#JOGLE Pt 6 Lowland (Southern) Scotland

I am writing this minimal blog from my tent. It is pitched at Kendal rugby club. It is great to be here - now warm and dry and fed after a shocking ride over the Shap summit today. The wind and rain made cycling impossible at times but it is done now and we are basically over the wild lump that is the Lake District.

Here is our route over the last few days :-

Mon 7 arrived Pitlochry and stayed at the SYA.

Tues 8 to Strathyre via Killin. 52 miles. Wild camped.

Wed 9 to Glasgow via Callander and Balloch. 64 miles. Stayed hotel.

Thurs 10 to Lesmahagow. 36 miles. Wild camped.

Fri 10th to Gretna via Abington . Crossed the border into England to stay at The Metal Bridge Inn after camping washed out. 63 miles.

The Sutrans guide book says the southern Scotland route totals 214 miles. So with 255 in The Highlands it makes 469 miles.

We have cycled top to bottom of Scotland. I cannot add descriptive thoughts or photos now. However just leave to say it has been memorable  - often hard yes - but often wonderful. I am so glad we took it on. Mike has been great.

Ps we are now 75 miles further down the road at Kendal.

Tomorrow we head for Whalley wit Manchester to follow the day after hopefully. xxxx

#JOGLE PT5 Scottish Highlands.

I am writing this quick blog as a record and reminder. I will tidy it up later when I have more than a mob phone.

We arrived at Pitlochry last night and when we head out for Killin this morning we will be leaving the Scottish Highlands.

Here is our route so far :

Thurs 4th Mike and I left John O Groats early heading for Thurso heading West along the top of Scotland. After Thurso  we headed for Tongue but wild camped at Armadale Bay after about 45 miles.

Friday 5th we got to the Crask Inn 13 miles short of Lairg. About 55 miles.

Saturday 6th we headed for Inverness. We wild camped next to the Moray Firth at Nr Kessock. About 65 miles.

Sunday 7th for Aviemore. 45 miles after a missed route. Wild camped Loch An Eilein.

Monday 8th. To Pitlochry. 60 miles. Staying at the YHA.

The guide book says we have done 255 miles by following Sutrans Routes 1 & 7.

We are in good spirits and if anything feel better organised than when we set out. It is a physical challenge of course and each end of day we are very tired but the main challenge is in the head I think.

There is so much I would like to write about the Highlands. It is an outstanding beautiful bleak wilderness which for much of the time we have had to ourselves. It is addictive. My absolute highlight - laying in my little tent at Loch An Eilein tired and fed and safe from the midges. As it got dark the owls started - it was silence but for their amazing calls. I have never heard something so pure. Incredible. Xxx