Bettyhill to John O’Groats: 80km We awoke to hear rain against our window, a howling west wind and the sight of huge North Atlantic breakers.  The favourable weather forecast (which we had checked at least 16 times to confirm) seemed to have failed us, but then the rain ended and a small patch of blue sky ...

Lairg to Bettyhill: 72km How many times do a doctor and a lawyer have to get their feet wet before they implement creative solutions? The answer? Too many. (Partly due to an irrational adherence, in the face of repeated failure, to the belief that the expensive gear we have purchased should actually work.) The proprietor of the ...

Inverness to Lairg: 102km We knew today was not going to be fun – the forecast was for heavy rain, cold, and gusty head winds from the east. But, no snow! And Paul’s day was made when he identified a pair of Red Kites! We rejoined Route#1 which we had last followed out of Edinburgh. The cycle ...

Aviemore to Inverness:59km As we cycled out of Aviemore, Lois tried to remember where the spa was where she and Helen B. had saunas on our visit here in 1978. Lois was 6 months pregnant with Chris, and Paul’s parents had stayed on in Leamington after Christmas to look after Maritia (Lois recalls that first separation ...

Blair Atholl to Aviemore:81km Today was the most challenging day we have had cycling, only because of the cold! At the end of the day we were glad to find that our B&B was warm, had a fire in the lounge and also a drying room. We left out shoes there overnight! Even our foot coverings ...

Perth to Blair Atholl:61km It was a sunny morning as we left Perth (and our wonderful B&B, The Townhouse), but the temperature felt close to zero. The NCN 77 took us on a good trail for about 10 km beside the River Tay. A bike path then ran alongside the A9 until we got to Dunkeld. We ...

We walked past St Leonards-in-the-Fields Church, with it’s impressive spire, to meet Martin and Grace at Blend Coffee. After a good cup of espresso, we walked across the River Tay (the largest volume river in the UK) and on by car to Branklyn Garden. Once a private garden, now owned by The National Trust for ...

Edinburgh to Perth: 72km Our breakfast this morning was enlivened by an interesting conversation with Gareth, the proprietor of the Faoch Guest House, about the Scottish referendum, the Scottish National Party and the current election campaign. It seems clear that the Labour Party did not recognize the “distinctness” of Scotland and the SNP will likely gain ...

West Linton (where Helen and Wayne met) to Edinburgh: 31km It was an easy ride into Edinburgh on the A702, A766 and A701, despite the cold and rain showers. We were assisted by a good tailwind and a bike lane approaching the city. On the way in, we had great espresso and an almond croissant at ...

Moffat to West Linton: 57km On the way in to Moffat yesterday, we both noticed a signpost indicating 53 miles to Edinburgh, along a ” scenic route”. This immediately signalled a change of plans, as this would mean 60km less and two shorter days! (We had been planning to follow the NCR north and east to ...