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The Fat Lamb 2 video is here!

7/12/2022

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Our final video of the year sees us back on the road in "2022 - Fat Lamb 2 - the Return (for Mette)".

Dedicated to our dear departed friend Mette who passed earlier this year, it features members of our club touring beautiful Cumbria in their classic cars.
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 9.

3/12/2022

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By Anthony Osborne
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Saturday 24th To the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and the end of our holiday.
The six cars were scattered over the area around Edinburgh and its vicinities on Friday night with four of them staying at the Dalton’s Mansion, thank you Eric and Fiona, and the two MGs staying in separate hotels on the outskirts of Dunfermline.
In the morning the MGs met up and drove down to the Kelpies, picking up some much needed E5 Petrol on the way there. The first order of the day was to visit the coffee shop and partake of their liquid refreshment (No it was too early for alcohol and we were driving anyway) and, of course, to check the plumbing of the facilities!
It was not long before the rest of the group were spotted walking towards these massive sculptures and we spent some time exploring them.
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The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world, standing at 100ft tall and weighing more than 300 tonnes each. They were modelled on two working Clydesdale horses called Duke and Baron who were at the official opening ceremony. The name ‘Kelpies’ is derived from mythical water spirits from Scottish folklore typically taking the form of horses which take delight at the drowning of travellers. Kelpies appear to their victims as horses who entice humans to ride on their backs, then carry them down to a watery grave.
Once we had enjoyed a look at these huge creations the convoy drove the short distance to the Falkirk Wheel. The Wheel is a boat lift linking the Forth & Clyde and the Union Canal that had been linked by 11 conventional locks, which were decommissioned and dismantled in 1933.
Concepts were drawn up to replace the 11 locks and the final design is claimed to have been inspired by a Celtic double headed spear, a vast turning propeller of a Clydebank built ship, the ribcage of a whale and the spine of a fish! Work started on the Millennium Link project to once again link the two canals with the Wheel in 1998 and the project was to cost £84.5m. The Wheel itself was manufactured in Derbyshire, assembled to prove it fitted together and dismantled then transported to Falkirk in 35 lorry loads where it was unloaded and, with the use of cranes, bolted back together again. 1,200 tonnes of steel and 15,000 bolts pushed through 45,000 bolt holes were used in construction. All the bolts were tightened by hand! There were 1,000 staff working on the project. In 2002 our late Queen officially opened the lift which is the World’s first and only rotating boat lift. The lift is 35m tall and the 600 tonne gondolas hold 500,000 litres of water, equivalent to the volume of water in an Olympic swimming pool. Incredibly, because of the way it is designed, the Wheel only used 1.5 kWh of electricity to rotate from bottom to top, enough electricity to run a 3 kW electric fire for half an hour!
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wo vessels, in this instance, are moored in the lower gondola waiting to be lifted. (
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The Wheel is rotated clockwise on this occasion, looking from the lower pool.
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The two moored vessels are now in the top gondola.
Again, we have to thank Gar for bringing us to see this impressive piece of engineering which most of us could probably have stood watching all day.
This final visit brought the end of our Scottish tour for Bill and Daphne, the two MGs, and Henry, the J C Midge, who headed back to England for a night’s stay in Hawes, whilst the rest returned to the Dalton’s mansion for an extra day in Scotland.
We travelled in convoy to Cumbria and refuelled with precious E5 petrol at G&E Murgatroyd’s Spa/Shell garage at Kirkby Stephen, not far from the Fat Lamb Country Inn which has been used twice now by the Group on its Cumbria trips. As we pulled away it was noticed that Henry was smoking well, which was not normal. A couple of miles up the road there was a convenient layby that Gus pulled into where we were able to establish the reason for the smoke. Unfortunately, a tired and windswept Gus had mistaken the Shell V-Power B7 pump for the E5 pump.
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Figure : The offending petrol pump.
We rallied round Gus with John and Kevin, in the red MGB GT, taking an empty jerrycan back to Murgatroyd’s for to collect 22.73046 litres (5 gallons) of fresh E5. By the time they arrived back at Henry Gus had pumped about 5 gallons of dietrol (E5/B7 mix) into another jerrycan. The fresh fuel was added but Henry did not want to start. He was pushed back out onto the road and ran down the hill towards Kirkby Stephen in an attempt to bump start him, without success. The two MGs caught up with Henry parked in the gateway to the preserved Kirkby Stephen East railway station with a frustrated Gus wondering what to do next. It was our turn to return to Murgatroyd’s to see if they had any Easy Start and returned with a can to find that Henry had actually tried to fire up but would not run. With Gus squirting the East Start into the air intake Henry perked up a bit and started to fire continuously although he did emulate a Royal Navy destroyer making smoke! This was a success and Gus, followed by Pat and Anthony successfully made it to the Fountains Hotel in Hawes, whilst John and Kevin were up the road in a guest house.
Having settled Henry and Bill for the night and checked in we endeavoured to find some food. We were late and the Fountain Hotel’s kitchen had closed for the night but there was an Indian restaurant next door. Unfortunately, they were fully booked. However, a starving Gus smelled frying and we followed his nose down the road to a fish and chip shop with restaurant. The three of us enjoyed a meal there which certainly revived and de-stressed Gus.
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Fortunately, Henry expired in a cloud of smoke in a safe resting place
On Sunday morning, after a good night’s sleep and breakfast the cars were loaded up and John and Kevin appeared. Henry fired up without hesitation (but still emitting a load of smoke much to the amazement of the locals), goodbyes were said and the three cars headed in their sperate directions homeward.
Gar, Ian, Sarah, and Brian had a restful day taking a coach into in Edinburgh, Gar even falling asleep on the coach! Whilst there they went on a Hielan Coo hunt. Sarah was very brave but the Coo would just not show his face (he was more interested in his lunch than looking at a lovely young lady!).
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Sarah tries to get up close to a Heilan Coo.
On Monday Ian and Gar set off from Eric’s mansion and headed south to the Midlands and a little later Brian departed in his Jaguar for the journey back to Eire.
We are pleased to report that all safely arrived at their destinations. All in all we had ten days of fantastic motoring and in spite of all the cars dating back to the last century we had remarkably few issues.

You Tube video of the final days of the tour
​We all owe Gar a huge thank you for organising, herding, marshalling and leading us through some of the most fantastic scenery in the British Isles. It is to be driven again, in the other direction, in 2025. Are you going to join us?
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 8.

3/12/2022

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By Anthony Osborne
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Friday 23rd To North Queensferry.
Having checked out of the Spayside Hotel, already full of a generous Scottish breakfast, we were loading up the cars when we noticed we had an addition to the convoy. Eric Dalton had joined us again, having last met us at the museum in Glasgow. It was great to see him again, and his Rover 200 VdP in the car park.
In convoy we set off for our trip over the Cairngorms to Falkirk via Balmoral and the Royal Lochnager Distillery outlet there.
Due to roadworks closing one of the roads we were to drive down there was a slight diversion that added some 21 miles to the route! We arrived at a car park opposite Crathie Church, the church that the Royal Family use when at the Castle. The attraction for the brief visit to the car park was the facilities that were provided, which almost all of us visited for a comfort break (is that too much information?). A short drive and we were at the distillery outlet. We were amazed at the number of whiskeys that were available there, and the cost of some of the rarer ones (I would have had to take out a mortgage to buy many of them!).  ​
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A few of the flowers outside the entrance to Balmoral Castle.
We had passed the entrance to Balmoral Castle on the way and, being the week of the Queen’s funeral, there was a large sea of flowers left by mourners outside the gate.
For the onward journey Pat wanted to go through Ballatar so we separated from the convoy who headed into the Cairngorms. However, as we resumed our route through the mountains we drove past the convoy that had visited a lay-by, presumably to put the kettle on. We waited a mile or so further on in another lay-by for the convoy to set off and re-joined them for the rest of the journey.
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Betty, the Granada and Henry can be seen in the lay-by whilst brewing up.
​Once again the scenery was fantastic, even if it was spoiled by the ski lifts that crossed the area (we hope that they have good snow in the winter to attract visitors to the area).
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Ski lifts in the Cairngorms looking out of place without the snow!
Once again the scenery was fantastic, even if it was spoiled by the ski lifts that crossed the area (we hope that they have good snow in the winter to attract visitors to the area).
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The convoy, now of seven cars, drove on across the magnificent countryside of the Cairngorms.
he onward journey took us from the edge of the Cairngorms, with it’s magnificent mountains and hills, to the low lands and outskirts of Edinburgh and the magnificent piece of Victorian engineering which is the Forth Rail Bridge which was completed and opened on 4th March 1890 (and no, I was not at the official opening, were you Brian?). We gathered at North Queensferry for a photoshoot with the rail bridge in the background. The bridge is considered a symbol of Scotland, even though it was designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker (don’t tell Nicola Sturgeon!), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Some of the cars pose in front of the Forth Rail Bridge, opened in 1890.
After a brief photo opportunity, there were double yellow lines round the turning area, the group separated and we then set off to our various accommodations for the night.

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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 7.

