The joys of riding a motorcycle extend far beyond being able to duck and weave among bulkier vehicles. For many motorcyclists, the unique way their steeds allow them to enjoy scenery and the freedom of the open road, has made their motorbikes far more than a method of getting from A to B.

Scotland offers a great many road trips for the motorcyclist, not least of which is the so-called Scottish Castle Run, which takes in some of the many castles and other historic monuments of the Galloway region. If you have any interest in history at all, this trip is sure to delight.

Highlights include the towns of Kirkcudbright, Dalbeatie, Kirbie, Hermitage Castle, Caerlaverock Castle and the desolate, romantic Threave Castle. Starting in the town of Dumfries and moving across to Galloway Forest Park, a great many forested scenes await you. From here ride down to Newton Stewart, then on to Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas, before returning to Dumfries. This route ensures you will pass through a number of filling stations, so the chances of running out of petrol are fairly low, as long as you don’t get yourself too lost.

There are a good deal of biker pubs and restaurants along the way, including the biker-owned Buccleuch Arms Hotel near Melrose. The entire trip is likely to take around 6 hours to complete, depending how long you spend exploring the various castles and monuments along the way. The relatively quiet roads make this a fantastic area to enjoy a motorcycle road trip, and as such it attracts many bikers from across the UK each year.

As always, it is advisable to ensure your motorbike breakdown cover is up to date, so you can enjoy the open road with peace of mind.