Featured Touring North Of Scotland Trip (based In Ullapool)

Just got back yesterday from a great 5 day trip of the north of Scotland, Lou and myself met up with James
(@andyc1 was supposed to be on the trip but unfortunatley his goverment in Northern ireland were not letting people travel out of N.I)
about 20 miles north of Braemar and headed up through the Cairngorms on our way up to Ullapool we took the long route cutting of the A835 at Garve and taking the A832 to Achnasheen and continuing on around the coast until re-joining the main Ullapool rd (A832) we were based at the Caledonian hotel in Ullapool for 4 nights.
View down towards Achnasheen





The next day we took a little road up to Lochinver then cut off and did the Drumberg loop where the scenery is stunning,we did a little detour of the road to visit Achmelvich bay which is one of the many beautiful beaches on the north west coast,when we came off the Drumberg loop onto the A894 near the Kylesku bridge we stopped of at the Kylesku hotel, as you don’t see it from the road I was curious to see it.we then headed north up to near Laxford bridge where we then cut off down the A838 down toward lairg and took the A839 back to Ullapool.
Achmelvich Bay


little beach next to Achmelvich bay


Kylesku hotel near the bridge


Kylesku bridge


The following day we headed up north on the main road this time and cut off to Kinlochbervie for our first a coffee,then up to Durness and around the coast to Tongue where we took the A836 to Lairg then down to Dingwell and Strathpeffer and back up to Ullapool.
One of the many beaches along from Durness









We had been really lucky with the weather as when we looked at the weather forecast each night lt never looked great but thankfully the forecasts were wrong, the Wednesday however wasn’t great in the morning but it cleared up in the afternoon so we decided to do a little loop of Achiltbuie north of Ullapool,we stopped off at a little caravan park somewhere on the loop and had a coffee and sat in the sun for a while.

For our run home on the Thursday the weather forecast looked horrendous snow and rain, but again although the roads were a bit damp there was no rain or snow, james headed towards Inverness and me and Lou went down the side of Loch ness,I have never seen this road as quiet I only had one car to overtake it was brilliant, I left Lou at Spean Bridge where I took the road to Dalwhinnie and Lou headed back down glencoe and LochLomond.

More photos to come!

 

That looks fantastic Doug!!

 

some more photos

 

Palm trees in Ullapool!

 

Fantastic! Scotland has lovely scenery.

 

So that looks like Sprinter - Dune for the day

Great write up Dougie and even better pictures the weather God's was certainly looking down on you lot

 

Photos really don't do it justice,there are so many fantastic views you could be stopping around every corner for a photo

 

Looks great, especially with the weather! Very annoyed I couldn't join yous. Empty roads, north Scotland, biking heaven!

 

What a wonderful trip

 

Looks fantastic - good photos.
Glad you all had a great time and dodged the bad weather.

 

Awesome trip and photos wished I could’ve been there.

 

Wow looks like you had a great time
Tucker

 

So another fantastic trip with good weather, I think you are blessed. Great set of pictures and write up. Can’t wait for our trip in June

 

Good work Dougie, like @Sandi T I enjoy a vicarious trip, takes my mind off my VAT return for a bit

 

Nearly fell asleep it was so peaceful, the wind was blowing over my head and sound of gentle waves lapping on the beach.

 

Lucky you didn't get frostbite on yer bonce then James !
Fantastic pictures there Dougie, brings back memories. I don't remember the Cale Hotel being too good though, still it doesn't really matter when you're out on your bike and you've got roads and scenery like that..
I'm reet jealous by the way.

 

Heres more pics in order, but please don't ask where each was taken, cause I'm terrible with names.
Although the weather was an improvement on the forecast, I spent the whole week in 4 t-shirts a fleece then my jacket and long johns, plus trousers and leather trousers, then two pairs of socks under my boots ( para/ jungle, boots fantastic btw).

 

Isn't Achiltibuie just across from the summer isles? I stayed there years ago, admiring their polytunnels! Very jealous, looks like a great trip!

 

I’ve travelled the world and been fortunate to see amazing scenery, but our sacred land has an abundance in such a small island that is a match for anywhere, we are truly blessed and thank you for sharing your journey after Covid we need to enjoy the remote open spaces as it makes us realise what is truly important and those good friends we can share it with

 

Any one remember Scottish Tour 2018 and the little red stickers? I found one.



Eh is there flames coming out of my exhaust?



@Vulpes You got your pic taken here in 18



Evening entertainment.



Nearly sleeping



!00 metres in 10 .01 sec.