Terry and Sooz's Travels: September 24, 2019

We had a very adventurous ride today from Inverness to Applecross by way of Clava Cairns, Loch Ness and the highest point in Scotland. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi here at The Applecross Inn is very slow so I will have to upload pictures when we have better internet access.

Clava Cairns is about 20 miles east of Inverness and consists of several stone mounds and small ceremonial structures built 4,000 years ago surrounded by active farmland.

From there we headed south and followed most of the 23 mile western shore of Loch Ness. I think I captured Nessie the Loch Ness Monster in one of my photos but you'll have to wait until I upload the pictures for you to pick her out. The weather started out rainy but cleared up to be another beautiful sunny day.

As we left the Loch and headed west we began climbing into the true Scottish Highlands. The landscape was dramatic with cliffs, boulders, and no trees. It really looks like an alpine terrain with no trees. We arrived at Bealach na Ba, the highest point in Scotland at an altitude of 2,000 feet but it feels much higher.

I have to spend a couple of minutes explaining the 'single track', two-way roads in this area. They are truly single track; maybe 8 feet wide with no guardrails and periodic narrow and very short 'passing places'. If someone did not pull over into a passing place you could not proceed. At times it felt like we were riding along golf cart paths. Generally, people drive well but of course there was occasionally an idiot who would try to pass when he shouldn't, just like any other part of the world.

We did okay and made it to the Carron Restaurant in Strathcarron for a fantastic lunch. It is family run with Mom in the kitchen and Dad running the front. Mom came out and spent several minutes with Sooz making sure to understand Sooz's dietary constraints.

We checked into the Applecross Inn, rested, walked around and then had dinner in the pub at the Inn. For dinner Sooz and I both had fish and finished dinner by sharing an order of Sticky Toffee Pudding with ice cream. It was a steamed, moist, spicy cake with warmed toffee sauce and ice cream. Dangerous stuff it was so good.

By the time we left we had met Jerry and Rhona a Scottish couple who moved from Inverness to Applecross 20 years ago to retire. They introduced us to Judith Fish the owner of the Applecross Inn and Restaurant who was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her work promoting tourism in the Highlands. Prince Andrew presented her with the award. Rhona was also celebrating a birthday, we didn't ask which one.

On the other side of us at dinner we met and chatted with another couple who were traveling from northeast England. They were traveling in a van that extends into a tent. They were a hoot.

Tomorrow we take a coastal route to Isle of Skye recommended by Jerry and Rhona. Looks like fun.