Caledonia Way

[snorri]

Some of you undecided on a summer tour might consider the Caledonia Way.
https://storify.com/Sustransscot/the-caledonia-way

 

[outlash]

Nice, I've got plans to do a couple of days up there using the Caledonian Sleeper to get to Fort William. I'd be interested to know if the route that shows lots of different bikes being used in the video is actually anything like my local NCN routes where several parts are only useable if you have a CX or MTB.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Will be interesting to see if the Camusnagaul (to Ft William) ferry frequency is increased to cater cyclists wishing (very sensibly) to avoid the A82 from Corran to Fort William. Otherwise your timings have to be assured to avoid an up to 2 hour wait.

As far as suitable types of bike is concerned, most of the route is OK for road bikes, and for the sections that aren't, there are sensible road alternatives which add little or no distance, or are shorter, but you'd need to be comfortable with cycling on the A82. The sections on the Caledonian canal towpath are excellent - good enough for an off-tarmac TT!

To get to the start, ferry to Cambeltown (from Ardrossan) is summer only, Thu, Fri (arr 9.20pm) and Sun pm only. It's a 3 hour trip, lovely for that and right down the Kintyre peninsular. An alternative I'd prefer is to go via Arran (from Ardrossan) and enjoy that island (either over 'The Struggle' or via Corrie, hitting Kintyre at Claonaig(summer)/Tarbet(winter) and heading north.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

An idea for the CC Ecosse tour 2017 @Fubar?
I can't help notice how the video cleverly passes over some massive hills

 

[Hardrock93]

An idea for the CC Ecosse tour 2017 @Fubar?
I can't help notice how the video cleverly passes over some massive hills

It's a beautiful, inspiring and very professionally produced video. However, it drew some nit-picking criticism from a cycling acquaintance, in that it has been assembled from geographically random shots of parts of the route. I think he's missing the point.

 

[Ajax Bay]

the video cleverly passes over some massive hills

and some nice bits of the A82, too. But this is a splendid route that shows the western highlands superbly and is accessible at many points.

a beautiful, inspiring and very professionally produced video. . . assembled from geographically random shots of parts of the route

It is all of that, except not random: as @Pat "5mph" points out, selectively 'random'. Excellent initiative, nevertheless, and I hope they find solutions to the sections which remain 'difficult'. As I pointed out earlier, I don't think the west side of Loch Linnhe from Corran and crossing back on the Camusnagaul ferry will work without an increase in frequency/capacity/flexibility at that potential choke point eg on Sundays, although you can telephone the ferry operator and he’ll come and pick you up, not economic unless several of you.

 

[ufkacbln]

Much of that looks like the old "Great Glen" route that seemed to disappear a few years ago albeit on the West side of Loch Ness

We did that on our Thorns and it is a spectacular ride. Do make a point of seeing the Royal Marine monument at Spean Bridge

 

[Ajax Bay]

Do make a point of seeing the Royal Marine monument at Spean Bridge

The Commando Memorial is dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces and overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot at Achnacarry. (Most of the commandos in the war were Army.) After the war most Commando units were disbanded, leaving just the Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade. which includes Army Commando units. (NB I am not an Army Commando.)

Worth pointing out you need to come about 4km off NCN 78 to get up to the memorial: but absolutely agreed, a 'must visit'.

Behind, Ben Nevis resplendent just before sunset (1264km near end Day 7).

 

[Hardrock93]

...except not random: as @Pat "5mph" points out, selectively 'random'.

Not really. The video is, literally, all over the place. Not that it matters in the least - the footage was no doubt pieced together to give an artistic and attractive impression of the route and in that it succeeds brilliantly. I reckon if you cycled the route as chronologically portrayed in the video, you'd end up pedalling the best part of a thousand miles!

 

[Douggie954]

The Commando Memorial is dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces and overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot at Achnacarry. (Most of the commandos in the war were Army.) After the war most Commando units were disbanded, leaving just the Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade. which includes Army Commando units. (NB I am not an Army Commando.)

Behind, Ben Nevis resplendent just before sunset.

View attachment 116923

Went to this during my LEJoG. A great place

 

[ufkacbln]

... and at Laggan Locks is the superb converted barge - the Eagle, now a pub