Steve T
Well-Known Member
As an excuse for a night under canvas, muggins here came up with the idea of watching the sun set on the Longest Day (nearly) of the year. Location set – Gairloch – so it was just a matter of packing up the gear and heading of. A Borderer took up the offer of a free bunk on his way up, so he & me set off at a reasonable hour from Schloss Thomas, picking up Da Mountie on route.
As the border dweller hadn’t experienced some of the minor minor roads in Moray, we three wandered hither & thither in a generally westerly direction. The roads were dry, which was a change from their condition for most of the previous week, so many happy, dry miles were covered before a fuel stop in Inverness.
After Inverness, we three got in touch with our feminine side and went shopping! Bike shopping of course, with a stop at Mitchels Bike emporium, outside Inverness on the Beauly road.
Da Mountie dribbled and drooled over various brands & models of two wheeled porn, whilst supping some free tea, eventually making the not too surprising decision that he really didn’t suit a K1200R.
Onwards to Beauly and a nutrition break for the hardy riders. Well, we thought we were “hardy” until we rolled into Beauly and found the Highland Cross in full swing – 20mile run followed by a 30 mile cycle, or something like that. Da Mountie regaled us with a tale of his participation in the event some years ago, when he came 289th out of 500 competitors. Now that’s “hardy”.
Fully fuelled with a most splendid bacon roll, we three rolled some more miles till Da Mountie peeled of and headed for home – a dog with crossed legs needed a walk apparently.
The borderer and me continued westward, still rolling on dry roads. The road too Kinlochewe was the one we travelled, spying a lone Osprey guarding it’s eggs on what must be the BIGGEST nest I’ve ever seen on the way. Alongside Loch Maree on very swoopy bendy bits of road we rode, till I decided that the border dweller needed some more new views to assault his eye’s, so off the beaten track we went, down to the side of Loch Maree at the forestry commission parking area at Slatterdale. The bordered had a nicotine fix whilst I got a brew going, amongst the deafening silence that was all around us.
Once we both had enjoyed our “fix” of choice, we covered the short ride into Gairloch and the campsite therein, in no time at all really, only to find LWR’s Alp already parked up. We two travellers relaxed after our not too long or arduous ride, and erected our tents and, in the borderers case, his tent “extension”. Whilst getting erected, we were joined by LWR, Ian and Ian’s pal. LWR had dropped everything and ridden west on Friday afternoon, and with nothing else to do except watch seagulls whilst watching out for Sea Eagles on Saturday, accepted Ian’s invitation to a days fishing on Loch Maree. Much blethering ensued, during which it was decided that a little local ride out was in order, to see what we could see north-west of Gairloch.
And so it was that 4 riders set out for the far ends of the land mass that has Gairloch at its’ root. Ian led the way, taking a sideways trip up a hill so’s we could get a good view out towards Skye and, if the clouds lifted a little, Harris. Interesting little road to the top, covered with the usual Highland coating of sheep droppings and little islands of grass.
Nothing to see but the sea
Once the view was viewed, we carried on towards the end of the road. In no time at all we arrived, only to find that someone had left a light on at the end of the road.
As can be seen in the above photo, more blethering ensued about who had left the light on and how much the electricity bill would be for such a big bulbed thing. As time was getting on – stomachs were heard to rumble many times during the blethering – we 4 headed back whence we came, stopping to collect some local specialities on route – fish & chips it is then.
Arty shot of my F8Gs through a nice pink bit of granite
On our collective return, we find our number risen by one – Galibrah had ridden up from Workington on his mighty Varadero – Top effort that man.
Here we see Outrunner noshing
After we’d emptied our respective bags of fish & chips, more blethering ensued, followed shortly thereafter by some more, only in the local hotel bar. The bar was choosen as it was dry – it had started drizzling shortly after our return to the tents, so the hotel bar was a no brainer really.
So we sat and supped and blethered and hoped for a break in the cloud, so we could see a sunset through the hotel bar window, but the dampness from the sky persisted for a while longer, followed by low cloud. And so it was that the challenge of the weekend had not been met – a sunset on the longest weekend was not watched.
Sunday – and upon arising a gap in the tent lines is noticed – Galibrah has scooted orf sarf at first light . . . . or maybe even earlier, seeing as it never really got dark at all, even with the low cloud.
Those that was left got their sh1te together in the not-sunshine (that’s clouds but no rain), each heading in different directions once loins were girded and bikes loaded.
LWR practising a disguise
Farewells said, I headed north at a very sedate pace, wandering through a few showers before Ullapool, followed by a few showers after Ullapool as well.
Took a right turn at Ledmore junction and a little bit further down that road took another right up a forest track. Well, when I say “forest”, I actually mean former forest, as the whole hillside had been clear felled. Still nice to get up on the pegs on the fully loaded F8GS for a few miles. Took in more views when the rain wasn’t blocking my view.
Took a very minor minor road to Ardgay, noting several other trails for future investigation.
Past the former youth hostel at Invershin – sad that such an iconic building will probably fall to pieces now that it’s fallen out of use by the youth hostel association.
Headed over the Strui, stopping yet again to take in the views, only to spy some horrendous downpours occurring in the direction I was about to continue travelling. Much, much more wetness ensued, all the way to Inverness, where I popped in to see a pal to ascertain the wellness of a recently fallen local rider.
Homeward leg was on more of the same minor roads as travelled the previous day – can’t get enough on the things me.
