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Took a wee jaunt up to Ullapool on Friday and back on Saturday, on the following route.
320 miles each way



Great run up, with not too much traffic, and a good evening in Ullapool. Booked the Caledonian Hotel at a pretty reasonable £55 for a single room (didn’t get lucky ). Basic but clean. Plenty of bike parking around the back. Very popular with bikers, probably due to the cheap nature of the rooms, compared to other places.

Had cracking jumbo haddock and chips in the evening, but eschewed the pint afterwards at the Ferry Boat Inn, as they were operating a system of ordering that required downloading an app first. A good idea, that obviates the need for people to queue, and licensing appears to allow groups sitting on the wall across the road, I just wasn’t that desperate for that one pint.

Roads back down a bit misty for while but cleared completely by Ft William. Green Welly was heaving with cars, and bikes.
Roads from Tyndrum south to Stirling absolutely chocka with folk heading in both directions, but mainly heading north to the Trossachs and Highlands. Callendar was almost gridlocked for the entire length of the town.

It seems like everyone with a van of any sort – had headed for the highlands, and laybys littered with crap and toilet paper. Every layby filled with vans overnight, too.
Midges up 26% apparently, and out in force when I was loading up the bike in the morning.

If you are heading up that way, be prepared for the traffic, midges, busy accommodation, busy eateries and some poor road surfaces (the Alps it ain't)

Some pics:

Glencoe, sun was out


Eillen Donan Castle


In Ullapool


Ullapool


Campsite only open to caravans and campervans (with own facilities)


Great Haddock and Chips (Jeez! I'm stuffed!!!)


Sensible drinking in the sun



Italian beauty


Lochcarron in the morning




Glencoe heading south

Thanks Al, good report.
Looks like you had the weather

All the best

Ian

Yep , nice piccies.

Certain elements you describe Al may seem off putting to those planning an idyllic escape to the highlands.

Hope the riding was good as the fish supper looked. Having it large

Is that a Bertie Basset topbox?


Chris

boxerscott wrote:Yep , nice piccies.

Certain elements you describe Al may seem off putting to those planning an idyllic escape to the highlands.

Hope the riding was good as the fish supper looked. Having it large


Chris

They won't be disappointed in the scenery, but they will be disappointed with other 'tourists'.

boxerscott wrote:Is that a Bertie Basset topbox?
Chris

That's actually - quite good.................

Everyone is entitled to an opinion - it takes allsorts, I suppose.

Nice trip , I was in Ullapool once a long time ago on my 11S in the early days of ownership , just checked, it was Sept '05 Midges weren't a problem then although I guess they don't fly in wet windy weather.. Only problem for me at the time was tank range, everyone else was on Rt's or Gs's

Very good write up and photo's Al You certainly had the weather Gods on your side, makes all the difference eh. Cracking route too, love all them roads.

Did you see many boarding the ferry to Stornaway at all ? and did you see any of the seals that hang around in the harbour ?

Ferry must have been on a morning sailing - no sign of it. Bound to be busy though, with campervans etc.

One seal in the old harbour, but could have been a lot more by the new jetty which has more fish landings.

There was a time when Ullapool establishments couldn't get locally landed fish (from Lochinver and Kinlochbervie) as all the catches were pre-sold to to the big buyers and trucked south. Looks like they are getting local short-voyage fish and shellfish again.

Ullapool is a great destination for bikes and even if you come back the same road you went up - it is completely different.

stunning scenery