Applecross [2] (Longish)

That remote place in Scotland, where somne geezer called Monty had a "great
escape".

Its remote as in "a long way from places" and "hard to get to", but its like
the M1 going over the top, and the pub was full !

Had a little jaunt this weekend, Jean and I packed a ton of camp gear on the
XJR , met up with Mike and Moira who we went to the USA with and worked our
way up the country.

Mway upto Glasgow (B&B at Crawford on Thursday night), then cut off the main
Loch Lomand route via Helensburgh (A814). Nice quite road, go past a
warship loading with weapons with the big sign "Slow Explosives" [1]

As we were avoiding the rainy weather we cut coastwards towards Oban, up and
over lots of nice twisty bits, and then up the coast to Fort William, which
is best passed through quickly. Left at Invergarry and right just before
Kyle (of Loch Alsh).

At this point the roads finaly emptied properly, we stopped for petrol in
Lochcarron at a small stopre which was bizzarly staffed by Asians and then
the weather hit. A big big dark cloud dropped, so we finally had to
waterproof up and hit the pass. Its single, very single, track up and over
with a couple of cool hairpins. Not that we could see much with the rain
and cloud, or the busses and cars (must have been rush hour).

Dropped down into Applecross and threw the tents up during a dry spell and
hit the pub (note the food here is *excellent*).

Despite dire weather forcasts it was dry and warm in the morning, so we
headed off to Ullapool round the coast road, the A832, it is a main tourist
route, but hey this is Scotland and its empty. Stunning road, stunning
views, nothing to onerous but plenty of sweeping curves and overtaking
spots when required.

Fish and Chips in Ullapool, then back down the A835/832. Much faster road,
and even emptier. Back over the top and a visit to Monty's croft. Jean ran
up the dune, and we just laughed.

On this occasion we were able to see where we were going, the road is best
describe as a mini Norwegian "Troll Wall". Drop into 2nd, let the bike
nearly stall and open the throttle, pulls round beutifully, Jean hates it
when I do that

More food and beer.

Overnight rain cleared so we could pack the tents dry, this time the top was
covered in fog.

Headed back over Glen Coe, giving it the speeds it deserves, plus a bit as
the rain started near Tyndrum as we were still on waterproof avoidance.

As we passed south of Glasgow, the rain came down.... really came down...
and the wind started... really started. Mike's bike (a varadero) was really
affected, and we had to slow down to 60mph to stop him being blown all over
the shop. A good idea these unfaired retros, wind is never that bad

Finaly got home around 20:30. Top weekend. Who needs France ?

[1] Not sure it is just me, but I spent an age imagining explosions in
slow-mo with people shouting r u n n n n.

[2] For those that don't know, its here
http://tinyurl.com/nl6ntd

 

This is quite bizarre - I was there the Sunday before last (16th).

The weather was, er, dramatic for us too. I managed to get a few
great photos - I'll be posting my write up and pics later this
evening.

Dunno why you think Scotland was busy, mind - I was in the car, and
had pretty clear roads from just north of Lock Lomond to pretty much
anywhere. And there certainly weren't any busses on the Bealach na ba
- they'd never get round the hairpins, surely?

 

You missed the local "games" as well then

The weather also cancelled the raft race on Friday

A fair few clouds in our pictures

Car !

There was a lot of road activity IMO, especially on the way back on Sunday.
But use busy here in relative terms

It varies, on some stretches if you get a coach of a couple of
caravans/mobile homes you are buggered (especially in the car).

It was a small one, and refused to back up for Mike.

 

Scotland, YTC !

 

Oh, you were being pedantic over his spelling of Loch

 

YTC#1 wrote:

Heh. We were just down the road from there, on the edge of Loch Awe.

 

(Beelzebub) wrote in

the transliteration of unintelligible languages thread is over there >>>

 

We really should touch base with our diaries

 

For some reason when I saw it, I thought "its Champs, why be sarcastic to
him"

 

I can't find Monty's croft on the sat imagery - I assumed it was next to
Applecross, but is it further off?

Relatedly, for ten points, who can tell me what this is?
http://tinyurl.com/ten-points

 

Yes. Given the weather, I was glad.

eh? You wuss. I often overtook a coach, a couple of caravans and 3
or 4 cars in one go. OK, my car has 230 hp, but surely your bike can
overtake more easily than that.

 

Anyway, here's the very very first draft of a quick "What I did on my
hols" write up. The photos that are linked might be worth looking at.

 

Here? Where?

 

Not I, but I know a man that can
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Kishorn

 

I know that, I wasn't asking for information on it.

It's a bit of a surprise to see it empty - last time I was there was
just as dawn was breaking and the whole place was lit up like a
refinery. An intense hub of effort and pay packets for a few years.

 

"Born in the far east"

Lowestoft?

 

Er, would you like to borrow a map?

 

I think you should write for the Scottish tourist board.

Almost tempted to take a few days off up north myself.

 

Glad you enjoyed the B+B and Crannog

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

It's a pleasure.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk