Applecross and Skye (Scotland )

I had a plan, ride to Applecross (nr Strathcarron ) via the UKs only alpine pass, Bealach na ba, have some grub at the Applecross Inn and if time permitted, a visit to the island of Skye. A few mates were up for it, all we needed was a weather window to suit a long weekend and avoiding too much time off work. We got our window, five days of unbroken sunshine and temperatures of 24C which is err quite unusual for this part of the world.

We rode from Ireland via Larne/Troon ferry to Gourock for the Dunoon ferry which had us straight into the Argyll scenery and single track roads. In a car this means having to use passing places as there is only room for one vehicle at a time but on bikes there is no hassle as long as you slow down on blind crests and corners. There ain't a lot of room and cars take up most of the road.

Argyll. The scenery just got better and better the farther north we went. This was one of my first pics



Beautiful location by the sea with moorings for visiting yachts but £3 for two wee slices of garlic bread??





Tighnabruich viewpoint



A hairy moment...thought we were looking at a cow but on inspection found it to be a young bull. A lot of the single track roads are unfenced!


Inverary, a quick ice cream and move on



Connel bridge near Oban



First days run complete, we hadn't booked accomodation, there was none available locally due to the good weather so we ended up in the Lancaster Hotel in Oban. A bit run down but excellent if you like listening to a full on Scottish "domestic" outside your window after closing time.

To be continued after British lions rugby match just starting on TV.


The B863 Glencoe to Ballahulish. thanks for the recommendation Aidan1150
Looking towards Kinlochleven top right



Towards Glencoe









Jockser

Nice start, Terry, keep it coming.

Haven't seen the sunny side of Scotland that often - you were really lucky!

Nice view of the Isle of Bute in your first picture ! (the big bit on the right).

You certainly got the weather.

Rugby matches take too long. Seems like a long time to wait for more pictures. :ddog

Thanks for the comments guys, always glad of pos feedback....( serial ebayer ). You back on the road again Pumpy?

Should also say beware of ******g numpties coming around corners in the middle of the road.



After the worst bends coming up from the east 6.30pm sun goin down



can't photograph the wind that was trying to send us back down the mountain


nearly there

mountain with a chubby on top


the descent, at least you can see well ahead most of the time





Mission accomplished YO!

Chubbythumper, Noel, Jaws100



some of the area

Came back out of Applecross the same way we went in (oor the hill). Too much fun to take the coastal route. Another day perhaps.

Glen Garry, a 20 mile dead end single track to a sea lough. Looks like wild camping is ok around here as we saw a few tents on the way in. Very few people though, maybe the midgies gottem. This was recommended to us by a UKGSer. see what you think for yourself...







down through the glen rode the fearless men










The last wee bit....stunning






end of the line was at a very small turning point where we had our first swim of the run.Very refreshing (read cold). Managed a bit of off road from a track leading onto the tidal estuary. One of the best moments of my trip. so quiet when the engines stop.

Skye will have to be a whole nother trip on its own. We were concious of time constraints so decided to quickly visit the south of the island which is supposed to be the most scenic.We crossed onto Skye using the Glenelg to Kylerea ferry after going down the single track from Shiel Bridge. Staying to the south of the island to see the black Cuillin followed next day by a run down Glenbrittle to see the red Cuillin.

Ride on slowly please






The road into skye from Kylerea ferry



Cuillins



tea breaks, we had not a few. 65 Knots of wind recorded right here just last week.


Glen brittle a lovely run in with a good campsite and beach at the end. Some guy had taken a 4wheel drive and an Airstream down there....respect

[

About this time we three senior members in appreciation of the glorious weather with no sign of a let up, made various call to work and higher authorities pleading for an extra day.Noel had to head back. It all came together so next day (Monday) we took the Ferry to Mallaig from Skye. Sad to note I believe a biker had been killed on the Mallaig road on the previous saturday. RIP.







Mallaig to circuit of Lough Awe followed by double trip up and down Glen Orchy. It was so good we rode it twice!

Daily dip taken at a beach just outside Mallaig. Yes this is Scotland...





Bigfoot sighting Lough Awe



Isn't she lovely (cue Stevie Wonder) yes I left the lights on, no kickstart ya ya ya



Glen Orchy, these pics don't do it justice





Bridge leading to locked gates ..ah well



great fun but keep your ass well back1






I hope this has given you an idea of what to expect in the highlands. We were very lucky with the weather and have made an offering of a stick of rock to our Irish sun goddess. Next time I fancy some wild camping in some of the more remote areas with the odd night in a b+b and I'll bring me own Jameson, that scotch just doesn't do it for me!

















Many thanks to Aidan1150 , Jockser and Jaws100 for the track maps

Great pics, thanks so much for sharing!!

I have to make it to Scotland one of these days....my maiden name is MacLean and I really want to see "my" castle, the Duart Castle.

More please!!

Ride on...

Aye there were castles too, this aint Duart . Afraid we got no respect for the folks in the castle


you may find this link interesting. Looks like the Macleans took the wrong side long ago.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/mull/duartcastle/index.html

Chubby

Cool, thanks! Yeah, guess I have a pretty brutal family history

Excellent pics!

Thanks, for moving Scotland a bit higher on the list.

Good stuff,great pics

My wife will visit Scotland this summer, her pictures better be as good as yours.
Jim

Great ride report & pics ChuppyThumper ....... if you bring the wee bottle of Jameson I might even go wild camping with you next time around
Great trip, good weather & good company...what more could you ask for
John

Well, thats blown the secret roads to kingdom come hasn't it!
Looks like you were blessed with the weather.
Thanks for that CT - always look forward to going back there in not too distant future. Road to Uig on Skye is pretty good if you do it anti-clockwise but the remainder route (the west side) wasn't re-surfaced when we last went last year.

Went to Ft William by car in 96. Need to go back to tour on bike.
Stunning!!

Greetings from Holland.

Good report and pics there Terry. It's a pity I couldn't make this trip but I'm glad that you enjoyed the routes I suggested.