A scooter run to Raasay (243 miles).
Billy got in touch to see if a scooter trip was on. There was a terrific forecast for today so we decided to do this trip that we aborted last year. This time we pulled it off!
This is an interactive map. Hovering over the icon
on the map allows selecting the other route sections.We went through to Dingwall and I bought supplies for the day in Home Bargains. We then went to Tesco to take on petrol.
We had to make the 1.00 ferry so we motored on. We stopped beyond Achnasheen to get something to eat. We sat on the bridge.
We then didn’t stop till we got onto Skye where old men have to obey the demands of the bladder!
And then we pushed onto Sconser where you catch the ferry. We made it in good time and it was good to have the pressure off.
We caught the ferry, the MV Hallaig, over to Raasay which comes in at Clachan on the island.
Looking back to Skye. The hill is Glamaig, I think.
The next picture is Billy’s take on it.
Part of the Cuillin ridge is showing in this picture.
We purchased our tickets onboard the ferry. We could have purchased them online but weren’t certain we would make it. The girl selling the tickets, shockingly, didn’t know what a scooter was!
A return ticket was £13.60 which was not too bad. No point buying a one way ticket!
Clachan pier approaching.
This is an interactive map. Hovering over the icon
on the map allows selecting the other route sections.We stopped not far from the ferry at a seat that had amazing views. It was midway between Clachan and Inverarnish.
We then headed north and the views out to Skye were phenomenal.
At the north of the island we reached the remains of Brochel Castle and the start of Calum’s Road.
The next two photos are Billy’s.
This former footpath to Arnish – a distance of 1¾ miles – was widened to a single track road with passing places and prepared for surfacing by Maclom Macleod B.E.M. (1911-1988). He accomplished this work single-handedly over a period of ten years.
We arrived at Arnish and the end of the public road.
We then headed back but after a mile and to return to Arnish as Billy had lost his specks. He managed to find them!
Back at Brochel.
We went down to the south of the island to Eyre Point. It had super views but the place was not the bonniest. The whole place seems to have been dug up.
It seems that at one time Raasay was quite industrial there being iron mines on it. Iron ore mined in Raasay was sent by boat to Ravenscraig for smelting and used in the British first world war effort.
The views were super, however, and we lay on the beach for quarter of an hour. It was quite warm, too.
We came back to the ferry terminal and had something to eat as well as using the toilet that is there.
You can clearly see Raasay house here. It is a hotel.
We caught our ferry back to Skye.
Bill’s take on the same scene!
It is still quite a distance from Sconser to Broadford where we stopped to buy our tea at Siaway Fish & Chips. We had to wait a very long time for our order.
The Polish lady who served us was very pleasant and helpful though she must have been harrased.
I had a burger and chips.
We ate our suppers on the other side of the footbridge over the Broadford River. I think Bill had fish and chips. The sun was on us to start with but soon moved round and the day was cooling.
After eating we moved on a wee bit to what is now ASDA where we took on more petrol.
We the raced the darkness home, swapping bikes and taking very few rests. We had to have some stops to relieve stiffness. This is beyond Achnashellach.
Billy’s take on our stop.
The Old Evanton road was signposted “Road Closed” but we manged to force our way through the road works. Then it was keep going till we got to Aultnamain a few miles beyond my house. It was dark when we parted at Aultnamain.
What an amazing if rather tiring day. As Billy says, it is now checked off my bucket list. I would like to go back to Raasay.