100 Climbs Route: Day 18, Inveraray to Dornie

In August 2018, three Cycling UK members - Dominic Millar, Graham Salisbury and James Findlater – cycled a 3,300-mile, 29-day route around Britain to take on all 100 hills featured in Simon Warren’s book ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’. This route plots day 18 of the journey, 137 miles from Inveraray to Dornie, with no feature climbs.

There may be no classified climbs on today’s route but what a long and incredible ride you’ll have, loch hopping all the way deep into the Scottish Highlands.

Things start in Inveraray and after the initial spell pedalling cross country, head around the top end of Loch Awe. Then it’s north-east to cross the water at Connel, near Oban Airport (which is actually a fair way from the town itself). Enjoy any brief glimpses of Ardmucknish Bay you may get through the trees to your right before cutting inland.

You’re never far from water on today’s route, though, and soon you’ll be skirting the south shore of Loch Creran, then alongside Loch Linnhe, and then over the bridge at the western end of Loch Leven. If you have energy to spare, a quick spin east will take you to Glencoe village and its massacre memorial site.

If you don’t fancy that diversion, follow the A22 as it weaves round the coast then heads north-east, alongside the loch to the mountain bikers’ paradise at Fort William. For people who prefer water to mud, and locks to lochs, the awesome Neptune’s Staircase flight of eight canal locks is well worth seeing, just off the route at Banavie.

Otherwise, continue north-east to Spean Bridge and then north along the banks of Loch Lochy. Head past Loch Garry, Loch Loyne and Loch Cluanie and into the crag-shadowed valley. There’s some epic scenery to be enjoyed here - imposing and awesome in good weather, overbearing and intimidating if not - as you follow the River Shiel to Shiel Bridge, Invershiel and along the northern bank of Loch Duich.

Just after the stunningly picturesque restored 13th Century Eilean Donan Castle (recognise it? You should: it featured in the 'Highlander' and 'The World Is Not Enough' movies, as well as countless adverts), keep the water of Loch Long to your right and finish in Dornie.

So, no hills. But what a day in the saddle!