Scotland 2024

Borgie to Applecross – 17 May 2024 (306kms)

After bfast we have s short wander through the adjacent fields & then a fond farewell to Borgie Hotel. Another ridiculously beautiful day. Blue skies & no wind.

We head west along the northern coastline. It is mountainous terrain, rock’s covered by a green fringe & barren on top. The sea variably comes into vision with beautiful golden sands. Then we turn inland and glassy lakes nestle between the hills. Up higher we pass through a misty valley & the temperature drops quickly for a few moments.

The NC500 becomes a one lane track with many passing bays. The RV’s make it slow going. We meet our first Scottish Karen. She approaches at a photo stop & abuses us for making her late for work cos she couldn’t get past the bikes! Like that was going to happen. She has singly abused 6 bikers. She takes photos of our bike regos so Tony responds in kind.

First stop at Kylesku for a coffee.   Situated on a loch. There is a film shoot happening.

The ride continues through the passes, inland lakes & thick cloud nestling into the valleys looking much like a glacier. The road is wide curves making it easy to look around while enjoying the ride. The road has a rough surface. Pete surmises that it is graded for ice conditions.

Lunch at the Seaforth, Ullapool, a fishing town on the west coast.

Our trip to Applecross takes us to the South Route. The road is a single lane & well laid winding road through a deep & wide valley. The sides are huge basalt & granite surfaces towering above us. The valley floor is wooded & a river runs adjacent to the road. This could very well be imagined as Jurassic Park stuff.

We then turn right onto the Coastal Route, an even tighter single lane road. We meander around the various coastal bays & caves, frustrated only by a white van who was obviously unable to see 5 bikes & a mini on his tail. Hydro, having exhausted all possible sideways manoeuvres, gives him a honk & we move on.

The scenery is enough to turn 6 experienced & wise men into dribblers. We are traversing high cliffs above the foaming seas. The weather closes in and the mist is thick. It feels like the end of the world so we do what must be done…..a photo.

As we head down into Applecross, the sky breaks clear & temps rise by 5 degrees. We are staying at the Applecross Inn. We check in & then its the usual diet of pre-dinner drinks & dinner at the Inn.

How good? 14 Goods today!