OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018
All overview map images:- Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018
A group of 8 (Andrew [me], Nick, Sally, Ken, Pete, Ian, Janet and Terry), taking 10 days (522 miles with 10,000 metres of climbing). The plan was to use Sustran’s national cycle routes 7, 73, 75 and 78 in a clockwise direction. From Glasgow south west to Ardrossan, ferry to Campbeltown , up the west coast to Fort William. Take the Great Glen across to Inverness and follow NCN route 7 back to Glasgow.
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River Clyde and Finnieston Crane
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Might be a bit big even for Ian?
This was really a transit day to get to Campbeltown. Ian and I took the early train from York to Glasgow changing at Edinburgh. Upon arrival in Glasgow it started to rain, so a quick retreat into a cafe until it stopped.
We were going to wait for some of the others, but due to the forecast of more heavy showers, we decided to cycle on while the weather was good. Stop off at Morrisons cafe in Johnstone for a short break. Near Dalry, major road works meant, taking a more direct route to Ardrossan (I didn’t see the cycle route diversion signs).
All eight of use meet up at the ferry port, the ferry to Campeltown was not running, however a replacement bus had been laid on and we could get the cycles on. This meant getting into Campbeltown at 10.30pm, an hour later than we would have, if we had taken the ferry. There were some good views, from the bus, that we otherwise would not have seen.
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Light house on island of Davaar
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Group on undulating coastal road near Campeltown
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looking South along coast towards Cambeltown
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Ferry leaving Lochranza on Isle of Arran
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View towards Isle of Arran
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Ferry slipway at Claonaig Bay
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Ferry at Kennacraig
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View towards Islay and Jura
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View towards Islay and Jura
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View of Point of Knap with Jura in distant background
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Nick and Sally near Balure
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Nick and Sally near Balure
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View of Point of Knap along shoreline
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Memories of a previous Tour?
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Local Agriculture in Achahoish
This was the longest and hilliest day of the tour, with the likelihood of a few places to get any food. Stopping off at the Co-op in Campletown, to get some food before setting off, this was another heavy showers day on undulating roads, with views over to Isle of Arran.
Lunch stop was in Tarbert after 38 miles, which was off route, due to it being the only place in the area for food. There was a problem initially finding space in a cafe due to it been very busy.
Nick, Sally and I decided to do the full route, while the rest took the short cut to the B&B in Lochgilphead, due to the weather and distance. On leaving Tarbert, I thought I’d made the wrong move, due to a heavy down pour, lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Once we turned onto the undulating single track road, the sun came out and we got some good views across, to the islands of Islay and Jura. There was the biggest climb of the day, before joining the main A83 to Ardrishaig, where we followed the Crinan Canal to Lochgilphead.
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Sailing boat (Crinan Canal) at Cairnbaan
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Dunardry Locks (Crinan Canal)
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Local on a sand bank near Crinan
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Fortified House at Crinan Ferry
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View of Black Rock from Crinan
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Beacon Tower at Crinan
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Sailing Boats at Crinan
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Slockavullin Stone Circle
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Carnassarie Castle
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Ian on track near Carnassarie Castle
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Sally (Peter in background) on track near Carnassarie Castle
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Peter and Ken on track near Carnassarie Castle
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Alpacas at Creganterve Beg near Ford
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View over Loch Awe
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Peter and Ken (between Ford and Dalavich)
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View over Loch Awe
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View over Loch Awe
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View over Loch Tromlee
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Ian with first puncture of the tour (Taynuilt)
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Highland Cattle Calfs
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Highland Cattle across the road (view back towards Taynuilt)
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High Pasture (view back towards Taynuilt)
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Farmer Making Hay while the sun shines
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Sally, Peter and Janet
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View of McCaig's Tower at dust in Oban
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Corran Ferry view up Loch Linnhe
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View of Fort William (Loch Linnhe)
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View across Loch Linnhe
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View of Fort William (Loch Linnhe)
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View of Ben Nevis in Cloud
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Leaving Ferry in Fort William
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Statue at start/end of West Highland Way (Fort William)
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Low cloud above Corpach
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View towards Ben Nevis
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Rail and Foot brige over River Lochy
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Beacon Tower at first lock gate of the Caledonian Canal
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Neptune's Staircase on Caledonian Canal (9 locks)
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View of Ben Nevis (top showing through cloud)
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View across Loch Lochy
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Cloud descending hill side
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Route 78 off road section along Loch Lochy
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Eagle Barge Inn at Laggan Locks
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View along Loch Oich
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Ruston Shunter at Invergarry Station
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Short Tunnel on the old Invergarry railway line
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Locks on the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus
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View back at Fort Augustus
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View down Great Glen
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View of Loch Knockie
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View over Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle
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Status of The Three Graces in Inverness
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Group on the old A9 near Tomatin (car free NCN 7)
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Slochd Viaduct Inverness main line
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Sally, Pete and Nick (alternative NCN 7 off road)
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Nick and Pete (alternative NCN 7 off road)
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Sluggan Bridge over River Dulnain
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On alternative route to Aviemore
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Castle remains in middle of Loch an Eilein
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Visitor Centre at Loch an Eilein
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Exposed tree routes at Loch an Eilein
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View down Loch Insh
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Accommodation in Kincraig
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B9152 along the side of Inverness mainline
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Distillery at Dalwhinnie
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Ian and Pete at Snack Shack in Dalwhinnie
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Balsporran Cottages
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View of Geal-charn (mountain on the right)
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View back (NCN 7) to Pass of Drumochter on the old A9
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Near Dalnaspidal Lodge view back along NCN 7
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View over Glen Garry
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Waterfall on River Garry
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Blair Castle in Blair Atholl
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View of Loch Tummel from Queen's View
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View over Loch Tummel
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Enterance to Clunie Hydro Electric Power Station
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Pitlochry Church of Scotland
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Accommodation in Pitlochry
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Old railway bridge at Logierait
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View up Strath Tay valley near Balnaguard
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Nick taking photo of Dull paired with Boring
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Crannog at The Scottish Crannog Centre
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Fungi growing on a tree
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View along Loch Tay from Ardtalnaig
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View along Loch Tay
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Mill at Bridge of Dochart
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Old railway line near Bridge of Dochart
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NCN 7 meets Rob Roy Way
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NCN 7 near Strathyre
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Animal art in Strathyre
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View of Loch Lubnaig
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Accommodation in Callander
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What happens when you do too much cycling? (Spot the mistake with the bike?)
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Ben Ledi (mountain) with mist in Pass of Leny
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Mist over Loch Venachar (reservoir)
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Nick and Sally look over Loch Venachar
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View over Loch Venachar toward Carsaig
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Ken cycling along NCN7
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Morning dew on spider webs
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Waterfall near Aberfoyle
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Group waiting for Terry to fix puncture
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Cycle Gate onto A821 at Aberfoyle
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View back towards Gartmore
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Contrast of road side vegetation
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Ken and Sally before descent into Drymen
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Janet crossing A811 after descending stepped cycle path at Drymen
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View towards Loch Lomond
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Ian, Ken, Janet and Nick descending to Loch Lomond
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View over Loch Lomond
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Seaplane taking off on Loch Lomond
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Boats moored on River Leven
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Heron on bank of River Leven
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Group outside accommodation in Dumbarton
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Boats moored on Forth and Clyde Canal
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Winch Bridge over Forth and Clyde Canal at Dalmuir
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Beardmore Sculpture in Clydebank
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McMonagles (Fish & Chips shop)
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Bizarre buildings line cycle route through Glasgow
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Group walking on pedestrian street towards railway station
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Train at York Station