Skye to Inverness 2: Applecross and a Breakdown

Monday

Day 3 - AM - Applecross Pass

Running with the group to the Skye bridge, they paused again - impatient - I forged ahead and took the original planned route through Plockton and on to Applecross; The road dives into woodland after Plockton then around Loch Carron before ascending to the Bealach na Ba Viewpoint.

Route on Google Maps

Clear roads, around the Loch which I remembered from last year; and another fuel stop at the Lochcarron Garage; I almost expected the group to catch me up at this point - but no sign, so I carried on to the pass.

The last hairpin,  a left turn, I met a large black Mercedes coming down - I stopped when I saw him, invisible to traffic coming up & at that point heard the revs of a seven coming up behind - undoubtedly Andy the lead car from the remaining group.

Hit the horn a couple of times to warn him and then heard him yell 'Richard!' as he realised who it was and avoided driving in the back of me. We ascended without issue to the viewpoint and waited on the others:

I had time to get a good position to see them arrive over the last crest: 

  @19secs:Keith, Terry, John, 

  @37secs: Derek, 

  @45secs: Paul, Callum, David, Andrew

  @1:24: Stuart.

Panorama from the top of the pass to the viewpoint carpark at 2,054' (626m) above sea level.

Andrew followed me on the descent and recorded the enclosed video. The start was reverse brinkmanship - everyone trying to get a clear run. I didn't want to be in front of the speedy Andy in the black and white Zero - once he went though he should clear the path...

The video makes the drive look smooth and controlled - in the cabin its a busy time and totally focused on the road ahead, potential traffic in either direction and as close to the limit as is safe - awesome.

We make our move around 1:38 in.. (no sound)

Applecross Inn

Lunch stop with a view across to the road we will take. Fish dishes their speciality, locally caught ingredients, and the drink of choice for the lunchtime stop is once more Orange juice and lemonade all round.

The onward road can just be seen level above the water, past the white house then through the notch at the tip of the headland.

Day 3 - PM - To Inverness

After all fed and watered, on to the west - the awesome road which winds its way further north this time and towards inverness.

Route on Google Maps

Typical of the more interesting drives - few pictures to show, due to no stopping; along the way though the road dives and swerves between water, along hillside dropping away to the sea and past some large highland cattle with apparently docile nature (luckily considering the size of their headgear)

For a while I was following Dan with a small group; and the pace he set was enough to keep me occupied & get the best out of the road at the same time; one dip through a tree lined section lead to instant 'fly strike' over the windscreen.

Mountains both sides towering over the road... love it, as the road straightens I got a chance to glance left and right at the view; this is one of my favourite runs on the trip last year and this.

Kinlochewe

The fuel stop is the so called Tipsy Laird at Kinlochewe and the first major trip issue;

Terry's SR2 making loud, across the carpark loud, knocking noises which is put down to big end failure - probably on cylinder #1. Ultimately Dan and he decide to limp into Inverness on the straight route, but in the end have to call GreenFlag to take his undriveable car homeward.

To his credit Terry kept a positive outlook, he had driven some of the most memorable roads already and was to travel with Dan and Keith for the rest of the trip. Small consolation as passenger for the remainder was able to take in the awesome views (and drinking opportunities).

The remainder of us continue en-route; the order changing round as tiredness on this long day taking its toll; at one point I was trying to keep up with Callums bike engined car, then taking the front running myself before pausing at the junction of the A382, heading east, and the A835 heading south into Inverness. 

In front takes its toll - no marker car to show where the road goes next or give a clue to oncoming traffic. I didn't even get out at this stop; happy to close my eyes for 30 seconds in the sun... 

The remaining run into Inverness is more sedate/all cruising now and ready for an evening meal to share stories of the day, followed by overnight rest - before the final Scottish legs through the Cairngorms.

(Maps are not entirely acurate due to blogger/google maps embedding, some pictures courtesy other members of the trip)