Ride out to St Mary's Loch   As the Scottish & English meet up at Hartside went so well I wondered if anyone would be interested in another wee get together?    St Mary's Loch is the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders, and is situated on the A708 between Selkirk and Moffat, about 45 miles south of Edinburgh, it was created by glacial action during the last ice age. The loch takes its name from a church dedicated to St Mary which once stood on its northern shore, although only the burial ground is now visible. Local legend has it that the loch has no bottom, and it is reputed to be the coldest loch in Scotland. Tibbie Shiel's Inn, is situated by the loch, an 18th-century coaching inn,  bar meals are available. The road is well used by bikers, it's a lovely ride.   To give an idea from Tibbie Shiel's Inn relating to distances   Carlisle   56 miles Ayr, South Ayrshire   81 miles Glasgow    74 miles Edinburgh     43 miles Carlisle    56 miles Newcastle    92 miles Leeds    172 miles all mileage approximate    Meet up points in various areas can be arranged.  I thought sometime during August would good, perhaps Sunday 19th or 26th.  Can you let me know what your thoughts are and if you fancy it?                                                                                                                                                                                                  

count me in ...could hop over for the day or maybe combine it with a couple nights camping somewhere.                                                                                                                                                                             

I see from the pub's website they do camping there:
http://tibbieshiels.com/
                                                                                                                                                                             

Just checked it out, Wills - awesome, I'm sold!   Good point is they have fire pits (just as well, as bar food prices aren't cheap!)   But note, u do have to book a pitch.   So, travel up fri evening, and pitch. Sample the pubs beer. Ride out on the sat. Back to the inn for a bbq for tea, followed by a sherbert in the pub. Sunday -late brekkie, then home.   Wotja say?                                                                                                                                                                             

I'm committed the weekend of the 19th... and the following week I was supposed to riding my bike up to "Thunder In The Glen"... Laugh my ass off!!!!!!!! Would come home in a bodybag..   But.. have said that if I can progress safely in riding skill.. I will still have a wee holiday in the Borders with David and Minx... so this could be doable the following weekend and it did get me a little on the excited side seeing it... But it would have to be the following weekend for me and can't promise right at this second.. although.. I really really want toooo....                                                                                                                                                                              

So.. just to clarify.. in a nutshell...   Lush lush lush Idea... and I'm a "potential maybe" xxxx                                                                                                                                                                             

I have asked for this thread to be deleted, as I won't be able to continue the organising of it.  It's open to anyone who wants to take it on.  This will be left on for a few days then deleted.                                                                                                                                                                             

Moffat has a biker hotel , as in , a hotel for bikers . They have a high walled and locked parking area . Each room is available with it's own padlocked bike garage . Good food too . I'll see if I can dig out the www. Some great ride outs in the area . Dusty

Actually BobKat.. I'm kinda gutted now that it's not happening...  Hunny xxxx                                                                                                                                                                             

think you might find this is the one!   http://www.buccleucharmshotel.com/                                                                                                                                                                             

you take over the organising then Rockchick                                                                                                                                                                              

Lmao Kwakgirl!!   I didn't even know the North East had somewhere called "Weardale"..   Scotland.. omgiddyaunt lol... Bless you though.. shall take it as a vote of confidence                                                                                                                                                                                 

www. Motorcyclescotland.com
the Buccleugh arms hotel . The Guy that owns it (a yank)is a biker , really chatty in an ok sort of way . They have little maps printed of good rides on the area.
From Moffat to Selkirk there's a few timber wagons on the road plus the obligatory sheep . But gorgeous scenery . There's a cafe at St Mary''s as well as the boozer.

lol @ RC sure its only up the road some! lol   maybe we should ask Dusty...he seems keen!                                                                                                                                                                              

maybe we should ask Dusty what ?                                                                                                                                                                              

haha....feck lad took ya long enough to bite!  to organise this  trip that Bobkat cant do now.                                                                                                                                                                             

ok then , who's up for the friday 24th August till sunday 26th August . I would recommend carlisle ~ moffat ( on the pre motorway B7076, the old A74' ) ~St Mary's . The eastern (SELKIRK) end of the glen is better going up than down (steep and lots of sheep) return from SELKIRK ~ A7 HAWICK,pronounced HOYK. Big Sainsburys in Hawick~Langholm ~Carlisle . Saturday rideout to be arranged .

There's a 'road' running due west from St Mary's Loch going over the Tweedsmuir Hills which looks... erm...interesting. Wotja reckon, Debs?                                                                                                                                                                             

All of this weekend will be done on 'A' roads should any L platers wish to come .
Jct 43 Carlisle M6 200yds a large tesco fuel +cafe. Visible from the roundabout.
Jct 44 a large Asda (signed workington) 300yds.
I'll sort out the camping at st Mary's

Mind your midge repellent