Featured Rideout Ardnamurchan,the Most Westerly Point On The British Mainland

Discussion in 'Rideouts, Trackdays, Touring & Spotted' started by Dougie D, Jul 20, 2022.

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  1. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

    Jan 30, 2016
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    I've been wanting to go to Ardnamurchan for a while now, so when the forecast for Monday & Tuesday looked great i went and booked accommodation in Kilchoan for the Monday night. i wanted to explore the roads and beaches as the last time i went there was over 30 years ago, and we just went to the lighthouse (waypoint 11) and back. this is the route i took once i got to Corran
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    i left the house at 6am on Monday and had a brilliant run up by Loch Tay and through Glencoe, very little traffic at that time of day so progress was made! First stop was in Glencoe for a couple of pics
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    The next stop was at the Onich Hotel for breakfast before getting the ferry from Corran, the breakfast was self service and eat as much as you want for £9.95 which i thought was a bargain drinks and toast were included. the Onich Hotel is not far from the ferry i got there just as it was about to leave so i managed to get on just in in time (it leaves at 8.30am but there's a ferry every 30 mins so it wouldn't have been a disaster if i didn't get that one) the crossing only takes a few minutes
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    Once across i took the main A861 for a while (which is a lovely road) but then took the B8043 a narrow but lovely Rd which continues down the coast for a while then cuts inland to join the A884 road
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    made a little detour to see Kinochaline castle that @Vulpes told me about (waypoint 6 on the above route map), unfortunately the gates were locked
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    i stopped off for a cold drink at the cafe beside the ferry (waypoint 7) that takes you across to Mull
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    from there i took the B849 to the end of the road at Drimnin
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    To be continued..
     
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  2. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    From Drimnin i went back the same road then cut off to Strontian where i took an unmarked (waypoint 9) this turned out to be a brilliant road with some amazing views
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    this was the official end of the road..
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    but i continued through and I'm glad i did
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    this road eventually takes you past Loch Doilet then goes about 3/4 up Loch Shiel i went a few miles but decided to turn back as there were other places i wanted to visit, came across this tent in the middle of nowhere it's obviously a permanent residence but no one was about
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    a couple of nice horses
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    To be continued...
     
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  3. joe mc donald

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    Dougie D
    Stunning ride and terrific pictures. Did a similar ride a couple of years ago. I also did the pass of the cattle but never again. The day we went it was raining and a nightmare. Also did Sky and it was fantastic,
    Joe
     
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  4. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    #4 Dougie D, Jul 20, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2022
    i then returned to Strontian then took the A861 to Salen then the B8007 which takes you eventually out to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse but before i got to the lighthouse i took a detour to Sanna bay where there is a gorgeous beach, i parked up the bike and there's a 5 min walk to the beach
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    i couldn't resist
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    i spent a good hour and a half at the beach then headed to the lighthouse

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    After spending a while there i headed to my Hotel in Kilchoan which I'd passed on the road up for a much needed pint and something to eat.
    To be continued..
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  5. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    the next day i headed back to salen and took the road to another cracking little beach at Ardoe (waypoint 13)
    reminder of route
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    you have to keep an eye open for the odd sheep
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    Ardoe Beach
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    To be continued..
     
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  6. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

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    WOW that's absolutely amazing, a scottish whale wearing sun glasses. Best get on to Dave (Attenborough).
     
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  7. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

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    I'm just jealous Dougie, really jealous.
     
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  8. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    The next detour would be to Tioram castle
    lovely little bridge on the way
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    no midges about apart from this one
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    Stopped off at the Glenuig Inn and decided to see what was along the road from it
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    a lovely little beach
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    headed back onto the A861 that will take me out at Lochailort on the A830 (road to the isles)

    final post that will include a road I've never been on but always wanted to it's a short road that leads to a dead end but it has to be the most brilliant biking road ever! up and down and round and round and up and down and round and down and round and round and round and up and down!! can anyone guess where it is?
     
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  9. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    #9 Vulpes, Jul 20, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2022
    Absolutely fantastic trip Dougie! Save the roads to Ardnamurchan (bucketlist item) I've been on all of them. Ardtoe used to have a Sea Fish Industry Authority Marine Farming Unit, where they bred halibut. Might still be there. I used to know a bloke (lived in Dalnabreck, near Acharacle) who worked there and got a tour of the premises. Castle Tioram is great to see, I was never there on such a gorgeous day though! (I did sail past it once :)). And I had my first proper hogmanay and first footing in Drimnin! Bibby McDonald, who runs the post office, is a dear friend.
     
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  10. Bikerman

    Bikerman Life's not a dress rehearsal.
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    That is one hell of a cracking route you've done there. Absolutely brilliant pictures too. That's another on the to do list. Brilliant.
     
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  11. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

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    As brilliant as ever Dougie, great pictures. Well done mate :cool::cool:
     
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  12. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Dougie D: Thanks for the great pictures and interesting report!
     
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  13. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

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    What an absolutely fantastic trip, pictures and write-up @Dougie D . Thank you for sharing :)
     
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  14. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    The A830 was quieter than i thought it would be, although the car park at Glenfinnan viaduct was full, i stopped off at Corpath not far from Fort William for a snap of Ben Nevis
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    From there i went to Fort William and onto a road that I've been wanting to do for ages, It's only about 6 miles long and leads to a dead end, I'd looked at it on google maps and thought it looked good, but in real life it's a brilliant wee road, a real rollercoaster it's just a shame it's so short i couldn't take photos of the twisty up and down bits but they were awesome, it's not got a road number but it's the road through Glen Nevis, i did it there and back twice as i loved it and although there were loads up folk up at the car park the road was quiet
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    near the end of the road you come to a bridge and from there it's a narrow single track road to the end
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    when i passed the bridge i noticed a crowd of folk looking over so on my way back i stopped to see what was going on, some young teenage lads were jumping off into the water below. it doesn't look that high in the photos but it was pretty high!
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    After going up and down the road a couple of times i made my way home via the A86 Loch Laggan Rd/Dalwhinnie/Pitlochry/Moulin moor and home. i didn't stop for any photos but it was a brilliant ride home.
     
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  15. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    It's a place you would definitely want to do in Good weather so it's better doing it as a last minute thing to make sure about the weather. i only saw 5 other bikes over that way 3 adventure bikes and 2 cruisers, definitely not a sports bike or high revving bike route as probably half of it was single track although most was in good condition.
     
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  16. Armando Morales

    Armando Morales Noble Member

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    Awesome tour ! thanks for sharing it
     
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  17. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

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    You should get a camcorder and start a youtube channel.
     
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  18. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

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    Wow nice run there @Dougie D and unbelievably you've done it again, another memory lane trip.
    I cycled round Mull in about 1981 then crossed over to your point7. We then cycled up to point3 and caught the Corran ferry across... Happy days!

    Cheers.
     
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  19. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    I used to record my favourite roads and stick them up on youtube, but that was more for myself so i can look back on them, but it was a hassle and i was always wary that i was recording so i had to be careful. plus I don't think I'd make a good vlogger anyway!
     
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  20. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    Is there anywhere else you would like me to go @Eldon :joy:
     
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