Loch Lomond

We skirted the western shores on a previous routes, but this time our target is a rollercoaster of a ride just a few miles to the east. Duke’s Pass has to be one of the most fun roads to ride in the UK if you catch it on a good day when the sun’s shining and there’s not much traffic.

It’s hard not to finish Duke’s Pass with a smile on your face, and from Aberfoyle the route will take you on a pleasant journey through middle Scotland, stopping off in Stirling to explore the National Wallace Monument which stands proudly above the city. After Stirling, we skirt Edinburgh before joining the coastal roads near Dunbar and heading down to Berwick upon Tweed.

Day one showcases some of Scotland’s mightiest and most beautiful mountains (it’s no coincidence that the Queen has a home up here, Balmoral Castle), while day two will allow you to explore areas of Scotland that you’d probably overlook when riding around the country.

Top things to see, discover and ride along the way

See: Glen Shee

While we may start in Aberdeen, our route initially takes us south towards Dundee along the A90. With the peaks of the Cairngorms looming so close to the west you’ll be tempted to ignore my suggestion, but there is method to this madness.

By entering the national park from the south, we can ride up the majestic Glen Shee and The Cairnwell, the UK’s highest motorable pass at 670m. This beautiful valley was once known as the glen of the fairies, and that gives some indication of the enchanting nature of the scenery.

The riding here is great, even though the most exciting part of the road, known as the devil’s elbow, has since been bypassed, and while it’s tempting to open the throttle and enjoy the rollercoaster-like road, you’ll be too busy admiring the views all the way to the Glenshee Ski Centre.

See: Cairngorm Mountain

As you ride through the town of Aviemore it’s impossible not to pick up on the place’s outdoorsy vibe. I’d liken it to Chamonix in the French Alps, and while that has Mont Blanc (and a tonne of other spectacular peaks), Aviemore claims Cairn Gorm as its own. The national park which the mountain sits in gained its name from the mountain (CairngormNational Park).

As there’s a popular ski resort halfway up the mountain, bikers are treated to a stunning 12-mile ride from Aviemore which takes you at first through thick woodland before rising in a series of exciting bends to an altitude of 604m. Once at the carpark, if you’ve got the time, take a trip up the UK’s highest funicular to the UK’s highest restaurant, the Ptarmigan, for a spot of lunch and incredible views at 1066m.

You’ll even get chance to see the highest post box in the British Isles (cue sounds of amazement).

Discover: Speyside

After dropping down from the Lecht into Tomintoul, you’ll begin to see more and more signs for whisky distilleries for you are now entering the world-renowned Spey Valley.

Here, more whiskies are distilled than in anywhere else in Scotland, including the two best-selling whiskies in the world, The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. If you’re into your whiskies then it would definitely be worth spending a day around the area exploring and visiting the numerous distilleries.

Discover: National Wallace Monument

As we near the end of our ride, two structures will dominate the surrounding landscape. One is Stirling Castle, the other is the beautiful National Wallace Monument. Built in 1869, the 67m-high tower was erected to commemorate the 13th Century Scottish hero Bravehe… Sorry, Sir William Wallace.

Aside from the impressive nature of the structure, which is a moving tribute to the Scottish knight, the tower houses many artefacts that are believed to have belonged to William Wallace, who became an influential leader during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 12th and early 13th Centuries.

Most impressively on show is the Wallace Sword, a gargantuan blade that measures in at 1.63m (that’s 5ft4), and weighs close to three kilograms.

Ride: Lecht Road

Between Cock Bridge and Tomintoul lies one of the UK’s most fascinating roads – the Lecht Road. This 9.5-mile long stretch of tarmac combines steep inclines, epic views and dramatic weather to make it both engaging and exciting.

Riding from Cock Bridge, after rising sharply for a few miles, you can see the road stretching its way up a mountain ridge, leaving it exposed to the full force of any weather systems that pass by.

Snow poles on the side of the road hint that this route is regularly under the white stuff in the winter, and while we were there a ferocious wind was blowing from west to east.

Despite the weather, the riding is magnificent as you crest numerous false summits before you reach the apex of the pass at 775m, making it the UK’s second highest road, behind Glenshee Pass which you’ll also ride on this route.

Ride: Duke’s Pass

While the majority of our route sticks to the Cairngorms and the east coast, we do take a brief diversion over to the west and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

As you enter the national park the surrounding scenery is beautiful, but as you approach the pass you’d be forgiven for thinking that you might have made a wrong turn. Built by the Duke of Montrose (hence the name Duke’s Pass) in 1885, this section of the A 821 presents a challenging and exciting ride through wooded hillsides to an altitude of 240 metres above sea level.

OK, it might not be the highest pass around, but the quality of the riding is top draw. Just be on the lookout for the occasional police car and tourist coach taking the sharp corners wide.