Loch Doon Shop Ride Out

Group photo of motorcycle riders in HOG chapter attire at Loch Doon, surrounded by scenic hills and autumn foliage.
Clyde Valley Shop Ride Out | Loch Doon | 11 October 2025

This past Saturday, Clyde Valley enjoyed a fantastic ride out to Loch Doon, deep in the heart of the Galloway Hills. The weather held steady for us, with crisp autumn air and clear views making for ideal riding conditions. The route took us along some brilliant backroads with sweeping bends, quiet stretches, and just the right amount of twisties to keep things interesting. We stopped at the loch to take in the scenery, share a few laughs, and enjoy a well-earned coffee at the Roundhouse Café.

Loch Doon turned out to be more than just a scenic stop – it’s a place steeped in history and natural significance. Stretching over 9 km in length, the loch sits high in a remote glen and is home to the Arctic charr, a rare cold-water fish species that has survived here since the Ice Age. It’s one of the last places in southwest Scotland where these fish still breed, which is why the loch is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). While we didn’t get the chance to visit Loch Doon Castle, it’s worth noting that the 13th-century stronghold was once located on an island in the loch but was moved stone by stone to the shore in the 1930s to protect it from rising waters when the loch was dammed. It’s another layer in the rich history of the area, which also includes ancient artefacts and even a World War I aerial gunnery school nearby.

All in all, it was a brilliant day out – great roads, great company, and a destination well worth the ride. If you missed this one, be sure to catch the next.

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

The Davidson Legacy Cottage Chapter Ride Out

A group of motorcycle enthusiasts, wearing black vests and holding a flag, pose in front of a rustic stone building against a cloudy sky.

There’s nothing quite like the sound of engines firing up on a Sunday morning as Clyde Valley gathers for another adventure. This month’s ride took us back to our roots with a trip to the Davidson Legacy Cottage – a destination steeped in history and meaning for Harley riders the world over.

With Burnsy leading the way as Road Captain, we rolled out from West Coast in Glasgow, the bikes gleaming and anticipation running high, before making our first stop at Stirling services to meet up with the rest of the pack. With the group united and the open road ahead, the ride promised to be one to remember.

Not long after leaving Stirling services, a few of the crew decided to spice things up by taking the “scenic route” thanks to a wrong exit at the roundabout. It sparked plenty of laughter and set the tone for the day — another classic Clyde Valley story that will no doubt be retold on many rides to come.

Rolling into the Davidson Legacy Cottage, the sight of the old stone building instantly set the mood — a quiet, humble place with a history every Harley rider feels connected to. The Davidson Legacy Cottage in Netherton, Angus, is the childhood home of William C. Davidson, father of the Harley-Davidson founders. The family emigrated from this modest 19th-century cottage to the U.S. in 1857, where the iconic motorcycle company was later born. After falling into disrepair, the cottage was rescued in 2008 by enthusiasts and restored to reflect its original mid-1800s condition. In 2022, a charitable trust was formed to secure its future, and by 2025 the cottage had been brought into community ownership with support from the UK Government and Harley-Davidson. Today it welcomes visitors, hosts events, and stands proudly as both a museum and a symbol of cultural and industrial heritage.

Davidson Cottage visit

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

HOGPool 2025

A number of the Chapter took the 200 odd mile run to Blackpool last weekend for another HOGPool weekend.

Heavy rain didn't stop play on the way south
Heavy rain didn’t stop play on the way south

The ride down was pretty steady with a few notable holdups that resulted in much filtering to make progress….roadworks and a breakdown appeared to be the cause. We also had a pretty torrential cloud burst just as we crossed the border at Gretna. But everyone arrived safe and reasonably dry by the time we got to the hotel.

Friday was just a few drinks, a bit of a wander to get the bearings and some bingo!. Russell managed to win the prize for first line and Cath won the full house, so a clean sweep by Clyde Valley….living life on the wild side…

Saturday started grey and drizzly and soon turned into torrential rain. The young un’s with tickets to the Pleasure Beach managed to get their white knuckle rides in early before it got too wet, but by early afternoon you were soaked if you so much as stepped outside. The crusties headed off to the Spitfire Museum which was well worth the visit. Listening to the rain hammering down on the roof though was a sign of what was to come.

After a soggy afternoon, another decent dinner was laid on by the hotel, the food was great both days.

And just like that overnight the rain stopped and Sunday you wouldn’t have beleived the change in the weather in a mere 12 hours…wall to wall sunshine. Ian Fyfe from Red Rose came over to meet us and lead us through the town and out to the motorway before a “fresh” ride up to Southwaite where we all headed our separate ways. A group from Geordie Chapter passed us on the way up as well, hi guys!

