Tour: Scotland
Day 1: Home to London Sleeper Train
Warm and dry
4 miles
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
This year’s epic tour of Scotland began with the 11:50 train from Newton Abbot to London via Bath. We were travelling to Scotland on the overnight sleeper from London and had booked an early train up because we had been told the bikes would be leaving three hours earlier than the sleeper, on a special courier. They subsequently found room for the bikes on the sleeper train, so now we had some time on our hands to enjoy some of the London sights.
Both Jude and Dillan prefer countryside and wildlife to the bustle of city life, so we rode to Regent’s Park and enjoyed drinks and cakes outside the Boathouse Café: Dillan enjoyed a quarter-slice a watermelon and Jude’s Lavender Cake was apparently nicer than it sounds! The weather was quite warm so we stumped up the £21 required for a half hour pedal boat session on the lake - Michael let the boys do all the pedalling though.
Next stop was the tiny Pizza Hut in Baker Street where Jude naughtily sent a photo to his Mum of Dillan with two pizzas and suggested he was having both of them to himself – he refused to retract it, saying his Mum would know it was a joke, but I’m not at all sure she did.
A short ride of a mile and a half brought us to Euston station for around 7pm, and after a wait of about an hour and a half we were finally allowed to board the sleeper train. Sadly the introduction of new trains had been delayed until the autumn so we had the same old cramped berths that we had in 2010, but we had everything we needed and it was a bit of an adventure.
Everyone got a good night’s sleep except Michael, who was woken up at 4am to move the bikes. The very long train from London splits into three sections at Edinburgh, each going to a different destination, and the guard’s van for our Fort William section could not be taken all the way from London. So Michael volunteered to get up and move all three bikes singlehandedly from one end of the train to the other so that the others didn’t have to get up.
Paddington Rail Station, London
(Taken by Michael at 15:22 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Regents Park, London
(Taken by Michael at 15:59 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Jude enjoys Lavender Cake at the Boathouse Café, Regents Park, London
(Taken by Michael at 16:18 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Dillan and Jude pedal hard on the Regents Park Boating Lake
(Taken by Michael at 17:04 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Regents Park Boating Lake
(Taken by Michael at 17:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Friday 20 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 2: Fort William Sleepter Train to Fort William B&B
Damp start, warm and dry later
8 miles
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Complimentary breakfast on the sleeper train these days consists only of a hot or cold drink - the croissant is now a chargeable extra. We got some great views of Rannoch Moor from our bunk beds, but the spells of rain did not look too promising for our planned assault of Ben Nevis later.
The light rain was still in evidence as we disembarked at Fort William at 10am. As we still hadn’t had any proper breakfast, the café at Nevis Sport seemed liked a great idea for a first port of call. It turned out to be excellent, on the upper floor of a modern pyramid-shaped glass building, with large portions of food and drink available for much less than we usually pay in Devon. Dillan had such a large plate of beans on toast for £2.50 that he couldn’t eat it all!
The jolly proprietor of the Nevis Bakery supplied us with a range of hot pizzas, pasties and pies for our Ben Nevis adventure and assured us we would like them so much we would be back for more tomorrow morning. Fully stocked with provisions we rode the few miles up to Glen Nevis youth hostel, which this year had been fully booked when we were looking for accommodation. It looked very different from the last time we visited in 2010, so we called in to chat with the warden. The hostel had just completed a £2 million refurbishment that included new cladding outside and the replacement of large dingy dorms with smaller, modern, light and airy rooms and a fabulous kitchen and reception. The warden kindly gave us a full tour – it really felt like a brand new hostel and we were quite disappointed that we had been unable to stay there.
We left our bikes in the bike shed and set off at 12:50 over the footbridge opposite the hostel that leads to the easy path up the mountain. There was still some light rain around and the top half of the mountain was shrouded in thick cloud so we didn’t think we’d be going too far up. By the time we arrived at the lake the mist was so thick that we couldn’t see any sign of it even though it was only a hundred metres away. We continued on a little way, expecting to turn back within thirty minutes, but then, as Michael filmed, the cloud lifted and the lake gradually became visible. Suddenly the summit seemed a possibility, and both lads were very keen, so on we pressed.
We were amused to see that virtually everyone we passed on the way up was kitted out with expensive boots, Gore-Tex coats, backpacks and walking poles while we were just wearing our cycling gear. We imagined them calling in to Nevis Sport, saying they wanted to climb the easy path up the highest mountain in the UK and being sold equipment more appropriate for an expedition up Mount Everest. Having said that, Michael would have put on his walking shoes rather than his cycling trainers if he had realised we were going to the top, but we certainly didn’t need walking poles.
The cloud was still lifting and conditions were remarkably hot for the time of year, so we were wearing just shorts and t-shirts as we neared the top, and our pace was slower in an attempt to stay cool. There was still snow lying in places on the mountain despite the warm weather. We finally arrived 3¾ hours after we set out from the hostel, a great achievement for everyone and only the second time in our club’s history that weather conditions allowed us to go all the way. The summit itself was up in the clouds but we could see everything we needed to see, including the refuge for people stuck on the mountain in bad weather and the triangulation marker on the peak, which of course Dillan had to stand on.
The return journey took 2¾ hours. We thought we had left at about the latest time to be sure of getting back before dark, but we were passing people going up even as we neared the bottom. We were told later that it never gets totally dark in the summer, but even so it’s probably not a great idea to be walking back down at 1am.
As we neared the bottom everyone had sore leg muscles but Michael was paying the price for wearing soft trainers - every step was painful. It was a great relief when we finally reached the hostel. Our walk had been 4.3 miles each way with a total climb of 1314m. Congratulations to everyone on a great achievement.
Michael wanted a coffee and a cake at the hostel but they only sold coffee and the other cafes we had seen earlier were closed. We ended up getting some food from Tesco and then going to the Pierhead Takeaway in Fort William for hot pizza, which we ate inside. There was then a 1.4 mile ride to Alltonside Guest House where we were very, very grateful for hot showers and a good night’s sleep.
View to Rannoch Moor from our sleeper train
(Taken by Michael at 08:40 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan at Fort William station
(Taken by Michael at 10:10 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Outside the Nevis Bakery, Fort William
(Taken by Michael at 11:27 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude outside the Nevis Bakery, Fort William
(Taken by Michael at 11:27 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The start of the path to Ben Nevis, from the bridge opposite the youth hostel - 22m above sea level
(Taken by Michael at 12:38 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Looking back to the youth hostel from the the bench
(Taken by Michael at 13:19 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Our first view of the lake - Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe - as the cloud lifts
(Taken by Michael at 14:29 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan fills Jude's glass bottle with spring water
(Taken by Michael at 14:38 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Higher up now with even clearer views
(Taken by Michael at 14:42 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The rocky upper sections of the path
(Taken by Michael at 15:30 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan near the top, with snow lying nearby
(Taken by Michael at 16:06 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude can never resist throwing snowballs
(Taken by Michael at 16:06 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Finally, the summit
(Taken by Michael at 16:26 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Waiting our turn to stand on the trig point on Ben Nevis Cairn
(Taken by Michael at 16:28 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude on the Ben Nevis trig point - 1345m above sea level
(Taken by Michael at 16:33 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Congratulations are in order as we get close to completing our walk
(Taken by Michael at 18:20 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Postcard in Sony HDR-PJ620 camera)
Saturday 21 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 3: Fort William to Morar B&B
45 miles (▲ 560m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
Dillan and Jude outside Alltonside Guest House, Fort William
(Taken by Michael at 10:08 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Coffee at Costa, Fort William
(Taken by Michael at 11:06 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The new footbridge over the River Lochy, near Old Inverlochy Castle
(Taken by Michael at 11:26 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Great Glen Way by the side of the Caledonian Canal at Corpach
(Taken by Michael at 11:37 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Crossing the lochs over the Caledonian Canal, Corpach
(Taken by Michael at 11:44 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Lunch by the Glenfinnan viaduct, used in the Harry Potter films
(Taken by Michael at 13:28 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Glenfinnan Monument on Loch Shiel, from the Glenfinnan viewpoint
(Taken by Michael at 13:28 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Looking down to the Glenfinnan viewpoint, from our lunch spot
(Taken by Michael at 13:29 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan by Loch Eilt