1/12/2022

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By Anthony Osborne
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​Thursday 22nd To the Spayside Hotel, Grantown on Spay.
After another hearty breakfast, for those whose waist lines had not stretched their trousers past the limit, we headed down to the John O’Groats visitor centre where 5 cars gathered for photoshoots to prove we had been there. 

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The sixth car, Henry, was, of course, at Thurso waiting for Gus to rub his hands on the prop shaft. Photographs taken, Betty took off for Turso carrying Gar and Gus. Gus put his overalls on and in no time he had the cover off the gearbox (the J C Midge being based upon a Triumph Harold the access to the front end of the prop shaft is very similar on Gus’s car). With the prop shaft out, much to his annoyance, Gus noticed that the front UJ was, in fact, in good order and that the issue was a few bolts at the back of the prop shaft that were loose. He could have tightened those up whilst the car was on the ramps four days ago! Annoyed, but relieved that he did not have so much work to do Henry was put back together and proven to be in good order. Vincent was thanked for his help and provision of a dry workshop and Gus headed off to catch up with us.
Whilst there Gar had noticed that his front tyres were not looking as healthy as he would have liked them with the mountain roads taking their toll. He visited a tyre supplier in Turso but they didn’t have the right size. He visited a second supplier and they had the tyres but could not fit them as their machine had failed. He bought the tyres and headed back to the first tyre fitters he had visited. Presenting them with the tyres Betty was up in the air without any front wheels in no time. The fitter asked what Gar was doing so far up North and it was explained that we were doing the NC500 and that he had come up from Birmingham with others from different parts of the country. We were also raising money for the ‘Children with Cancer’ charity. Gar was delighted when the tyre fitter checked Betty’s tracking for free as we were helping with a good cause. Afterwards Betty was very well behaved, driving almost like a new car!
Meanwhile the rest of us had set off South, down the A99, and arrived at Wick Harbour where the RNLI Severn Class lifeboat was stationed. 14-20, RNLB Roy Barker II looked very splendid at its moorings.
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​Not far from the lifeboat was an oil industry service catamaran and Ian and I had an interesting conversation with an enthusiastic young crew member, a maintenance engineer, who appeared to be making himself rich serving on it.
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A catamaran used to service oil and gas equipment in the North Sea.
Gar found us just as someone pointed to the harbourside café and off we went for a coffee and cake. During discussion it was decided that we would go and find the Sutor’s Gin distillery near Tain. Once we had enjoyed refreshments and visited the little rooms we set off as a convoy of 5 cars (Betty was no longer towing Henry’s trailer) towards Sutors Gin, almost 75 miles to the south.
On arrival at the location of the Gin Distillery we were confused as there was no sign of it. The building was there but it was all locked up and didn’t look very active. So to Plan B, a Whiskey
distillery in Dornoch, which meant retracing our steps by 14 miles. Driving North again on the A9 we spotted a funny looking car heading towards us with huge headlamps. As it drew closer we realised that it was Henry with trailer. Gus spotted us and turned round as soon as he could so that by the time that we arrived at the distillery the convoy was back up to its full complement. Some disappointment when we arrived though as we were hoping to see a distillery but it was only the Dornoch Distillery Bottle Shop that was open to customers. Some made purchases and once back in our cars we were retracing our steps to the south on the A9.
Next stop was Inverness where we all managed to park in the same car park, by the bus station. It was time a for a walk and we found our way down to the river and enjoyed a little very fresh air on the foot suspension bridge there but not before we have found a house named perfectly for Ian.
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Windy Woodward at Windy Corner!
​Gus then advised that when he checked in he was told of a Whiskey Tasting that was taking place at 6:00pm. The Osbornes signed up for that as well which meant that we had less than 15 minutes to get our cases up to our room and present ourselves in the Conservatory. The tasting was most interesting with four different local whiskeys presented to us. We were amazed how the flavours changed with just a drop of water from a pipette added. Sometimes this improved the flavour whilst in others the taste was not so good. Remarkably, an improvement tasted by some was not appreciated by others. By the time we had emptied our samples of whiskey it was time for dinner and the rest of the party were ordering from the menu in the dining room. Another well-presented meal was enjoyed expanding waistlines further. The beer was good again as well.
You Tube video of Day 6 & 7
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 6.

