Hebridean Road Trip

With a new bike in his ownership, Willie decided a road trip was in order, and chose the Scottish Hebridean islands as his target

- Willie Davidson

I was lucky enough to have a fair degree of flexibility about when to go, so through September I'd avidly been watching the weather forecast for a dry week. However, I had a deadline as in mid-October the ferries move to a winter timetable that would make my trip impossible. On Thursday, the long-range forecast promised me a dry week and I immediately booked my trip. By Saturday, the forecast had changed back to rain... Undaunted by predictions of meteorological misery, I set off knowing it was likely I'd find out just how good my new waterproofs really were! My first ferry was from Oban. As I rode up the A82, I unconsciously pulled into the Green Welly and ordered a bacon roll and a black coffee. The Welly is a petrol/food/retail stop in Tyndrum, and a Scottish institution. Its secret is that it seems to be halfway between the central belt and everywhere in the Highlands.

I'm glad I did stop, as the lady at the next table told me that an accident had closed the Oban Road. Google Maps told me I'd need to make a long detour up Glen Coe and then down the coast. I managed to get the whole bacon roll in my mouth in one go and was out the door at the run. On any normal day, I would've loved this journey as the views are sublime, but I was in a panicked rush. The ride did, however, make me realise just how rapid the Tiger can be if you're pushing on! I made the ferry with 10 minutes to spare, but I didn't get to visit the Oban Distillery. Which is probably just as well as I would've spent money on malt whisky that I wanted but didn't need.