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.