Bike aboot: Scotland – Stirling to Loch Earn (A9, A85)

What a great day to be out and about, overcast, warm, dry and in Scotland. We have been good doing our weekly motorcycle trips, the route we took in Scotland this time is one Ann and I discovered with friends of ours a couple of years back. We always said we would go back up to Loch Earn to have a braai (BBQ) for lunch. Unfortunately we never made the time to do this, fortunately we remembered it and decided this weekend would be perfect for it.

The trip started extremely eventful, I drove 10 miles before I noticed I didn’t have by specs on, I stopped next to the road to look in the rucksack, as I got up, guess what, YES they fell from under my big fat arse onto the scorching exhaust. I was absolutely fuming and annoyed with myself, unfortunately Ann asked me a question at the exact time and I might have snapped at her. Apologising didn’t help, bribing with chocolates didn’t help, meeting up at Stirling with Jamie finally cheered Ann up again. Anyway the specs are in one piece, a couple of pulls and pushes on the frame got it roughly to it’s original shape.

Enough of the specs. We met up at Stirling services for a run up on A9, Crieff, A85, Loch Earn for lunch and back down to Stirling on the A85, A84 via Callander. Roundtrip roughly 75 miles, a short run with annoying traffic but great roads.

I wont mention the fact that Jamie nearly drove into me, blaming the engine braking on the V-twin, nor the fact that Ann nearly threw her helmet at some arsehole (put politely) and that her personal mechanic didn’t check her tyres as he usually does before we headed off.

The Route:

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Stops:

Not as many as last time:

Loch Earn for a BBQ: Absolutely gorgeous, tranquillity is not a term to be used lightly here, some people fishing, some people camping some people having a braai (BBQ) and others are just there.

Hamish: Ann and I try to visit Hamish once a year, we met him for the 1st time about 5 years ago when he was actually a different bull, anyway we are both glad to see he now has his own hoose with an ensuite.

Toilet for the gorilla pet we take along on the runs

Verdict:

The A85 and A84 in Scotland are just exceptional roads, you run through long sweeping corners with no surprises in what feels like a tunnel through a forest. Occasionally when there is a gap in the forest you see the spectacular lochs and hills for split seconds, however that is enough to make an impression that will stay with you for a lifetime. I would strongly recommend that everyone should do this route by foot, car, bicycle, motorcycle or even skateboard if it is only for the surroundings and natural beauty of Scotland.