Heatings on full blast. The f****s have over £800 of MY MONEY in their bank account and cant/wont refund it, so Im just going to spend it for them – oh! and they put up my direct debit by £20. I get the uplift in direct debit, but trying to get that much money back from them has proved to be a total nightmare as you just cant get through (Scottish power). So at current prices I should get a week of 20C then its back to cuddling up with the dog and the cat.

Pic of a run into Loch Dionard in Sutherland.Places like this get you away from the NC500!!!

NC500 singletrack driving will drive you nuts. However there are upteen biking routes that can be had well away from it around Corriemulzie, Croick, Arkle, Balblair, Golspie etc etc. Plenty campgrounds (camper vans only in the main at mo) to satify you and keep you close to cycling, walking action. It aint Devon and Cornwall or the Lake district (yet), so come on up and fill yer boots.

Hailing from sunny Durness it has been illuminating this summer to see the herd mentality kick in. All the bog roll you couldnt buy in Tesco in March is now freely available across the hills next to any and all parking spots in/around the village. We used to happily welcome folk down onto the croft (only access to the beach you see!) with vehicles (cars, campers etc) and always had the odd camper pitching up as well. Well that has well and truly been stuffed by a minority of absolute tossers, leaving rubbish, abusing the (very elderly) parents and generally just taking the proverbial.
So we closed the gate to vehicles (but not walkers) and it seems its just as well given what happening with the “wild camping” brigade.
However, on a more positive note, in a camper van (despite the anti tourist crap being spouted on the NC500 weeps FB page) you should be fine. Make sure you book ahead and dont just park with all the other lemmings in laybys. Come on up as they say and enjoy what we have been enjoying long before the NC 500 became a thing.
Interestingly, I came down on the motorbike on sat via Ullapool from Durness and the road was pretty quiet, so not as “mental” as some are making out. From Ullapool to Dingwall though was a different story and it was bonkers.
As earlier posters have said, pick routes that arent in car mags etc and there is still plenty to see. I was down in Kinlochourn last thursday and saw three tourist vehilcles in its entire 27(ish) miles. Plenty spots to park, loads of Munroes to walk and even some nifty biking to be had out some of the Glens (if you dont mind pushing)

Going like the clappers between Garve and Strathpeffer (long time ago) a wee stone flicked up from the front wheel and whacked my epiglottis. Actually bruised it so badly that I visted the local A&E to check I handn’t done some serious damage. To my embarrassment, the doc called the rest of the medics round cos he’d never seen such a thing and appeared fascinated by my now rather swollen member (yes I know where you think this is going – but do not go there thanks!!!).

Sharpening “tools” and steels generally deserve to be one place only and thats the bin.Steels especially are worse than useless, and I’ve never seen anyone use them effectively.
Sharpening stones on the other hand should bring your knives back to life, unless you have knocked lumps out of the edge with the steel that is!
There are some cracking devices that allow you to use differing grades of stone locked in place that will replicate the same edge angle consistently.
Decent knives – well I use tescos finest and kept sharp (monthly is enough) they are more than good enough to butcher a deer carcass or chop onions – feel free to spent loads on a fancy set though.

I bought sealskinz gloves (Waterproof All Weather Glove) and socks in the last couple of years as my job takes me out into the wilds of the Highlands on habitat surveys. The gloves were worse than useless in anything more than a shower (great for biking in though as they dont sweat like mad).
The gloves disappeared in a contractors wagon in the end and I didnt even bother asking for them back I was so fed up with them.
The socks on the other hand help to keep the feet dry when you are mooching about in bogs day after day (I rotate though three pairs of goretex boots during the week), but if its wet enough, then eventually they give up the ghost as well.
To be honest, most “recreational” kit is crap for anything other than lightweight usage. A lot of the Keepers and Ghillies I work with are usually kitted in the very best of kit and even that gets replaced every other year as it cant stand up to hard usage.

Did a 15 mile loop round the Black isle on sunday. Never saw a soul out and only a handful of cars. All on wee backroads or cyclepath – no issues at all.
There is a few cyclists out and about, but no-one here is getting hassle from folk I speak to. To be fair our COVID cases in the local hospital (Inverness) were still in single figures at the tail end of last week, so that might explain why we are a bit more relaxed (than normal) up here.

Is the land a croft. If it is that gives you considerable room for movement that is not available anywhere else.

Some estates/keepers/toffs will given half a chance use this to further their aims of keeping the great unwashed of moi laaand for as long as possible. To be fair though, from the keepers I know, most of them accept the status quo and work round it. Here in the sunny Highlands, most of the big estates are so far away from the mass of humanity that is the rest of the country that access issues right now are a non-event (mostly).

