I've had to do this in more than one section because it exceeds the maximum amount of characters for one post!
Link to previous thread (http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,154.msg1148.html#msg1148)
Well, it crept up on me and then as quick as a flash it was over but the bits in between will stay with me forever. Overall it was a great trip. Some highs and some lows and one major disappointment but I'm glad I completed it and experienced what so many of you do on here year by year, travelling on two wheels and fulfilling your dreams.
You have to remember it's been over twenty years since I have toured on a motorcycle anywhere where it involved staying overnight so this was a challenge but a challenge I was seriously looking forward to. Initially the basic plan was to choose a destination between Scotland, Ireland or Devon & Cornwall. Ultimately Scotland won hands down and once that decision had been made I swiftly set about booking accommodation for the three nights I would be away.
The plan was to stay at Loch Lomond on the first night before moving up to Lochness on Saturday and finally having one night's lodgings at Portpatrick on Sunday before heading home on the Monday. Three nights and four days experiencing the thrills but hopefully no spills of Scotland.
Friday 17th June 2011 saw me dragging myself out of bed at the crack of dawn and loading up my already packed bags into my panniers. The entire route programmed into the Zumo 550, Autocom connected and by 06:15 I was on my way leaving my wife and dogs behind. Sad times, I've never been away from my wife before so I didn't know how long I would survive!
I wanted to get a bit of a wriggle on and get to Loch Lomond as early as possible so that I could perhaps have a ride about once I arrived but at the same time I didn't want to be bored rigid by motorways such as the M6 so I decided to head up towards The Lakes going through Crosthwaite, Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside and on towards Keswick.
My style is to ride at a sensible pace and take photographs of things which appeal to me or catch my eye so I have to admit that my typical rides do include a fair bit of stopping and starting.
Not unusually, once I arrived in The Lakes it started to rain, steady at first but then more intense. I still managed to snap a few quick photos off of various things but I didn't get as many photos taken on day one as I would have liked. As I rode through Crosthwaite in The lakes I came across a building with character, the local Church which without being insulting looked more like a converted garage.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/CrosthwaiteChurch.jpg)
As I continued through the single lane tracks of Crosthwaite heading toward Bowness-On-Windermere a sign at the roadside caught my eye and I had to turn around to take a quick photograph of it, nothing bizarre but a rare sign warning of red squirrels. I can't even remember when I last saw a red squirrel so to see a sign warning you to look out for them struck me as being unusual.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/RedSquirrels.jpg)
Well I only had one other stop on English soil and that was just outside Rydal where due to the rain I thought I'd better put my waterproof cover over my tank bag to protect the Autocom and other gadgets I had stashed away inside the bag.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/BeyondAmbleside.jpg)
From Rydal area in The Lakes I took a fairly direct route but still avoiding the motorways as much as possible up towards Junction 42 of the M6 via Keswick. This route cut out a huge chunk of the boring M6 as I would normally have got on the M6 just outside Kirkby Lonsdale and then headed up through Penrith.
So, now the journey gets well under way. Up the M6 for a short stint before joining the A74M and then the M74 towards Glasgow. I didn't bother stopping in Glasgow, instead I carried on through the rain which was exceptionally heavy now directly up towards Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park via Dumbarton on the A82.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/RainingPersistently.jpg)
The plan was to go up through the park up to the A85 and then down the left side of the A82 to my first night's lodgings at http://www.innischonainhouse.co.uk/ which is in Tarbet, Arrochar.
The ride through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park was enjoyable despite the very poor weather conditions. I don't recall where this next photo was taken other than within the park but I thought I'd pull over and try and catch an atmospheric cloud shot just to prove how bad the weather was. Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the weather off to its full potential.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/LowCloudOnMountain.jpg)
Perhaps this one does....it was grim to say the least.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/LowCloud2.jpg)
My gloves were dripping wet, I had the heated grips on and I was feeling cold. It wasn't supposed to rain on my bike trip.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/GTRatentrancetoHighlandHome.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Trossachs.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/HighlandHome.jpg)
Scotland's not Scotland without a shot of a Long Horn.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/AngusBull.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/YouLookingAtMe.jpg)
I had a quick trip into Aberfoyle to the Scottish Wool Centre before taking the winding A821 up towards the A84 to navigate around the top of the park.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/ScottishWoolCentre.jpg)
This is where my problems started. I arrived at my first night's lodgings just after 4pm, a reasonable time I thought, but unfortunately it was not convenient to the owners apparently. I parked my bike up on their private drive belonging to the guest house and knocked on the door, later followed by a ring on their door bell. There was no answer to either and to cut a very long story short I went to the local Information Centre and they found me some alternative accommodation in Balloch at the bottom end of Loch Lomond which was excellent. Here's the link, I can highly recommend them,
http://scotland2000.com/index.php?q=woodvale
It seems the original guest house I had booked with saw me arrive and then leave but chose not to answer their door to me. I got the impression from a conversation I had with them later this day and on Monday just gone that they do not welcome bikers into their property.
Anyway the lady who runs the Woodvale Guest House at Balloch could not have been kinder. She offered to dry all my bike gear which she did and the following morning it was all ready and waiting for me in my bathroom.