Ace weekend, even with the wetness. Thanks for those taking the time and making the effort to pop north for a night under wet canvass. Great criac, great riding, great views. Must do it all again really soon.
Steve T
As the border dweller hadn’t experienced some of the minor minor roads in Moray, we three wandered hither & thither in a generally westerly direction. The roads were dry, which was a change from their condition for most of the previous week, so many happy, dry miles were covered before a fuel stop in Inverness.
After Inverness, we three got in touch with our feminine side and went shopping! Bike shopping of course, with a stop at Mitchels Bike emporium, outside Inverness on the Beauly road.
Da Mountie dribbled and drooled over various brands & models of two wheeled porn, whilst supping some free tea, eventually making the not too surprising decision that he really didn’t suit a K1200R.
Onwards to Beauly and a nutrition break for the hardy riders. Well, we thought we were “hardy” until we rolled into Beauly and found the Highland Cross in full swing – 20mile run followed by a 30 mile cycle, or something like that. Da Mountie regaled us with a tale of his participation in the event some years ago, when he came 289th out of 500 competitors. Now that’s “hardy”.
Fully fuelled with a most splendid bacon roll, we three rolled some more miles till Da Mountie peeled of and headed for home – a dog with crossed legs needed a walk apparently.
The borderer and me continued westward, still rolling on dry roads. The road too Kinlochewe was the one we travelled, spying a lone Osprey guarding it’s eggs on what must be the BIGGEST nest I’ve ever seen on the way. Alongside Loch Maree on very swoopy bendy bits of road we rode, till I decided that the border dweller needed some more new views to assault his eye’s, so off the beaten track we went, down to the side of Loch Maree at the forestry commission parking area at Slatterdale. The bordered had a nicotine fix whilst I got a brew going, amongst the deafening silence that was all around us.
Once we both had enjoyed our “fix” of choice, we covered the short ride into Gairloch and the campsite therein, in no time at all really, only to find LWR’s Alp already parked up. We two travellers relaxed after our not too long or arduous ride, and erected our tents and, in the borderers case, his tent “extension”. Whilst getting erected, we were joined by LWR, Ian and Ian’s pal. LWR had dropped everything and ridden west on Friday afternoon, and with nothing else to do except watch seagulls whilst watching out for Sea Eagles on Saturday, accepted Ian’s invitation to a days fishing on Loch Maree. Much blethering ensued, during which it was decided that a little local ride out was in order, to see what we could see north-west of Gairloch.
And so it was that 4 riders set out for the far ends of the land mass that has Gairloch at its’ root. Ian led the way, taking a sideways trip up a hill so’s we could get a good view out towards Skye and, if the clouds lifted a little, Harris. Interesting little road to the top, covered with the usual Highland coating of sheep droppings and little islands of grass.
Nothing to see but the sea
Once the view was viewed, we carried on towards the end of the road. In no time at all we arrived, only to find that someone had left a light on at the end of the road.
As can be seen in the above photo, more blethering ensued about who had left the light on and how much the electricity bill would be for such a big bulbed thing. As time was getting on – stomachs were heard to rumble many times during the blethering – we 4 headed back whence we came, stopping to collect some local specialities on route – fish & chips it is then.
Arty shot of my F8Gs through a nice pink bit of granite
On our collective return, we find our number risen by one – Galibrah had ridden up from Workington on his mighty Varadero – Top effort that man.
Here we see Outrunner noshing
After we’d emptied our respective bags of fish & chips, more blethering ensued, followed shortly thereafter by some more, only in the local hotel bar. The bar was choosen as it was dry – it had started drizzling shortly after our return to the tents, so the hotel bar was a no brainer really.
So we sat and supped and blethered and hoped for a break in the cloud, so we could see a sunset through the hotel bar window, but the dampness from the sky persisted for a while longer, followed by low cloud. And so it was that the challenge of the weekend had not been met – a sunset on the longest weekend was not watched.
Sunday – and upon arising a gap in the tent lines is noticed – Galibrah has scooted orf sarf at first light . . . . or maybe even earlier, seeing as it never really got dark at all, even with the low cloud.
Those that was left got their sh1te together in the not-sunshine (that’s clouds but no rain), each heading in different directions once loins were girded and bikes loaded.
LWR practising a disguise
Farewells said, I headed north at a very sedate pace, wandering through a few showers before Ullapool, followed by a few showers after Ullapool as well.
Took a right turn at Ledmore junction and a little bit further down that road took another right up a forest track. Well, when I say “forest”, I actually mean former forest, as the whole hillside had been clear felled. Still nice to get up on the pegs on the fully loaded F8GS for a few miles. Took in more views when the rain wasn’t blocking my view.
Took a very minor minor road to Ardgay, noting several other trails for future investigation.
Past the former youth hostel at Invershin – sad that such an iconic building will probably fall to pieces now that it’s fallen out of use by the youth hostel association.
Headed over the Strui, stopping yet again to take in the views, only to spy some horrendous downpours occurring in the direction I was about to continue travelling. Much, much more wetness ensued, all the way to Inverness, where I popped in to see a pal to ascertain the wellness of a recently fallen local rider.
Homeward leg was on more of the same minor roads as travelled the previous day – can’t get enough on the things me.
Ace weekend, even with the wetness. Thanks for those taking the time and making the effort to pop north for a night under wet canvass. Great criac, great riding, great views. Must do it all again really soon.
Steve T
). We just supped,blethered and put the world to rights, as one does 
