I'd organised to meet up with some old mates who had come up to the Ullapool area to do some climbing so decided to make the most of the trip and took the long route. I headed North to Bonar Bridge and then Lairg at which point turned West along the side of Loch Shin and Loch Merkland and Loch More. At Laxford Bridge turned left and headed South and West along the coast to Culkein Dumbeg.

Now I'm not suggesting that god actually created this road but he must have had some part in planning the route with the Assynt local county council. This is biking heaven and XT heaven in particular.













And furter south towards Inverpolly'













Into Ullapool





Met up with the mates and spent the night eating Monk Fish and drinking Beer. Wandered into The Argyll pub which had an open mike session on - Very interesting - everything from classical highland folk songs to JJ Cale to Johnny Cash and all accompanied by a tea chest bass and mandolin! More beer and to bed at 2am.

Sunday morning breakfast of coffee french toast with bacon and maple syrup then headed home the quick way.



Not a lot of rain on the West Coast lately so reservoir levels are low.



Back home via Inverness, Culloden and Cawdor castle.

And lastly the weather......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDIpkz6DOi8

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

Great scenery. Looks like similar nature as in northern norway.

Yep a wonderful part of our land, you have reminded me its been a while since I was up there, better get a move on before the summer`s out--great pic`s

One of my favourite parts of the world that. Part of that looks like the road around Inverpolly and Lochinver, probably the best in Scotland. Next trip up there for me is in September for the ABR rally.


Sent from my iPhone with a smile

Last time I did these roads the weather wasn't that kind and it was a small part of a round the coast of the Highlands ride I did around a couple of years ago.
this time I pottered about a lot more but I think what also made the trip was being on the XT. The last trip was on my 955i tiger - so different on the Ten - just seemed to be so at home on the narrow twisties. It belonged! I don't seem to keep the same bike for too long but after yesterday I'm really struggling to think of a bike I would replace the XT with.

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

Yup - its the first time I've managed to see the saw tooth top of Stac Polly.

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

fyi, I believe the cal mac ferry is the hebridean isle built in selby, by cochrane ship builders. Im not a anorack I served my time there and remember going to the launch as a kid. Princess michael of Kent launched it. My dad and uncles worked on her. How times have changed the shipyard is now shut , units for various companys. nice picture

Cochrane - now Cochrane the boiler manufacturers??

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

cochrane stopped building ships donkeys years ago, but the name was kept because of the quality that was associated with the name.
Best job I ever had or am likley to have.
nico

Hivna been roon that way for a while. Maybe head that way next couple o weeks. Pics are cool.

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Touratech big guard. Yamaha handlebar guards. Pivot Pegz. Yam main stand. Camel Toe. 30 mm risers. 14 tooth front sprocket. Big balls. Old and not wise.