Scotland Revisited

A few images from our previous trips to Scotland !

 

Kev's Words !

"You don't spend much time at home do you"!

That was the common response I received after arriving home from our Argentina / Chile trip in mid April after indicating that we were heading off again in early June ! It's a tough life !

While the Bod is still reasonably capable I'm up for any trip it as long as it doesn't involve hills. Back to Scotland and the Outer Hebrides eh ..    

Our first trip to this area was way back in 2011. It left an indelible imprint on my brain (more precisely a scar !). In 6 weeks of cycling it rained for 4 of them. Combined with temperatures in the low to mid teens (farenheit that is) and gale force winds it was mighty hard yakka - lucky for us it was their summer !

This trip I've placed an early order for warm temps, tailwinds all the way and most importantly no rain .. hopeful or what !!!

Despite the small comfort issue I'm really looking forward to again experiencing the spectacular, rugged and isolated countryside complete with quaint villages. 

As a bonus we'll tour (at least for a short part) with our great Pommie friends Kev and Julia, friends that is until the Aussies whip the POMS in the cricket world cup this time without any sandpaper !

 Safe riding for all, see youse mid August !  

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Scotland Destinations !

Courtesy of Danish Mike our Scottish destinations / accommodation !    

Some Previous Scottish Images

Mike's Words !

The immediate images that spring to mind of previous trips to Scotland are not always positive ones ! Being sand blasted by rain descending near Kylesku, being eaten alive by midges on the Isle of Arran and cycling head on into ferocious winds on the Outer Hebrides just to name a few ! Pain aside my "mind bank" also conjures up many images of magnificent scenery and wild isolation that at least in my mind makes adventuring cycling in Scotland one of the purest experiences in the world. While the preparation for this trip has been a little limited (a 5 star cycle warm up in Patagonia) we have at least covered the bare essentials - nodding politely when listening to Scots talking when you have no idea of what the're saying, saying Yes but meaning no when asked do you want a full Scottish Breakfast (as the kgs pile on) and preparing to be blown away by this incredibly beautiful part of the world. My partner in Crime one K Henley is also back at it again on the promise that there will be no hills, that we won't get lost and that there will be no long days in the saddle (..hmm should i tell him). It is our 9th O/S journey together and it promises to be a real beauty !            

Scottish / UK Itinerary

Scotland - 

9/6 - Arrive Edinburgh
10/6 - Edinburgh - bike assembly / test ride
11/6 - Innerleithen (60 kms)
12/6 - Carstairs (60 kms)
13/6 - Ardrossan / Campbelltown (100 kms)
14/6 - Campbelltown - rest day
15/6 - Tarbert (65 kms)
16/6 - Ford (70 kms)
17/6 - Oban / Castlebay Outer Hebrides (60 kms)
18/6 - Locharnan (60 kms)
19/6 - Leverburgh (80 kms)
20/6 - Portree Isle of Skye ( 60 kms)
21/6 - Lochailort (70 kms)
22/6 - Caol (60 kms)
23/6 - Inverness (100 kms) 
24/6 - Inverness - rest day
25/6 - Lochcarron (95 kms)
26/6 - Applecross (35 kms)
27/6 - Sheildag (40 kms)
28/6 - Big Sand (70 kms)
29/6 - Poolewe (30 kms)
30/6 - Ullapool (90 kms)
1/7 - Acheniver (50 kms)
2/7 - Drumberg (60 kms)
3/7 - Rosehall (60 kms)
4/7 - Rosehall - rest day
5/7 - Alnes (70 kms)
6/7 - Findhorn (95 kms)
7/7 - Spey Bay (45 kms)
8/7 - Turriff (100 kms)
9/7 - Aberdeen (70 kms)
10/7 - Lunan Bay (90 kms)
11/7 - Arisaig (90 kms)
12/7 - Sth Queensferry / Edinburgh (35 kms) 

Post Edinburgh

Cycling

Liverpool 13-14/7
Poole 15-18/7
Isle of Wight 18-21/7
Devon 21-25/7

Other Touring 

Mallorca 25/7-29/7
Nth Devon & Cornwall 30/7-7/8
Devon 7/8-10/8

Depart 11/8

Alness

Sequence of beautiful late afternoon aerial shots taken at Alness