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Scotland 2011.... We took the High Road!!

3K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  DriftlessRider 
#1 ·
A small group of us recently headed off on our first extended trip of the year, going anti-clockwise around Scotland.
Four days in total, covering 1270 miles all together.

This trip was all originally planned by Gumpt-100 who did all the hard work and arranged routes and accommodation etc for us all.
It was a great disappointment when, at the last minute, Steve had to go into hospital and obviously wouldn’t be able to partake.
Our thoughts were with him all the away, and here's to the next one Steve....... You included this time!!! :D

So, with John stepping in on my other bike we made up the foursome again and set off on a showery day last week.
This was the route we ended up taking, pretty much to plan exactly......



After a stop-off at Steves to meet up with Ian on his new Ducati, and a wave farewell we headed directly north.
It was going to be a long mileage day and we'd be taking in some excellent roads as we headed for the border and beyond.

Ready to roll!!.......



And first stop for a coffee was at the famous Hartside Cafe......



The route from there took us over towards Northumberland and the East Coast, then on across the border into Scotland, headed towards the bridge at Edinburgh.
It was here that we called in to visit TRN member Chris who was to join us for the remainder of the day.
Chris lives in an old castle near Edinburgh!!.....



After filling up with a mountain of bacon and sausages we headed on further north, crossing the Forth Road Bridge and the Tay Bridge on the way.

The road north from there takes us into the Cairngorms and some very fine biking roads indeed.
The weather had been a bit patchy all day but for most of this stretch it remained dry and allowed us to open it up a bit! ;D

On the way.................
(the mountain on the right is Chris!!).............





And onwards to our first stop-off in Braemar.
Here's our lodgings for the night.........

 
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#2 ·
Day Two.............

After a very restful night, mainly due to the fact that the hotel bar shut far earlier than we really wanted it to, it was an early start on our treck northward.
The intention was to reach the very north coast at Tongue (more of that later!) and the start down the West coast towards the next stop at Ullapool.

The roads on this leg varied between single-track to all-out blasting twisties.
And thankfully the weather was fairly kind all the way.

On the way, looking over the Dornoch Firth towards Bonar Bridge.......



Another "comfort stop" for Dave!!............



And on to the North Coast.................



As previously mentioned, the first stop on the coast was the village of Tongue, which overlooks the causeway across the Kyle of Tongue.

We couldn’t resist it, but what on earth had Dave been eating!!!! :eek: ........



The causeway across the Kyle..............



And further on towards Durness, then southward. Some of the finest biking roads in the UK.
And some nice beaches and stunning scenery too!...............









 
#3 ·
We made Ullapool in pretty good time after a cracking days riding.
Here's our stop-off for the night......



And enjoying some well-earned light refreshment...........

 
#4 · (Edited)
Day 3................

And it was overindulgence in the "refreshments" that were to lead to the temporary downfall of one of our party!! :)

For some of us our stay in Ullapool was very pleasant, uneventful and most enjoyable.
For others (no names mentioned!) it resulted in a very late night indeed, tales of swimming in the Loch at blur-o-clock in the morning and prolonged over-indulgence in a certain Tennessee liquor!! :eek:

It was at this stage we lost Dave to the after-effects of the close relationship he'd forged with a certain J. Daniels the night before!
He took the direct, main road route, to our next planned stop and went to bed!!!!

Anyway, the remaining 3 stalwarts continued as planned.

Our route was to take us down the fantastic roads of the west coast, including the road to Applecross which takes in the "Pass of the Cattle", this being one of the countries highest passes and boasting the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level at Applecross to 626 metres (2,054 ft)

On the road south............



Unfortunately it was on this leg that, without warning, my chain decided to part company with my bike
and slither up the road like a speeding snake!!
Not to worry tho, as I’d packed a split link in my “survival pack”.
A quick visit to the garage in the next village saw the offending broken link ground off and back to the bike
to refit the oily culprit……



An hour later we’re on our way again and onward towards Applecross..............





Unfortunately the road thro the Pass was so high we were well above cloud level and this is all we saw!!...........



And somewhere up there is where we'd just been!!...........



Not to worry tho, it was on towards the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh................


 
#5 ·
Then over to the Isle and back to the mainland on the ferry..........



And eventually, from Mallaig to our last stop at North Ballachulish...........



It was here that we were reunited with Dave again, who'd recharged his batteries, shaken off the effects of his new-best-friend friend Mr Daniels, and had spent a relaxing afternoon watching a movie on TV!!
Shame on him!! :mad:

A couple of us chose the “Haggis, neeps and tatties” from the menu that night.
And very nice too!!!!
As pointed out elsewhere this is a very up-market version of this Scottish favorite dish.
Three-tiered, with haggis on the top, turnip in the middle and potato on the bottom.
And a fantastic sauce.
Delicious and highly recommended!!!..........

 
#6 · (Edited)
Day 4.............

We woke to some pretty heavy rain for the first time on the trip.
This was to stay with us for the remained of the Scottish leg of the journey.
But not to worry, at least it was warm rain!!

Views from our hotel............





From Ballachulish it was a ride thro Glen Coe, but on this day the weather wasn’t good enough for the usual photo stops.

Onward to Inveraray in the rain..............





And south on some more great biking roads to our next ferry to Dunoon, over the Firth of Clyde............



From here it was a run down the Ayrshire coast and then another great road across country towards Castle Douglas and onto the VERY twisty A712 to Dumfries.

From here we were soon back in England and heading towards Gumps house again to say hello and have a much needed cuppa.

Here we said farewell to Ian who lives to the west and the remaining three of us carried on for the last 50 miles south to home.

All in all another excellent trip, great scenery, great roads, great company and some great stories to recount in the future (Dave!!)

Just a pity that Steve wasn’t with us on this occasion.
But there's always next time!!

Lookin' forward to it already!! :D

V.
 
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