgh.
Avoid the A75 if you can, ok for use to get back to moffat but not a great road, still better than most roads you'll find down 'sarf. Only road you'll get cops on in D&G, so stay under 70 and you'll be fine. Talla Megget 44 miles - nice wee loop 75 miles - you will struggle to find better anywhere than this road - Use A75 for return, or just turnaround and do it the other way !!! ALL of these roads are ace - just watch out for sheep! Another fantastic road - just about all of it is ace. Bonchester to Newcastleton is one of the best in Scotland IMHO. A7 not brilliant , but again compared to what you get darn sarf you'll think it ace. If you can, ride down to bellingham, past Kielder, That again is a great road. JohnT on the forum runs the pub in Greenhaugh, tell him we sent you. Head north out of Moffat and that is called the Beeftubs, another gret road. Peebles is nice for a visit. And the cafe at capercleugh, St Marys loch is nice for a stop (closed tuesdays) When you coming up ? If I'm free, happy to show you the sights The guys at bucleuth hotel run the motogoloco website, they are a great font of local knowledge too.
I've used the Balmoral Hotel in Moffat while on my way to the Forum Scottish Trip for the last two years. It's very comfortable, has well equipped rooms with tea,coffee, biscuits, sweets and a jug of real milk in a fridge. You can park your bike in the garden at the rear. There is a fantastic chippy right next door and the breakfasts are good.
I avoid that chippy One on the other side of the road, down side street is better Had the cod, sausage and chips on Saturday, bloody lovely.
Cheers guys, lots to tryout there. Looking at getting there Tuesday 3rd September, until Friday. Weather permitting, if it’s wet we might go to Cornwall.
September not great, four dry days are pushing your luck !!! May / June are the best times to come to Scotland, most likely to be dry.
I’ve been exploring these roads a bit more since moving to just outside Lanark (was in Edinburgh for 16 years) great roads when it’s dry.