Nessie’s Hook

North West Scotland

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Route at a Glance

It is not by mistake that this route starts at Kinlochleven. This is an amazing loch to start a day’s ride. You will either have stayed a night before or end the route and stay the night after. Either way it is also a great village to overnight in. From here the day just gets better and better. Riding along Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness will take you through and along the beautiful cutline of Scotland with all its splendour. Whilst the little detour along the A887 takes you along the quaint but stunning Moriston River avoiding some of the tourist traps that do abound on Loch Ness. Of course a stop at Drumnadrochit for tea and perhaps a peep at the museum would be considered mandatory. The route takes you to the edge of Inverness and some may well want to nip in and see this Auld historic city. The last bit takes you on a leisurely ride through the Cairngorms into the historic towns of Aviemore and Kingussie before heading back towards Kinlochleven and Fort William, the activity capital of Scotland.

Route Notes & Highlights

(Icons on the map)

• Kinlochleven Loop – Aka the Scotburgring, and tucked away just off the stunning scenery of Glencoe this is 15 miles of sheer, pure and unadulterated motorcycling perfection. Bends, twists, bumps and views, it really is utterly brilliant. Perfect? Probably about as close as you’ll ever find. (as seen on: https://www.motogoloco.com/map?route=7)
• Neptune’s Staircase – A fascinating and attractive set of 8 locks on the Caledonian Canal. It is the longest staircase lock in Britain and takes a boat 90 minutes to pass through it’s gates.
• Commando Monument – Located a mile from Spean Bridge this has become one of Scotland’s most well known monuments. Dedicated to the British Commando Forces of World War Two.
• Loch Garry Lay-by – A fantastic viewing point of the bridge over Loch Garry on the A87. If you look closely from the viewpoint from certain angles the loch resembles the shape of Scotland.
• Loch Ness – The famed 23 mile loch for holding the mythical Loch Ness Monster, nicknamed Nessie. It is the largest of the lochs linking Fort William to Inverness.
• Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition – It takes visitors through seven themed areas on a journey from the dawn of time to the third millennium. The mystery and folklore of Nessie play centre stage.
• Aviemore – Best regarded as Scotland’s snow and mountain sports capital.
• Cairn Gorm Mountain Funicular Railway – Cairngorm Mountain is home to Scotland’s only funicular railway. This is a unique visitor experience that allows people of all abilities to reach the Top Station where the Ptarmigan Restaurant is located with panoramic views from over 3,500ft. There is also a viewing terrace, exhibition, shop and the highest post box in the British isles.
• Kingussie – The main stage for the filming of BBC’s ‘Monarch of the Glen’. Kingussie is just 12 miles from the Adverikie Estate where the series was filmed. (www.monarchcountry.com)
• Loch Laggan – Famed for being featured on the BBC series Monarch of the Glen and also boasts the largest fresh water beach in Britain along it’s eastern shores.
• Laggan Dam – An impressive site when the gates are open.
• Ben Nevis – affectionately known as ‘The Ben’, standing at 1 334 meters (4 408ft) it is officially the Highest Mountain in the British Isles. It attracts many visitors and has a well-developed path if you fancy a 5 hour round hike.

Gallery

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Filling Stations on Route

Plenty of fuel stations dotted on and just-off the main A82 road, and in most of the towns en route, however many of the more remote ones operate short opening hours.  Play it safe and fill up when you see fuel.