We left the hotel under a mixed sky, but fairly certain that we would have a dry if not sunny day. We rejoined the cycle path just at the entrance to the hotel (very good planning on husband’s part) and headed off up the west side of Loch Lomond.

For a while the cycle path was the old road that is now the A82, running parellel but directly next to the lake. It was luxurious, having a whole road to ourselves, and thinking what it was like when this was the only road going north.

Not long after, we rejoined the A82, which was narrow in places, but fortunately not terribly busy. The cars and lorries did pass at a fast pace, and only one car all day slowed down to go by. Such beautiful landscape, and everyone in such a hurry. We had one brief shower, when we stopped to put on our rain gear, but it was almost over by the time we started again.

We did a lot of climbing today, but none of it was terribly taxing. The Scottish hills are long but not steep, so we just plod away, slowly making our way to the top. The issue today was not hills but a very stiff headwind, cold and strong enough so that pedalling downhill was not much faster than pedalling up. That just gets disheartening after a while, so we did stop a lot to get some relief.

We stopped for lunch before the climb to Loch Tulla and miraculously the sun appeared and the wind briefly died down just long enough for us to have our sandwiches. And crisps. And cake. And a KitKat. More climbing ahead! We had stopped at a tea room in a railway station at Crianlarich, a slight detour due to a new part of the A82 that bypasses this small town. Not sure if that is better or worse for Crianlarich.

There were  spectacular landscapes and beautiful views all through the day, all on an enormous scale. We have seen such natural beauty throughout England, Wales, and now the Scottish Highlands, all different and each the best in its own ways.

Through Glencoe Pass and downhill from there, pedalling hard against the wind, but downhill nonetheless. We are staying in our most luxurious place yet, after a series of good and not so good pubs and hotels and our lovely Cornish guesthouse. We are restricted by needing to be close to our route and within shouting distance of somewhere to eat. Each place has been a unique experience. We have our own fireplace here, and a roaring fire. Everyone has been impressed by our journey. No one has said they would like to do the same. And our very hospitable host tonight said she thought we were mad.

But we are getting close.