Day 15, Friday 6 June, 2014 - Fort William to Inverness

Dist : 114 km
Riding time: 6:16
Total time (including stops) : 9:00
Stops: 4
Climb meters up/down 1,150 /1,136
Max height: 378m at 15:33

Opposite the Youth Hostel was the Glen Nevis. This is the highest mountain, at 1,344 metres in the British Isles. Base elevation is 20m, so it's a fair climb up the easiest route called the pony track. They drove a T-model ford up in 1927 as a publicity stunt. The vertical face at 700m is popular for ice climbing. There were a number of folks heading up into the cloud, hoping it would clear for a great view.

Leaving Fort William, I passed the Ben Nevis Distillery. Distilleries are everywhere with their distinctive grey, windowless concrete walled warehouses. I also called home on Skype, which is covenient, generally good quality and always good to hear of the family activities.

Next I stopped for a photo at the monument to the Unknown Soldier, near Spean Bridge. There were a couple of buses visiting the monument.

The ride along the A82 was quite difficult as the timber trucks belted along. Loch Lochy was scenic and quite long. Stopping past Invergarry, I met another cyclist traveling from Inverness to Glen Coe. Sandy was a local and advised me to go on the south side of Loch Ness, which I did.

I took the cycle path along the canal locks to Fort Augustus, then watched as a boat moved through the canals. It was very touristy, including a kilted, bag pipe playing Scotsman getting photos taken.

The climb up to the peak of 378m seemed to go forever. It was sunny and getting warmer. Near the top, there was a Dutch family doing some fishing in a small loch.

Eventually, I made it over the highest point and enjoyed the descent through Whitebridge to Foyers. There I enjoyed a great piece of carrot cake, and read of the original Foyers Aluminium Company.This was Britain's first aluminium smelter and used a newly build hydro electic generator.

The descent continued along the single lane military road alongside Loch Ness. I saw the Urquhart Castle, but not the monster.

Eventually, I made it to the City of Inverness. It had grand houses alongside the river on the way in.

I rode up the hill to my very grand Beauford Hotel, checked in and had a very good dinner.

Just two day's cycling to go and the weather may hold off till I get to top.