There were pipe bands, gymkhana, homemade crafts and
locally grown produce. Many sheep and cattle as well as
furred and feathered competitors filled the field. We watched
the judging of some sheep, which in a way reminded us of
the judging of Classical Cars. The Judge was a usual feared,
respected, and sometimes hated. Imagine short listing concours
cars whilst driving around a racetrack; that is how the
initial elimination is done. Then the chosen few had their
fuel intake system checked (teeth and mouth) before the
exhaust system is examined (under the tail). Bodywork and
level is next making sure the chassis just like any concours!
After that out to the west to sit in the sun and drink
a pot of tea at Ardnamurchan, where from the lighthouse
there were fine views of the Inner Hebrides . We then headed
for Glencoe via the end of Loch Shiel, passing the Glenfinnan
Monument and then along Loch Eli to Fort William before
crossing over Loch Leven by the Ballachulish Bridge. It
was then on with the kettle before eating again at the
Glen Coe Hotel. We had clocked up another 169 miles.
Sunday was overcast but warm so we decided to take the
leisurely route to John O'Groats by way of the West Coast.
We checked for new participants for the tour in the Central
Square at Fort William . If we missed you, sorry! We attempted
to visit a distillery but were too early, it being Sunday
morning. The A82 soon took us unto Inverness , but no!
We did not see the Loch Ness Monster this trip, perhaps
next time! Then it was onward to Ullapool for a quayside
lunch from the local chippie. Here we met a man who told
us about his time pressing the panels for the PI800 in
Glasgow ; it had been a long time since he had seen one.
After filling up with petrol we headed north, again mainly
on little used single track roads, where it seemed surprising
to other motorists that a 1778cc twin carburettor early
coupe and a late 1986cc petrol injected sporting estate
could easily and readily keep up with, and sometimes pas
them.
We made such good progress along the northern
coastline that we decided to stop off at Dunnet's Head
to watch the sun set on another days motoring. At this
Most Northerly Point we were not able to have our now
customary pot of tea, however, we did meet a former owner
who had many years previously crashed his P1800S. He was
so thrilled when Kevin offered to take him for a ride.
He still has some parts from his car that he promised to
send Kevin. Then it was on to John O'Groats to check in,
and off to the Old School House for the usual weekend pot
of tea and some supper. We had driven 316 miles since Glencoe.
At the hotel bar that evening we found out that Kevin was
the first in that day from Lands End, but he was shortly
followed by a solo motorcyclist who had just done the journey
non stop in 14 hours, only to find there was no bed for
him at the hotel as it is about to be redeveloped.
Because of our late arrival we had not taken the obligatory
photographs, but the delay was worthwhile as next morning
we were piped in by a piper, who as the owner of a Rover
P5B was not in the least surprised that we had made it.
After a day at leisure we set off for Lands End and this
time we did find a distillery at Clynelish to visit, the
making of the Water of Life is fascinating. We rejoined
the A9 at Brona and looking in my rear view mirror I saw
a flashing blue light following Kevin!
To See
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