25/11/2022

4 Comments

 
By Anthony Osborne.
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Wednesday 21st To Sea View Hotel at John O’Groats.
Having been disappointed with the evening meal at the Arch Inn I was pleased to find that breakfast was up to the standards that we had been enjoying. I didn’t spot any croissants!
We set off for the loch Broom Filling Station where copious litres of E5 petrol were taken on board the convoy, replenishing the tanks after the previous day’s run.
We had a brief stop at Loch Kirkaig to admire the view and stretch the legs. An Aston Martin coming the other way stopped and I had a chat with the occupants comparing notes as they were driving the NC500 in the anti-clockwise direction. ​
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A nice way to travel on the NC500, if you can afford it!
On leaving Loch Kirkaig we joined a flock of Scottish sheep who thought Ian’s Granada was one of their flock.
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Our first planned destination was Achmelvich Beach, another visit organised by Gar. This very sandy but small beach must have been wonderful on a hot sunny day but the two young ladies in their bathing suits were turning blue after they had braved the sea water. They suggested that it was a little cool but their changing colour suggested that it was very cold indeed!
We gathered on the beach and Gus brought his drone out to film the message carved into the sand ‘EBMVBB1985 21-9-22 was here’.
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​After some bracing fresh air, we were off again through some more fantastic scenery, both at sea level and in the hills and mountains, on substantial roads and on single track lanes between stone walls. The driving was certainly fun again although it did require a lot of concentration at times.
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The Kylesku Bridge over the connection between Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin and Loch Gleann Dubh.
Our next stop was alongside the Kylesk Bridge where a break was taken for cake! Gus opened up his trailer and produced the goodies which went down very well!
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Brian enjoys cake from Gus’s trailer.
​Whilst we were enjoying cake Henry managed to get a new driver, although he struggled to reach the pedals with any of his four feet so gave the car back to Gus.
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Anyway, after refreshment alongside the magnificent bridge we hit the road again with just a further 125 miles to go!
As we headed up to Durness, which was about as far North as we could go on the West Coast, before turning East the roads varied from single carriageway with street lighting to narrow single track with passing places. The scenery remained fantastic.  ​
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(Picture 66) The roads in North West Scotland were very good as was the scenery. Sadly, the rain not so good.
​At Durness we took a left turn down a lane to the Balnakeil Craft Village where we had a look around in damp, dull and windy conditions. The Meet and Eat Café served excellent coffee and cakes which many of us enjoyed, taking over much of the café in the process. We also visited a craft shop and the Coco Mountain outlet there as well. Refreshed we returned to the road on our journey across the North of Scotland in an Easterly direction. For most of us the next stop was the Sea View Hotel at John O’Groats.
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At Hope we were, apparently, only 77 miles from John O’Groats
​However, for the last four days Betty had been towing Henry’s trailer because Gus was concerned about a knocking noise which was believed to be coming from the front UJ on the prop shaft. Gus had put an appeal out on the Group Facebook area for assistance and Vincent from Turso responded offering garage accommodation and he even obtained an UJ for the job. The plan was for Henry and his trailer to be left with Vincent overnight with Gar bringing Gus on to the hotel. The following morning Gar would take Gus back to sort Henry out. Thus Gus and Gar ventured into Thurso whilst the rest of us headed on to the Seaview Hotel in the rain.
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If we were at sea level or up in the mountains the scenery was so different to that seen in England.
​On our left, to the North, suddenly looming out of the gloom was a large spherical building with many other buildings around it. Of course, this was the former Dounreay Nuclear Power Station. The plant was opened in 1955 and three reactors – the Dounreay fast reactor, prototype fast reactor and the Dounreay materials test reactor – were built over the next 20 years. It was fully shut down in 1994, but a massive and complex clean-up operation remains ongoing.
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​We all safely arrived at the Seaview Hotel in torrential rain, most of us being soaked as we took our cases into the hotel to check in, Gar and Gus catching up with us a little later. Some of the team took a walk down to the Visitor Centre, in the dark, to see the John O’Groats sign post there. On their return we all congregated at a large table that had been reserved for us in the restaurant, a similar sized group of cyclists occupying another large table. The beer and food were good as well as the excellent company.
After somewhere in the region of 185 miles during the day it is probably fair to say that a good night’s sleep was had by all!
To be continued ...
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 5

