Motorcycle road trip to Scotland July 2021 – Part 3
This is Part 3 of the write up a road trip to Scotland in July 2021. You can read earlier parts by following these links to Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4
After a very decent breakfast at The Braes in Spean Bridge, where once again on this trip I had received great hospitality, I was packed up and on my way for around 08:30 or so. My main destination for the day was Ullapool before turning back and heading to my overnight stay in Buckie, on the coast and about 50 miles from Inverness.
Glen Roy
On my way to Spean Bridge (the previous day) I saw a road sign that pointed away from the road I was on (the A86) and read Scotlands Ice Age Landscape. A quick check on the map whilst I ate my breakfast indicated it was only five miles or so from where I was staying, which in turn prompted me to check it out. Although it was the opposite way to where I was heading it seemed like it would have been a missed opportunity to be so close and to not check it out before turning back to head for Ullapool.
Once off the A86 it was a slow and steady ride upwards along about three miles of a gravel strewn narrow single track road to an empty car park – empty that is apart from dozens of sheep. This area of Glen Roy (in Lochaber) is also known as The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy and is a geological feature that dates back to the ice age. Such is its significance it was even visited by Charles Darwin in 1838.
There is plenty of information about The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy online so if it’s the sort of thing that sparks your interest then check it out. I was certainly glad I had made the small diversion to, the sense of space, peace, calm and general wellbeing was simply wonderful and a perfect start to the day.
Off to Ullapool
Having taken in the magnificence of Glen Roy I made my way steadily back along the single track road to the A86 and then headed for Ullapool.
Ullapool is a port and a village located in Ross and Cromarty in the Highlands and is roughly about 45 miles or so from Inverness. The road I took saw me heading for Fort Augustus and alongside the length of Loch Ness before turning for Lewiston, Milton and then Beauly.
After Beauly it was pretty much an empty A835 out to Ullapool. It was a totally enjoyable ride in glorious weather and with scenery that is huge, and almost beyond description and in truth scenery that no photographs can ever truly capture.
Heading for Buckie
I only stopped once or twice on the 40 or so miles of A835 road back from Ullapool, on the sheer enjoyment scale it was close to the top, it was just such a brilliant day as I finished off by heading for Inverness then on in the direction of Nairn, Elgin, Lossimouth and the small coastal harbur at Portgordon to see the seal colonies. After looking at the seals and the herring gulls I completed my days riding with the last couple of miles to my overnight stay at the splendid Struan House in Buckie.
Picture gallery
Clicking on any of the images below will open a picture gallery that you can click or scroll through, check back soon for the fourth and final part.
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