There are very few roads in the Highlands that you’d struggle with, width or length wise. You can take a seven tonne lorry anywhere you like as long as you pay attention, so campervans should be no issue.
What is a pain is the complete and utter lack of sensitivity to others behind you (someone did mention locals were as bad, but I can assure you the locals I know arent in the cohort – we have an inordinate amount of incomers who cant drive for ****).
Ive spoke to one of the local coppers on the north coast and she followed a campervan for two miles with blues and twos on and the woman driving the camper was completely oblivious to the fact she was behind her.
So a couple of points really. Use your mirrors and pull over to let faster vehicles past AND learn to reverse using your mirrors – The amount of people who cant reverse is scary and Ive lost count of the clowns who nearly end up in the ditch trying it.

The fancy carbon wheel option that costs more than the base model seems a bit silly, though the bikes do look rather fetching and decent VFM.

Here in sunny Scotland – it depends. Payments are calculated on the cultivated area, not the boundaries, and payments also require to you to keep youre land in “Good environmental and Agricultural Condition”.
However, if you were to seek payments under AECS (which is now defunct unless you get a rollover) you could potentially get some funding for conservation measures. Generally though, AECS is a nightmare on smaller holdings, designated sites and often is was so restrictive it wasnt worth the bother.
Rules abound and restrictions are hidden under every rock. Speak to a decent farm advisor (your local farmer will have a fav) and see where to go from there.
Its all up in the air at the mo though as there has been no defined repalcement for AECS. although the feeling is it will be replaced with a payment programme that shifts towards payments for “natural capital” – that was before the world caught fire though!!!

Dealing with conflict and resolution in retail.
Picture this – you are duty manager (glorified shop assistant) for a store with 300 staff, its fairly quiet on a sat evening. Bear in mind I’ve done all the conflict management courses, I treat people as I wish to be treated etc etc, and I get a call from a member of the checkout team.
She has a young mum in tears with a very upset wee boy. The problem – well as any parent knows, our little cherubs can play up at any inopportune moment, and the wee fella had had a moment in our store. The outcome was that a rather elderly “gentleman of some breeding” had told her wee fella to shut the **** up.
I mean what the hell am I supposed to do with this situation. The old fella was old (but not ill with dementia etc), and I knew him as a regular customer anyway.
So I asked him to apologise directly to the young woman, which he did thankfully. I could have chucked him out/called the cops/ told him to **** off etc etc, but retail staff have to deal with stuff like this daily and make judgements that frankly require more than a wee bit of savvy.
I work with degree qualified “stakeholders” in government all the time and frankly I wouldnt give half of them house room. Lazy, feckless, stupid and often arrogant AND all too often frightened to make a judgment that may make them look bad on their fancy resume.
Up the workers I say and down with the inteliigensyas or whatever fancy wrd these plple use

Having spent 17 years in retail, much of that as a line manager I can sympathise with many of my former collegues right now. The general public have of late demonstrated themselves to be of two camps. Those (in the majority) are decent and grateful for the service the “low skilled” staff provide, however there is a staggering amount of frankly horrible people out there who have shown their true colours and staff are struggling to deal with these self important clowns. Now I’ve got that off my chest, I’ll swing my attention back to the term “low skilled”.
While any “fool” can fill a shelf, it takes a significant amount of skill and dedication to actually be a productive member of the team and note that it takes more than shelf fillers to maketh a store.
I saw quite a few “educated” individuals try their hand at it, and they simply couldnt cope with the varied demands of the job. Its typically why supermarket managers are recruited from within as they understand the demands of the job.
On the other hand, the drive to improve productivity and reduce costs has taken a massive toll on instore teams. What the public want is cheaper, so what the public get in effect is a watered down service. In turn, as shopfloor staff (and management) you get reduced benefits, more pressure and a lot more hassle from customers.
In the end, I got my degree (as a result of the skills I picked up in retail thankyou) walked into an amazing job with more money and way less stress than my former management job.
Retail staff – unskilled my a**e – only to the people who look down on it from their middle management chairs.