(Taken by Michael at 14:53 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
A steam train passes Loch Eilt on the way from Mallaig to Fort William
(Taken by Michael at 14:56 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
A chance sighting of a red deer at Lochailort
(Taken by Michael at 15:21 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Loch Ailort, our first view of the Atlantic Coast
(Taken by Michael at 15:28 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan overlooking Loch Ailort
(Taken by Michael at 15:28 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Approaching Loch nan Uamh
(Taken by Michael at 15:41 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The sea front at Arisaig, scene of a major incident on our 1996 Summer tour
(Taken by Michael at 17:09 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude at Arisaig sea front
(Taken by Michael at 17:10 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude by the sea at Arisaig
(Taken by Michael at 17:12 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Michael and Jude at Arisaig
(Taken by Michael at 17:13 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
First view of Mallaig, with the station on the right
(Taken by Michael at 18:06 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan and Michael enjoy soup and a burger at the West Highland Hotel, Mallaig
(Taken by Michael at 20:40 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Sunday 22 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 4: Mallaig to Plockton B&B
34 miles (▲ 389m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
Ready to leave Bank House guest house, Mallaig
(Taken by Michael at 10:23 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View from Bank House guest house, Mallaig, to the ferry terminal
(Taken by Michael at 10:25 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Mallaig, from the Skye ferry
(Taken by Michael at 11:06 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
On board the ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye
(Taken by Michael at 11:23 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
On board the ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye
(Taken by Michael at 11:23 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The ferry docks at Armadale, Isle of Skye
(Taken by Michael at 11:35 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
A very welcome coffee at The Hub café, Camuscross, Isle of Skye
(Taken by Michael at 12:59 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
A shrubby cycle path near Kinloch
(Taken by Michael at 13:39 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Christmas Trees invade the cycle path near Kinloch
(Taken by Michael at 13:44 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The Isle of Skye at Upper Breaknish
(Taken by Michael at 14:19 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Ashaig Cemetary as seen from Upper Breaknish, with the isle of Pabay beyond
(Taken by Michael at 14:27 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Skye Bridge, first opened in 1995
(Taken by Michael at 14:52 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Preparing to leave Hector's Bothy, a good value restaurant at Kyle of Lochalsh
(Taken by Michael at 16:55 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View to Drumbuie from Loch Erbusaig
(Taken by Michael at 17:25 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude at Duirinish
(Taken by Michael at 17:35 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Plockton High School
(Taken by Michael at 17:47 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan at Plockton
(Taken by Michael at 17:56 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Plockton Post Office - still a wooden shed, although different from the one they had on our last visit
(Taken by Michael at 20:16 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan try out the equipment in Plockton play park
(Taken by Michael at 20:24 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Plockton Pier
(Taken by Michael at 20:40 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Plockton Pier - tranquil and beautiful
(Taken by Michael at 20:46 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Monday 23 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 5: Plockton to Applecross YH
37 miles (▲ 1191m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
Dillan in our cosy attic room at Hill View, Plockton
(Taken by Michael at 10:00 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Hill View guest house, Plockton
(Taken by Michael at 10:03 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Hill View guest house, Plockton
(Taken by Michael at 10:04 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View to Loch Carron, from Craig
(Taken by Michael at 10:46 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
View to Loch Carron, from the viewpoint above Stromeferry
(Taken by Michael at 11:20 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Leaving the excellent Carron restaurant near Strathcarron
(Taken by Michael at 13:03 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Approaching Lochcarron
(Taken by Michael at 13:24 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
View across Loch Carron, from the Waterside Café at Lochcarron
(Taken by Michael at 14:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Approaching Ardarroch, with the mountains of the Applecross peninsula beyond
(Taken by Michael at 14:55 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View to the Applecross peninsula, from Seafield, Ardarroch
(Taken by Michael at 15:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View to Cnoc nan Uan and the first part of our climb to the Pass of the Cattle, from Seafield, Ardnarroch
