After our taste of Scotland in 2010 we were keen to return and explore some more. In 2013 we started the trip with the very scenic train journey from Glasgow to Mallaig where we then crossed by ferry to Skye. From Skye we crossed to Harris to ride the road on the West coast that we missed in 2010 then back round onto The Golden Road (probably our favourite road ridden anywhere so far) and over the hills to Lewis.
Riding via Great Berneray and the impressive standing stones at Callanish we then headed to Stornoway to catch the ferry back to Ullapool on the mainland. From here we rode up the West coast to catch the ferry across to Cape Wrath (highly recommended!) then back along the North Coast to catch the ferry from Scrabster to Stromness on Orkney.
We had a few days exploring the Neolithic sites on Orkney and some walking on Hoy before taking the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick on Shetland where we then rode over to Eshaness then up to Yell and Unst for a memorable night camping at the most northerly point in the UK overlooking Muckle Flugga lighthouse in the company of hundreds of puffins.
We returned to the mainland on the longest ferry in UK waters between Lerwick and Aberdeen then a train journey back to Glasgow to collect the car.
Days of Riding: 15
Distance Covered: approx 750 miles
Ferry Journeys: 14
Islands: 10
Scenic train ride from Glasgow to Malaig
Glenfinian Viaduct
The advantage of S&S couplings
Waiting for the ferry, Mallaig
Evening dip, Isle of Skye
Our own island for the night, Isle of Skye
The Cullins, Isle of Skye
Approaching Harris
Luskentyre, Harris
Spot the tent, Luskentyre, Harris
Evening dip, Luskentyre, Harris
Kirsty with her Kindle, Harris
Sunset at Luskentyre, Harris
Luskentyre, Harris
The Golden Road, Harris
The Golden Road, Harris
Waiting for the baaas, Harris
Climbing over Harris
Over the hills, Harris into Lewis
Earth Mother, Lewis
Bike parking at Bosta, Isle of Lewis
Beach at Great Berneray, Lewis
Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis
Calanish Standing Stones, Lewis
The standing stones, Calanish, Lewis
Prescriptive playground on Lewis
Black House Village, Garenin, Lewis
Evening swim, Gearranan, Lewis
Gearranan, Lewis
Clifftop view, Gearranan, Lewis
Sunset at Gearranan, Lewis
Pentland Road, Lewis
Filling up at Stornoway, Lewis
Loch Lurgainn
Back on the mainland
Evening dip, Lochinver
Inverkircraig
Who ya gonna call?
Asynt coastline
25% hill on road from Drumbeg
Kylesku Bridge
Waiting for the ‘ferry’ to Cape Wrath
Ferry ride to Cape Wrath
Rough road to Cape Wrath causes our only puncture
Rough road to Cape Wrath
A foggy arrival at Cape Wrath lighthouse
The Ozone Cafe, Cape Wrath. Open 24hrs a day, 365 days a year.
Great pictures. I’ve been along most of those roads myself.