Scotland trip

[Buggles]

The 5th day of our trip to Scotland.

It started with me linking up with my brother at Cambridge last Friday. From there we continued up to Boston on the East coast. From Boston up to Ridsdale, 20 miles under the Scottish border.

The man sitting next to us in the pub that night started mumbling as soon as we mentioned we were going to Scotland. He just kept saying "that's God's country, that is" over and over again.

And having spent 3 days here, I have to admit: he was right! I figure god must've spent 5 days making Scotland, and then just quickly did the rest of the World on the 6th, before taking a rest in the Highlands on the 7th...

This place is amazing. We rode up from Ridsdale along the coast (avoiding Edinburgh), the Forth bridge really is something else! Especially the rail bridge runing next to it: straight out of the industrial revolution!

We went along the coast up to Dunnotar Castle (amazing) and then went inland and stopped at Aboyne for the night. From there we rode along the A939 (one of my all-time favourite roads from now on) to Inverness.

We did the obligatory lap of Loch Ness, and the second part (A862 and A852) was very worthwhile. It makes you understand where the Scottish got their inspiration for the tartans, right out of mother nature. There were patches of purple, green, white, yellow and brown... I could see it on some highlander's quilt as we rode along.

Today we're camping in Durness, our tents are overlooking the surf down below. We stopped for a picture at John 'O Groats and I'll be posting that (and more) when I get home.

We've ridden 1,000 miles sofar, and are not planning on stopping anytime soon!

JB

[lowflyer]

Stop by Ullapool and see Vader
We're catching up with him on Friday
Then pop into Inverness and see me.

Glad you are enjoying the trip.

[Buggles]

Yep, we met up with Vader yesterday, had a great ride and a great dinner...

Today's hangover is the stuff legends are made of, mainly due to my brother's urge to sample all the different whiskey's they stock in the bar.

Fortunately it rained today, so we took a day off riding. Which is good because I hate puking in my helmet

See you tomorrow,

JB

[Steve T]

Big meeting of forum members occurred up in the Highlands today. Myself and Lowflyer met up firstly with LV, Buggles & Buggles brother (sorry, can't remember his name) at Garve. Banter was exchanged (Vader doing what he does bestest - mingling in his own "I'm an invader" type stylie ).
From Garve we headed for Loch Carron where Rickskye was waiting for us. We then consumed coffee and exchanged pleasantries whilst we waited for the arrival of Zenarchy (someone else can tell the story of Zens trip to this point ).

Once Zen had arrived we headed for our first real objective - The Pass of the Cattle to Applecross










Whilst up on the hill, a few decided to tackle the track to the tower - well, it would be rude not too wouldn't it having travelled this far.


As well as Lowflyer being front & center, Buggles junior is on his way down the hill in the background.

We rolled down the other side to a luverly lunch in the Tunnel Garden cafe in Applecross.
We then did the touristy thing and took photo's of the hills with bikes in the forground




An excellent days riding with a like minded group of people. Great to put faces to forum names (apart from LV's, which is a face everyone seems to know - I'm sure Zenarchy bowed when he met LV ).

Safe riding to all those still out there and touring this great part of Great Britain.

Steve T

[largewayround]

Looks like you had a great day for it today.

Some great pictures..

Last time I was up to Applecross, I was driving through clouds, half way up the hill..... and rained a lot.

[lowflyer]

Hey Steve,

As usual, great pics, nice one squirrel.

Craic was good, weather spot on what more could you ask for ??


WARNING ------LV has just left the building and will probably be at the border check point charlie by now

Will they let him back in ????? if not ,then we're all DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED I tell you

[AIRWOLF]

- I'm sure Zenarchy bowed when he met LV ).

Does'nt everybody bow when they meet L.V. ??


ps

nice pic's Steve.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Great photos. Why not make some full-size ones available for the calendar?

[Buggles]

Just read that Vader made it home, so we can all breathe easy now...

We rode across Skye today. Currently we're stuck in Sligachan, checked into a hotel after all HELL broke loose. There is quite the storm raging across this lovely Isle at the moment.

The rain is coming down horizontally at the moment, and we've been blown into oncoming traffic coming through some of the bends. So wew decided to call it a day.

Will do some more of Skye tomorrow!

JB

[Steve T]

Buggles, glad you and your wee Bro are both OK and great meeting up with you both yesterday.

I'll just wait now for the weather that your experiencing to make it's way over to the east coast.

Safe riding guys for the rest of your trip - and if your passing through Moray on your way south, check out the road over the Lecht and then south on the A93 through Braemar and Glen Shee towards Perth. You'll not regret it I promise you (doing them both tomorrow with a bunch of GS riding t*ssers )