The following morning it was unfortunately still raining, so after getting kitted up again in all the water proofs I set off towards Tarbet again heading North back into the Park. However after ten minutes or so I rode out of the rain and although it was still a bit cloudy I never had to use my rain gear again.
I met a couple the previous day in the Information centre who were also trying to find accommodation and by chance I bumped into them down by the Loch with their two dogs. Both from Nottingham not a million miles from where I live.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/HowlingHuskyatLochLomond.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/HuskyaatLochLomond.jpg)
Boat trips if that's your thing. If the weather had been warmer I might have been tempted.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/LochLomondCruises.jpg)
This is where the trip really started for me. Out of Loch Lomond and into Glencoe, what a stunning location. Pipers by the roadside, to the guys credit he'd found himself a good pitch. A spacious parking area where the German and American tourists were pulling up by the coach load.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/BagPiperNearGlencoe.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/PiperandTourists.jpg)
As I travelled along the A82 towards Glencoe & entered the Highlands the terrain takes on a different appearance.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/GTRLochCarrann.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/PartGTRatGlencoe.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/GTRenteringtheScottishHighlands.jpg)
From Glencoe I headed into Fort William and then up to Spean Bridge to see the Commando Memorial. Unfortunately it was still very overcast but I enjoyed the visit, quite a sombre location for you to gather your thoughts.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/InformationonCommandoMemorial.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/CommandMemorialOffset.jpg)
Yes that's snow on the hills!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/SnowyHillsatSpeanBrdige.jpg)
From Spean Bridge I headed towards Kyle of Lochalsh as I have always wanted to visit Eilean Donan Castle.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/PanoramicEileanDonanCastle.jpg)
A mere £6 to tour the castle, very much worth a visit and an hour or so of your time. Stunning views.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/RiverviewsfromEileanDonanCastle.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/PathwaytoEileanDonanCastle.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/ExtendedViewuppathwaytoEileanDonan.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/Battlements3.jpg)
I came across this in the car park, an oldish Moto Guzzi all the way from Switzerland I think from the sticker on the plate.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Saturday%2018th%20June%202011/OldMotoGuzziatEileanDonanCastle.jpg)
That was it for Saturday, I spent the night at, http://www.glenrowan.co.uk/ in West Lewiston, Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire about a twenty minute walk from the banks of Loch Ness and Castle Urquhart. This accommodation was excellent. The owners of the house opened up their double garage and in I rode; the GTR all tucked up for the night, safe and sound. Drying facilities in the garage too should they be required. On the same road as the Glen Rowan is the Loch Ness Inn, http://www.staylochness.co.uk/ The proprietors of the Glen Rowan telephoned ahead and booked me a table as it was Saturday night and likely to be quite busy. Beautiful food, but a tad expensive for what you get but I suppose it goes with the territory being in such a popular tourist spot.
The following morning, Sunday 19th June I took a couple of photos of the Guest House. The rear of the house and the GTR at the front.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/RearofGlenRowan.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/FrontofGlenRowanHouse.jpg)
A five minute ride up the road and I was at Castle Urquhart. In an ideal world I would have walked around the castle but unfortunately it did not open until 09:30 and I couldn't afford to wait that long so I took a couple of sneaky shots from the road side and continued on my travels.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/UrquhartCastleLochness.jpg)
A view up the Loch from the castle.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/RiverView2.jpg)
Today's route took me back down through the Scottish Highlands retracing my initial route to some degree albeit going down the more scenic side of Loch Ness.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/Reflections.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/Reflections2.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/GTRReflections.jpg)
As I came across Spean Bridge and the Commando Memorial I decided to stop and take a some more photos as the light was much better now.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/CommandoMemorial2.jpg)
Looking out across the mountains from the Memorial.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/PanoramicViewsfromSpeanBridge.jpg)
Also at the Memorial were a group of travellers travelling in style.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/ThreeSportscarsFront.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/ThreeSportscarsRear.jpg)
Just outside Fort William I came across purely by chance another Castle, Inverlochy Castle.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/InformationInverlochyCastle.jpg)
Quite a few of the historical sites are private and you can only gain admittance via ticket but this was free so I had to have a browse around and stretch my legs.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/InverlochyCastleCorner.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/EntrancetoInverlochyCastle.jpg)
From the Fort William area I rode back into Glencoe and got the opportunity to do the mountain route again but this time in reverse. Very good road surfaces and although the roads were busy they weren't too busy that you couldn't enjoy yourself if you get my drift.
