Scotland 2006

I left home at 2.30am to meet up with Mike and Lindsay on route. After a pleasant journey we arrived in Ullapool around 12 noon. We found a good spot on the campsite with enough space for all of our entourage to set up camp.

On Sunday morning we had the usual discussion about where to go and who would lead. We set off to tour the northwest coast visiting Loch Osgaig, overlooking the Summer Isles; we followed the coast making a scenic circular tour. We then headed towards Loch Inver and on to Unapool where we enjoyed refreshments at a quaint little café where they kept two pigs as pets. A fuel stop was made at Newton and then we took the A894 and A835 to Ullapool. The Scenery was stunning and the roads a joy to ride. Most of the car drivers pulled over to let us pass and we took loads of photos, words cannot describe the breath taking views and scenery!

It was decided to go back to the Applecross Pass. Mike led most of the time and took the group to Gairloch for a toilet stop and then up a dead end road, past a snarling dog to Red Point, a viewing point looking over Skye, where we had lunch and Dave fed a pony with his apple core. Afterwards it was back to the main road to Kinlochewe where we fuelled up and headed for Shieldaig and then to the Applecross peninsula. We went up the hairpins from the east side stopping at the panorama at the summit. Jim decided to test his trail bike riding skills by riding up to the radio mast on the highest point of the peninsula. He went alone while the rest watched. On his return we all went down to Applecross for a welcome cuppa at the pub overlooking Ramsey Island. The weather was beautiful. From there we travelled around the peninsula, where Mike accidently left the road to try out his grass tracking skills. We continued around the peninsula and headed back to the campsite.

Details of the bike can be found here....

Monday Morning. Are we? Are we not? We DID and it was fantastic. It had been decided that we would go on a boat trip to the Summer Isles where we saw seal colonies, a shoal of white bait rippling on the sea surface. Jim slept for about half of the time; we knew he was asleep because he had stopped talking! On the Summer Isles Dave, Pat and I found the only Geo-cache on the Island. Dave decided to cross to the cairn at the highest point and had a mad dash back to catch the ferry. On our return to camp, Mike & Jim fell asleep while Pat & Dave, Colin & Marg & I (looking like a character from Little Britain with my little shorts on!) went for a walk up Ullapool Hill and got caught in a brief storm! Lindsay stayed back at WAM Camp and fell asleep when the other two woke up. That evening we all met up to try out the local fish and chips, from the Rick Stein approved chippy and everyone really enjoyed the food.

On my last day of the trip we headed north to visit the remains of Ardvrech Castle. From here we headed for Skiag Bridge were the group got split up due to a wrong turn. We all eventually met up at the café at Unapool where the café owner treated us like long lost friends. Once refreshed it was north to Durness where we met up with Colin and Marg, who had arrived in their camper van. Whilst enjoying our sandwiches, Dave was throwing bread to the gulls, which gave us a great flying display catching the food. Next it was a quick visit to Smoo Cave and then onto Loch Eriboll. From here we then took an unclassified road and after about an hour Dave stopped to check his rear tyre which was flat. Out came the tyre weld and the midgie spray and we were on our way again within minutes. Thirty miles later we joined the tarmac road another tyre check, petrol stop and then we headed for camp. This was another great adventure on our trip.

Tuesday morning we decided to travel inland to Loch Ness as it was still stormy, but dry. We had an excellent ride and again enjoyed lovely scenery. We had lunch at Loch Ness, walked up the Calendonian locks and again took photos. On our return, via Inverness, we filled our panniers and top boxes with a trolley full of curry ingredients. What a meal we enjoyed that night! Jim commented, 'Better than an Indian Restaurant.' There was nothing left. For dessert we had strawberries, followed by cheese and biscuits and yet again more alcohol. The wind had died down and we had a pleasant evening. The sunset was stunning.

Next - Fuerteventura 2006