Heading to the Top of Scotland

I left Pitlochry around 9:45 AM. It’s kind of a touristy village—saw a few tour buses unloading, and a line out the door at an ice cream shop (no ice cream for me). When I rolled out, it was a warm 19°C, but I knew I was heading north, where it would get colder.

No issues with the 1300GS this time. I gassed up and rode on. I never really figured out the cost of fuel per gallon since everything was in liters and I was paying in either pounds or euros.

As I climbed in elevation, the temperature dropped to 8°C. I pulled over and added some underlayers. Found a great view of the mountains and left some of Nancy’s ashes there. It was the kind of spot she would’ve loved—a photo stop for sure.

Most of the road was two-track and narrow, but it was a fun ride—lots of switchbacks and sweeping turns. It was Sunday, and this must be the place to ride. I got passed a few times by local riders enjoying the day. There were also a lot of campers (or “caravans” as they call them). They’re not huge—more like box vans—and they’re required to yield to faster traffic, so passing them was easy. I must’ve passed a hundred of them over the course of the ride.

Along the way, I passed two closed-down ski resorts. I didn’t even know there was skiing in Scotland.

Made it to my hotel in Inverness—a small, comfortable place. I parked on a little island area near my room and had both dinner and breakfast at the hotel. Since I’m always up early, I took a walk around town. The hotel sits along a canal with a small suspension bridge crossing it. Nice little town.

It’s getting close to 10 now, so it’s back on the road again.

A friend of mine was looking for Land Rover parts. Just had to take a picture. 

A stop to put warmer layer on and spread some of Nancy's ashes.



I thought my bathroom at the Hotel looked like a first class cabin on the Titanic.




This is the Hotel I was at. Old but nice and clean.
It was along a canal. A suspension pedestrian bridge across the canal.

Another castel I did not visit.
Passed a nice Church.

I made a stop for coffee and bathroom break.


Tomorrow Thurso and Lisa.

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