Day 1, Sunday June 7th: We will ride out from Bunchrew caravan park at 10:00 and ride to thw Wardlaw Mausoleum in Kirkhill, then to the Priory in Beauly and then on to the Black Isle Brewery where we will tour their facilities and maybe pick up some supplies for hard days ahead. From there we will have a short ride to the Clootie Well where we will all need to leave a piece of cloth tied to a tree to give us good luck for the tour. We will then continue over the Kessock bridge in to Inverness and back to Bunchrew for the night.
Total riding for day 1: 56km 672m climbing
http://www.plotaroute.com/route/10389
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Day 2, Monday June 8th: We will depart Bunchrew campsite at 6:30 and drive to Drumnadrochit for a brief look around Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness before carrying on Dornie which overlooks the iconic Eilean Donan Castle for the start of the first official day of riding. We will then continue to Shiel Bridge where we turn off and begin the climb up over the mountain towards Glen Elg. This will be a very long climb; however, the view from the top of the 5 sisters of Kintail will be well worth the effort. Glen Elg is twinned with Glen Elg on Mars! From Glen Elg we will board the ferry to KyleRhea and continue on Broadford where we will stay the night at Ashaig Campsite.
Total riding for day 2: 41km 1065m climbing |
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Day 3, Tuesday June 9th: We depart Broadford and head North to the picturesque town of Portree (49km), passing some amazing sights such as the Old man or Stor and Kilt Rock. From Portree we will continue North to Staffin (28km) where we will stay at Staffin Campsite. Total riding for day 3: 77km 1060m climbing http://www.plotaroute.com/route/10866 |
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Day 4, Wednesday June 10th: We leave Staffin and follow the coast via Uig around the north coast of Skye to Dunvegan. There are many stunning views on this road and on a clear day you can see the Outer Hebrides. We will also pass the remains of Duntulm Castle which has an impressive cliff top location. We will stay at Kinloch campsite on the shores of Loch Dunvegan. Total riding for day 4: 74km 1064m climbing |
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Day 5, Thursday June 11th: Today we will take a well earned rest and for those who wish to do so we will spend the afternoon canoeing in Loch Dunvegan with Explore Highland. (Max 16 places, canadian canoes, not sea kayaks as shown) |
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Day 6, Friday June 12th: We will have an early start and head south in to Glen Brittle to visit the famous Fairy pools . There is a 20minute walk to the pools from the car park, those who feel brave can have a swim. After lunch we head back North, where those who wish to do so can visit the Talisker Distillery visitor centre. We will then continue to Sligachan campsite where we will stay the night. Total riding for day 6: 58km 1000m climbing |
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Day 7, Saturday June 13th: Today we will have a later start and will leave Sligachan to head south over the Skye Road Bridge to Plockton (50km). This is an extremely scenic area where Hamish Macbeth was filmed. From Plockton we will continue back to Dornie and stay at Ardelve campsite. Total riding for day 7: 60km 928m climbing |
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Day 8, Sunday June 14th: This will be an epic days riding! We leave Balmacara and ride around Loch Carron before reaching the famous Bealach Na Ba (pass of the cattle) which is the biggest climb in the british isles! With its hairpin switch backs this road closely resembles an alpine pass. We will climb from sea level to 2054ft (626m) before descending again to Applecross. This area is famous for its fresh locally caught sea food. We will stay at Applecross campsite. Total riding for day 8: 60km 1562m climbing |
Day 9, Monday June 15th: This is our final day riding and we will ride around the Applecross peninsula. This road has many fine views over to Skye and Raasay. We will pass through Sheildag, along Loch Torridon, Beinn Eighe and Kinlochewe eventually ending up at the view point at the top of Glen Docherty where we finish the riding section of the tour. We will then have a 1hr drive back to Lovat campsite by Beauly where we spend our last night together and we will have a BBQ in Kirkhill (Alan's House).
Total riding for day 9: 72km 1391m climbing
http://www.plotaroute.com/route/74072
Day 10, Tuesday 16th: We have our final tour breakfast before going our separate ways.
Total riding distance for tour: approx 435km with about 7408m climbing
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