Great dinner, good night sleep, very nice people, great Hotel. I met some older Americans, one born in Ireland, and we talked about the differences of Ireland and Scotland. What she mentioned I can understand. As she says there are many more bars and restaurants, all over the country. Here in this part of Scotland it is rather difficult to find a decent restaurant, even in some bigger villages or towns, also getting a good coffee is not so easy. So getting something to eat and drink at the Spar is most of the time the best you can get.

The travel agency proposed a route along the East coast and driving to Inverness and from there to the Lodge. But I have been already in Inverness, did not like it really, and thought the route North and West along the coast would be much better. It was a great tour, although rather slow, as most of the 150 Km I drove are on a single track, meaning you can not drive that fast as you have to stop many times to let others pass. And although busy is not the right word … cars and motorbikes are there.

At one place I took some pictures and an older lady with here Shepard Dog past and we got to talk about how empty it is nowadays. She says it is dying out. You can also see that is many demolished houses. The scenery is great though, a perfect mix of water both the ocean and many inland lakes, mountains and trees, a perfect picture. Especially the part between Tongue and Durness is very scenic.

Almost at the end going West I went into the Smoo Cave. I am not completely sure about the story, but the waterfall was not there long ago. But one person who thought the cave was haunted and could not get out, blasted a whole with dynamite and now there is this waterfall.

Going South is very different, many higher mountains and even much greener, due to the Limestone below the grass. This part reminded me the most on the higher parts in Norway, especially near Geiranger Fjord. With all the lakes and high and steep mountains it is the same atmosphere.

Out of the mountains Ullapools is the first bigger town. With a very nice harbor something very different of what I have seen until then. The layout is rather American as the streets are more or less straight and in squares. I might go back tomorrow to take a boat tour around some island to hopefully see some dolphins and other creatures not experienced yet.

Out of Ullapools driving to my next accommodation I almost got without gas. Going back was no option, so I asked a local and at the nearest gas station I had gas for another 4 Miles …

Arriving in the Inchbae Lodge, which is rather in nowhere land was a bit strange. It is rather big, many rooms, a bar, pool room, a restaurant, a lounge a bar, etc, all downstairs and no one there. You have to ring the bell.

I am now in the bar, no others, just a guy behind the bar, not knowing a lot, but very helpful telling me which local Ale to taste and that there are only two other rooms booked. The rooms, as the whole lodge, is cosy, but also a bit strange. My room is mostly blue, very old style (and just old), but with a very modern shower. There are so many small things, from puppets, glass, porcelain, but also a lot of videotapes of music performances, that is its difficult to to trip over some of them …

No Internet, no phone signal either, actually even the car radio dropped out may times today, it is really far from civilization … it will cost you from up North a full day to get some bigger stuff. For instance in Inverness.

OK, Tomorrow (that is today ..) possibly after the boat tour to Isle of Skye for two nights.