JUST FOR THE RECORD TOUR --- 4 - 12 AUG 1998
 

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!

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