Bonny Scotland - a rekindled love

[GS TRV]

After a brief dalliance with a Hog purchase I decided to cement my GS ownership with a few extras notably Ohlins shock, HID headlight and a funny number plate

All it needed was a chance to put it all in motion so off to pastures new to put it all to the test and what better place than a long w/end bonny Scotland to have some fun onyack

Day1 would be a brief evening ferry from Larne to Troon and a quick tootle to the shores of Loch Lomond at this spot in the countryside of Balloch;

http://www.dumbainfarm.co.uk/

Nice to waken up to lovely views such as this as well as some spectacular grub

 

[GS TRV]

Naomi was even happy but was a bit wary that the Scottish weather might ruin her Alpinestars ...little did we know what awaited us..

 

[GS TRV]

armed with loads of brill suggestions notably from Betty Swollocks of this parish we headed to our next B&B in Fort William and went for a spin around Loch Ness and on to Inverness - we weren't disappointed

 

[NA1959]

Looks good, & the start of a wee adventure.

The Fry at breakfast looked a wee bit small for a biker!

C'any wait for more.

 

[dmc]

+1 on the breakfast but weather looked great .

 

[Stewart H]

Great roads up there around loch Ness arent they, we had hailstones and torrential rain when I was up there, mind you it was June

Stewart

 

[GS TRV]

The Fry at breakfast looked a wee bit small for a biker!

.

it does look a bit scrawny - you're right.

Will get next day up later

 

[GS TRV]

Day 2 - from Loch Lomond to Fort William

Heading further up the A82 we arrived in Inverness and stopped off that the Culloden battle field site where there was a top class visitor centre and even more appealing coffee shop for Naomi

 

[GS TRV]

Day 2 - part 2

we headed back down the A9 and then on to the A86 - an absolutely STUNNING road

Having left the bags and panniers in the guesthouse meant we could enjoy the corners - def Busa territory though

Anyway, approaching a dam (maybe Loch Laggan on our left) we saw the most amazing sky - follow the sequence of fotos to appreciate the amazing contrasts of light and hue

 

[GS TRV]

fotos taken 10mins later at the dam

 

[GS TRV]

Day 3 - nice brekkie

we were staying at Andy's ;
http://www.woodsidefortwilliam.co.uk/

top quality accomodation at a good price with fry up included

 

[GS TRV]

Off to Skye

following Betty Swollock's advice we headed to take the ferry from Mallaig for a day trip to Skye. Unfortunately we arrive to see the ferry leaving with the next one not being until 4pm - much too late for us so back to FW again in the pouring rain. Consolation being the chance to ride the mega A830 again

We then head from FW on the A82/87 and take a much needed coffee in Cluanie Inn - met a group of Wing dudes from Dublin.

By this stage the Stich was holding out the rain ok with just a few ominouse damp patches. They turned back to FW, we headed on with skies getting darker and rain getting heavier

 

[GS TRV]

we had initially planned to just go via the bridge but a sign pointing for the 6car "ferry" to Kylerhea was too tempting - our sense of adventure was coarsing through our veins almost as fast as the rain through my Stich at this point

 

[GS TRV]

we then took a crackin road from there to Broadford and on to Elgol - by this stage the sea seemed to be coming to greet us

cute primary school and peer indeed but wind and rain meant visibility was dismal - i would have paid £100 for a clear visor and a pinlock at this point

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Scotland

Cracking pics..... and I intentionally stayed away last weekend, cause I thought it only rained like that when I was up there

Love the Reg plate..... I wonder who would be offended if I got my user-name as a number plate

 

[Big Nick]

Nice to see you can still smile, the weather looks totally shite!!

 

[GS TRV]

Leaving Elgol meant we REALLY needed a place to drip/dry off so thankfully found a coffee shop which was still open back in Broadford.

Even the camera was soggy

 

[NA1959]

we were staying at Andy's ;
http://www.woodsidefortwilliam.co.uk/

top quality accomodation at a good price with fry up included

Must be me as a hungry aul man but the fry is still a wee un!

Photo's super great skies!

 

[GS TRV]

Decisions time - head straight back to FW or go another 25miles further away from home to Portree

So given the relentless rain we decided to go for it

Strong sidewinds (my least fav riding conditions) made for a lively journey there but views at the harbour were worth it

 

[GS TRV]

by this stage I was as wet underneath as outside - the only saving grace being the Daytonas which kept my feet bone dry if nothing else

One was not amused