I'd planned to do the Scottish National Rally since last year, as I wasn’t a Pan Clan member then, it is always held on the 2nd weekend of September. Anyone now looking at a calendar (who is a Clan member) will realise that was also the date for the Clan gathering in Chester and I was planning on being there as well now, something had to give, or did it? There is an option to do a one thousand mile jaunt, as per the map supplied for the rally, and it could be done anytime from mid August up to the real rally weekend. Thousand miles and four weeks to do it, easy I hear some say. Well yes it is if you don’t have other things to do at the same time. So being realistic it only left me with a couple of Sundays and two full weekends, still very easily do-able. So a plan was hatched, using the two Sundays I would clear the first locations locally, they consisted of (in order) Leven, Perth, Stirling, Maddiston, Mussleburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Kelso, for a total of only 180 miles, pretty sure I did a lot more than that as I hate motorways and I always had to get back to home to Rosyth, at the end of the day. Either way it was a start and the next two weekends would make or break it. Oh to add to this I am also taking part in the Round Britain Rally, its enough for me to say I had another bunch of places to visit and had planned to do both rallies together but as the RBR had started back in April I had already visited a few of the more local locations. So first free weekend and I’m away from here Saturday at 6:30am (far to early) and headed down the A701 to the Annandale Services at Johnstonebridge (A74), from there I was going to Lochmaben Castle (RBR), found and photo'd ok (if you call running up a gravel tack on two wheels ok), then the fun started. I use a GPS to get about, saves some of the ‘stop, pull out map’ then finding out I am heading the wrong way, the GPS will tell me a lot sooner! Well it sometimes picks the shortest route, literally, as it did this time. I was off to Dumfries and the shortest route was via a small back road, it’s even on my paper maps. Hey I'm used to single tracks and I thought as its early chances of seeing anything coming the other way was slim, knowing what I know now I'd say 0% chance unless it had four legs! This ‘nice’ back road went from tarmac, to broken tarmac, to gravel, to a grass track! Turns out it was really a green lane just wasn't marked anyplace. I had a choice, backtrack and try and work out another route or push on the 2 miles indicated by the GPS, who says an ST1100 cannot green lane. I did drop the bike lightly when I found a mud hole and forgot to stop properly, remember front brakes aren’t much use on damp grass! Was fun having to open and close a gate, trying to find a place to park bike safely, was on a hill and the cows, well they are cows, just like sheep, just as stupid but bigger! Was I glad to see gravel and then tarmac again. From Dumfries it was on to John Paul Jones Cottage in Kirkbean (RBR), another gravel track. From there on to Kirkcudbright then to Drummore. If you've got a map it's the most southern town in Scotland, its on that little bit that sticks down below Stranraer. It was some ride getting there, a lot of single track. To help matters along I had to visit the Kirkmadrine Stones (RBR), which I would have liked to have seen, but due to unknown reasons the church they are in has been boarded up. Looking at some of the rubbish in the area just in front of the church I can guess. What does surprise me is the church is not near any habitation, literally the middle of nowhere up yet another gravel track. Then it was on to Ballantrae (west coast) then to Cluzean Castle (RBR), another GPS funny. The software for the GPS has the castle listed so it was easy to find so, I stopped and got the pic I thought was right (place looked dilapidated as it was a kennels now). Well I should have guessed things were to easy, about 2 miles up the road I see a sign for the castle? Ok turn here just in case, up a windy road following signs that indicate there is something ahead, oh yes there is all right, a booth so I can pay to get into the castle! So when I mentioned to the girl trying to get money out of me about the castle up on the road she said "oh the old gate house" doh! She wanted £9 to visit the castle or £5 to visit the gardens. I said a fiver was a bit much just for one pic, then she realised I was doing the RBR so she allowed me in free, result, sneaked an ice cream while I was there. Then it was back on the road to Mauchline, where I thought I'd stop for lunch cause I thought this was one of those big service stations, will have to give up thinking, even though it’s a 24hr place its only a small service station! No lunch there then, oh it was about 3pm by now and so far no proper food since yesterday. So carried on to Salcoats, slightly bigger place so at least I was able to get a quick drink and a pork pie. Still on the west coast and heading north, next stop Cloch Point Lighthouse (RBR). Easy find as its right next to the road or should that be the road is right next to the sea? Now the bit I wasn't