Day 4 Onto Ullapool

After a sleepless night due to multiple snorers in the bunkhouse I was up early and on the road for 7:30 am.  The midges were out and biting that morning so I had to move fast but it wasn't long before my legs and arms were plastered with the wee beasties !!!!!

It was quite a misty morning as I rode along the banks of Loch Maree, I had to even put my lights on to avoid been run over by vans and lorries speeding by.

I was glad to get to Gairloch for my morning coffee stop at 9 am.  I had heard about a great coffee shop there called "Coast Coffee", however they weren't open till 10 am !!!.  I then tried the Old Inn which was open with residents having breakfast, but they wouldn't serve a poor cyclist till lunch time !!!

I left Gairloch feeling despondent, but I noticed the golf club was open so I tried there.  They welcomed me with open arms and they even had a fine selection of tray bake which cheered me up no end !!!!

No room at the Inn at Gairloch

Saved by the golf club !!!!

The sun came out and I was rewarded with a lovely coastal ride through the villages of Poolewe, Aultbea and Laide before turning inland into more hilly terrain.  The previous evening some cyclists had  recommended going to Maggies Tea Room in Dundonnell and when I got there, boy was I not disappointed.  I have a lovely lunch of soup and a salmon sandwich.

Lunch at Maggie's.

View from Maggie's along Little loch Broom.

I had a very relaxing lunch till Maggie told me about the huge hill just along the road.  That was the second massive hill after lunch I've had to deal with !!!!.  From there it was a very remote road over the hills followed by a fantastic down hill ride to the Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature reserve.  I got off the bike here and had a walk around the gorge.  It is a very impressive 'Slot Gorge' with a viewing platform, definitely worth a look if you're in the area.

Me and big sunglasses !!!

Lonely roads !!!

Corrieshalloch slot gorge.

Corrieshalloch slot gorge.

The final stretch was a run down the main road to Ullapool.  It wasn't too busy and a good surface, so wasn't long before I finished for the day at 75 miles.  I was staying at the Ullapool YHA, which was great.  So nice it was like a hotel.  Everything you would expect from a YHA quiet, clean, good showers and great facilities.
I had a great sunny evening in Ullapool : Fish and Chips followed by an ice cream down the harbour then a nice walk around town.  It was great jumping into a very comfortable bed in a quiet dorm that evening, after a tough day in the saddle.

Ullapool Harbour.

The Dutch have arrived in port.

The Stornoway ferry (MV Loch Seaforth) arrives.

Boardy finds a friend in Ullapool.

NC500 Day 4 Route: