Day out Tarbet England

• From - to: Campbeltown to Inverness
• Length: 237 miles
• Terrain: a challenging route, with on-road plus some traffic-free sections
• National Pattern Network: Route 78
• Feedback from path people: Scroll into the to see these.

Route Description

Path 78 of National Cycle system, also called The Caledonia means (Slighe na h-Alba in Gaelic), works for 237 miles from Campbeltown to Inverness. It has always been feasible to check out Kintyre plus the Great Glen by road - but this would have involved using significant trunk roadways for considerable distances, or perhaps in places options just suited to a mountain cycle. Present work to build parts of traffic free path and also to re-surface routes, has brought the Caledonia method to a standard more worth these types of an significant trip.

The route is greatly impacted by the iconic geography of Scotland - after the Kintyre peninsula while the Great Glen for their complete lengths. It employs Loch Ness, and passes under Ben Nevis, it provides views of famous castles and breathtaking west-coast islands, and it hits as far north as Inverness, as the south end can be as far south as components of The united kingdomt.

A long time before railway and roadway many transport when you look at the west shore of Scotland was by sea - the Highland galleys (called Bhirlinns) have influenced the look of this access settings you will observe along the way in addition to logo the Caledonia means.

Access and backlinks

Despite a number of the dazzling remote rural cycling on offer this course normally very accessible.

• Campbeltown ferries url to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland and Ardrossan in Ayrshire, both from the National Cycle system. Ardrossan is attached to Glasgow by a typical rail solution.
• The Claonaig ferry links to Arran (allowing a visit to a moment ferry from Brodick once more to Ardrossan)
• The Kennacraig ferries connect to the Isle of Islay, the Isle of Colonsay, as well as on into slot of Oban (it self in the Caledonia Method), and close by the Tarbet ferry makes possible links to Dunoon as well as on by ferry to Gourock - once more connected to Glasgow both by train therefore the National pattern Network.
• Oban has rail links to Glasgow (though Tarbet regarding the West Loch Lomond pattern Path, and Crianlarich).
• Oban has ferry links to Kennacraig further south regarding Caledonia Method, the isles of Colonsay, Islay, Lismore, Mull, and Barra and South Uist on the external Hebrides.
• Near the course at Port Appin a small ferry to Lismore tends to make a brief circular route from Oban possible.
• Fort William is served by train from Glasgow (and Tarbet on Loch Lomond and Crianlarich as above), and Mallaig (from where a ferry links to the Isle of Skye - making an onward journey to Kyle of Lochalsh feasible - that will be connected by train to Inverness).
• Inverness is a travel hub - connected by train (and nationwide pattern Network) to multiple spots across Scotland.

Route gaps

Take note that there presently continue to be two unavoidable short spaces in nationwide Route 78. This is as a result of landownership also limitations. The spaces have been in the section described below as 'Oban to Fort William' - around Ledaig (for 1.1 miles/1.8km) and south of Duror (for 3km/ 1.9 miles). Onward vacation right here indicates there is no choice but briefly joining the thin high speed trunk area road, and this just isn't suitable for kids or inexperienced cyclists, or those by walking. There are many more information towards gaps in Oban to Fort William path description. Over recent years Sustrans as well as other stakeholders have worked hard to progress alternative traffic-free course tracks within these areas, nevertheless up to now it's not been feasible to produce an alternative solution. We continue to research all options here.

The Caledonia means is best explained in three parts - which have their very own path pages:

1. Campbeltown to Oban

This 122 mile, primarily on-road path between Oban and Campbeltown provides daring cyclists the opportunity to explore Lorn, Knapdale plus the dazzling Kintyre peninsula. As you go along, you will find fantastic views for the countries of Jura and Arran, with pretty harbours, castles, abbeys and ancient stones to explore. An extensive network of forest tracks provides further cycling opportunities in your community. The network of ferries that set you back and from Kintyre offer options for creating your own island-hopping tours. Ferry solutions are actually offered by Campbeltown to Troon and Ardrossan (Ayrshire), to Brodick (Arran) and to Ballycastle (north Ireland).

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2. Oban to Fort William

Almost all of this 48 mile course is on wonderful, traffic-free course, with some parts on minor roadways. A lot of the road between Oban and Ballachulish is created over the previous railway line which ran from Connel into the slate quarries near Ballachulish. The path has great views, hugging the coastline for most of the way and has not many gradients. There's absolutely no traffic-free route involving the Corran Ferry and Fort William although Corran and Cambusnagaul Ferries make it possible to gain access to a quiet single-track road across the west part of Loch Linnhe.

3. Fort William to Inverness

This an element of the path starts inside shadow of Ben Nevis, heads through the Great Glen from the Caledonian Canal towpath, on cycle path, as well as on small and woodland roads to Fort Augustus. From here it uses peaceful roadways along the eastern of Loch Ness and leads to the Highland money of Inverness.