Group of motorbike enthusiasts from Clyde Valley and Red Rose Chapters posing with their flags on a sunny day.
Clyde Valley and Ian Fyfe from Red Rose
HOGPool 2025
All the photos from HOGPool

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Barony Castle Shop Ride Out

A group of bikers from the Clyde Valley Harley Owners Group standing together outside a building, holding a flag with their logo. The group includes men and women in motorcycle vests, some making playful gestures, and a small dog in a blue vest.

On Saturday we rode to Barony Castle to visit the Great Polish Map of Scotland. This large three-dimensional terrain model is the biggest of its kind in the world, measuring around 50 by 40 metres. It was created in the 1970s by a team of Polish engineers, supported by General Maczek, a former commander of the Polish 1st Armoured Division who settled in Scotland after the Second World War. The map was intended as a gesture of gratitude from the Polish community to Scotland. After falling into neglect for many years, it has since been restored and today stands as an important cultural and historical landmark, representing both Scotland’s geography and the enduring ties between Scotland and Poland.

Our chapter mascot, Doris, was spoiled with plenty of treats from Lairdy’s pocket and, judging by her enthusiasm, she seemed to enjoy the run every bit as much as the rest of us. It turned out to be a fantastic day’s riding, made even better by the great company along the way. A big thanks goes to Lairdy and Tommy for sweeping and tailing, to Janice for keeping a watchful eye on proceedings, and to Frazer not only for capturing the day with some brilliant photographs but also for leading us as Road Captain.

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Culross Chapter Ride Out

Group photo of members from the Clyde Valley Chapter, standing together outdoors, holding a chapter flag.
0% precipitation, 100% participation.

Today we went to Culross (say “COO-riss”) – a postcard-perfect wee village on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. Once a booming 16-17th century hub, Culross made its name under local entrepreneur Sir George Bruce: think salt pans on the shore, coal coming up from his daring “Moat Pit” under the sea, and ships at the pier. A huge storm in 1625 flooded the mine, the industry ebbed, and the place froze in time – whitewashed cottages, cobbles, and the ochre-walled “palace” (a grand merchant’s house) that you see today.

We set off from the Showcase Cinema in Coatbridge, settled into formation, and headed east for Grangemouth, tipping our lids to the Spitfire memorial as we cruised past. From there we threaded through Newton, then swept over the Queensferry Crossing with cracking views of the Forth bridges, before picking up the coast road (A985) into Fife and peeling off into Culross.

We travelled to the Red Lion Inn and parked up the bikes before heading in. Lunch was straightforward – homemade soup, a well-filled wrap, and cold drinks – with friendly, efficient service. Afterwards we gathered outside beside the bikes to catch up, swapping stories from the morning’s run, comparing notes on the route, and sharing a few laughs and good-natured jokes.

Culross Chapter Ride Out

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Stronalchar ride out

It was a fine, warm and sunny start to the day when Clyde Valley took a ride out through what has to be the most scenic areas of Scotland, through Kinlochard to Stronalachar on the far side of Loch Katrine.

This route has been a rather neglected strip of pothole riven road for quite a while. You would be forgiven for thinking it was used as a target for artillery practice, but it seems much of it has been replaced with fresh, proper new tarmac in recent times. Only the first section heading out from Aberfoyle, and the last wee bit around the top of Loch Achry were a wee bit bumpy in places.

We have a number of chapter members partaking of Irish hospitality this weekend at Hog n Bog but we still managed a creditable 16 bikes with a further 2 latecomers plus Chapter mascot Doris, just as most were preparing to leave to head back to base.

One casualty of the road, with one bike having a rear pulley issue on the road out and having to abandon the ride. Hope that’s sorted quickly for you Robert.

Stronalachar ride out

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Aberfeldy and the Sma’ Glen….smokin’

Sunday started a bit on the wet and dismal side so it was pleasing to still see sixteen bikes turn out at the Maccy’ D’s at Showcase for a ride out up to Perthshire to Aberfeldy via the Sma’ Glen.

While we like to avoid motorways wherever possible, sometimes they become a means to an end and the first leg of the ride once we rode up the back road to Gartcosh, was onto the M73/M80/M9 and thence onto the A9 dual carriageway. There was a lot of surface spray about rather than actual rain but the more we went north the drier road became.

It became brighter by the time we reached a wee stop an hour out at Crieff Visitor Centre.

Thats when those of us at the front learned that we had lost a bike and two members, Colin and Lynne, when it seems the Regulator on their Ultra Limited decided to self immolate.