25/11/2022

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By Anthony Osborne.
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Tuesday 20th To The Arch Inn on the banks of Lock Broom at Ullapool.
Again, we had a heartly Scottish breakfast, or at least those who wanted one did and others were more sensible and had a rest having something lighter. Many of us were overeating and suffering from all of the food proffered to us. The pounds were starting to increase our waist lines. Had we gone for two weeks many of us would have joined the ranks of the group’s fat blokes by the end of the holiday!
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Over the bridge from Skye
Having left Skye over the bridge to the mainland our first call, to satisfy the wishes of Fat Controller, Gar, was to Eilean Donan Castle on its own island in Loch Duich.  ​
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Eilean Donan Castle.
There has been a castle on this small island since the 13th Century and since then it has been rebuilt 4 times. Whilst its full involvement with the Jacobean rebellion in 1715 is not known. In 1719 the castle, occupied by 46 Spanish soldiers, who supported the Jacobites, was bombarded by three heavily armed Royal Navy Frigates for three days. English soldiers were sent ashore and captured the castle. In the magazine they discovered 343 barrels of gunpowder which they used to destroy the remains of the castle rendering it uninhabitable for almost 200 years. In 1911 the ruins were bought by John and Isabella MacRae who spent 20 years restoring the ruins to their current condition. It has been used in films including Highlander (1986), Loch Ness (1996), Entrapment (1999) and James Bond - The World is Not Enough (1999). Ian and Gar endeavoured to recreate a scene from the film Highlander on the bridge to the castle. One has to admit that they would not get an Oscar for their performance, you will have to see the YouTube video of Day 5 to see the performance! There is a link to the video at the end of this blog.
As we departed from the Castle we started to see more and more rugged countryside passing by lochs and mountains. Some stretches of road had covers built over them, a bit like tunnels, to stop rockfalls and avalanches, particularly in winter, blocking the road. We passed through small communities, some even having petrol pumps with E5 fuel, which we obviously had to visit on occasion!
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Henry follows his trailer behind Betty past the rockfall defences and towards the artificial tunnels
We soon arrived at the start of the Applecross Pass where the roads became narrower and narrower with regular passing places. Traffic was light and most of the drivers we came across were polite and courteous. It was good to see quite a few motorcyclists out and about. When they came up behind it was easy pull into a passing place to let them by.
After filling Bill, the black MGB GT, with fresh E5 we caught up with the rest of the convoy parked by a cattle grid only to find that Betty the trans Mondeo was without driver. Gar soon appeared from some bushes muttering about too many tins of Tango, and we were off again.
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Climbing towards the summit.
As we climbed towards the 2,053 ft view point up gradients sometimes achieving 1:5 the temperatures of the car cooling systems were also climbing. We were going up the side of a valley with near vertical drops on one side of the road.  

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Not quite at the top but Ardarroch, the other side of Loch Kishorn, is a very long way down!
Passing places were visited often to allow traffic coming in the other direction to pass. Near the top of the pass we encountered a series of hairpin bends and then the road levelled out with a car parking area at the highest point of the road, the Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) view point.  ​
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Magnificent views and people in ‘T’ Shirts in the cold wind at the viewpoint.
It was a little cool outside the cars but some brave souls braved it in their ‘T’ Shirts! It was a magnificent view point but lacked any amenities, just a level area with a Triangulation Point at one edge.  ​
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We moved on and enjoyed the sweeping road down to sea level at the small village of Applecross. Our leader set off southwards out of the village but then decided that we should be going north! We all did an about turn, avoiding traffic which was surprisingly heavy all of a sudden for a village in the middle of nowhere. On the way back a car park was spotted with a brick building in it. I think most of us explored the interior of the building and were much relieved for finding it!
Having lightened the load, we proceeded northwards out of Applecross and on across country to Ullapool. We still had almost 120 miles to drive before arriving at our next hotel, the Arch Inn. The total day’s route was 172 miles.
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The Arch Inn on the Ullapool sea front.
We arrived at the Arch Inn, eventually, and checked in, each being allocated a room. Guess what? Yes Brian was on the upper floor again although he did decline a change to the ground floor. We had booked tables in the restaurant and met there occupying two tables. Sadly, as I don’t eat fish, the mainly fish-based menu was not too exciting for me. The only meat I could find, without having to suffer fish with it, was a steak burger. I have to admit that this was the least enjoyable meal I had during the tour.
To be continued ...
You Tube video day 5.
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 4

