Woodend Wanderer

Day two dawned bright and sunny. The Huntingtower hotel is set in beautiful grounds. We gave it 8/10. It would have got a 10 but at 4am an awful noise eminated from a vent fan for 20 minutes right outside our window and that was a good nights rest ruined.

Not to worry. We set off on a superb morning for the ride north to our next destination, Smithton which lies just to the east of Inverness.

It was a journey that was supposed to be 150 miles but a road closure meant we had to take a diversion of around 40 miles further east to get to our destination. The road from Perth to Braemar at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains is motorcycling heaven. Twisty, scenic and relatively traffic free.

We dropped down into Braemar for a coffee and use the loo before taking the old military road to Balmoral Castle. A brief stop was needed to just soak up the peace and quiet of the place.

From Balmoral we had to take a large diversion to reach the small town of Tomintoul as a bridge on the original road, Cock Bridge, is being replaced. The alternative road was simply stunning but added to our ride considerably. Next town was Grantown on Spey and to our next stop at Culloden Battlefield. (link to the battlefield website) Like all battlefields I have visited I find it hard to imagine the magnitude of what occurred. But it is a place of peace and quiet and contemplation. It is a place I have wanted to visit for a long time. I was not disappointed.

I will leave you with some photos taken at the site. They can never do it justice. You need to see the place for yourself.

So that was day 2. Tomorrow we strike North again to John O’ Groats and Thurso and so far the weather looks to be holding. Fingers crossed.