My wife is terminal with cancer. Started about five years ago with breast cancer which we thought we had licked, then it properly reared its ugly head about 18 months ago with a lung collapse. Now its in her bones and who knows where else.
Being a tough kiwi b***d she was still working 30+ hrs a week at a major retailer until last week, (who have gone above and beyond it has to be said) until they gave her three months off on full pay to protect her (and a fair other amount of staff at the company).
Apart from the fears that we have around the cancer, covid 18 will undoubtably have serious implications for her as well, so we are in effect living from day to day right now.
It is NOT all doom and gloom though. She is still alive and kicking and absolutely making the most of life. She can get up and go for a walk, tidy the house, do the dishes and make me dinner etc etc (dont worry I do the ironing and hoovering though).
Joking aside, it is crap and having been together for nearly 30 years the thought of not having my better half around hardly bears thinking about.
There is plenty help out there (apparently), but much of the online stuff is frankly self serving b****t. I do have a a couple of folk who I can talk stuff though with and thankfully (and more importantly) the wife has been supported though an incredible group at the local hospice. They dont shy away from anything and it has definitely helped the wife.
What has surprised me is how some folk have just dropped off the radar and cant or wont even ask how the wife is doing. Im not looking for sympathy or a shoulder to cry on from them and frankly if they dont want to engage then who am I to say anything.
But what I would say is that while the whole thing sucks, it is what it is, and having someone to talk about it with you makes you feel you are not on your own.
Find the positives, keep your head up and look forwards. Now is the time that they need you and you can worry about yourself at some point down the road.

Turkey is an amazing country to visit. People are always happy to go out of their way to help, especially out of the resort areas. Rent a car/jeep and take to the hills. we spent days touring in the areas around Marmaris in a jeep and the kids loved it. You end up in the places that tourists dont go to and get to see a slice of the real turkey. Plus with kids in tow, the Turkish people always make more of an effort when you are the more rural spots.
My mate and his wife rode a triumph to Cappadocia a couple of years back, and are going back out next year they loved it so much. Nuff said!

Ullapool to Stoer and KLB would recommend going round by Inverpolly as well. Bit up and down, but avoids **** in Lambos, Porches and Maclarens who think the NC 500 is their personal racetrack (most of them can’t reverse, don’t know how to drive on single-track roads and are frankly a PITA). Sandwood is beautiful but is a bit of a hike off the main road and if you are going to Cape wrath, then Kervaig beach is nicer, quieter and the bothy is closer.
The Cape road is now shocking, so forget it on anything with skinny tyres. John the ferryman on the Kyle is always happy to take the bike across, so I wouldnt worry about that one. In terms of Durness to Altnaharra, Id take the road along Loch hope. No-one uses it and its a cracking ride with great views.
You could also skip the Altnaharra bit by crossing over from the south end of Loch Hope on the Hill road to loch Merkland.Its only about five miles and even a loaded road bike could cross it. Its been partially upgraded for a hydro scheme and offers a nice wee descent to the head of Loch Merkland. From there its virtually flat to lairg and the train station (or you could scoot over into Glen Cassley on the tarred Hydro road as a wee diversion and take the train from ardgy)

I graduated last year with an environmental science degree at 48. I now work as a rural consultant in the sunny highlands. The previous poster got it in one about organisation. Plan, plan and plan. It removes all the stress, gives you appropriate timelines and gives your learning structure.
Be an active learner, not a passive one (no I didn’t know what that meant either before I started).
I watched the kids fail time and again simply because they couldn’t prioritise, so indeed keep your s**t together.
When being set assignments, read the flipping question as well. And when you are sure you know what they are asking you, read it again.
References – learn how to do it quickly and do it as you go, not at the end of a 1500 word essay ( cos I was in my flow man).
Don’t read a dozen books when three will do the same thing. The biggest thing I learned was to streamline my learning.
And have faith in yourself, hard work and diligence pays off and it will make you a more rounded singletrack poster ( and of course more intelligent, better looking and attractive to impressionable Young female students)

Had a great puffer this year spannering for the dingwall academy superstars. Young Tam the rocketman was indeed rather quick with the fastest lap in the bag. Never had to fix so many knackered bikes though. Some of them took a proper beating, and I even had some random chap turn up and ask could we pop his brake pads in for him. Course looked up to usual puffer standards and having rode it the week before it didn’t seem any different from normal ( which explains my rush to offer to twirl spanners).
Great atmosphere, undoubtably helped by the really mild weather and lots of tea.
see you next year!