(Taken by Michael at 15:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Severe warning signs as we start the big climb from Tornapress
(Taken by Michael at 15:18 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
First part of the big climb from Tornapress, looking towards Loch Kishorn
(Taken by Michael at 15:26 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View over Loch Kishorn to Ardnarroch
(Taken by Michael at 16:05 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
View over Loch Kishorn towards Plockton, from the Applecross road
(Taken by Michael at 16:07 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View back towards Ardarroch, from the higher reaches of the Applecross road
(Taken by Michael at 17:00 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The final hairpin bends
(Taken by Michael at 17:17 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Red deer in the mountains
(Taken by Michael at 17:18 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
View from the hairpin bends near the top of the Pass of the Cattle
(Taken by Michael at 17:33 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
View from the hairpin bends near the top of the Pass of the Cattle
(Taken by Michael at 17:35 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
The Bealach na Ba, or Pass of the Cattle, at the very top of the hill, 626m above sea level
(Taken by Michael at 17:52 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
View towards the islands of Scalpay and Raasay, with Skye beyond, on the descent from Bealach na Ba
(Taken by Michael at 18:01 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
A much needed coffee and warm-up at The Junction café, Applecross
(Taken by Michael at 19:10 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Applecross Youth Hostel
(Taken by Michael at 22:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude outside Applecross youth hostel
(Taken by Michael at 22:11 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Tuesday 24 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 6: Applecross to Torridon YH
36 miles (▲ 639m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
Applecross youth hostel
(Taken by Michael at 10:05 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude at The Junction café, Applecross
(Taken by Michael at 10:57 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Junction café, Applecross
(Taken by Michael at 10:58 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Loch a Mhuilinn, Milltown, between Applecross and Camusterrach
(Taken by Michael at 11:04 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
A & J Brown General Stores and Post Office, Camusterrach, Applecross
(Taken by Michael at 11:28 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Loch a Mhuilinn and Milltown, from the Camusterrach road
(Taken by Michael at 11:37 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Shore Street, Applecross
(Taken by Michael at 11:42 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The sign for the "new" Applecross road, completed in 1976
(Taken by Michael at 12:03 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Applecross Bay, from Cruarg
(Taken by Michael at 12:09 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Applecross Bay, from Cruarg
(Taken by Michael at 12:09 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Our lunch spot at Kalnakille
(Taken by Michael at 12:58 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Kalnakille, showing old desserted houses along with newly refurbished houses
(Taken by Michael at 12:58 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Highland cattle near Cuaig
(Taken by Michael at 13:50 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Highland cattle near Cuaig
(Taken by Michael at 13:52 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Highland cattle near Cuaig
(Taken by Michael at 13:53 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Michael gets close to a young Highland male, much to Dillan's consternation
(Taken by Michael at 13:54 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Kenmore and Loch a Chracaich, off Loch Torridon
(Taken by Michael at 14:51 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Approaching Ardheslaig
(Taken by Michael at 15:27 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Preparing to leave Nanny's café at Shieldaig
(Taken by Michael at 16:59 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Approaching Torridon
(Taken by Michael at 18:07 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Wednesday 25 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 7: Torridon to Gairloch B&B
32 miles (▲ 347m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
Jude and Dillan outside Torridon youth hostel
(Taken by Michael at 10:13 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Leaving Torridon Café & General Stores
(Taken by Michael at 10:56 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude, Dillan and Michael at the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve sign
(Taken by Michael at 11:39 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Whistle Stop café at Kinlochewe
(Taken by Michael at 12:54 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan at the Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre, Kinlochewe
(Taken by Michael at 13:30 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Lunch by the main road on the banks of Loch Maree, near Talladale
(Taken by Michael at 14:39 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Loch Maree from near Victoria Falls, Slattadale
(Taken by Michael at 15:00 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Kerry Falls HEP Station - switched off during the dry weather
