Scottish Highlands and Islands

[Bill Newman]

Took a week out last week to "scratch an itch" that I have had for a few years now, to tour the Highlands.

Decided to go on the Rex since it has the muscle to do the miles - on the first day travelling north at the services at Carlisle a bloke walks up to me and says "thats my old bike..." He then takes a picture of it!

Eventually got to Balloch(Loch Lomond) where I met up with my Cousin on his KTM 990 Superduke







From there north into Glencoe





Past Fort William and onto Malliag for the ferry to Skye






Once on Skye continued northwards alongside the Sound of Raasay



Until we got to Portree, where we stayed over





Next day north to the Black Cuillins, then to Dunvegan, and the A883 south to the Skye Bridge.





Once back on the mainland onto Eilean Donan castle



then Loch Carron



then Applecross - it began to snow here so no time for too many pictures....



Then onto Loch Torridon, then turning east to go to Inverness.



Turned south on Thursday and set off for the legendary Murphs bar in Fife



In time to set off for the Yorks Rally on the Friday




joined by Murph, Alex and Ian




Rest of the pictures are on the Yorks Rally Thread. I set off for home on the saturday and landed having covered 1747 miles in 7 days

[Flying Tiger]

Brilliant set of pictures Bill, some spectacular views!! Glad you had a good time!

[Z1parR]

Nice one Bill , great pics of a great trip .
1700 odd miles in 7 days
do you feel like you've competed in an arse kicking contest

[Al]

Great pictures of a fantastic part of the world. I have been meaning to do just that for about the last five years.
My inclination would be for The Clyde and west coast islands as thats where we came from and where i have spent some time.

Gourock, Greenock, Ardentinny, Dunoon, Kirn, Bute, Stranraer.


AL

[paul doran]

Bill stunning scenery indeed and the Rex looks good too

[davy thomson]

Nice choice for a trip Bill and all on my back door, this is Gods country.

[coldsummer]

I really enjoyed reading this Bill, and I must say I'm slightly envious as it's the kind of thing I'd like to do but work, life, and my own lack of drive prevents me.

[davy thomson]

Get out and do it Simon.best roads in the world.there's a great wee rally over on Skye I go to every year great company crac! good wee pub's etc etc.

[steve bowdler]

great pics super scenery travelled on most of them roads , must say looks like you travelled pretty light

[coldsummer]

Get out and do it Simon.best roads in the world.there's a great wee rally over on Skye I go to every year great company crac! good wee pub's etc etc.

Davy, I've done a lot of touring around the West coast but always in a car with kids & wife in tow and every single time I imagine how great it would be on a bike. One day

[davy thomson]

The funny thing is it was giong on hols as a kid up to syke, that got me into bikes as I loved the roads up that way and allways thought it would be great to have a bike to blast round the roads around there and I get a buzz every time I head up that way,even in the wet its still grea,t we as a club need to pull something out of the bag for next year and get over that way. and I know the perfect venue.

[Bill Newman]

do you feel like you've competed in an arse kicking contest

No mate - the seat on the Rex is plush; although i was expecting some kind of reaction, I think I was insulated by the fact that I was wearing most of my clothes instead of carrying them with me 'cos it was so cold... cold

[Bill Newman]

great pics super scenery travelled on most of them roads , must say looks like you travelled pretty light

I did travel light although I have a Knox rucksack which takes a fair amount in comfort. I carried jeans trainers t shirts and fleece to change into each evening without too much difficulty.

The Rex also has very decent under seat storage which I maximised as well...

[Bill Newman]

I really enjoyed reading this Bill, and I must say I'm slightly envious as it's the kind of thing I'd like to do but work, life, and my own lack of drive prevents me.

Simon - I know you and what you feel and I am certain its nothing to do with lack of drive. Its actually about lack of time, as work and life create a set of pressures that can only be resolved by prioritisation and diplomacy. I spent 15 years wanting to do this trip and having to do it in the car with wife/kids etc. It was only when I was "liberated" from work(aka redundancy) and the knowledge that I have done all I can for my kids/wife/house that I was able to get a week away without guilt/pressure etc etc.

Thats why I am going to IOM TT for a week as well.....

[Padders]

Superb thread Bill.

I am up here in Strathaven on work up to Fife tomorrow and the sun is out and shining pity you missed it by a week. However it looks like the cold did not spoil what must have been a great weeks riding.