I grew up in the highlands, I know intimately the stories of the clearances and in fact two great uncles participated in one of the last tenant land grabs in scotland. I also work alongside landowners both big and small, crofters and farmers to get the best out of the land.
I see both sides of the argument, but as a crofter I also see enormous challenges put in our way by a scottish government entrenched in the pie in the sky townie ideals that insist that they can do a better job of running the highlands. The recent experience for instance of the AECS ( agri environmental climate scheme) which was supposed to be “light touch” has shown how far removed policy makers are from reality – it was if I were cynical, intended to completely dissuade applicants to the scheme.
Now that I am on my high horse I will turn to community land ownership. To those of you misguided souls who think it is some sort of panacea then think again. Even the most successful and yes high profile community ownership schemes employ very few, AND they usually run out of cash once the feel good support from goverment dries up. Now here is the interesting part for those of you who think community ownership is a great idea. When they run out of cash and will inevitably have to sell up – they can’t! Legislation stops them putting the land back into private ownership. Then who steps in? Well try john Muir trust, RSPB, or some other quango. You think there is no investment now, then try these people as landlords, they will really make the highlands a desperate place to live. They are already working hand in hand with landowners to tie them in knots, reduce public access to the land through fenced in woodland schemes and intent on “rewinlding” the highlands.
Yes there are massive landowners who would love it if we were removed from their estates and had the hills to themselves, but a considerable amount of landowners run their estates at a loss anyway. They employ people in places that communities simply could not, and in more cases than not can afford to invest sizeable chunks of their own cash in landscapes they are as much a part of as we are.
In summary, it will require dialogue, people who listen, and people who a bit more informed than some of our present “policy makers”

The pedestrian had a duty of care to himself, and he failed so he paid the price. The cyclist on the other hand took how many days to hand himself in – in my book that makes him a pretty lame excuse for a decent human being.
It’s all irrelevant anyway. The old guy is dead, much wringing of hands take place in the cyclists household (unlikely) and a few singletrack judges pronounce that everyone is guilty.
Learn from it – the world is full of injustice and winging about it on here will make sod all difference

Get one. I just did a weltech course at Glenmore lodge and they are fanatical about using them. Made perfect sense to me, and gives a more pro feel to your spannering

Train to Oban. Ferry to barra and cycle up to Harris. Loads of lovely off road cycling in North Harris. Cycle on up to Stornaway, ferry to Ullapool, then bike bus ( in the summer) back to inverness. From inverness, you could day trip up to Golspie and do the longest downhill ride in the UK. It’s not that hard and it’s a great day out.
Bike bus even runs by Strathpeffer where Steve at square wheels has some great riding maps and no doubt with a bit of persuasion, a few locals would likely give you the tour as well.
Inverness to wherever either by plane or train ( or bus for cheapskate/ skint bikers)

Loads of folk at work assume I can’t drive. Well I do, but I generally try not to, mainly because I have rather ” utilitarian” car that gives me sod all pleasure to drive. Great for carrying the bike though. I do however have a motorcycle which is considerably sharper, faster, better looking and I love the whole idea of being on a fast noisy motorbike.
If I had to choose though, it would be a bicycle. Hell it costs more to run than my motorbike ( upgrades an all that), but it gives me infinite pleasure, takes me to the most amazing places and I can fix just about anything on it.
Am I a cyclist – nope!
I’m the guy next door, dad to two girls and have been married for over 20 years. That stuff is way more important than a bloody bicycle, and I don’t want my epitaph to read – here lies a cyclist FFS!

Fair bit of negativity floating about, and some of it perhaps for good reason. However, riding a bicycle on the road is a whole lot more dangerous because of the speed differential among other things. I’ve had multiple near death experiences cycling on the road, and in consequence I hate it, – and that’s riding in the Highlands. Maybe we just have really shite drivers up here.
I’ve busted at least 12 bones on the MTB, and most of you wil have experienced similar levels of carnage.
As for my motorbike, I’ve been riding for nearly 30 years, I have had my 750 Suzi for 12 years almost from new, and it costs less to run than my mountain bikes.
Now I could prattle on about how amazing motorcycling is, but frankly if you haven’t got the idea from all the other positive posters, then I won’t change your mind. Just don’t get to 60 years of age and go, ” I wish”. For me anyone can be negative, and your experiences will shape your attitude to riding, – do it, don’t do it, – it’s up to you.

However if you ride a bike from Ullapool to Durness on a summers day with no traffic ( that’ll be every day then), you would sell everything to keep doing it.

Kevin’s just a nice chap trying to make himself a living. The fact he uses rich ex bankers etc to do that is perhaps a wee bit old hat now, but if I win the lottery, I’m gonna watch all the old episodes for inspiration – oh aye! You can then watch me gloat on telly as well

Thank The Lord for living in the Highlands. Empty most of the time, plenty room and no “don’t go there” nazis. Don’t worry though, we still have plenty dickheads to go round who will happily give you the finger for other reasons, most of which will also make you shake your head.

