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Granlea
Guest House |
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Scottish Tourist Board
3 Star |
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The Highlands
of Scotland have some of the best biking roads in the UK (and arguably, the
world); most can be easily accessed in a day from the house. Jackie is
the Biker of the family; having clocked up almost 30 years’ experience in the
saddle ( yeah I started young!).
She has membership of the Honda and RC30 MCC’s and has links with the newly formed ‘Curvy
Riders MCC’. She successfully
completed the Honda MAC advanced skills riding course in 2000 (did it on a
Blackbird). She has owned quite a few different models – Suzuki RF900 /
Yamaha Vmax / Honda Blackbird / Yamaha R1 / Honda RR2 Fireblade / Honda SP1 /
Suzuki GSXR1000 and currently owns a Honda HRC RR7 Fireblade, along with her
beloved Honda RC30. With
extensive knowledge of the Highland roads, she is always happy to give advice
with route planning etc. If her
workload permits, the roads are dry and Glen lets her loose, she may even be
able to escort a rideout, so you can forget the map and enjoy the roads and
scenery without the fear of getting lost!
Don’t be
alarmed about distances covered
during rideouts eg: a round trip to Durness on the far North West Coast would
be around 300 miles from here. Time passes very quickly as you absorb
yourself into your ride and soak up the best that the Highlands have to
offer. ‘I must admit I’d balk at the thought of that distance on a motorway
South of the Border’ (Jackie says), ‘but up here there’s something different
around every bend’. If you really don’t want to ride that far, there’s lots
of awesome roads right here on our doorstep, so you’re spoilt for
choice. A word of caution though
….the farther north you go, the fewer the filling stations, so if you come
across a petrol pump – TOP UP!! (especially if you ride something as thirsty
as an SP1!) It could be a good
50 miles to the next fuel stop (and there aren’t many 24hr garages in those
parts!) Try to fill up in the major towns eg: Inverness, as fuel gets more
expensive the further out you venture into the wilds. Jackie can give advice
ref: food and fuel stops etc. Over the
years we have accommodated many touring motorcyclists and club tours; the
last one was for members of the RC30 Owners’ Club in September 2006. With enough notice and if all our
rooms (including those in our cottage), are occupied to full capacity, we can
accommodate up to 15 people, so it’s ideal for a mid-sized group. Alternative accommodation can be
organised for extra numbers within the Village if ranks swell. We have a
very large garage for motorcycle parking and gear storage. We also have a purpose built
workshop;
complete with hydraulic ramp and bike cleaning facilities etc. Our on-site drying
facilities take the misery out of getting caught out in a downpour. Enjoy one of Jackie’s ‘Gut Busting’
breakfasts, prior to setting out for the day (be warned though, you may need to
jog ‘round the block’ before getting on the bike!!). There is a local hotel
and restaurant within walking distance for evenings, or you may wish to try
eating in Aviemore or 1 of the other local villages. The
nearest Bike shop is located in Inverness (Mitchells), which is around a half
hour ride away. We also
have contact with a freelance Bike Mechanic in a dire emergency. He comes
highly recommended, seeing as he looks after all of Jackie’s bikes!
Not
wanting to miss out on the fun, and in conjunction with Dunedin Chapter HOG,
Boat of Garten hosts its now Annual Highland HOG in th BOG Charity
Fundraising Event. This year it takes place on SUNDAY 24th AUGUST
from 12 – 4pm at the Village Community Hall This was started 3 yrs ago by Jackie and some friends in
the Grounds of Granlea, but with over 130 bikes attending in 2007, it has now
outgrown the space available! (hence the change of venue this year). It’s an
afternoon gathering, together with licensed bar (run by our local real ale
brewery!), with live music, food and games etc. It’s another chance to meet
the Harley riders and look at all the bikes. Again, this event welcomes all riders, no matter what you
ride and invites the general public to join in the fun. Turn up on your bike
and you’ll get in for free! All
proceeds go to a chosen charity.
“Probably the
best £100 I’ve ever spent!, see you soon!”…….Pete (Lancs) “Nothing
to say but Brilliant again, cheers!”……..Ste (Lancs) “Brilliant
welcome, comfy bed, best breakfast and a dream garage for the bike!”…..Graeme
(Lothian) “Fantastic
weekend. Great hospitality. Awesome biking!”……Neil (London) ***************************************** |
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