Tassie, I've tried the tourances a couple of changes ago, a very competent tyre that should give you a 1:2 front to rear change ratio. They are quite soft in the centre so make sure you get some twisty road work in too.
Nikrum, Sounds like you need some "Rebus" to keep you busy, an Edinburgh detective series, way better than Taggart! Ian Rankin is the author if you are interested. If you want something a bit more Highland then you won't go wrong with a bit of "Hamish Macbeth" its a bit more lighthearted than Rebus.