Scotland 2018

[Ninjachica]

Finally found time to put fingers to keypads!

Set off early-ish on Friday 25th, with the plan to mile-munch up to Kinlochleven. What can I say?
Grey skies and threatening weather. Do I put the waterproofs on, or not? Obviously yes, if I am even thinking about it. Sure enough, as I start to get ready, I hear the rain on the windows. That's that then.
Set off ok, but by the time I got to the first roundabout on the A50 - the water has gone up my sleeves and the my stomach is wet! Never had that before! Cold and soaked by the time I've cleared Stoke. Thoughroughly miserable, carry on past Manchester, where it is warmer and I start to dry out. Finally get to Carlisle and stop for refuelling (me and the bike) and realise just how wet i'd been! I think I'd caught my jacket, and allowed the rain to go up the inside. Very odd.

Dried out and set off again.
What joy. Instant change in scenery and I'm loving it.

[Ninjachica]

Wriggle my way around Glasgow. Think I'm wrong at one point, but, figured out where the sun was, and which direction I was going, and carried on. Sure enough - North-west!

Finally found the signs for the Trossocks and Loch Lomond. Beautiful.
Hadn't realised that the road followed the loch for so long. What a way to spend the day, alongside such a road.

[Ninjachica]

Carried on past Loch Lomond and found a random waterfall.

Had to walk for a little while, but I needed a break, so it was worthwhile.

The group of lads at the top were he-larious! No - they didn't jump (although one of them nearly fell)

[Ninjachica]

Stopped at a really pretty layby for a cuppa.

Evidently 'the' place to stop, as there was a constant stream of buses cars and bikes. Met a lovely lady, also traveling on her own, that had been camping in the Hebredies. Good for her. She was now on her way back to Hull, to catch the ferry and return home to Amsterdam.

Made my luggage look like I was out for an hour or two.

[Ninjachica]

Found the Green Welly.

Had no idea it was even on my route.
Stopped to put a few quid of fuel in, then set off again... not too far now (I think)

[Ninjachica]

More beautiful scenery, but you can't stop at every corner can you!

Got to Glencoe, then turned off for Kinlochleven.
Found the B&B with ease.
Lovely spot.
It was in need of a bit of tlc, but I would recommend it. Food was good, bed and bathroom fine, scenery couldn't be improved on.

[Ninjachica]

Sorted myself out, then went for a walk.
Beautiful.
Go there.

Technically, it is part of the West Highland Way (if you want to walk from Mulgavie to Fort William), but worth a stop off, if you are passing.
A few hours next to the river will never be time wasted.

[Ninjachica]

Next day,
set the sat nav for Ardnamurchan Lighthouse
Westernmost point of mainland UK

[Ninjachica]

Found my way on to the Corran Ferry without any problems (£3 for bikes)
Had a nice chat with a dutch bloke on a bicycle, who thought he was going to Mull. Put him right, but he was happy enough - especially when he realised the his trip was free!

A couple of other bikes were on the ferry too, but they hung back a bit as I went over the pass towards Strontian.
Strontian. Ah. The A road disappeared. Had to ask a bloke which way to go. Yes - the A road was now a single lane that went under the bushes!

[Ninjachica]

I got a bit worried, knowing that the A road was going to turn into a B road!

In real terms, it was the same width, but it just had gravel in the middle.

It was quite a trip - some 30 miles of single track road, but it meant something to me. (Felt more like 130 miles!) Finally got to the traffic lights that mark the last few meters.
And there it was. The lovely cafe and the lighthouse.