Isle of Arran, North Coast 500 & Orkney, 13 Days

It begins at the ferry port of IJmuiden near Amsterdam: boarding in the afternoon and departure around 5.30 pm towards Great Britain. The night is spent on board in the two-berth inside cabin, with the machine secured on the vehicle deck.

At about 9.15 in the morning the ferry docks at Newcastle. Take a turn through the city if you like, before riding on through the wide country of Northumberland towards Peebles. Along the way lie the abbey ruins of Melrose and Traquair House. Night in the Peebles area.

At first the route follows the course of the River Tweed and then carries on into the Dumfries & Galloway region in the southwest of Scotland. Gentle hills, small villages and quiet roads shape the day, before the night in the Ayrshire area.

From Ardrossan the ferry carries you across to the Isle of Arran. Beyond the scenery a stop at Brodick Castle with its sprawling park is worthwhile; on the west coast lie the megalithic monuments of Machrie Moor. The local distillery is there for anyone who wants it. Night on the island.

Back on the mainland the route follows the coast to Dunadd, a coronation site between the 5th and 9th centuries. Via Kilmartin with its stone circles and rock carvings it runs on to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain.

Northward the way leads to Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich, known as a backdrop for Braveheart, Rob Roy and Highlander. From here the route follows long stretches of the North Coast 500. The night is spent in the Gairloch or Ullapool area.

Past the striking Stac Pollaidh the stage runs through the lonely regions of the northwest. At Durness the limestone cave of Smoo Cave is worth a stop, and beyond it the view opens out over the Atlantic. Night in the Thurso area.

Today the Orkney archipelago and its roughly 70 islands are on the programme. Worth seeing are the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, the Bay of Skaill and the megalithic site of Maes Howe, along with the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. The evening brings you back to Thurso.

The stage follows the coast down to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. A stop at Dunrobin Castle is worth the time along the way, and views out to sea keep opening up. Night in the Inverness area.

On the way to the capital a detour to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle suggests itself. Alternatively the route runs through Cairngorms National Park and the Speyside region, with mountains, moorland and heath. Night in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century and is today a lively city of almost 500,000 people. Edinburgh Castle stands high above the rooftops, and from there the Royal Mile leads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. A wander through Dean Village is worth it too.

Back to Newcastle: choosing the coastal route adds around 25 kilometres and takes you past Alnwick Castle, known from the Harry Potter films. Boarding and departure follow at around 5 pm towards Amsterdam, and the night is spent on board.

At about 9.45 in the morning the ferry reaches IJmuiden near Amsterdam. The loop ends here and your own way home begins, with around 1,900 kilometres of coasts, castles and lonely Highlands behind you.