Post by beeblemaster on May 31, 2007 17:00:25 GMT
Well as most of you know, my brother and I decided to spend a couple of days on after the Scotland run and head on towards the Isle of Skye.
So, on Monday in such fine weather, we left Callander and caught the A82 travelling through Glen Coe. It was a bit chilly to say the least!
Carried on up the A82 to Fort William and then took the A830 to Mallaig. I'm sure this has been noted as the best train journey in the country and you can see why as the rail line runs parallel to the road. It's beautiful.
While we were waiting for the Ferry from Mallaig we had fish and chips. Seagulls tried to nab my fish but they soon found out they were overpowered, so they tried the weaker of the two of us - they succeeded! ;D
Anyway, caught the ferry and what a beautiful crossing! (bikes strapped down by staff) I stayed on deck to avoid yakking and it seems to have worked again.
Arrived at Skye, and stopped off for a pint about ten minutes into it at, what was probably, Isleornsay. Stunning.
Then carried on up the road to join the A87, taking a few piccies at Loch Ainort and heading up to Portree.
Found a campsite about a mile north of Portree for £3 a night bargain. My brother had to think twice at forking out such expense.
The TDM had a lie down in the grass. Yes, I dropped it - sidestand sunk in the grass, so down goes the TDM with fatbloke on board. No damage to man or machine
We got up Tuesday at 7am and it was lashing down and it didn't stop all day. Headed north along the A855 and greeted by rain, wind and poor single track roads. Views were stunning and everything so remote - took us a good hour to do 40 miles and then took us about 20 minutes to get back to Portree along the A87 from Uig.
After stopping for brekkie, carried on along the A87 back towards the mainland and just past Kyle of Lochalsh turned off onto the A890 to Lochcarran. From there onto the A896 and then took the road to Applecross.
What can I say about that road? Mind blowing! A long uphill climb straight up the mountain, poor surfaced single track, and two way traffic all the way with 1st gear 180deg hairpins. What made it even more challenging was pouring down with rain and fog, which for most of this stage reduced visibility down to 20 metres or so, and then you've got a sheer drop next to you.
Finally got to Applecross and took the coastal road north via Cuaig, Kenmore and Shieldaig. Amazing again. Poor roads, and so remote - there I was praying not to brake down when we come across some German bikers. They'd crashed into some rocks which may or may not have been on the road and front of their GS had folded. They were ok and had called for recovery.
Eventually got back onto some decent road surface at Shieldaig (A896) and did Glen Torridon, Kinlochewe, A832 to Achnasheen then caught the A890 back to Lochcarron and a rest at the golf club cafe.
Carried on along the A890 back to the A87, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle for a photo stop. Then from there carried on down the A87 and onto the A82 to Fort William where we got a B&B for the night (no way were we camping, my boots were full of water).
And then on Wednesday headed back home.
I absolutely loved it, and so pleased that we managed to do the route that I wanted to do. I think Andrew was pleased I persuaded him to go. I'd love to do the Tuesday route again in much better conditions where light and visibility would be better.. and get a few photos taken.
Recommend it to anyone. Stunning scenery, stunning roads and challenges and everything is different from one part to the next.
Many thanks to Adbru for your suggestions for this route.
Anyway... some piccies:
Glen Coe:
A830 to Mallaig:
Mallaig Harbour:
Fish Burglar in Mallaig (call Crimestoppers if you know him):
IOS Isleornsay:
IOS - Loch Ainort:
IOS - Portree:
Road to Applecross:
Eilean Donan Castle:
The Route:
So, on Monday in such fine weather, we left Callander and caught the A82 travelling through Glen Coe. It was a bit chilly to say the least!
Carried on up the A82 to Fort William and then took the A830 to Mallaig. I'm sure this has been noted as the best train journey in the country and you can see why as the rail line runs parallel to the road. It's beautiful.
While we were waiting for the Ferry from Mallaig we had fish and chips. Seagulls tried to nab my fish but they soon found out they were overpowered, so they tried the weaker of the two of us - they succeeded! ;D
Anyway, caught the ferry and what a beautiful crossing! (bikes strapped down by staff) I stayed on deck to avoid yakking and it seems to have worked again.
Arrived at Skye, and stopped off for a pint about ten minutes into it at, what was probably, Isleornsay. Stunning.
Then carried on up the road to join the A87, taking a few piccies at Loch Ainort and heading up to Portree.
Found a campsite about a mile north of Portree for £3 a night
bargain. My brother had to think twice at forking out such expense. The TDM had a lie down in the grass. Yes, I dropped it - sidestand sunk in the grass, so down goes the TDM with fatbloke on board. No damage to man or machine
We got up Tuesday at 7am and it was lashing down and it didn't stop all day. Headed north along the A855 and greeted by rain, wind and poor single track roads. Views were stunning and everything so remote - took us a good hour to do 40 miles and then took us about 20 minutes to get back to Portree along the A87 from Uig.
After stopping for brekkie, carried on along the A87 back towards the mainland and just past Kyle of Lochalsh turned off onto the A890 to Lochcarran. From there onto the A896 and then took the road to Applecross.
What can I say about that road? Mind blowing! A long uphill climb straight up the mountain, poor surfaced single track, and two way traffic all the way with 1st gear 180deg hairpins. What made it even more challenging was pouring down with rain and fog, which for most of this stage reduced visibility down to 20 metres or so, and then you've got a sheer drop next to you.
Finally got to Applecross and took the coastal road north via Cuaig, Kenmore and Shieldaig. Amazing again. Poor roads, and so remote - there I was praying not to brake down when we come across some German bikers. They'd crashed into some rocks which may or may not have been on the road and front of their GS had folded. They were ok and had called for recovery.
Eventually got back onto some decent road surface at Shieldaig (A896) and did Glen Torridon, Kinlochewe, A832 to Achnasheen then caught the A890 back to Lochcarron and a rest at the golf club cafe.
Carried on along the A890 back to the A87, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle for a photo stop. Then from there carried on down the A87 and onto the A82 to Fort William where we got a B&B for the night (no way were we camping, my boots were full of water).
And then on Wednesday headed back home.
I absolutely loved it, and so pleased that we managed to do the route that I wanted to do. I think Andrew was pleased I persuaded him to go.
I'd love to do the Tuesday route again in much better conditions where light and visibility would be better.. and get a few photos taken. Recommend it to anyone. Stunning scenery, stunning roads and challenges and everything is different from one part to the next.
Many thanks to Adbru for your suggestions for this route.
Anyway... some piccies:
Glen Coe:
A830 to Mallaig:
Mallaig Harbour:
Fish Burglar in Mallaig (call Crimestoppers if you know him):
IOS Isleornsay:
IOS - Loch Ainort:
IOS - Portree:
Road to Applecross:
Eilean Donan Castle:
The Route:
Try that one another day 
