07 Dornie to Keswick in the Lake District
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 21-02-2021
Route Summary
The 7th route of: The Ultimate 10 Day (North) UK Tour. This route heads south from the Highlands of Scotland to the Lake District National Park. You will travel through exceptional landscapes including the breathtakingly beautiful Glencoe Pass. The route uses a 2 hour section of motorway at the end of the route to cover the remaining 150 miles (240 km) to England's softer version of the Highlands but equally spectacular Lake District. I would advise an early start because of the distance and to allow for stopping for photo's. The Highlands and the Lake District are very popular tourist destinations so to enjoy the roads with less traffic, choose your time to visit wisely! May is a good month and you can see this by watching the video I made in May 2016 in the links below the review along with the B&B at Keswick and a live webcam at Eilean Donan Castle.
This route has earned a 5***** star rating for the exceptional landscapes and scenery.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
8h 14m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
484.37 km
Countries
RP22. Glen Etive
RouteXpert Review
Starting from one 007 James Bond film location and visiting another will tell you that this route travels through some fantastic landscapes. The starting point is from a hotel as this route forms part of a tour. The Eilean Donan Castle at RP 2 has starred in many films and perhaps the most well known being: James Bond – The World is Not Enough (1999) starring Pierce Brosnan. The castle was used in the film as a secret MI6 base. The film Highlander starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery was another of the many films that have used this quintessential Scottish castle to tell their story.
From the castle you will follow the shore of Loch Duich and topping up with fuel before crossing over the Clachan Duich Bridge over Loch Duich and into Glen Shiel. Glen being a Scottish term for a deep valley in the Highlands.
A battle was fought here, The Battle of Glen Shiel took place on 10 June 1719 midway up the glen. It was fought between the British government and an alliance of Jacobites and Spaniards, and resulted in a victory for the British forces. It was the last close engagement of British and foreign troops on mainland British soil. One of the peaks on the northern side of the glen, Sgùrr nan Spàinteach (Peak of the Spaniards), derives its name from the 200 Spanish troops who fought a rearguard action on the side of the defeated Jacobite rebels and who retreated over the peak, an incredible feat when you consider the steepness of the 990 m slope. This can be seen from a lay-by marked with a POI halfway along the Glen.
The scenery is spectacular and the road is good with plenty of gentle twists and turns until it opens out at Loch Cluanie. At the far end of the loch is Clunie Dam, a substantial structure 675m long and over 40m high. Its construction raised the water level in Loch Cluanie by over 29m. This and 2 other lochs (Loyne and Garry) produce hydro electricity.
This region contains Britain’s highest mountains and largest inland lochs which, combined with high rainfall, make hydro electricity viable. Lochs Loyne and Garry are next on the route before joining The Great Glen at Invergarry. Water is carried from Loch Garry by a tunnel to the power station at Invergarry, near the mouth of the River Garry on Loch Oich.
Scotland’s epic Great Glen is the result of a dramatic tectonic collision that raised the Scottish Highlands and opened a giant crack across the entire width of the country.
Good use has been made of this geological fault by means of the Caledonian Canal.
The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles along the Great Glen, of its 60 mile length, 38 miles are along Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness, with the remaining 22 miles being through canals proper. The biggest problem faced by the designers and builders was one of level; and along the length of the canal there are no fewer than 29 locks. Neptune's Staircase, this is a ladder of eight locks that raises vessels to a height of 70 feet above sea level over a distance of 500 yards. these can be visited by turning right at RP 18 and following the signs. A great view of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain can be had from here too.
Next is the spectacular Glencoe Pass, this is one of those passes that you will want to turn around and ride it the other way. Ian Fleming, the author of James Bond adored this area and is perhaps why he chose Glencoe as Bond's ancestral home. The fictional house Skyfall Lodge was a film set but the outside location was filmed at Glen Etive RP 22. This is a single track road but even the non 007 fans will enjoy its beauty.
Passing over Rannoch Moor you will arrive at the famous Green Welly Stop, this gives you a chance to discuss with your buddies, what a breathtakingly beautiful landscape you have just ridden through!
The Green Welly Stop is a refueling and meeting place for motorcycles where you can buy just about anything remotely connected to Scotland; from a haggis and a tartan kilt to a bottle of whisky or a fluffy Loch Ness monster! The food is good too so I suggest a short lunch stop.
Next comes the Trossachs National Park and beautiful Loch Lomond, great roads and great scenery.
There is a shock to your senses as the route travels further south and reaches the edge of Glasgow and civilization!
This route avoids most of the hustle and bustle of city life by crossing the River Clyde over the Erskine Bridge and joining the motorway system to quickly transport you to England's softer version of the Highlands; The Lake District National Park.
Glencoe Pass
Loch Lomond
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Scotland
About this region
Scotland (Scots: Scotland, Scottish Gaelic: Alba [ˈal̪ˠapə] (listen)) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96-mile (154-kilometre) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast and east, and the Irish Sea to the south. It also contains more than 790 islands, principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. Most of the population, including the capital Edinburgh, is concentrated in the Central Belt—the plain between the Scottish Highlands and the Southern Uplands—in the Scottish Lowlands.
Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas. Glasgow City is the largest council area in terms of population, with Highland being the largest in terms of area. Limited self-governing power, covering matters such as education, social services and roads and transportation, is devolved from the Scottish Government to each subdivision. Scotland is the second-largest country in the United Kingdom, and accounted for 8.3% of the population in 2012.The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the 9th century and continued to exist until 1707. By inheritance in 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland, thus forming a personal union of the three kingdoms. Scotland subsequently entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England on 1 May 1707 to create the new Kingdom of Great Britain. The union also created the Parliament of Great Britain, which succeeded both the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England. In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain entered into a political union with the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (in 1922, the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being officially renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927).Within Scotland, the monarchy of the United Kingdom has continued to use a variety of styles, titles and other royal symbols of statehood specific to the pre-union Kingdom of Scotland. The legal system within Scotland has also remained separate from those of England and Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in both public and private law. The continued existence of legal, educational, religious and other institutions distinct from those in the remainder of the UK have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and national identity since the 1707 incorporating union with England.In 1999, a Scottish Parliament was re-established, in the form of a devolved unicameral legislature comprising 129 members, having authority over many areas of domestic policy. The head of the Scottish Government is the first minister of Scotland, who is supported by the deputy first minister of Scotland. Scotland is represented in the United Kingdom Parliament by 59 members of parliament (MPs). It is also a member of the British–Irish Council, sending five members of the Scottish Parliament to the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, as well as being part of the Joint Ministerial Committee, represented by the first minister.
Read more on Wikipedia
Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas. Glasgow City is the largest council area in terms of population, with Highland being the largest in terms of area. Limited self-governing power, covering matters such as education, social services and roads and transportation, is devolved from the Scottish Government to each subdivision. Scotland is the second-largest country in the United Kingdom, and accounted for 8.3% of the population in 2012.The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the 9th century and continued to exist until 1707. By inheritance in 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland, thus forming a personal union of the three kingdoms. Scotland subsequently entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England on 1 May 1707 to create the new Kingdom of Great Britain. The union also created the Parliament of Great Britain, which succeeded both the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England. In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain entered into a political union with the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (in 1922, the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being officially renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927).Within Scotland, the monarchy of the United Kingdom has continued to use a variety of styles, titles and other royal symbols of statehood specific to the pre-union Kingdom of Scotland. The legal system within Scotland has also remained separate from those of England and Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in both public and private law. The continued existence of legal, educational, religious and other institutions distinct from those in the remainder of the UK have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and national identity since the 1707 incorporating union with England.In 1999, a Scottish Parliament was re-established, in the form of a devolved unicameral legislature comprising 129 members, having authority over many areas of domestic policy. The head of the Scottish Government is the first minister of Scotland, who is supported by the deputy first minister of Scotland. Scotland is represented in the United Kingdom Parliament by 59 members of parliament (MPs). It is also a member of the British–Irish Council, sending five members of the Scottish Parliament to the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, as well as being part of the Joint Ministerial Committee, represented by the first minister.
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Route Collections in this region
6 Must do routes in The Highlands of Scotland
This collection of routes in the spectacular Scottish Highland's offers a great way to experience the full spectrum of what this region has to offer - snowcapped mountains, loch after loch, areas of solitary wilderness, white sandy beaches and a multitude of historic castles and buildings that reflect the past, the Highland's have everything. The weather however, cannot be guaranteed and somebody once said " Nobody visits Scotland for the weather"!
May can be a very good time of year to visit - temperatures can be pleasant and it's often a dry month with the added bonus that it's too early for the midgies. Many of the roads are single lane but largely empty and well maintained so the riding is comfortable and stress free allowing you to take in the views and there really is a wow around every corner. The pass at Glencoe for example is staggeringly impressive - you can actually see the geology and appreciate how it was scooped out by glaciers.
The people you encounter are warm and engaging and the food is good.
The very popular North Coast 500 route is included for those of you with Iron Butts that like a 1 day challenge. For me, the best way of enjoying the NC 500 is with two overnight stops, so the route includes these if required.
May can be a very good time of year to visit - temperatures can be pleasant and it's often a dry month with the added bonus that it's too early for the midgies. Many of the roads are single lane but largely empty and well maintained so the riding is comfortable and stress free allowing you to take in the views and there really is a wow around every corner. The pass at Glencoe for example is staggeringly impressive - you can actually see the geology and appreciate how it was scooped out by glaciers.
The people you encounter are warm and engaging and the food is good.
The very popular North Coast 500 route is included for those of you with Iron Butts that like a 1 day challenge. For me, the best way of enjoying the NC 500 is with two overnight stops, so the route includes these if required.
View Route Collection
6 Routes
2275.79 km
57h 3m
Top 10 Downloaded UK routes by RouteXpert Nick Carthew
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in the UK.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be ridden.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelstory of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your email.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be ridden.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelstory of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your email.
View Route Collection
10 Routes
2910.58 km
83h 52m