Pic from Colin with the fire brigade in attendance
Pic from Colin with the fire brigade in attendance

Ben riding at the rear said he had noticed a “funky smell” as we left the Showcase and we had not travelled far before smoke was visible from Colin’s bike. Colin had called the fire brigade and the actual flames were safely and quickly extinguished with hopefully no serious damage done.

We were fortunate the roadside camera’s were actually able to capture this moment and share it with us all.

Colin's motorcycle with flames emerging from the regulator, driving on a road with a fire truck in the background.
Like a Bat Out of Hell…..

Back with the group after a short stop we carried on through Crieff high street and then out to pick up the road through the Sma’ Glen. The Sma’ Glen starts about 4 miles out from the Gilmerton Junction, and ends roughly at a sharp right turn over a small narrow bridge a few miles further on. After that we rode up through the ever drier and brighter Perthshire countryside and reached Aberfeldy after a great ride on dry roads at the town square which was conveniently empty for us….almost like we had planned it.

Tea/coffee/food was consumed and those that were heading back the quick way, departed via Dunkeld and the A9, a few decided to ride back down the Sma’ Glen as it was “that” good and the rest who’s eyes were bigger than their bellies… headed for ice cream with wasps on the side at Kenmore, before the final run down Loch Tay, then down to Lochearnhead, Strathyre and Callander.

*Thanks to Chris for taking a few snaps at Showcase- Appreciated.

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Flickr Gallery of the Aberfeldy Ride Out

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Wolfruna Chapter Iron Butt Challenge

This weekend our brothers and sisters at Wolfruna Chapter HOG are undertaking a mammoth 24 hour Iron Butt Challenge in aid of the The Chloe Smail Foundation. The team are riding from John O’Groats to Lands End in 24 hours via Newcastle, where I understand they plan to pay tribute to the Chloe . This is not an insignificant ride of over 1000 miles in 24 hours.

Wolfruna HOG Chapter are attempting an Iron Butt Challenge for the Chloe Smail Foundation, please support them here.

At short notice Clyde Valley were able to pull together a wee welcoming party to meet them as they came through West Coast Harley Davidson as they head north to their start point on Saturday.

After a visit and chat with everyone at the dealership Clyde Valley were delighted to escort the group out to Dunbarton where they were stopping overnight before tackling the last leg north today ( Friday).

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Dumfries Aviation Museum and Military show

Last Saturday we rode down to Dumfries led by a (supervised) Road marshall, in the form of Frazer. The weather was forecast to be a bit on the wet side in the afternoon the further North and East you went. We hoped, and were largely satisfied in our wish, for acceptable weather and though most had donned waterproofs on the run down, they just kept the moderate dampness off the riders.

We had about 14 bikes and a pleasant run down to Abington Services for a Burnsy Fag Stoap, before heading through the always scenic Dalveen Pass and down to Dumfries.

The museum has a number of old aircraft mostly dated from the post war period ( GE Lightning, Hawker Hunter, Jaguar etc) but also is home to the Loch Doon Spitfire which was fished out from the Loch some years ago and restored to museum showpiece condition.

There was also a military vehicles show of mostly wartime kit, with some re-enactment society members giving a demonstration of old German weaponry ( firing blanks of course), and a talk on the Spitfire Story.

The ride back depending where you were headed was anything from soaking to utterly drookit, though some riders heading more eastward seemed to be lucky and stayed dry.

A great wee day out.

Dumfries Aviation Museum 2025

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Charitable Doings

Meet the Chapter Night

On Wednesday we had our monthly “Meet the Chapter night” at West Coast HD. It was a bit of a special occasion this one, with a good turnout of members as we had a wee presentation of the sum of £3000 to Prostate Scotland.

The money was collected from donations and fundraising activities at this year’s Gathering and rounded up from chapter charity funds to the final total.

After a wee talk of the activities of the charity the presentation of the cheque was made by our standing down Director Stevie Trainor.

Get tested boys!

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Dunbar RNLI Gala Day

Moving on to Saturday and we had our annual outing supporting our friends at Dunedin HOG who participate in the RNLI Gala Day procession at Dunbar. Could we have had a better day for it? Doubtful. The bulk of the Clyde Valley bikes rode to Hermiston Gait on the west edge of Edinburgh where we met up with more CVH and Dunedin riders and we rode as a group to Dunbar in blistering sunshine.

There were I beleive 49 bikes in total and we joined the procession through the town and parked up along the harbour wall.

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This looked like the biggest gala Day at Dunbar so far, with lots of stands and activities taking place. It was thankfully a little cooler at the harbour with the sea breezes. The ride back across East Lothian and beyond was done in continental heat with the air warm and the heat radiating off the road. A brilliant day out.

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below