Getting ferry from Colonsay. Will do a write up later.
Picture on Islay in better weather.
https://flic.kr/p/vCxtAN
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Ferry + train assisted tandem tour - Campbeltown to Fort William via Islay
(4 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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We got back. Highly decadent holiday which consisted of cycling, stopping, looking about, drinking coffee and heading to next place. Modern tourism - what's the point?! :-)
The routes were pretty good 'non-heroic' stuff. We covered over 250 miles in under two weeks. Some days we just used the bike to get to a walk or nearby place for evening meal. Max day mileage was 52miles on Islay. Steepest hill was up from Port Askaig.
- Edinburgh-Kilwinning direct train (no problem)
- Calmac Ardrossan to Campbeltown
- Cycle Kintyre up to Kilmartin. Look at neolithic sites.
- Cycle back to Kennacraig ferry via Crinan
- Evening ferry to Islay
- Cycle to Portnahaven one day and other day walk to Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain to mingle with yacht owners
- Ferry to Colonsay - couple of days walking and cycling. Roads narrow so lots of squeezing by cars. Walk out to neigbouring Oronsay with cycle assist to road end.
- Ferry to Oban (Hopscotch ticket). Research Sustrans paths to Appin. Meet the biggest group of cyclists on trip on Lismore using small ferry. See bike shot here... (Guides from Pitlochry and Dunkeld).
- Home leg via Onich and Corran ferry with excellent small ferry back to the Fort. This saved us cycling more of the A82 and takes you to old pier with short cycle to station. £1.50 for a bike - he didn't even charge extra for our tandem.Final barrier was getting on to train at Fort William. Guard wouldn't really accept our tandem was a folded bike and actually created an extra bike space. Only two other bikes on train.
Changed at Dumbarton Central on way back to avoid Queen St.
All in all a great holiday and Mrs LB enjoyed a lot - biggest trip we've ever done. Know it only matches a short Audax!
Made sure we stayed in decent places with some beautiful scenery. Couple of wet days.
Lismore to Onich by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Lismore to Onich by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
20150709_164646 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
20150709_171559 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sounds like a great trip. I think I've cycled round all those listed islands (inc. Oransay which we cycled to over the sand).
Is that Ardrossan to Campbeltown route new? I see there is now also a Lochranza to Tarbet route too. That would save having to slog up the hill from Claonaig if you're heading straight from Arran to Islay.
Can't beat a bit of island hopping by bike.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Hi CB.
The Ardrossan to Campbeltown has run before but this year there is a daytime option on a Sunday. Gets into Kintyre at 16.30. Leaves Ardrossan around 1.20 pm.
During week there are sailings at 18.40 on Thursday and Friday. Arrives 21.20.
Departures back from Campbeltown Friday and Sat around 7am.
The Lochranza to Tarbert direct route is winter only I think. Yes it would be very handy if it ran in summer!
Posted 8 years ago #
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