Blue skies, sunshine and views as far as the eye could see.

You may well think I was talking about our recent trip to Portugal, but no as we experienced thunderstorms and rain that could only be called 'biblical' – Roy and Alison who were guiding our W. Scotland and Skye tour experienced some of the fantastic weather that has blessed the UK all year.

Thanks to Alison for the account of their tour.

"The tour started in the Scottish Borders before taking the Forth Road Bridge into Perthshire, arriving just in time to see a steam train cross the Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, apparently to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the road bridge. (The things we arrange to keep our customers happy).

 The next day saw us pass the Glenshee Ski centre and over the Tomintoul where we stopped for lunch. One of our party, Roger, took on the duties of tour photographer and was seen to constantly ride ahead to choose the right place to take photos, earning himself the title of ‘pop up photographer’.  Our day ended at Ullapool which was to be our centre for the next two nights.

 A free day, so everyone set off in different directions, with the majority of the group riding with us to Durness and a visit to ‘Smoo Cave’ before returning via the Lairg visitor centre. Here Roy wrestled with a concrete Highland cow (see gallery photo) – we are currently waiting to see if he will be reported to the RSPCA, but we don’t think the cow put in a complaint.

 As usual the passage over the Applecross Peninsula was one of the highlights of the tour. The superb weather provided fantastic views and as our American friends say, made the experience ‘awesome’. With all safely down the Bealach na Ba (pass of cattle), we arrived at our next hotel near the Kyle of Lochalsh.

 With a 2 night stay here, the obvious choice for the day was a tour of Skye. Initially shrouded in fog, I thought we were going to be disappointed, but this soon burnt off and provided yet another great day. A missed turn led the group to a tearoom owned by a very interesting retired Williams F1 photographer and his wife – one of those great experiences that you could never plan for.

Continuing southwards we enjoyed some really great roads and continuing good weather, finally crossing the Clyde and riding the Ayrshire coast to our final night in Dumfries."

Thanks Alison for all your photos and account of the tour, rather frighteningly I remember crossing the Firth of Forth by car ferry prior to the bridge been built !

Alison tells me that quite a few people were interested in doing another Scottish Tour, so if there is enough interest, and Roy and Alison are happy to run it we will see what we can arrange.

I am pleased to advise that there will be a Scottish Tour in 2015