25/11/2022

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By Anthony Osborne.
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Monday 19th To the Hotel Eileen Iarmain on the Isle of Skye
A full Scottish breakfast, as we were beginning to learn, was bigger than a full English and was delicious, although sometimes difficult to devour it all! However, after our morning venture into the dinning room and checking out we were off again, heading northwards in our rain soaked cars up the West side of Loch Linnhe, the opposite side to Fort William. There were very low, thin clouds with the mountains peeking through the top of them. The air was still very damp from the overnight rain. Our first destination was to be the Glenfinnan Viaduct, scene of filming some shots for one of the Harry Potter films. We could waste no time to get there in order to see The Jacobite steam train crossing the viaduct.
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Parts of Fort William the other side of Lock Linnhe
We were now driving on single track roads with passing places. Being as courteous as possible we were pulling into the passing places whenever traffic came in the opposite direction and found other drivers were responding accordingly. In fact during the whole of the trip I can only remember one comment about an aggressive motor caravan driver who, in reality, was probably driving a vehicle totally unsuitable for the road conditions.
Up past Fort William and then Westward towards Glenfinnan which is at the head of Lock Shiel. As we approached Glenfinnan it became apparent that there was more traffic around because of others wishing to see the steam train and we were fortunate in that we all found spaces in the car park together, even Betty with Henry’s trailer in tow. Having parked and paid the machine for the privilege we had a short walk (hobble in the case of Brian and me) to get a good view of the structure built by Concrete Bob McAlpine and completed in 1898, although the line did not open through to Mallaig until 1901. The viaduct consists of a total of 21 arches each 50ft (15m) wide with a total length of 416yds (380m). Carrying a single track, it is 18ft (5.5m) wide between parapets and carries the railway 100ft (30m) above the River Finnan. It is curved inland with a radius of 729ft (241m). Quite an engineering feat for its time.
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Black Five 45407 pulls the Jacobite across the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
​Black Five number 45407, built for the LMS by Armstrong Whitworth in 1937 pulled the Jacobean, consisting of a rake of seven maroon BR Mk1 Coaches, across the viaduct creating an impressive scene with the driver opening the throttle creating a cloud of exhaust (steam) as the train accelerated away from Glenfinnan to continue its onward journey to Mallaig.
Our little convoy left the Glenfinnan car park and, like the Jacobean, also headed up towards Mallaig where, as we approached, we could see the Jacobean simmering at the station. We drove round the harbour of this small fishing village to the other side of the bay, dodging tourists who seemed to be hell bent on being run over irrespective of how slowly we drove, where we found parking space for us all and an excellent view of vessels entering or leaving their moorings. Someone found that there were public loos adjacent to a car park opposite the railway station and those in need investigated the service provided. It was a bit disconcerting to discover that you could only enter by swiping your contactless card from which 40p was extracted! I dread to think what happened to anyone without a credit or bank card in their wallet! With our check-in time approaching we retraced our steps to the harbour and joined the queue for embarkation on the ferry, ‘Loch Fyne’ to Armadale on the Isle of Skye.
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Loch Fyne arrives at Mallaig to load and carry us to Armadale
We boarded the ferry which was as tightly packed as the smaller Corran Ferry. The passage was smooth and, whilst a little longer than the Corran Ferry, it was still quite quick. We disembarked at Armadale and headed off northwards across the Isle of Skye along the narrow roads to the Hotel Eilean Iarmain on the Isle Ornsay, Sleat on the Isle of Skye.
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Again, tightly packed as sardines on the ferry!
We were not allowed to check in until 4:30 pm so we enjoyed a natter on the small jetty whilst we waited for Reception to open.  ​
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​This was a lovely hotel with excellent food and beer. It was also our most expensive hotel of the tour. One aging waitress was most entertaining with her negative attitude to the diners, she was lovely!
However, wherever we were young Brian always seemed to have a problem. At the Hotel Eileen Iarmain he was unable to stand by the four poster bed without walking sideways there was that little room between the bed and the wall. At least it was on the ground floor this time!
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To be continued ...
You Tube video of day 4.
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 3

25/11/2022

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By Anthony Osborne
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Sunday 18th to The Inn at Ardgour on the banks of Loch Linne
We set off from the Inn after a hearty breakfast (no croissants Tosh) with the cars covered in the overnight rain water. However, before we could depart Gar had a problem with Betty’s front indicators and needed to replace a bulb, but he did have a spare. Super Enthusiast Man (aka Gus) was called into service and after removing the lens on both indicators there was a flashing indicator on the front on both sides of Betty. Unfortunately, it was not possible to superglue the lenses back on at the hotel so Betty proceeded with both the lenses missing!
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Super Enthusiast Man gains access to Betty’s indicator bulbs!
We headed up the side of Loch Fyne, around the end and back down the other side through Inverary where we had a stop to let everyone catch up. It had been proposed to refill with E5 petrol there but being a Sunday the Renault Garage was closed. A convoy of six cars, we set off again along the loch side before heading away from the coast and up towards Oban.
We made it to Asknish Bay when we spotted a sign to a viewpoint. As a bonus the Loch Melford Hotel served tea and coffee overlooking the bay and Sarah was exceedingly excited as there were Hielan Coos in the grounds. It is rumoured that Sarah only came along so that she could meet up with some Hielan Coos such is her love for them!
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Sarah photographs her first Hielan Coo of the holiday.
After refreshments and a visit to the loo (you only rent the coffee!) we headed off again towards Oban.
Once there we sought Tesco who promised to stock E5 Petrol in their advertising. However, this was not the case. Whilst there additional provisions were taken on board and we proceeded northwards finding E5 at a filling station at Dunbeg. The cars thirsts being quenched it was onwards and upwards for a few more miles until we spotted a parking area within view of the magnificent Connel Bridge. The bridge is near the entrance to Loch Etive, a sea loch almost 20 miles long, in places a mile wide and up to 500ft deep.
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Connel Bridge
A picnic lunch was enjoyed with Coles Kitchen producing hot dogs, which were delicious. At the same time a second cooker in the back of Ian’s Granada was used to make most welcome tea and coffee.
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​Whilst we enjoyed our lunch break some kayakers came ashore and soon disappeared with their boats on car roofs. They appeared to have enjoyed a brisque paddle on the loch.
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Adjacent to all this activity, however, Gus was expressing concern about a clonk coming from his car, Henry, so out of his trailer came a pair of ramps and in no time Henry’s back end was up in the air and Gus was underneath in his overalls getting his hands dirty. When he emerged, not looking happy, he had decided that the universal joint at the front of the prop-shaft was worn and in need of replacement. After some discussion it was decided that Betty would tow Henry’s trailer leaving Henry on a light load and Gus would monitor the situation.
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We set off northwards again and passed over the Connel Bridge, getting a better view of its engineering as we approached it. There must have been hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of rivets used in its construction.
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The intricate structure of the Connel Bridge.
Having crossed Lock Etive we again proceeded up the coast with the next superstructure being the Ballachulish Bridge which was of a similar construction to the Connel Bridge, this time over the entrance to Loch Leven from Loch Linnhe.  ​
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Ballachulish Bridge
As we were ahead of time it was decided to go on up the side of Loch Linnhe to Fort William instead of straight to the ferry taking us to our hotel for the night. The first car park visited was abandoned as there was nothing interesting to see, so we returned to a loch side car park with a good view of the other side of the loch, which we would be driving along tomorrow.
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The cars lined up at the side of Loch Linnhe in Fort William
We then drove back to the Corran Ferry that took us across a narrow point on the Loch to our hotel which was, literally, opposite the ferry terminal.
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Our cars packed like sardines in a tin!
Arriving at the other side of the Loch, we drove up the ramp, across the road and straight into the Inn at Ardgour car park. Gar had selected another nice hotel for us to stay in overnight. The food and beer were again good with the only downside being the noise that the ferry made every half hour or so as it arrived then departed from the slip way, fortunately it did not run all night!
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To be continued ...
You tube video of day 3
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GRAND TOUR OF THE SCOTTISH COAST NC500. PART 2.

25/11/2022

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By Anthony Angus Osborne.
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Saturday 17th to The Cairndow Stagecoach Inn, on the banks of Loch Fyne.
After filling ourselves with breakfast at the Gables Hotel we set off in a convoy of six cars for the first time. The first requirement was petrol, E5 preferably as the cars were not designed to run on ethanol, and this was found not far from the hotel.  ​
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Gar leads Ian and Brian up the A74(M) whilst watched by Rascal, one of the group teddy bears
​We then ventured further into Scotland with our next destination being the River Clyde at Glasgow. Here we were to visit the Riverside Museum.
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John and Kevin are separated by plastic pixies in roadworks. Will they be able to re-join the convoy again?
We all arrived at the museum together, in spite of John and Kevin being separated from the convoy during some roadworks en-route. Fortunately, they did manage to re-join us.
At the museum, which houses a substantial collection of historic transport items as well as some other artifacts, entrance was free, once we had paid for the car parking.
The first artefact that we landed on was a Ford Granada police car. Ian was very excited.
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Brian examines the Granada, no doubt relieved that it has not just pulled his Jag over!
​The displays were remarkable with cars on shelves just like some of my Dinky Toys were in my youth!
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Two favourites, from Longbridge and Solihull. Sadly Big Rov was not with us.
​Gar and Brian were walking along admiring the cars when one asked the other if Eric Dalton, an active member living near Edinburgh, had ever been to this museum. They looked up and much to their amazement he was walking towards them! It was great to catch up with Eric and Fiona, his wife, even if they had come over in their modern Ford.
Having had some time to look at the various trains, ships and cars it was time for a tea or coffee and then back to the cars. In the car park we said our goodbyes to Eric and Fiona and headed out of the Glasgow conurbation, northwards into the hills.
Driving up the side of a rather large valley we were suddenly brought to a halt by a set of traffic lights, miles from anywhere. They were controlling traffic round some road works but it almost felt as if we were back in Birmingham as we had to wait that long! The lights went to green and we continued up the valley finding a lay-by where we parked for a comfort break, several of the local trees being well watered! There were many cars coming and going in the lay-by but one seemed to attract more attention than most. They were completing a sponsored charity run of the NC500 in a car costing less than £500. I hope that they succeeded without losing any of their Little Tyke cars!
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A Big ‘Little Tykes’ car, with smaller one on the roof and an even smaller one on the bonnet!
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Gar certainly felt on top of the World, there anyway.
​Our destination for the night was the Cairndow Stagecoach Inn on the banks of Loch Fyne.
Off the main road and down a narrow lane we arrived to be welcomed at the hotel where we checked in and the more energetic members of the group went for a walk to examine the local church. The preacher looked very familiar!
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The Reverend Gar Cole preaching to the converted (where have we seen that pose before?).
After a lovely meal and the odd drop of a suitable alcohol we retired to our beds, the second of our holiday.
To be continued ...
You Tube video of day 2.
NC500 Part 1
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Grand Tour of the Scottish Coast NC500. Part 1

25/11/2022

2 Comments

 
By Anthony Osborne
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15th to 25th September 2022
The Fat Controller, Gar Cole, was the leader of the pack whose dream was to drive the NC500 round the North Coast of Scotland. What better way to do it, he thought, than to take classic cars and drive round with good mates. Over 12 months ago he started to float the idea and was amazed when 18 cars were signed up for the tour. He booked hotels and generally got on with the arrangements.
Sadly 12 of the cars had to pull out for one reason or another and just 6 cars set out to travel North of the border.
Gar had rearranged all the hotels for each of the 9 nights and I, using the information passed to me by Gar and John Ticehurst who had booked the ferry to Skye, had prepared a route book which included all the required information for out time away.
Gar thought it appropriate to sponsor Children with Cancer UK and we were delighted to raise the sum of £357 for them on our tour.
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Also, because we are all concerned about the environment, I arranged for all our carbon emissions between Gretna Green and the Falkirk Wheel to be offset by Tree-V who were introduced to me at the 2021 NEC Classic Car Show by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. We estimated that we would emit 2,039kg CO2 and paid £66.26 between us to Tree-V who are arranging the planting of trees, to absorb the carbon emitted, with Forest Carbon. One such location is Tom’s Wood in North Yorkshire

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Thursday 15th Final Preparation and Excitement.
​Gar is very relieved when Betty, his trans Ford Mondeo, actually passed its MOT with only two advisories after some extensive surgery and with less than 24 hours to go to departure!.
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Gar’s trans Mondeo formerly known as Barry
John Ticehurst and Kevin Terry set off in John’s red MGB GT, ‘Daphne’, from Chelmsford to head north breaking their journey on the way overnight. Brian Allison also set off in his light blue XJ6 from County Carlow in Eire on his journey northwards.
The only reported issue on the way to Gretna Green was Daphne having a puncture. This can be a bit of a problem as all the luggage in the boot has to come out to get to the jack and spare wheel! At least with knock on wire wheels it is simple enough to get the wheel off.
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It was only going flat at the bottom so they should have just turned it over!
Friday 16th to The Gables Hotel, Gretna Green.
​Garry Brooks (Gus) left home in South Yorkshire in his J C Midge, ‘Henry’ but as there isn’t room for a toothbrush in Henry he was towing a trailer with all sorts in it, including his toothbrush! Pat and Anthony Osborne set off from Worcestershire in Pat’s black MGB GT, ‘Bill’, Ian and Sarah Woodward departed from Leicestershire in Ian’s white Granada Estate and Gar Cole set off from the outskirts of Birmingham in his very early trans Ford Mondeo, formerly known as ‘Barry’ but now answering to the name ‘Betty’, all heading northwards. Donnington Services was the rendezvous location for the ‘Leader of the pack‘ Cole, the Woodwards and the Osbornes who then headed across country to the M6. It would appear that everyone, other than John and Kevin, had an uneventful journey meeting up at the Gables Hotel in Gretna Green.

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In the car park the two MGB GTs had parked either side of a Triumph TR6, the owner of that feeling a little disappointed that he was so outnumbered!
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The TR6 owner was upset that the MGs had his car surrounded.
​Outside the Hotel there were other interesting cars including a Porsche and a Bristol 412.
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The hotel was comfortable and food was good. We were all settled into a private dining room for dinner after a drink in the bar. I think everyone slept well that night after the long drives to Gretna Green.
We were advised, should we have a problem, that Gus had all sorts of emergency equipment in Henry’s trailer including a pair of ramps, E5 petrol, and tools. Gar was also prepared with a pop-up tent and portaloo! I don’t think that Gar’s emergency equipment was used as there were generally plenty of trees around when they were needed!
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Gar had catered for all eventualities!
​Our holiday had begun at last.
You Tube video of day 1.
To be continued ...
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