Inverness Routes & Tracks

This route has spectacular winding roads that are a joy for motorcycle enthusiasts, the route varies in length and offers a scenic alternative to main trunk roads and motorways, all these scenic routes can also be done in reverse, or by taking an alternative road.  The Moray area enjoys a particularly favourable climate as it benefits from the warmth of the Gulf Stream, Findhorn Bay is a popular sailing location, and offers water sports activities and is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, or take the spectacular world-class white water rafting on the river Findhorn,  Starting at the Findhorn Foundation is a Scottish charitable trust registered in 1972, formed by the spiritual community at the Findhorn Echo village, one of the largest intentional communities in Britain, it has been home to thousands of residents from more than 40 countries. The Foundation runs various educational programmes, it also houses about 40 community businesses such as the Findhorn Press and an alternative medicine centre. Take the B9011 heading for Rafford, here you will find the popular walking and cycling route which follows the old railway between Grantown and Forres, the woodland and lochs attracts deer, badgers, foxes, hundreds of birds including Osprey who visit for a trout or two and wonderful wildlife that visit and stay in the woods, There are many interesting features along the way, the Dallas Dhu Distillery Visitor Centre is part of the Speyside Whisky Trail and allows visitors to learn about the traditional craft of Whisky production, the river Findhorn has some fantastic salmon fishing. The Dava Way takes you directly into Forres, a beautiful historic town that has award-winning gardens and the famous Grant Park, that hosts events throughout the year including Forres Theme Day, Forres Highland Games and the European Pipe Band Championships. Continuing through Rafford B9010 Dallas a small rural village in Moray, 9 miles south west of Elgin, it holds an ambitious village Gala every July in which local girls are picked to be the Gala Queen and her attendants, it attracts many visitors from surrounding areas, the village was relocated to its present site in 1811, the church dates from 1793 and Dallas Lodge from 1901, to the north stands the remains of Tor Castle built in 1400 by Sir Thomas Cumming of Altyre and a mediaeval mercat cross can be found here a remnant of an earlier kirkton settlement. From Dallas take the sign for Upper Knockando, a 15 minute drive south west of Dallas on the B102 to Ballindalloch on the A95, heading inland past distilleries and castles,to the bridge of Avon, the old bridge is today a pedestrian walkway leading to a attractive Scottish baronial gatehouse for Ballindalloch Castle, for almost two centuries this attractive stone bridge was the only route across the River Avon, or A'an in Gaelic at Ballindalloch, the bridge was built in 1800 and it lasted until the new road bridge was built in 1991, just a few paces away from the old bridge. At the bridge of Avon,Take the B9008 through Dalchirach, Craggan to Drumin part of a small settlement in the North East highlands of Scotland. It sits at the junction of Glenlivet and Strathavon, although it formed part of Banffshire before the local authority reorganisations in the 1970's. Drumin lies within the parish of Inveravon and is situated on a terrace above the confluence of the Rivers Livet and Avon, Drumin lies within the Glenlivet Estate, which is owned by the Crown Estate, the lands of Glenlivet and Strathavon had been possessions of the Dukes of Gordon, and latterly Richmond and Gordon, since they were acquired from the Grandson of Alexander Stewart in 1490, this was the first in the district to set up a small legal still, over the centuries from a shaky beginning grew the famous Minmore Distillery and "The Glenlivet" Whisky. From Glenlivet a 5 minuet drive away is Tomnavoulin Speyside which are approximately 44 and 59 miles respectively from central Speyside, it accommodates over 50 fantastic distilleries, today part of the Moray district, Tomnavoulin was one of the distilleries built in the whisky boom of the early 1960s when demand was so far outstripping supply that new facilities had to be constructed, built by Invergordon Distillers producing Bruichladdich, Tullibardine and Jura, these driving routes will take you through some of the country's most awe-inspiring landscapes, and you'll find plenty of fantastic attractions and charming towns and villages to visit along the way. Continue on the B9008 to Tomintoul The Tomintoul-Glenlivet Distillery is a distillery in Ballindalloch, in the Speyside region of Scotland, producing malt whisky for blends and bottled as single malts, the distillery was founded in 1964, it doubled in capacity when two extra stills were installed in 1974, and started bottling single malt whisky in that year, it produces a range of single malts of different ages, a peated malt, and a vintage malt From Tomintoul take the A939 to Cock Bridge and to the Bridge of Gairn, the on to Ballater. Ballater is a burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland Lying eight miles along the River , immediately east of the Cairngorm Mountains, it is a centre for out door pursuites, here you will find a rich history and royal connections, Balmoral Castle, one of the residences of the Royal Family,explore the regions royal heritage and take in breathtaking countryside views, here you will find the Royal Lochnagar Distillery which produces one of Scotland’s most exclusive whiskies and known for its spring water, Following on from Ballater on the A93 you will find the village of Spittal and Glenshee, 13 miles away and 6 miles away on a small road to the west is the small village of Inverey. Taking in routes along the Highlands of Scotland has to rank as one of the real contenders for a truly great biking country, amazing scenery and diverse countryside, literally thousands of miles of quiet, winding, strait, and single track stunning roads. The weather is not always great but the ride and your visit will make it well worth the trouble.