(Taken by Michael at 15:42 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The rope swing at Kerrysdale, scene of great amusement on our 1993 Scotland tour video
(Taken by Michael at 15:57 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Thursday 26 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 8: Gairloch to Ullapool YH
Hot and sunny
39 miles (▲ 876m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
The twin bedroom at the Mountain Lodge guest house, Gairloch
(Taken by Michael at 10:12 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Jude's four-poster bed at the Mountain Lodge guest house, Gairloch
(Taken by Michael at 10:13 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The Mountain Lodge guest house, Gairloch
(Taken by Michael at 10:21 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Preparing to leave the Mountain Lodge guest house, Gairloch
(Taken by Michael at 10:22 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Loch Tollaidh, between Gairloch and Poolewe
(Taken by Michael at 10:59 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Leaving Poolewe after a welcom cold drink in the café
(Taken by Michael at 11:34 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Loch Ewe, from Leathad Mòr near Drumchork
(Taken by Michael at 12:08 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Aird Point and Altbea, from Leathad Mòr near Drumchork
(Taken by Michael at 12:08 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan with the Isle of Ewe, from Leathad Mòr near Drumchork
(Taken by Michael at 12:08 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Our slightly shady lunch spot at Second Coast
(Taken by Michael at 13:13 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Gruinard Island, from just beyond Second Coast
(Taken by Michael at 13:17 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The fabulous beach at Gruinard Bay
(Taken by Michael at 13:32 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan at the Little Loch Broom viewpoint near Badcaul
(Taken by Michael at 14:27 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Little Loch Broom, from the viewpoint near Badcaul, with Priest Island and Bottle Island in the distance
(Taken by Michael at 14:27 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude and Dillan at the Little Loch Broom viewpoint near Badcaul
(Taken by Michael at 14:28 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Starting the final climb from Strath Beag, Dundonnell
(Taken by Michael at 16:04 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Hot and humid conditions near Beinn nam Ban
(Taken by Michael at 16:35 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The top, at Loch na h-Airbhe
(Taken by Michael at 17:00 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Starting the rough descent down the track to the old Altnaharrie Inn
(Taken by Michael at 17:00 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Descending to Loch Broom, with Ullapool on the far side
(Taken by Michael at 17:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Ullapool, from the track to the Altnaharrie Inn
(Taken by Michael at 17:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Stornoway ferry prepares to leave Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 17:09 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Nearing the jetty on Loch Broom
(Taken by Michael at 17:18 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Our speedboat leaves the jetty by the old Altnaharrie Inn
(Taken by Michael at 17:27 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Speeding across Loch Broom
(Taken by Michael at 17:29 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Approaching Ullapool as the Stornoway ferry starts to depart
(Taken by Michael at 17:31 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude on Shore Street, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 21:35 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude on Shore Street, Ullapool, with the ferry pier behind
(Taken by Michael at 21:35 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The moon sets on Dillan and Jude by Loch Broom, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 22:06 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude at Loch Broom, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 22:08 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude at Loch Broom, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 22:08 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Shore Street, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 22:16 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Michael, Jude and Dillan on Shore Street, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 22:19 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Friday 27 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 9: Ullapool to Achmelvich YH
Hot and sunny
34 miles (▲ 810m)
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
The cosy twin room at Tenterden guest house, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 09:56 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Tenterden guest house, Ullapool
(Taken by Michael at 09:59 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The signs up here are usually quite simple
(Taken by Michael at 10:46 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Turning off the main road towards the Summer Isles at Drumrunie
(Taken by Michael at 12:04 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude cycle off towards the impressive Stac Pollaidh from near Drumrunie
(Taken by Michael at 12:17 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Stac Pollaidh
