Rannoch Station Loop

Motorbike Run Report – Highlands, Heat & Honest Sandwiches
Firstly, a huge thank you to Ian McIntosh for organising what turned out to be a glorious day out on two wheels. Perfect weather, scenic roads, and great company made this midweek ride one to remember.

The Ride Begins – Crieff Visitor Centre
We met up at Crieff Visitor Centre, with a strong and varied lineup of riders and machines:

Ian McIntosh – our ride leader, on his Royal Enfield Shotgun

Marcus Sharp – showing off his brand-new Honda CB750

Alex Muir – ready for action on his Triumph Tiger

Ian Ness – rolling up with his sparkling BMW F900XR

Myself – riding my trusted Triumph Custom T120

After a bit of pre-ride banter and admiration of the bikes, we headed off along the A85, making our way toward Luncarty, with a turnoff at Methven to join the scenic B8063.

There, we were joined by two more familiar faces:

Tom Sutherland – riding his ever-reliable Enfield Interceptor

Alan Graham – smooth and steady on his BMW R1250RT

With the full group assembled, spirits high, and engines humming, we set off deeper into Perthshire.

Weather, Roadworks & Mesh Jacket Mistakes
We couldn’t have asked for better weather—it was sunny, warm, and dry all day. The joy of a weekday run quickly became obvious, with light traffic and plenty of open road. That said, we weren’t entirely free from obstacles—several sets of roadwork traffic lights interrupted our flow, leaving us roasting in full gear under the sun.

Speaking of roasting—or freezing—I had my own personal miscalculation. Feeling smug in my new mesh riding jacket, bought for an upcoming tour in Slovenia, I expected breathable comfort. But as we climbed in altitude, especially approaching Rannoch, the airflow turned into an arctic blast. The jacket let in so much wind that even my modest amount of chest hair couldn’t save me.

Lesson learned.

Engine Lights & Highland Highlights
We passed through Stanley, cruised into Blairgowrie, and carried on through Bridge of Cally along the beautiful A924 toward Pitlochry. Somewhere on that stretch, my bike decided to throw in a little drama: the engine management light came on. I kept a close eye on it but decided to push on, and thankfully the bike gave me no further grief.

From Pitlochry, we pressed on to Queen’s View for a well-earned coffee and scone break. The view never disappoints—Loch Tummel shimmering below and the hills standing proud. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why we ride.

We followed the incredible B8019—a dream of a road full of twists and turns—along Loch Tummel, heading to Tummel Bridge, and then picked up the B846 en route to Rannoch Station Tea Room for lunch.

Lunch With a Twist
With the sun beating down and stomachs rumbling, we arrived at the Rannoch Station Tea Room only to be told they were fully booked—unless you had a reservation. What was available, however, was a self-service room stocked with pre-made sandwiches, tea, coffee, biscuits, and an honesty box with card reader and price list.

I must say, a clever and genuinely trusting system—and it seems to work. Most people are indeed honest, especially when there’s food and caffeine involved.

We made the most of it, sat back, swapped stories, laughed, and enjoyed the relaxed vibe of the Highlands.

Forestry Trucks & Narrow Escapes
After lunch, we retraced our route down the B846 to Kinloch Rannoch, only to be met by a series of wide, rumbling forestry lorries. It got a little too close for comfort—Alan on the RT nearly lost a pannier despite being completely stationary. A reminder that rural roads, while beautiful, demand full attention.

From Kinloch Rannoch, we took the back road past Schiehallion, another fantastic stretch of riding that brought us out toward Aberfeldy for a fuel stop—and some much-needed relief from the heat.

Homeward Bound
At Aberfeldy, I said my goodbyes to the group and headed back toward Pitlochry, feeling grateful for a day packed with everything that makes biking special—camaraderie, scenery, twists, turns, unexpected detours, and moments to remember.

Final Thoughts
All in all, it was a truly brilliant day out. Special thanks again to Ian McIntosh for planning and leading such a great route, and to everyone who came along and made the day what it was. Whether it was traffic lights, chilly mesh jackets, engine lights, or honesty sandwich shops—it’s the mix of planned and unplanned that makes these rides so memorable.

Here’s to the next adventure—bring it on!