Cycling Oban to Campbeltown on NCR78 The Caledonia Way
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- Опубліковано 17 жов 2024
- This cycle trip took place in October 2019. It started off at Ardrossan harbour long term car park where we aprked up our van, having travelled up from Yorkshire. We then got a train from the harbour station to Glasgow, followed by another train to Oban. The train journey to Oban is reputed to be one of the most scenic train journeys in the UK: it certainly lived up to that reputation
The following day we bagan our cycle trip from Oban to Campbeltown cycling along the Caledonia Way on NCR 78. We stopped overnight at Kilmartin and then Tarbert where we discovered that the ferry from Campbeltown stops sailing at the end of September. After some head scratching we decided to re route and cross over to Arran the following day, via the Claonaig to Lochranza ferry. The re route turned out pretty good and we stayed in Brodick for two nights as the guest house was so nice. The next day we decided to do a circular day ride over the mountain on the String Road to Blackwaterfoot and then back to Brodick. Of course we had to stop at the Velo Cafe at Lagg which is obligatory if your cycling around Arran!
After good weather for most of this trip the bad weather which had plagued the rest of the UK finally arrived just as we finished our last ride of the trip. The timing could not have been better which made us laugh as we looked out of the guest house window.
The next day we caught the early morning ferry to Ardossan and back to the van. We loaded up our cycles and drove home. What an amazing trip this was!!
Enjoyed watching your tour, brought back memories. Bikepacked route in May 2022, but in reverse, using Arran as a "stepping stone" to Tarbert, then followed all the coast, camped at Carsaig.
Included the Isles - Seil, Luing, Easdale, Kerera & Lismore ( from Port Appin, then to Oban )
Train home from Oban.
Few yrs back also did the Ardrossan-Campbelltown, Mull Kintyre then up to Tarbert ( Kintyre Way). Then over to Loch Lomond, Callander, Cycle track to Killin, Glen Almond to finish at Perth. Hard to beat Cycling Holidays when the weather is good ! ATB Many more happy tours.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks, enjoyed that. I was impressed the way you planned to use the Campeltown to Ardrossan ferry, even more surprised to see it was still running in October... then I watched the rest of the video :)
Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Fortunately the trip turned out good with the re route across Arran. I do go back to finish the trip in a later video 😊👍
You have just made me homesick. This part of Scotland is my home territory but now in England for over 50 years. I have cycled so much of your route and latterly 100 miles in a weekend with son and grandson. Marvellous!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. It is indeed beautiful. We are hoping to be up there permanently within a year. 😊
Such a lovely film of your journey. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment. I have just come back from finishing that trip off at long last. This time I did get to Campbeltown and there was a ferry. Video should be up in a couple of weeks. Are you Emma from Otley by any chance?
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides : sorry, not that Emma. I’m in Northumberland. I particularly enjoyed your film because I travelled much the same area , in reverse, in 2012 when I had a small camper van. I saw similar gravestones to those a Kilmarton at Saddell Abbey on the east side of Kintyre and I stayed on the campsite at Tayvallich and visited Carsaig, Crinan etc. It was quite a sentimental visit for me to watch your film. Thanks again.
@@Curlew-Corner thanks for the reply. You're quite correct in what you say. These videos mean more to people who have been there and been bitten by the magic of it all. I thought Carsaig and Crinan were hidden gems!!
Great ride chaps! Should sell it to the Scottish Tourist Board as a promo video 😉
Believe it or not i was looking at a site called Visit Inverness and wondered the same thing. BUT at the end of the day i have to remember that this is just a bit of fun, a hobby and for sharing with family friends and any other cyclists that might be interested. Thanks for your comment though and your support. 😃
The scenery is breathtaking great pick for a bike tour
Thanks John! Funnily enough, I have just come back from finishing the second part of that trip off. This time I started at Ardrossan, crossed back to Claonaig and then continued the originally intended journey down to Campbeltown. I shoudl have tyhe video up in around 2 weeks.
My heart is aching at the beauty of it all. Was up there most recently last year and fell in love with Crinan. Just stunning.
Andrew Baillie thanks for the comments. I’m off back up in 2 weeks to complete this trip from where we aborted last year. Covid or not! This year there’s no ferry from Campbeltown so it’s a there and back ride. Leaving 2 weeks to edit the video should be uploaded in 5 weeks. Hope the weather holds out.
Great video and music. For half an hour I was able to escape lockdown and in my mind ride the route with you. It is a route I have been considering for a while and it looks great.
Thanks for your comment. It’s all that’s keeping me going too. The thought of getting back up there and just riding. This lockdown is like a sentence not life. The tide we did was stunning. I just need to finish it off 😊👍
Hi Guys. I am thinking of this trip and a few isles next year. Really enjoyed the video, thank you. What type of cam do you have, and do you recommend a cycle or helmet one? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the support and comment. I prefer a chest strap as you get that immersive feel on video. When i see footage from helmet mounts it seems to be darting everywhere as you look around. I dont know why but i like to see my hands on the bars - its like im there again. Just experiment and see what you like.
A lovely tour awakening my own grand memories, well done guys.
What a nice comment. Thank you so much
Great video chaps,definitely a route to put on the to do list.
Thanks David. Just been thinking today that I need to go back and finish that trip now lockdown is lifted and accommodation is back open again. Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent video, we got the train to Inverness last May and did the route as you did across to Arran, almost my favorite bit. Inverness to Oban has some fantastic cycle paths on route 78 highly recommend it. Thanks
Hey thanks for the nice comments. That trip has really stuck in my brain ever since. It was bloomin great! Im just in the process of planning part 2 for early September. Over to Arran, Lochranza, cross over and stop at Carradale. Next day Campbelltown and across to the other side to a campsite. Then explore the penninsula and see the Mull Of Kintyre.
Identified one of the bike is a Norco, the other one had “…. cycles” on its headset badge…..very good network and tour 😊👍
The other cycle is a Spa Cycles Wayfarer. 👍
Really good video. Scotland is such a beautiful place.
Hi Toby. Thanks for the like. SAcotland is unbelievably good for cycling. Get youself up there. You will be addicted.
Great video, lucky weather
Thanks for the comment. I am hoping to finish that trip off this year after lockdown. I want to make an even better video next time.
You really lucked out with that weather!
So very very lucky😊. Right to the end of the last ride. Can’t wait to go back.
That is exactly the route I was thinking of for this year (except in reverse). Have been around there many times on the motorbike but can't wait try it on a cycle. I like the way you did it as to cycle for 5 days and then have to take the train back to Ardossan and then have to drive home (in my case to Derbyshire) wouldn't be as good.
I tried to finish that route off this year but was thwarted again by Covid with bad accomodation problems 2 days before departure. I am determined to finish it off this year crossing to Arran then again over to Tarbert, down to Campbeltown and back to Ardrossan. FINGERS CROSSED!!
when you went through kilmartin you were in the ancient kingdom of dalriada which is quite a story to explore if you do this ride, take time it will reward you
- Spent a couple of hours with you on the road - looking in parallel through Google / Earth ...
- Thank you for the pleasure !
- I wish you success and good luck !
Yes it was good to meet you. It is always a pleasure to share information with other travellers. Have a great trip 😊👍