Fort William
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Scotland’s West Coast roads are fast, twisty and sparsely populated making them ideal biking terrain. Add to that a stunning vista of craggy coastline, lakes and snow-capped mountains and paradise is no longer lost.
That heady mix means you can test both man/woman and machine, opening the throttle on car-free straights and testing your riding skills on roads with more outrageous twists than a Brookside plot.
This insidebikes’ route hugs the coast like a long-lost relative, offering slider scraping bend after bend whilst the stretch between Fort William and Ballachulish in the shadow of Glencoe is fast and furious.
The Route
Fort William - Ballachulish - Oban
Head south out of Fort William on the A82 to Ballachulish and then pick up the coast-hugging A828 down to Connel. Here you take the A85 for the final spin into Oban - watch out on the approach as it’s one hell of an incline spiralling down into a fairly bustling tourist spot.
Speed Traps
This route appears to be Gatso free.
Biker Beds
A reasonably priced bed with views across Loch Leven can be found at the Lyn-Leven Guest House in Ballachulish and to its north at Islanders in Onich.
North Ballachulish offers up Ceol-Na-Mara where the well priced tariff includes use of swimming and leisure facilities at a local hotel. Fort William whilst itself fairly uninspiring is surrounded by biker-friendly B&Bs in scenic settings including Travee at Corpach, Fordon at Banavie and Distillery House at Nevis Bridge. The pleasant resort of Oban offers Kins Knoll and the Glenara Guest House.
Pitstops
Bikers are ‘very welcome’ at The Barn at Cologin outside Oban. Set in its own private glen it serves bar snacks and meals washed down with a selection of beers such as Calders 70/-, Guinness, Lowenbrau and Tetleys.