really looking forward to, getting up to Helensburgh as that involves crossing the Clyde and playing with typical Glasgow type traffic, although it did take a bit of time it wasn't to bad but still meant I didn't reach Rhu till after 6:30pm, some 353 miles with only one or two U turns, not bad going. Hotel was ok even if the food service was a little slow. Had thought of a few pints but the ride had knocked me out so I was in bed by 11pm, unheard of. Must have needed it, as I didn't rise till 8am. Back on the chase for pics and receipts today, first was to be Strachur and then my GPS funny for the day. I had planned to take the ferry across Loch Fyne, I had also planned to get the 1045 one, hmm. The GPS sent me down a single-track road, it shouldn't have mattered as I had plenty of time, had it sent me the other way down the A road I would have arrived with loads of time to spare. Well I suppose I shouldn't blame the GPS entirely this time, dam yokels (no I didn't mean locals, though I think he was). I caught up to a van, who once he knew I was there decided 20mph was better than the 30mph he had been doing and proceeded for 10 miles like that! There were no places I could pass unless he allowed me to and he knew it, bet he knew I was heading to the ferry as well. When he did decided to turn off I had to calm down lots or have an accident I was that p1$$ed off knowing I would never make the ferry. Oh well had a forced rest waiting for the next ferry, probably not a bad thing and gave me a chance to have a chat with others waiting as well. The other down side to this was I wouldn’t now make it back at a sensible time for the west coast meeting at Dunoon, oh well onwards and upwards. From Tarbert it was head south to Saddell Abbey (RBR) another long single-track road, at least most of the cars played the game this time and let me pass as soon as they saw me. The ‘gentleman’ coming towards pulling a caravan caused a few problems when the two cars in front of me couldn’t quite get into a passing place, I was back up the road with side stand down watching the fun. He even had to cheek to say thanks when I waved him down and told him about the other ‘gentleman’ heading his way with a caravan and couldn't understand the irony. His caravan was bigger than the legally allowed width for the road, bet he had great fun with the other one when they did meet! From Saddell (about 10 miles north of Campbelltown) it was on to Oban, the A816 is a great road, nice sweepers. From there it was on to the Iron Furnace at Bonawe (RBR). Again the lass allowed me in free of charge as I was only after a pic and she knew about the RBR. That only left Tyndrum (The Green Welly) before the 70-mile jaunt to home, hey must be a time thing, got here at 6:30pm. Not bad 655 miles in two days, a lot on single-track roads (or grass, eek!) one or two cows and loads of great views and not a hint of rain. So far covered 770 miles needed for the Scottish Rally, still a ways to go but as I’d planned to visit the NW coast area the following weekend it shouldn’t be a problem. Next weekend I knew this was going to be a long two days as one of the RBR points was as far away as it could be on Skye so I set off just after 5:30am on Saturday, bet some neighbours were cussing, I know I was, far to early and it had been raining over night so rather than be brave (read stupid) I opted for a pair of light rain trousers over the leathers. The jacket being, a BS Explorer, wasn't expected to let me down, it didn't. Appears I made the right choice as during the day I did get ‘showered’ once or twice but it was a minor irritant more than anything else. But being 5:30 in the morning it was b!00*y cold, yep winters not far away and I hadn't bothered with the Widder, my choice as it would have only been needed for an hour or so. So first stop was to be back at the Green Welly for a quick coffee, I’d forgotten that its not a 24hr place so arriving just after 7am wasn't a good idea. Had to do with a machine coffee without the bacon roll from the petrol station there (he opens early) and watch all the traffic I'd passed go trundling up the road, bet they were surprised to see me pass them again later on. Next stop was to be Fort William, some 40 odd miles according to the Rally map but the run up the A82 at that time in the morning was great, easy to find the place I needed and get the required receipt, off to Whitbridge (RBR). Oh joy, first single-track road of the day, but I was expecting these this time round as NW Scotland is made up of them, very few real roads. It was actually quite a good road considering. Had to head back down it to Fort Augustus but still pretty light traffic so making up plenty of time. I should explain, Autoroute had me arriving at the night’s hotel at 2216 and that was assuming I left at 5:30; Mapsource (GPS software) just said it would take about 7:52:40 (h:m:s), which I knew was wrong! From FA to Cluanie Inn, its half way along the A87 and a pretty good place to stay, experience from a previous Scottish Rally, but this time I was thinking of breakfast having missed it at the Green Welly, but at something like 11am