(Taken by Michael at 12:36 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Information sign in the Stac Pollaidh car park
(Taken by Dillan at 12:40 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Riding along the banks of Loch Bad a'Ghaill
(Taken by Michael at 12:47 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Loch Bad a'Ghaill
(Taken by Michael at 12:51 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude, with Stach Pollaidh behind
(Taken by Michael at 12:54 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Our lunch stop at Badnagyle was brought to an abrupt end by a swarm of midges
(Taken by Michael at 13:25 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Heading for the coast on the Mad Little Road to Wester Ross
(Taken by Michael at 13:41 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Small lake near the Black Loch on the Mad Little Road to Wester Ross
(Taken by Michael at 14:00 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The Black Loch
(Taken by Michael at 14:07 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Our first sight of the beautiful Enard Bay
(Taken by Michael at 14:25 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan by Enard Bay with its many islands
(Taken by Michael at 14:33 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Inside the Achins Bookshop and Coffee Shop, Inverkirkaig
(Taken by Michael at 15:19 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Michael enjoying coffee at Inverkirkaig
(Taken by Jude at 15:20 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Leaving the coffee shop at Inverkirkaig
(Taken by Michael at 15:30 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Lochinver primary school
(Taken by Michael at 15:57 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Approaching Achmelvich
(Taken by Michael at 17:11 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude on the magnificent beach at Achmelvich
(Taken by Michael at 17:57 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Heading to the second beach
(Taken by Michael at 18:03 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Difficult access to the secluded second beach
(Taken by Michael at 18:09 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan finally plucks up courage to get his feet wet on the second beach
(Taken by Michael at 18:25 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The sand dunes behind the second beach
(Taken by Michael at 18:40 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Achmelvich Bay
(Taken by Michael at 18:46 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Michael on Achmelvich beach as the sunset nears
(Taken by Jude at 21:27 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Michael and Dillan on Achmelvich beach
(Taken by Jude at 21:31 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Jude in the sunset on Achmelvich beach
(Taken by Michael at 21:37 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Jude photographs Dillan on Achmelvich beach
(Taken by Michael at 21:38 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Sunset at Achmelvich
(Taken by Michael at 21:39 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The clear waters of Achmelvich at sunset
(Taken by Michael at 21:39 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Sunset at Achmelvich
(Taken by Michael at 21:40 using Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge digital camera)
Michael and Dillan at Achmelvich
(Taken by Jude at 21:43 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Dillan and Michael at Achmelvich
(Taken by Jude at 21:44 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Saturday 28 July 2018
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Scotland
Day 10: Achmelvich to Bonar Bridge B&B
3 Participants:
Dillan Edwards, Michael Jones, Jude Norris
Report to follow.
Achmelvich youth hostel common room
(Taken by Michael at 09:59 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Our 5-bed dormitory at Achmelvich hostel
(Taken by Michael at 10:00 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Achmelvich youth hostel
(Taken by Michael at 10:05 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
Waiting for the bus at Lochinver's main bus stop
(Taken by Michael at 12:34 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Glad to be in the bus on this very wet afternoon
(Taken by Michael at 14:37 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Jude on the bus
(Taken by Michael at 14:56 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Our bus, complete with cycle trailer, at Lairg train station
(Taken by Michael at 15:25 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The "interesting" Google shortcut down to quiet the Achany Glen road from near the station
(Taken by Michael at 15:44 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
The footbridge over the River Shin in Achany Glen
(Taken by Michael at 15:46 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Footbridge over the River Shin near Lairg station
(Taken by Michael at 15:48 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
The quiet, woody, scenic road along Achany Glen
(Taken by Michael at 16:16 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Dillan at the Shin Bridge, Invershin
(Taken by Michael at 16:20 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Our favourite youth hostel of all time, Carbisdale Castle, now sadly in private ownership
(Taken by Michael at 16:34 using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)
Ardgay Stores & Highland Café, providing us with excellent value meals
(Taken by Michael at 18:34 using Nikon D5300 digital camera)
HD Video footage from today's ride, re-rendered to 50fps
(Taken by Michael using Sony HDR-PJ620 digital camera)