Glencoe village looking up into the mountains.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/GlencoeSAS.jpg)
Local church.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/ChurchatGlencoe.jpg)
Me chilling out halfway up the mountains.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/ContemplatingLifeaboveGlencoe.jpg)
From Glencoe I headed towards the M8 and then came down the west coast through Irvine and down to Ayr before stopping briefly in the fishing town of Girvan.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/PartGTRatGirvan.jpg)
Strict instructions to comply with.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Sunday%2019th%20June%202011/HasteYeBack.jpg)
If you cling to the A77 you will follow the coast road all the way from Girvan to Stranraer. Quite a decent route and as you are travelling in this direction if you look out to sea, (which should be on your right) you will see the Ailsa Craig, a volcanic plug which is bloody huge.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/30th%20June%202010%20West%20Coast%20of%20Scotland%20Tour/205117540_707458c803_b.jpg)
My accommodation in Portpatrick was basic but practical and the bike was safe at least. I walked down into town and had a bite to eat at The Waterfront.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/30th%20June%202010%20West%20Coast%20of%20Scotland%20Tour/100_0388.jpg)
Each day had improved from the previous with regards the weather and tomorrow, (Monday) was forecast to be the hottest day yet. The following day I woke up to glorious sunshine so after my third full Scottish breakfast of the week I set off on my journey home via a quick tour of the village.
Down by the harbour.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/GTRPrincessatPortpatrick.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/PortpatrickLighthouse.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/LighthousePotteryVan.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/GTRatPortpatrick.jpg)
I just had two further places of interest I wanted to visit on my way home. The first one being Kirkcudbright off the A75 heading back to Dumfries. Kirkcudbright is also referred to as Artists Town.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/WelcometoKirkcudbright.jpg)
My GTR outside the local Sheriffs house.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/KirkcudbrightSheriffsHouse.jpg)
Police Close, opposite the local nick.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/PoliceCloseKirkcudbright.jpg)
The final destination, other than home was Caerlaverock Castle which is again just marginally off the A75. A stunning castle complete with a moat.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/CaerlaverockCastleInformationSign.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/WeaponsofMassDestruction1.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/WeaponsofMassDestruction3.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/CaerlaverockCastle22.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/CaerlaverockCastle20.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/CaerlaverockCastle19.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/CaerlaverockCastle3.jpg)
In the car park for the castle I found this stunning car. An old MG.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/VintageCar.jpg)
I finally got home on Monday early evening after a very enjoyable trip apart from the episode with my first nights accommodation at the place which didn't answer their door to me. The GTR performed flawlessly as I knew it would.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/TotalMileage.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/Scottish%20Trip%20Monday%2020th%20June%202011/100_2429.jpg)
An excellent trip and its opened my eyes to touring Scotland on two wheels. Hope you enjoy the write up and photos. ;D
Nice report LW, looks like you had a good time. Shame about the first B&B which, I assume, is the one you linked to earlier in the report.
They are all good pictures (as usual) but the one of Ailsa Craig is beautiful.
It always rains in Scotland! We're heading down to Lands End shortly where it is raining and it looks like we'll be chasing the rain up to Scotland :(. Still, Sunday looks like it will be nice.
Kevin (Yes, we should have left ages ago but the bl00dy 550 has gone down - no bike power - and replacing the mount hasn't helped; I assume it's the 550 itself >:()
Think bikers must be the only minority group that can be legally discriminated against by hotels (or anybody else come to think about it) but sounds like you found a better place to stay and still enjoyed the trip
Great write up and pics LW.
Shame on the guest house owners that hid, name and shame them.
This is the breed, beautiful creatures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Malamute
Like all working dogs they need a lot of exercise - so be prepared for very long daily walks!
Or you could train a couple to pull the bike to save petrol ;D
On a positive note, all that rain will have kept those pesky midges quiet, they can drive a man insane. 'Lonewolf', good name for this kind of trip ! I hate going anywhere alone on the bike, about an hour's my limit. 3/4 days around Scotland on your own - Respect- great photees as well xx
Hey Mr Wolf ... great thread ... so glad everything went well for you, well ,most of it ;D
I knew the scenery would be stunning ..and those dogs !!! Lovely ;D
Got back from France last night, so give me a day or two and I shall get everything sorted, photo wise and put it all on here.
Well done you on achieving a good Tour de Scotland.
Excellent write up buddy.
Tis about time I did Scotland, only ever been up as far as the borders in my quarter of a million (nearly) miles on the road.
Looks great!
Did you have it mapped out on the GPS?
Yes it was all mapped out with Mapsource on the Zumo 550 and then I just improvised in a couple of places when I wanted to deviate from the planned route.
Just read your story of your Scottish trip,I really enjoyed it and the photo's. Shame about the 1st B&B though. I live in the central belt just outside Edinburgh and went up north this summer (April, been pouring most of the time since) we went to Applecross and the scenery up there was staggering, Lochcarron was just great and then that famous road. Maybe we could organise it next summer and get a whole group of GTR's up there. Thanks for posting the pics.
All the best, Donald
Glad you liked the write up. I'm back up in September going to Skye for a week.
Just read through it all again .. those " Highland " photos are just magnificent ! I look at them and think I'd love to 1. Ride them on the Gtr. 2. Ride them on a mountain bike. 3. Run them by myself. 4. Run them with my dog ..... Is that a bit weird ? Do I need help or does anyone else out there get the urge ? ...I just the outside and doing sporty stuff and to combine it with scenery like that would be great ;D ;D Anyone done The Fort William Marathon ?
Why would anyone want to run when God invented the combustion engine ::)