A motorcycle parked in front of a tent on a pleasant green campsite

Home Travel StoriesUllapool 2012 - By Ren Withnell

Ullapool 2012 - Epilogue and More Pictures

I have seriously considered living in a place such as Ullapool, the two times I've been I've loved the place. But then of course I have, I'm on holiday and I'm somewhere that's still new and exciting. To live there would be different, there's still bills to pay, I'll still have to earn a living somehow and all of lifes other ups and downs will follow me no matter where I live. Then there's issues like no bike shop nearby, limited options on the night out front and petrol prices are high. I'm sure life in Ullapool is not perfect, but the views and the space, that is appealing. I've had a quick look on the internet and that has solved my problem. I can't afford to move up there, problem solved!

As for the highland midge, the wee beastie or the bringer of itches, there's no hope. Since my return I've been inundated with suggestions for various repellants, creams, lotions and potions. I've not had chance to try them out, maybe my next visit to Scotland will involve me taking a whole plethora of substances with me for testing. I'm a little sceptical. If there were a perfect potion to keep the midges at bay, this potion would be super successful and the owners would be billionaires. Never the less, I shall keep an open mind and see if anything helps.

As for Scotland itself, well North West Scotland, it's still an amazing place. There is actually a very strong argument in favour of the midges, they keep the tourist numbers down which in turn stops the place being filled with endless cars and naff resorts. There's a piece of me that wants to tell you it's awful and not to go, because I want to keep it all to myself and the small number of friendly locals. I want the roads to remain remote, beautiful, peaceful and empty. I want the tiny towns, villages and hamlets to remain sparsely populated. I don't want the locals to be pushed out in favour of holiday homes and endless caravan sites. It's perfect just as it is thank you.

hills with mist across them seen from beinglas campsite near loch lomond
One of the splendid views from Beinglas campsite.  It's a great site...as long as you're prepared for the midges.

 

mountains rising into the mist seen from glencoe village
The mountians that form Glencoe, as seen from the cafe in Glencoe village.

 

a young piper ona  village green in drumnadrochit
The Piper in Drumnadrochit.  Fine for a while...just not all day thank you.

 

a medium sized campervan or motorhome with a scooter and trailer at ullapool
We all agree this is idyllic.  A campervan, or motorhome, not too big but big enough to be comfortable, and a scooter on a trailer to get around on.  It seems the perfect retirement for this gentleman.

 

hills and mountains around loch broom and the campsite to the left
Broomfield campsite at Loch Broom, Ullapool.  It doesn't get much better really.

 

an army helicopter flying over loch broom with the campsite in the foreground
 We had a fly-by from a Helicopter.  I thought it might be a Huey, but I'm not sure it's big enough.

 

iw and the gf looking at the camera on the car park at ardvrek castle
IW and the gf consulting the camera at Ardvrek Castle

 

lochinver from the town, houses spread thinly across the loch shore
Lochinver.

 

bike helmets and jackets on a bench with islands and mountains at drumbeg viewpoint
Drumbeg viewpoint.  There's even somewhere to put all your bike gear!

 

the porch of my tent filled with clothes and bike gear
I wasn't sure I'd need a porch on my tent.  How wrong can a man be?



 

Ullapool 2012 - Prologue
Ullapool 2012 - Bolton to Inverarnan
Ullapool 2012 - Inverarnan to Ullapool
Ullapool 2012 - The Lochinver and Drumbeg Loop
Ullapool 2012 - A Ride To Gairloch Just another one of those fabulous and beautiful rides around The Highlands. The weather isn't so bad either.
Ullapool 2012 - UIlapool To Callander
Ullapool 2012 - Callander To Bolton The motorcycle ride from callander to bolton and what happened on the journey
Ullapool 2012 - Epilogue and More Pictures The end of my travel story to ullapool and some more pictures of the area
Ullapool 2012 - Even More Pictures Pictures from my motorcycle trip to Ullapool. Scotland is a beautiful place and we even had great weather.

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Home Travel StoriesUllapool 2012 - By Ren Withnell

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