I have the ultimate in bike transport that would suit a luddite like yourself. A 55 plate Fiat doblo with nothing in the way of electronic frippary. You can stick a bike in wheels on in the back (rider too if need be) and of course all the associated kit.
However it does have a particularly crap stereo that you have to reach over to and change channels. This is a pain after me last car which had stalk mounted controls – so to answer your question, the more easy to use gadgets the better, plus as you know a more up to date and flash motor attracts more bragging rights than a 10 year old fiat! – well if you are 12 at least.

Harris has great beaches on the west side, but as I dont surf Im not sure how good the waves are.
Lewis on the other hand has epic surfing up near Ness.
Walking is tremendous in North Harris, and I would recommend a circuit of the Clisham as the ridge on the back is fantastic. Wild camping shouldnt be a problem as Highland region had to remove all their “dont camp here” signs a few years back due to them being illegal.
If someone is being a dick about you camping, then go up the road a couple of miles and hopefully you wont have the same experience.
Tarbert has a small shop, as does Leverburgh, otherwise it will be off to the metropolis at Stornaway for goodies.

Loved the “sweet little old lady” who completely denied that there was a problem. Even said to the lass handing out flyers whose son was subject to a scooter hit and run, that it was the kids own fault for being on the pavement.
The young ladies restraint in not shouting at the old bint was admirable, especially when “granny” said that the yoof were at fault for everything.
In my experience (retail) the biggest ar** holes are over 50. And kids are invariably less aggressive, less confrontational and way more articulate than their betters.
Have to say though, did they go to scooter central to film the programme. Ive never noticed that many scooters near my local mall and my worry is that programmes like this will only encourage the stupid and feckless (of any age) to go and get one.
Actually, maybe its all my fault as Ive been selling them chips, pies and burgers for nearly 20 years, and obesity does seem to be somewhat of a challenge these days.

Having “offended” on here and been “offended” against, I wouldn’t place too much store on what opinion people have of me. At least Mr Big n daft is on the bike rather than talkin aboot it. Good on ya!

I remember the 80cc riders in the grand prix back in day say that you could get more revs out of the engine if you tilted the bike to one side. As this alters the gearing you give the bike a bit of an easier time.
I’m wondering if some of the rev changes you hear in this vid are due to lean angle, more than backing off for a corner.
Whatever, the man is (they all are ) a legend for hacking through the scenery at that speed- nuts!

Oh my soon to be new job has invigorated my passion to spend on a new long travel monster for bashing round Torridon

Nothing like Laggan, Golspie etc. However, I would go with the skiing comment above, it is definitely one to ride fast and flowey.
I rode it some time ago with a chap who spent more time in the air than on the ground, and can testify that he was having a ball.
There is a rather impressive drop in, that the gentleman in question styled big time as he proceeded to land near the bottom – very impressive.
Would I ride miles to get to it – absolutely. If you are coming up from the south there are loads of great natural Cairngorm trails to supplement it, and laggan is only about an hour away to add to the fun.

B7076 for 10 miles south of Abingdon in the borders. Rode it two years ago on the LEJOG and would have to say it was the roughest bit of tarmac I have ever had the misfortune to ride on in my life. Hope it not like that now.

Back to around 70% in 4-6 weeks. But it took me nearly a year to get my hand back to where it was. Lost about 20% of my movement and now (10 years later) it nips in the winter – which is I am told by my doc, most likely early onset arthritis.
To be fair the break was right across both my bones, so the damage was always going to take a while to sort itself out.

First one – SPD’s, big wheelie, and straight up and onto my a***e. Right in fron of my sister in law and the kids, my own kids, the wife and my mother in law, what a ****.

Second one – off to Golspie I goes on my new (second hand) Mountaincycle Fury. Does one run to get a feel for the bike, then on the second run I decide I am now skilled enough to “session” the tabletops at the bottom. The last bomb hole is massive, and I generated so much speed I completely cleared the tabletop and flat-landed, breaking a toe, a finger, and cutting my face with the peak of my full face. Also bending my bars completely out of shape – right in front of a group of local kids who do this stuff for a living.

A month later I’m out with a few mates, when we are shooting the breeze at the same set of jumps, and a couple of the same locals go “hey you’re the guy that smashed his face in” – fame at last!!!!

Querty cycles are the boys to go to. Quick service, and they have most bits for obscure cannondales (aren’t they all obscure?)

[Not sure this will work but here you go judge for yourself.]
That looks like a tremendous descent, whats the other side like?