Having reached the end of the previously published plan, I suppose I ought to add a bit about what happens next, to the extent that it is known. I have been joined by my wife, Jenni, for the next section and our collective movements are outlined below. At the end of this 9th coast to coast we will reach OS map 67, which just about scrapes into the very top corner of England. That will feel like a major landmark in this adventure, although it is far from the end of Scotland. The next few days will take us to the whisky heaven that is Islay, with its eight magnificent distilleries, and then on to the islands of Jura and Bute, with sections of mainland acting as stepping stones. After that, we will be visiting Scotland’s two main cities: Glasgow and Edinburgh, which will be a very different experience to the majority of what has come before, and indeed will follow. I hope to use Edinburgh as a base to work my way through the southern uplands; but that remains little more than a vague idea until I have chance to pause and work out the details. One thing at a time. The current plan…
Thursday 4th August: Trains from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Glasgow to Ardrossan Harbour. Ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, Isle of Arran. Cycle 15 miles over mountains to Lochranza. Ferry Lochranza to Claonaig. Visit Skipness Castle. Stay overnight at Whitehouse.
Friday 5th August: Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen, Islay. Visit Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin distilleries. Cycle to Port Charlotte Stay in Port Charlotte.
Saturday 6th August: Cycle around north part of Islay. Visit more distilleries. Stay second night in Port Charlotte.
Sunday 7th August: Cycle to Port Askaig. Ferry to Jura. Cycle as far up Jura as time allows, and back. Ferry to Port Askaig. Ferry to Kennacraig. Stay at Whitehouse again.
Monday 8th August: Cycle to Tarbert. Ferry to Portavadie. Cycle around Kyles of Bute to Colintraive. Ferry to Bute. Cycle to Rothesay. Stay in Rothesay.
Tuesday 9th August: Ferry to Wemyss Bay. Cycle to Glasgow. Stay in Glasgow.
Wednesday 10th August: Cycle to Edinburgh. Stay in Edinburgh.
Thursday 11th August: Cycle to Eyemouth. Train back to Edinburgh (me) and home (Jenni) from Berwick upon Tweed (in England!). Stay in Edinburgh.