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this is scotland

This category contains 21 posts

island people

Leaving South from Lerwick is one big hill to get over, got in granny gear and pushed on up. The weather was not the greatest – it rained from getting out of Lerwick to arriving at Setterbrae in Spiggie. I was told about a nice place to visit called St Ninnian’s and so headed on … Continue reading

overnight to lerwick (shetlands)

I left lastnight on the late ferry from Kirkwell to Lerwick. Whilst boarding I got chatting to a fello cyclist that was from Lerwick called Gordon. We actually cycled past each other on the Orkney mainland – he has a Dawes bike too – but looked lighter and not so chunky as mine – not … Continue reading

don’t forget the woolen mill

On North Ronaldsay there was also a woolen mill next to the lighthouse. It was really old and was worked by only one lady. Had a tour around and was very interesting. Did the whole process from shearing to sheep all the way through to making they yarn.

seaweed munching sheep

Just on the way back from the most Northern of Orkney Islands, North Ronaldsay. There are tonnes of bird watchers on the ferry with me – looking around, most have nodded off to sleep. It feels like I just stepped back in time on the cruise ship – everyone sleeping after their day out. The … Continue reading

leaving the mainland

Leaving the mainland Just now im sat on the ferry crossing over to the Orkney Islands. It’s great to be back on water again – feels funny to be sailing on another vessel. The weather today is incredible – such a change since the past month of wind wind and wind…and abit of rain too. … Continue reading

top of the the UK

Had a really beautiful day with fantastic weather. Camped lastnight in Thurso and was so nice to cycle without the weight of all the camping gear etc’. I flew. Along the way I was fortunate to meet some cheeky chaps from London who were just coming to end of their Lands End to John O’Groats … Continue reading

travel by train

I left Tain by train today so I could make time to get up over to the Orkney/Shetlands and catch the flight to Norway. Felt very shameful that I was not cycling but equally felt so nice to cover those miles out of the saddle. Trains are fast, cycles are slow, alison on a cycle … Continue reading

smile for “Rolling Stones”

The morning was spent in Rosemarkie and Fortose, just having a potter about. I’m loving the lighthouses in Scotland. Route 1 takes you up a very large hill but it is so beautiful… there was literally nobody around for hours. It reminded me of Scandinavia – the pines and hills etc’ following the uphill was … Continue reading

on the way to rosemarkie

Was pushing it the whole morning to get around and past Inverness to escape the wind. The weather had picked up somewhat since yesterday. Seemed to be a bit more sunny and less rain and sort of less wind. Leaving on a full English breakfast – I could barely move. Following Route 1 this took … Continue reading

“by the way…it”s going to be windy”

The morning from Burghead was so pretty – I’m sure this was a Sunday and there was a fresh spring feeling. The route took you on an old railway track along the coast line – the coast line reminded me of Wales. Then the wind kicked in – it’s literally like someone pushes the ‘wind … Continue reading