I set off at 8:30 am to drive to the ferry terminal at Uig on Skye. I drove north on the M6 then M74 to the outskirts of Glasgow. The new motorway link to the M8 south of Glasgow is now on Google Maps so I followed it to the Erskine Bridge and over to follow the road along the west side of Loch Lomond. After turning left at Crianlarich I experienced the first of several hold ups by caravans. The narrow bridge had caused a problem for one as they had difficulty getting through as a lorry was coming the other way. I continued on through Tyndrum, through Glencoe to Fort William where I re-fuelled. After another hold up, this time due to roadworks, I continued north then west to Kyle of Lochalsh. Just before the bridge a large illuminated sign said the Uig ferry was 09:40. This caused me a bit of concern as I’m heading for the 19:00 ferry.

The ferry arrives but has to re-fuel first

I reached Uig in good time at 16:30 and managed to get my car in the last long stay parking place. Across in the Calmac office I bought an 8day Rover ticket for £55. The man at the desk said I could have parked in the short stay car park as nobody checkes. I returned to my car to assemble my bike and wait for the ferry to arrive.

It was in about 17:45 but needed the extra time to re-fuel. Two road tankers reversed on to the ferry and provided the 74000 it needed to keep it going for another 3 or 4 days. I was the only cyclist to board and was on first. It was sunny, windy and cold when we left for our crossing. It was around 21:00 when we arrived in Lochmaddy but it took me a while to get off as I had to wait till all the vehicles were off. I cycled to the small grassy area across from the pier which is where I’d camped before. I pitched my tent in a strong breeze and settled down for the night.

One of two tanker doing the re-fuelling

Leaving Uig, Skye