Blogs from Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 7

A day in which 55km converted in one of 90km Since the climate is changing from sunny/windy to colder/rainy and windy and that today’s proposed route contained a steep clime, the planning for de day was not to make it a too long ride. How big our mistake. The steep climb was there and we had to make it twice because when after a 15 km (1.5 hours) climb we arrived on the summit and (once again) we ended up in a dead end path. We consulted a local inhabitant who confirmed our mistake. No other solution than going down again the full 15km . Twice the same climb and descents had eaten our batteries and before continuing we needed to recharge the batteries. Fortunately the Youth Hostel was still open, nevertheless we lost almost 2 ... read more

A tourism day By sheer chance yesterday we met with an elderly gentleman, born and raised in Skye. A medical doctor who has traveled the world for the UN. Knowing the island and Scotland very well he gave us some advise on where to go and where not to go bearing in mind that we are on bikes. First advice: don’t go to Dumvegan castle on bike because getting there is complicated and very tiresome. If you want to see it, look for another way of transportation, which we did, taking a taxi. Second advice: forget about going all the way up north. Nothing worthwhile to see but peat grounds and few places to sleep and eat. Third advice: if you really want to see a beautiful part of Skye let me draw you a small ... read more

A sunny but extremely windy day . From Oban to Acharacle/Mingary 90 km (56miles) Today began with an early ferry ride from Oban to Craignure, island of Mull, followed by a bike tide of some 35 km before coming to another ferry this time from Tobermory to Kilchoan. Scottish names sound complicated when written in the way we pronounce them. Written in gaellic the names become unpronounceable. All names of town and villages come in both versions. The Scottish language for english speakers is impossible to follow. After leaving the ferry the road took us through beautiful empty land, with, with exception of many sheep and young lams, very few signs of live. Few houses and villages. Roads in general are one lanes ones with regular passing zones. The wind on the islands are brutal and, ... read more

Our first biking day. Inverness to Fort William a bike ride of about 120 km (75 miles) As is customary, we got up early and left the hotel at 8.15. The trip took us mostly along the Loch Ness; exactly the loch of (in)famous monster of Loch Ness, baptized as Nessie. Infamous because after many year the photographer of the monster confessed that the photo was a hoax. The road along side the loch goes up and down, a great way of the legs getting used to the environment. The wind was against us but the weather was nice. Sunny at the outset with temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius 50 F) gradually growing more overcast but with temperatures increasing to 17 C (63 F). We made our first stop after 60 km in Fort Augustus along ... read more

Ever since I first watched the Harry Potter movies, I knew I had to ride that marvelous steam train, the Jacobite Express across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. During my current stay in Glasgow, I took the opportunity to investigate this further, but discovered the specific famous train journey only begins and ends in Fort William (2 hours and 107 miles away). This route has been in operation each year since 1984 and covers part of the West Highland line. It’s a massive hit with tourists, effortlessly combining legendary Scottish folklore, luxury travel and fantastic scenery. Described as the greatest railway journey in the world (always subjective and open to interpretation), this 84-mile roundtrip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway ... read more