it was over, they did make a nice sarnie for me though. Then it was on to the Isle of Skye, this being my first visit by road (ex sailor type) I had no idea what to expect, so other than the bridge toll (I wont say what I was thinking when I crossed) I was pleasantly surprised. Found the Broadford service station no problem, decided I would be ok for fuel so pushed on to Trumpan to locate the church (RBR). Think I found the right place as I couldn't find any other church there so pic taken and off again. Yes I made it back to Broadford but not with out a few concerns about the level of fuel in my tank, I'd forgotten it was 45+ miles to the church and I still had to get back and I had last filled up at Fort William. As it was the reserve light just started to flicker as I arrived, phew. Across the bridge again (grrrr) to Loch Carron, another place I like visiting if just for the views, even managed a play with three sporties after I let them pass on the single-track road, hey I would see their brake lights in plenty of time to stop myself. Bet they wondered about the loon on an ST though! Next was a visit to Achnasheen to the craft shop there, this is the only none petrol stop on the whole rally as far as I know. There is a fuel station in the village and it was used previously but last year they changed it to the craft shop, dunno why but as its also a café I aint complaining. Last year I arrived just as they closed at 5:30pm so arriving before that was good news and allowed me to indulge in a bacon roll. That only left me with a quick hop over to Ullapool where I was holed up for the night. The Caledonia hotel was ok, allowed the bike round the back so it was secure and its not to expensive. I would recommend eating out though. Oh yeah I arrived just before 6pm, so much for Autoroute and Mapsource! Up early on Sunday to continue, again opting for the light rain trousers, first stop was to be Croick church (RBR) and leaving the hotel at 8:30am there was very little traffic so again I made pretty good time getting there. From there it was on to Lairg, this was to be my first disappointment, couldn't locate the filling station. Well to tell the truth I wasn't trying by now, Ullapool had been enough to complete the 1000 miles, as per the map, for the Scottish Rally so I just pushed on to Bettyhill to find the Ice House (RBR), found no problem and photo taken, even stopped at the post office (Scottish Rally point) for fuel, probably one of the most expensive places in the UK. Across the top of the world or so it seemed to me, to Thurso. A few U turns later and I had found the Meadow Well (RBR). As I wasn't doing anymore of the Scottish Rally I didn't bother with Castletown but headed back towards Brora and then Evanton. GPS threw in its only funny of the day here as it took me down a single track road cutting off a big chunk of the A9, dunno if it saved me time or not, I was enjoying myself that was the main thing. As there was a link from Ullapool to Evanton on the map I though I might as well add this receipt to the ones I had, the organiser will probably wonder why I stopped there and not further south, but as this was just luck more than judgement … Next was to be the Boath Doocote at Auldean (RBR) but I went wizzing passed so though 'hey I'll get it on the way back' and went looking for the National Cycle Sign No1 nr Ardgye (RBR). So has anyone ever seen these things before? Well I hadn't and the local farmer had no idea what it was either. I was just about to give up and was reprogramming the GPS to go back to Auldean when I thought it would be a good idea to look at the sign post over the road, you guessed it, it was what I was looking for. So a wiz back to Auldean just as the rain started again. It stopped just as I walked up to the Boath so I was able to get the pic without me wearing my crash helmet! That was the last planned stop so it only left the 145-mile jaunt down a few B roads onto the A9/M90 combination, by this time I was happy to blast down the M'way, suffice to say it only took 2.5 hours to get home and that included a fuel stop! So that was that, two days, 915 miles (435 Saturday), Scottish Rally complete, RBR Scotland complete except for one localish place (need somewhere to ride on Sunday), fantastic views and the weather was only a pain once or twice. Will I do it again, yep and as I’ve still got a few weeks for the RBR I’m off to England soon. I’ve not listed all the roads, as there are too many, but if you look at where the places I visited are on a map, you can work out the most direct routes in-between and find some fantastic roads. Remembering I hate motorways and avoid main dual carriageways if I can. Couple that with views you can only dream about, especially though Sutherland and the west coast, and you understand why I do these sort of rides. If you’re planning a few days in the Highlands, late summer (if we don’t have typical Scottish weather) is a good time to visit, less holiday traffic. I’m not Scottish but I know the locals (well most of them) welcome visitors so long as you only leave footprints and just take away memories Ride safe Ride free Jack |