Loadsa miles around Scotland

[Stuarty]

Unfortunately it was in the car

Anyway, it was still a damn good run and would be even better on the bike.

The first was up tae Banchory via Dundee then across tae Gairloch via Nairn.

Spent 2 nights in a The Old Inn at Gairloch and it was feckin brill. Was only meant tae be there for 1 night but it was so good we decided tae stay for 2. The Old Inn is biker friendly, in fact there were 7 bikers in when we were there.

Recommended!

The route taken:

EK--> Dundee-->Banchory-->Nairn--> Gairloch-->Ullapool--> Inverness--> --> A82 to Fort Augustus--> Spean Bridge--> Fort William--> Crianlarich and back tae EK. Total journey was aboot 650 miles.

Sights were amazin.

Click on the pic



Stopped off at the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. Its quite a sight and emotional tae especially with the photos and epitaphs of those recently lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well worth the visit if yer up that way



Oan Saturday we headed doon tae Newcastle and decided tae go cross country . The route:

EK--> Biggar --> Moffat--> Doon the A701 and on tae the A708 --> Grey Mares tail -->St Marys Loch--> Hawick--> Carter Bar and doon through Ponteland in tae Newcastle




Feckin brill! They motorways are for mugs and those in a hurry

[banquo]

The Old Inn's one of our haunts as well Stuarty. More accommodation now they have the other hotel up the hill, but breakfast is better at the original Inn. We discovered it at a music festival a few years back, and liked it so much, we went back on the bike.

Not cheap, but excellent food, a real pint, and friendly enough.

Midgies are murderous though. The road from Garve to Achnasheen is the best anywhere, but watch out for deer (loads of them) at dawn and dusk.

The other approach is from the South, from Skye, Kyle, Lochcarron, Applecross via the Bealach (if you're very brave) or direct to Torridon and on to Gairloch.

Wester Ross is the most beautiful place in the world.

[Stuarty]

Originally Posted by banquo

The Old Inn's one of our haunts as well Stuarty. More accommodation now they have the other hotel up the hill, but breakfast is better at the original Inn. We discovered it at a music festival a few years back, and liked it so much, we went back on the bike.

Not cheap, but excellent food, a real pint, and friendly enough.

Midgies are murderous though. The road from Garve to Achnasheen is the best anywhere, but watch out for deer (loads of them) at dawn and dusk.

The other approach is from the South, from Skye, Kyle, Lochcarron, Applecross via the Bealach (if you're very brave) or direct to Torridon and on to Gairloch.

Wester Ross is the most beautiful place in the world.

With ya on that Especially the bit about the midgies, but nothin is free in this world

I first visited Gairloch 8 or so years ago when auditing the nearby NATO POL point. Was really struck by Gairloch, its a smashin place to be. Went up via Fort Bill and the Kyle, what a road! Not very fast but, due to the scenery, its as dangerous as the A9! It must be so easy to get "water in yer carb" simply by not paying attention when running alongside the unfenced lochsides which are no more than a foot away in places.

The plan this time was to go back down via the Kyle and on to the Fort but wasnt able to hence the run down the A82. This in itself is a great run.

The view down to Loch Maree is simply magnificent!

In the bar of The Old Inn Think I was the only Scots voice, place was full of all sorts....especially that lot fae south of Carter Bar....bless them. They are more than welcome to our great country....in spite of everything!

[banquo]

Originally Posted by Stuarty

The view down to Loch Maree is simply magnificent!

It was my avatar for the past couple of years...