Monday, June 11, 2018

A final summary of 26 days in Scotland May-June 2018



Positives.

1.       Favourite places: Glencoe for hiking, St Magnus Cathedral (Kirkwall, Orkney Islands), Castle of Mey, Dunrobin Castle, Handa Island, Cape Wrath, Skara Brae, Hunterian Museum, South Uist Museum (Bonne Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald), Calloden Battlefields.

2.       Appreciating Scottish history back to Neolithic times.

3.       Enjoying single lane roads and particularly special bike roads like route 78.

4.       Fun to ride on a total of 9 ferries.

5.       Bicycles from Gearbikes in Glasgow – hybrid, 24 gears and disc brakes.

6.       Finding that one could cover 1127 KM in 23 cycling days for an average of 49 KM a day at the age of 79!

7.       Very fortunate to have excellent weather – only three days of rain in 26.

8.       Excellent accommodation in B and Bs and some hostels.

9.       Special thanks to friend Neil for his meticulous careful planning of the trip and for his companionship. He was going down memory lane (having been born in Scotland, been to school in Scotland and visited many times.) I was along for the ride!      

10.   You can see the Highlands in many ways – cycling, hiking, public bus, motorcycle, motorhome, car, sports car, in a vintage car, private coach, as a bird watcher, as a fisherman etc. We met them all.

11.   Appreciating Scottish people and visitors from many places – particularly the north of England.



Negatives? None really.

1.       Could have taken a few less things in panniers.

2.       When on highways (2 lanes) much traffic passing close  including large trucks, buses, motorhomes and many noisy motorbikes!

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