Weekend in Wonderful, Wild Scotland.

 The cottage.

       It was Stasia's birthday on Sunday, not allowed to mention age, so we booked a wee cottage a few miles before Stronachlachar, for the weekend. I had cycled that route many years ago, but had forgotten just how rubbish the road is once you pass Kinlochard, As you head for Stronachlachar the road (a rather misinterpretation of the word) you find yourself on a winding up and down single track with potholes and passing place which are not much more that some rubble at the side of the road. We arrived at the cottage on Friday afternoon and just did some wandering around and settling in before lighting the log fire and settling done for the evening. Not much else to do in such an isolated part of the country. 

Loch Katrine at Stronachlachar.

Stasia thought this one funny because of the notice

Stronachlachar.

      Saturday morning, breakfast and then head for Stronlachachar, just about four miles or so, but what a lousy twisting hilly single track road, but the weather was lovely, lots of sun and not much in the way of wind. Stronlachachar is a pretty isolated spot at the head of Loch Katrine, Just a lodge a pier and a cafe. There are sailings from Trossachs end of Loch Katrine to Stronlachachar, great walking country, but road rather lousy for cyclists and cars. 

 Inversnaid.

Inversnaid waterfall.

Inversnaid Hotel.

Inversnaid Harbour.

 

     We then decide to carry on to Inversnaid, where you eventually run out of road. The stretch to Inversnaid is even worse than the previous stretch of road, the last bit is a sharp decline and full of turns and twists, and as far as I could see this stretch had no passing places, not for the feint of heart.

    Inversnaid is a beautiful spot at the head of Loch Lomond on the opposite side of the Loch from Duck Bay, Luss, Inverbeg and Tarbet. There are small passenger ferries connecting you to the other side of the Loch.

     It was a wonderfully relaxing break and as always the views are stunningly beautiful, a mixture of long lochs, rugged mountains and forests, though I cursed the rotten roads, long may it remain so isolated and retain that escape potential.

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Has Summer Arrived???

        Well, well, whatever happened to our weather, blue skies and 16 degrees, pity about the 16mph wind. The sun made me think of Aberfoyle, so that's where I headed, it is an easier ride home that it is on the outward journey, more long incline drags, as you gain height to about Ward Toll, then you get some nice runs down towards Aberfoyle. So naturally that 16mph wind was in my face on the run out, but gave me a wee push back home on the easier stretch. Still a wonderful afternoon. The sun brought out all manner of cyclists in all shapes and sizes of bikes, but the Lycra clad brigade in their light weight bikes, out numbered the rest. I now accept that they will pass me at regular intervals, usually with a "Hi" as they with their young legs and lungs zip along the road.
       Last year after a run that was meant to end in Aberfolye, but was foiled, I posted about the pipes that run from Loch Katrine to supply Glasgow with its fresh water, and how the road at Ballot Toll  was closed, as where the pipes cross the road at that point, there seemed to be problem, as it was all supported by steel columns across the road. Well it seems that it is still a problem, though the road is open in a controlled single line traffic arrangement, with height restrictions on vehicles, the pipes still look in a precarious condition. Perhaps the fresh water supply to a major city is not a priority.

        Liz MacGregor's is a pleasant watering hole when visiting Aberfoyle. Good soup, nice cakes and not expensive.

        The might River Forth that ends up entering the North Sea on the east coast at Edinburgh, starts its life in these parts. Here it is, just a little river, as it winds its way through Aberfolye. 

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Martyrs' Stone.

       Managed out four times this week on the bike, though getting a bit cold. I hope I didn't give the impression that the last run I done up the Loch, was from Arrochar to Tarbet, 4+ miles? I come from the other direction, from beyond Balloch to Tarbet and then round to Arrochar, before turning back to Tarbet for that plate of sustenance.

      Last Wednesday it was a wee dash round my home territory, a non stop 30 mile circuit circling round Lenzie, Kirkintilloch, Milton of Campsie, Torrance zigzagging this way and that until I got my 30 miles. No stops, so no photos. Thursday it was the same territory, but cut it short to 25 miles, again no stops, no photos. 

       Monday I decided to go up the Aberfoyle road, on  reaching the Aberfoyle/Killearn/Drymen round-about, I was met with cones across the road stating road closed, and a notice saying diversion via Drymen. No intentions of going to Drymen, I decided that I would go through the cones, and if it was road works, I could just cycle/walk through and then carry on to Aberfoyle. 

     What a wonderful experience, mile after mile with no traffic. I started to imagine that this is what it will be like when the real "oil crisis" hits us, no noise of roaring cars, no thundering lorries, roads for bikes. I began to wonder what the cones were there for, when about 400 yards from Ballott Toll, it became obvious. There is an aqueduct that crosses the road at that point, carrying the lovely clear waters of Loch Katrine to the people of Glasgow and surrounding districts to flow into their homes for drinking, among other purposes. It was propped up with about twelve steel columns across the road, tall steel fencing across the road with heavy chains and a notice, DANGER, no entry. It looks as if the vital water supply to Glasgow is about to fall down, disaster for Glasgow should that ever happen. I admitted defeat, turned the bike and headed back along the wonderful stretch of traffic-less road.

        Today, Wednesday, it was a repeat of last Thursday's run, though I did stop at one point for a couple of photos. It was the Martyrs' Stone on the Kirkintilloch/Kilsyth road, a monument to mark two Covenanters who were put to death for their faith. I just feel that I would have respected them more if their passion had been for humanity, rather than for their faith. I have photographed this stone before, but I thought it was worth another shot. It must be the least visited monument in this part of Scotland, as it is situated at the side of a rather narrow road with no footpath or parking and a steady stream of fast traffic.

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk