Day 3 - Loch Lomond to Glencoe / Skye
Sunday 05/05/2019
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After another chilly night in the tent, we made some coffee on the beach to warm ourselves up, packed-up our gear and headed up to Glencoe en-route to Skye. Was a shame to leave such a lovely spot but we were sure that there was more to come.
The road was brilliant from the moment we left, initially skimming the shores of Loch Lomond before turning more mountainous before Glencoe. We stopped at the Green Wellie (well know biker stop for some food and to stock-up on provisions). Lots of bikers, mostly on Harleys there. As we headed-up into Glencoe the rain and mist started and it got pretty cold. The views were still nice despite the weather and all the tourists.
After the obligatory photos we set-off down the road toward Fort William. Turns out the Scottish 6-day trial (off-road motorbike event) was in town so there were loads of people bombing around on trail bikes. We didn't get involved though and took photos of Ben Nevis instead. After filling-up with fuel we went past the Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter train thing). Nice but it started chucking it down so we rode straight out in search of the scenic route to Mallaig. Very nice it was too, lots of very bendy roads skirting the very coastline. It was low-tide so we didn't see the stunning blue waters but it was very pretty nontheless.
We got to Mallaig with 2.5 hours to wait before the next and last ferry to Skye of the day. Purchased some tickets and went in search of somewhere to eat and grab a coffee. Had some great fish and chips before boarding the boat and sailing-out past all the lovely mountainous islands. Great ferry ride with amazing views.
The weather on Skye went from brilliant sunshine to heavy showers and back within minutes. We were running a bit late so figured that we wouldn't be able to find a decent campsite before it got dark / the rain started if we carried on much further. We carried on up toward Dungevan castle but found a campsite surrounded by mountains at the end on a sea inlet (Sligachan and only £8 each). Really stunning setting but so windy! We quickly set-up camp and Dino made a wind shelter and brewed some warm drinks and made some hot-dogs whilst I got changed and set everything up.
The roads here are amazing. Good tarmac and fantastic corners, but you have a fair amount of caravan/motorhome overtaking to do if you want a clear road ahead to enjoy.
After washing-up, we went for a walk initially down river and then up-stream into the mountains. It was great. Nobody there, fish jumping in the river. We enjoyed crossing all the river jumping from rock to rock before finding a small waterfall and trying not to get muddy walking back through the boggy terrain.
Inevitably we ended-up in a pub drinking local beers and eating haggis nachos. Lovely end to a really nice day listening to some good music and warming our bones drinking Blackface and Eagle Ale.
Tomorrow we finish the circuit of Skye before getting the bridge back to the mainland and picking up the NC500. We will see Eileen Donan castle tomorrow (from Highlander fame) before going through Applecross and the other delights of the NC500.
Mileage: 654
Country count: 2 (GB - England, Scotland)
Beers: 18.5
Fines: 0
Bribes: 0
Ass pain: 3/10
Mechanical issues: 0.5 (well Dino's sat-nav fell-off and I had to cable tie a water hose to stop it rubbing)
Accidents: 0
Wetness: 3/10
Coldness: 5/10
Midges: 2/10
Country count: 2 (GB - England, Scotland)
Beers: 18.5
Fines: 0
Bribes: 0
Ass pain: 3/10
Mechanical issues: 0.5 (well Dino's sat-nav fell-off and I had to cable tie a water hose to stop it rubbing)
Accidents: 0
Wetness: 3/10
Coldness: 5/10
Midges: 2/10
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