Day 3: Sunshine, Detours, and a Change of Plans
After a restful night in the tent, I woke up to glorious sunshine streaming across Glenfinnan. It was the kind of morning that puts you in a great mood right away. Coffee brewing on the stove, a quick breakfast, and the soothing sound of the nearby river made for a perfect start to the day. With the tent packed away and a few quick bike checks completed, it was time to hit the road. My destination: Mallaig, where I planned to catch the ferry to the Isle of Skye.
The ride along the A830, often called the Road to the Isles, was nothing short of spectacular. With the sun shining and the sea glistening, it felt like I had been transported to the Mediterranean. Every bend in the road revealed another stunning view – lochs reflecting the blue sky, rolling hills, and the occasional charming village. It’s the kind of road that makes you fall in love with motorcycling all over again.
Arriving in Mallaig, I fueled up the bike and headed to the ferry terminal to buy my ticket for Skye. That’s when things took an unexpected turn. The attendant informed me that the ferry crossing was for cars only – no motorcycles allowed. My heart sank as I realized my carefully laid plans for Skye were falling apart. My options were to wait around until the afternoon for a different crossing or abandon the idea entirely and come up with a new plan.
After a quick moment of disappointment, I decided to make the most of the day and ride that incredible stretch of tarmac again. The ride back to Spean Bridge felt just as thrilling the second time, with the added bonus of having the freedom to enjoy it without worrying about ferry schedules. At Spean Bridge, I took a reflective moment at the Commando Memorial, a tribute to the brave soldiers who trained in this area during World War II. It was a peaceful place to reassess the day’s plans.
From there, I set off along the Caledonian Canal, following its tranquil waters up to Loch Ness. A quick stop by the loch had me scanning the surface for any sign of Nessie – no luck, but the area’s beauty more than made up for it. Next, I visited the Culloden Battlefield Museum. Walking through the site of the historic 1746 battle was a sobering experience, offering a deep sense of Scotland’s history and resilience.
As the day wound down, I opted to stay at a proper campsite for the night. The thought of a hot shower and access to charging stations for my gear was too good to pass up. With the bike tucked away and everything set up, I climbed into my tent feeling satisfied with how the day turned out, even if it hadn’t gone to plan.
Tomorrow is a special day – my birthday – and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than being on the road, surrounded by Scotland’s incredible landscapes.