PW_1_2022

Spotlight on the SIGs

Taking the Scenic Route Cliff Smith , Leicestershire Branch & Motorcycle SIG Two years ago, Ron Beech, Rodger Williamson and I planned a trip together, to follow the NC500 coast road. Covid put a stop to the tour twice and finally, in August 2021, Scotland was unlocked, and we headed for Inverness. O ur first stage was a 290 mile ride from Leicester to the Buccleugh Arms Hotel at Moffat , which is a popular bikers hotel. The owner and his family run the hotel with every convenience for bikers, including lock up garages and washing facilities for bikes. After a one night stay in Moffatt, we rode 290 miles north to our next hotel at Inverness. This was further than intended due to a 40 mile diversion, and a deliberately scenic detour through the Cairngorms. Inverness is the start and finish of the NC500 and Ron, who planned the whole trip had done some research, and decided the views would be better if we travelled anti-clockwise. So, on our first official morning, we began the 182 mile ride to Tongue. The roads were stunning, with views to die for and loads of twisties for the adventurous. We arrived at John o’ Groats in glorious sunshine, for the traditional picture and a quick snack. Then it was onto Bettyhill in Thurso, enjoying glorious mountain views in all directions. We reached the Ben Loyal Hotel at 5pm, for a well-deserved rest. The views from our hotel were unbelievable, looking out over the Kyle of Tongue. After a good night’s sleep, we set off towards our next stay, on a 130 mile ride to Ullapool. The road (mainly the A838) follows the north coast to Durness and then turns south to Laxford Bridge on the west coast, along some of the most stunning scenery that God ever made. It is not possible to describe them by meagre words alone. If you know Ron Beech, or have had the privilege of joining him on a “Ron Route” you will understand what happened next. We temporarily left the NC500, detouring along a very challenging and difficult, winding and poorly surfaced road to a place called Tarbet, overlooking Handa island. This road is not for the faint-hearted, as it has sheer drops and bends, mixed in with gravel and poor tarmac. But it did take us to a beautiful cafe overlooking the ferry (dinghy) to Handa island, where twitchers frequent. Back on the NC500, we rode down the west coast to Ullapool and our hotel, The Arch Inn, which overlooks the harbour and is surrounded by hills.

A road less travelled

John O Groats

Our next day’s ride was a 153 mile journey to Lochcarron. We continued south along the west coast, with unbelievable views for the whole day. We stopped off at Loch Ewe to visit a WWII site at Rubha nan Sasan, which was used as a base for the artic convoys. These ships provided essential supplies to war torn Russia, along a route described by Churchill as “the worst journey in the world”. Respects paid, we continued our journey along the A832 past loch Maree, towards Applecross. We arrived at Applecross for refreshments, before tackling the famous Applecross Pass. Even the locals said it was foolish to go that way, and told us about the many lives lost each year. Ron and I had ridden the pass before, but Rodger had not, and his enthusiasm was not helped by the comments. Nevertheless, the pass was conquered safely by us all. The Applecross Pass is full of tight switchbacks and sheer drops. It is a single track road, with passing places so poor they make your heart skip a beat or two. Look it up on YouTube! From Applecross, it was just a short journey to our hotel in Lockcarron and a well-deserved rest. (The hotel we stayed at here is not recommended, so I will not name it.) We completed our NC500 with a 63 miles cross country ride from Lochcarron to Inverness. But we extended our trip by visiting a rally organised by Bob Crawley at the Rob Roy Hotel in Aberfoyle. This gave us a journey of 193 miles to the rally location just north of Glasgow. Our first port of call after leaving Lochcarron was the Isle of Skye, along another Ron Route. Once over the Skye Bridge we rode south to the Skye-Glenelg ferry. The seven mile route to the ferry is not to be sniffed at, as it is full of blind summits and bends. But it leads to one of the last turntable ferries in the country, with a very short journey across a fast flowing inlet, and was an experience not to be missed. Once on the other side we enjoyed more beautiful scenery to the A87, across Glenshiel, with views of the Five Sisters mountain range. We followed the A87 and A82 past Fort William and into the beautiful Pass of Glencoe. We arrived at the Rob Roy Hotel for a well-deserved three day stay and chill at the “end of season” rally. I have toured most of the UK, and can honestly say that this was one of the most memorable tours I can remember.

The route is well signposted

POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.1, 2022

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