My epic trip to the Highlands 23-26 july 2010

[j4ff]

Day 1.

Set off from Newcastle at 6.30am,bit chilly but the sun was playing out,to get to Drumnadrochit which was to be our base camp for the weekend 314 mile from home.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0581.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0580.jpg

Scottish boarders

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0584.jpg

Took the jedburgh road onto Peebles Through Glasgow to Dunbarton.Then the fun begins.

Brekkie stop at bike friendly cafe in Peebles

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0585.jpg

A lovely run up Loch Lomond to Tarbet.From Tarbet to Tyndrum and the Green Wellie Stop was a cracking ride.

Quick stop

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0593.jpg

Tarbet

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0588.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0587.jpg

Green wellie stop

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0589.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0591.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0592.jpg

Off again on the A82 Tyndrum through Glen Coe what a fantastic place great roads great scenary the odd di@k head coming toward you on the wrong side but you expect it with all the tourists.

Had a quck stop at Invagarry(Loch Garry)tried to help an old couple who'd locked themselves out their camper van keys in ignition mobile phone in there too so we called for recovery.

Invergarry(Loch Garry)

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0598.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0600.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0603.jpg

Onward and upward from Invergarry to Drumnadrochit about 30 mile of total biker heaven.Grippy good quality surfaces with some real epic corners twisting left right all the way up past Urquart castle Loch Ness.

Followed the sat nav to the lodges to find a closed gate and a dead end lol.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0609.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0611.jpg

We got some more directions from Allen and Agnes and about 4 mile away we found our cabin.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0615.jpg

100 yards up the lane a view over Loch Ness.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0622.jpg

Day 2.

We headed off after brekkie at about 11am for John'o'groats.

Quick stop

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0628.jpg

90 mile of crap straight square tyre roads later we came to Wick.From Wick to JOG was an ok road some nice twisties along the east coast,id never go again it was dissapointing.

Hayfever field every ones eyes started streaming

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0629.jpg

Got a photie taken and headed to Thurso for some lunch.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0635.jpg

Deliberating over some fish'n'chips we decided being there we may aswell go across to Durness and down through Ullapool.This now turned a 230 mile day into a 340 mile day.There wasnt much happening along the north coast until we got to Durness and the place went from good to absolutely effin awsome.Met a guy traveling around on his own(nutter)who mentioned there is only 1 24hr garage in the Highlands in Scourie.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0637.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0640.jpg

This road is definitley the best road i have ever been on it had everything from smooth grippy tarmac to any amount of bends carving through the mountains lack of pics as it was just too nice to stop all the time.As we came through Scourie to fill up we had done 110 mile from the previous stop.My mate infront kept riding through and didnt notice the 1 pump on the side of the road.I tried to flash him but he kept going.I stopped the other guy behind stopped i told him the score that it was the last fill up point for another 40 mile which we wouldnt make.He went back to the garage while i headed up to tell my mate expecting him to be stopped round the next corner.4 mile up the road he was stopped in a layby.We went back filled up drama over.

Last garage in the Highlands(take your card!)

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0646.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0645.jpg

Another 40 mile down the road and we arived at Ullapool at a closed petrol station.

Ullapool what a beautifull place.

[ihttp://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0647.jpgMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0648.jpg[/img]

Was now 60 mile from Drumnadrochit 9.30pm,dark visor and midgies are not a good combination.We made it back to base for 11.20pm!

Day 3

Couple of bacon butties then off to the Isle of Skye.A nice easy day ahead only 200 mile.Again headed down past Loch Ness on the amazing A82 took the high road around Invergarry and on toward Portree.Weather wasnt great but now i know how quick i can corner in the wet i was surprised.Fantastic roads and scenery again was amazing.

Quick stop.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0654.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0655.jpg

Another quick stop.Isle of Lochlash in the background

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0657.jpg

Portree

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0660.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0662.jpg

We went back almost the same way but around the bottom of Loch Garry.

Skye bridge in the background

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0669.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0667.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0664.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0666.jpg

The old couple in the camper van wernt there lol.

Garry next to Invergarry

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0670.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0671.jpg

Now coming to the third time up the A82 from Invergarry we picked up the pace the guy horsing his Maserati trying to keep up soon gave up as did Jag man lol.Grabbed some pizzas from the shops to take up to the cabin to get settled for the MotoGP.A bat hit the window as we stood outside.So much for sonar.Was dazed for 5 minutes before it flew off

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0674.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0672.jpg

Day 4

Sad journey home.Kicked out the cabin at 10am and off again down the A82.Virtually the same route home as we came.Made it home at about 7.30pm.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0675.jpg

Fort bill

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0676.jpg

last view point

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0677.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0678.jpg

Total of 1300 mile (ive wrecked my front tyre)Excellent company excellent roads a total amazing time.Roll on Ullapool next year.

[hammer5]

Some excellent photos there, sounds like a really good ride with the lads.

The cat on your(?) Yamaha looks stunning mate also the reg plate never any hassle from the boys in blue?

BB

[j4ff]

That cat was just in the village and it just came over and sat on my knee.Real friendly.

I carry my spare plate incase i get the tug.Ive had more bother with the light protectors.

[hammer5]

That cat was just in the village and it just came over and sat on my knee.Real friendly.

I carry my spare plate incase i get the tug.Ive had more bother with the light protectors.

 

Sorry mate i meant the exhaust

BB

[j4ff]

just a cheapy Blueflame sounds nice tho.

Not this cat then

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j177/J4FF/Jockland%2023%20july%202010/IMGP0652.jpg

[mattyb]

Looks awesome, we were up at Glen Coe at the weekend but was in the car (stayed on the right side of the road so it wasn't me!). Our mates who live up there were suprised at how good the weather was so you picked the right weekend for it

Would love to take the bike up but unfortunately it's a 7 hour drive from here.

[adam1979]

Looks like a fantastic time was had. Got to say that Ninja looks absolutely mint all in black. Made me want a new bike!!

[Guest]

Looks like a cracker jeff

I was up that way last year. was freakin awesome

[Blackadder]

Looks great - who owns the cabin you stayed in? Is it private or up for general rental?

[TC]

Looks fantastic

[j4ff]

Looks great - who owns the cabin you stayed in? Is it private or up for general rental?

 

Drumnadrochit Lodges google them,run by Allen and Agnes Spence they have about 6 lodges up on the hill side over looking Loch Ness all 4 star s/c.We paid £100 each for 3 nights.Didnt fancy lugging around camping gear.Somewhere to come back for a shower and chill was worth the money especially after the 12hr second day ride.