Five days in Scotland

[Flintlock]

Stena flexi ticket Belfast/Cairnryan had been purchased & had been keeping an eye on the weather. Made the call to go for Sunday 22nd September 0730 departure.

Off at Cairnryan & a right turn onto the A77, then a left onto an un-named road & I was up in the moorlands within 15 minutes of leaving the Port.


Also past this & since googled

Turns out it was a WW2 bombing target

Secret Scotland - Braid Fell Bombing Range

The road continues to New Luce, from there, another great (un-named) road north to Barhill.
A quick stop here

 

[Gavla04GS]

Keep going @Flintlock I am watching from over here....

 

[Flintlock]

From Barhill, its the A714 down to Glentrool to check out Bruce's Stone

and the surrounding views

 

[Flintlock]

I was teaming up with a mate who was coming up from Kidderminster.
We met up in the lovely village of Gatehouse of Fleet


After a catch up, it was back on the bikes & off to seek out a camping spot for the night.

 

[Flintlock]

A suitable spot was soon located off the Raiders Road.


Stove lit & dinner prepared. I had brought over burgers, sausages & bacon from my local butcher & a couple of soda farls from my local bakery.

Coffee & caramel squares (also from my local bakery) for after

 

[Flintlock]

Tents up & settled in for the night

 

[Robbi]

That's a furnace and a half you're cooking with!!

 

[Flintlock]

Monday 23 September
An early start, packed up & away by 0800
North on the A712 to New Galloway, then the A713 to Ayr, followed the coast to Gourock to get the ferry to Hunters Quay.


From Hunters Quay it's a right onto the A815, then left onto the B836. Follow to the end & a right then 1st left onto the A8003. Further along and another right onto the B8000 - all great roads & scenery.
A stop at Otter Ferry for a brew

 

[Flintlock]

We continue North on the B8000 with great views across the Loch as we go. It meets the A886, where its a left turn and follow to the end, another left onto the A815 here.
Further along and a wee detour up the B839 & a left onto the B828 two great wee roads.
The B828 joins the A83. Another left and on to Inveraray to get some supplies for our second nights camp.

 

[Flintlock]

Supplies purchased & its up the A819 & a right onto the A85 at the end.
A left into the B8074 which follows the River Orchy

 

[Flintlock]

A suitable site selected alongside the river further up the road

Pasta & meatballs for supper

Midges were present but not too bad - fire helped to keep them at bay

 

[Flintlock]

Tuesday 24th September
Another early start after breakfast.

 

[Flintlock]

The B8074 takes you up to the A82 at The Bridge of Orchy. It's a left onto a empty A82 for the ride to Glen Coe

We got a brief (but heavy) shower here as we passed through

 

[Flintlock]

Down to Glencoe & a circut of Loch Leven

Onward to Oban via the A828. A stop here for food & coffee.

 

[Flintlock]

More supplies purchased for our next camp. Continue south on the A816 to Kilmelford

A left opposite the hotel onto another un- named road. It makes its way past Loch Avich - beautiful area.

Follow to the end & a right takes you along the North side of Loch Awe. We soon find a suitable spot for our nights camp.

 

[Flintlock]

This site came with the added luxury of a picnic table in situ. We were pretty high up, so was a bit colder, but no rain & blue skies. Usual drill, tents up & food prepped

 

[Flintlock]

A really nice spot. Ringside seat viewing a large (and vocal)flock of migrating geese flying high overhead to over winter somewhere further south. At the most about half a dozen cars went past for the duration we were here.
Temperature dropped to freezing overnight, but a couple of handwarmers chucked into the sleeping bag did the job nicely.

 

[Flintlock]

Wednesday 25th
We didn't leave the site until 9am, to allow anyone local using the road to get to work. Just as well, as a large logging truck rumbled past - would not have liked to meet it on the way out!
Anyway, we followed the road to Ford, then took the B840 along the southern shore of Loch Awe.
Stopped at Portsonachan Hotel for a 2nd breakfast - really nice spot.

 

[Flintlock]

Some interesting tables inside

 

[Flintlock]

Continued up to the A83 & back down to Inveraray. Pulled in just further along the A83 to take in the views.

and a look round a local Graveyard