Well myself and Mart met up at Southwaite Services on the M6 between Penrith and Carlisle. Mart riding up from Warrington and myself from just outside Leeds.
Plan was to have a Burger King, then crack on up to Glasgow to get the High Kirk Holy Grail shot, which we did, no problems. The sun was beating down, hardly any wind...perfect.
We had planned to wild camp somewhere along Loch Lomond. The light was starting to fade, so we pulled off down a narrow lane and found a pub! Mart went in and asked if we could camp there. A few minor hickups, when the landlord spotted us pitching up in his beer garden!! He moved us to a small field by the side of Loch Long at Arrochar, Cairndow. Great little spot. We had a pint in the pub (Stagecoach inn) then back to the tents to watch the Northern Lights. (watch the video, Northern Lights are at the end).
We woke early, Mart thinking it was 8.30am, when it was actually 5.30am! Packed up and back on the road. Rode up the 'Rest and be Thankful'.
We carried on up the A83 back to the A82 thro Glencoe to Fort William. After coffee and cakes, headed on to Kyle of Lochalsh past Eileen Donan Castle and on to
Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle). The ride over to Appleross was everything i expected....totally amazing!
We stopped a while outside the Applecross Inn taking it all in, the sun still hot and beautiful blue skies.
Anyway, we didnt plan on camping at the campsite, as we'd been told on this forum, to ride out of Applecross along the coast road north and just wild camp. What a fantastic bit of advice. Within a couple of mile, we found this perfect spot. Obviously used for camping many times before. There where 2 tents already pitched with no-one around. We set up camp. After making a cuppa, 2 guys arrived and went to their tents, Bikers! We introduced ourselves, then spent the rest of the evening with them around a fire, eating and drinking beers whilst watching the Deer munching away. We sat by the water edge and watched the sun go down. Amazing.
Waking up early again, as it dosent really get properly dark, we watched our 2 new friends pack up their R1 and Blackbird, lashing everything down using old ropes they had found on the beach! We leisurely packed up and reluctently set of along the Applecross coast road. Amazing views of the Isle of Sky, Raasay and Rona. We thought the 'pass of the cattle' road was good, but bloody hell, it just gets better and better!!! Every corner we took, the views just blew your mind. Totally in Awe of this place. Words cannot describe.
After arriving at Kinlochewe, we put the satnav on and headed for Dornoch on the east coast for Holy Grail pic number 2. We didnt realise, but it was at this tiny Cathedral where Madonna got married! Pretty little place. We visited the 'Jail' then sat on the floor eating chicken salad sandwiches. Suddenly a bike pulled up, the guy jumped off, came over and introduced himself as V_King from this forum!! He'd come to get the grail pic also, and he'd riden up from London! What are the chances of us meeting like that!
We had planned to ride on to Inverness for the 3rd Grail pic, but as it was getting a little late, we headed for our 3rd nights digs. We had booked this one, as when i read about it, it sounded too good to be true. Its called sleeperzzz. A railway station with old carrages converted into bedrooms/kitchen/showers etc! Amazing place!! The station is also still a live station. Its called Rogart Station, just north of Dornoch. You have to stay there!! £15 per night.
After a great night once again in the local watering hole, we showered in the train, then set off for Inverness. We got the Grail pic, then carried on to Elgin cathedral for Grail pic number 4. Lovely place, derelict, but lovely all the same! This was our last day, so wanted to get some milage in. We set the satnav, and blasted thro the Cairngorms and down to Lindisfarne for Grail pic number 5. Oppss, the tide was in! Got some pics, but not on the island itself. Hope they will still count!
The day was coming to a close, we set the satnav to 'GO HOME', arrival time saying 9.10pm. Sadly, we set off, and chomped thro the motorway miles.
In all, an amazing weekend with great company, great weather and mind blowing scenery,
I would highly recommend doing this trip. I will do it again.
Pic and video time.................................................
I THINK MY PICS ARE TOO BIG FOR THIS BLOG, SO YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK ON EACH PIC TO VIEW IT ALL. Sorry! I'll get it right next time!
Our meeting place at Southwaite Services inbetween Carlisle and Penrith.
Glasgow Cathedral.
Eileen Donan Castle.
Eileen Donan again!
...and again.
Our first nights wild camp at Cairndow....just off the 'Rest and be Thankful' road, near Loch Lomond.
First nights camp again...
First nights camp was near this pub...yes, we had 2 pints!
The sign near to where we camped.
Next day, the ride over to Applecross. Voted as one of the best UK motorcycle rides. This is the sign you see before you start the road.
At the end, in Applecross is a pub! The Applecross inn.
Views on the way.
Just after Applecross.
Our second nights wildcamp. A fantastic spot about 2 miles north on the coast road from Applecross.
on route.
Glencoe.
As the light hits the mountain tops. We stopped to get this photo....its around 6am.
A bridge we found that we just had to ride over!
The summit of 'The pass of the Cattle'.
Our third nights camp. We pre booked this one. Yup, we slept in an old railway carrage! Fantastic it was too.
After heading east, right across Scotland to the East coast town of Dornoch. This is Dornoch Catherdral where Madonna got married.
Inverness Catherdral.
Elgin Catherdral.
The Commando memorial.
after following the east coast down from Elgin. About 3 hours later you hit Lindisfarne.....The tide was in!
A quick stop at the 'Angel of the North' before heading on home.
Video....
.............watch for the Northern Lights at the very end of the vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61zKMHSTBZg&feature=plcp
