TRANSPORT

The Mill is in a rural location which requires transport systems to get to and from.

We are fortunate in having a reasonably fast and robust wireless internet service from Cromarty Firth Wireless Networks.

Actual transport requirements can be altered due to requirements on the day. Normal day to day transport is by car. Pleasure use is extended to motorcycles or a Cube ebike. Bus sevices extend from Cromarty to Inverness and the nearest stop can be reached at Newhall Junction. Other services go to Dingwall. Muir of Ord or Conon Bridge are the nearest rail stations. The only vehicle / passenger ferry on the Black Isle is the Cromarty - Nigg seasonal service which is limited in number of vehicles, two, it can carry and operated from June to September most days, dependant on tide and weather.

The nearest commercial airfield is Dalcross [EGPE] and the closest airstrip is Newhall Mains, a private grass strip. Culbokie airstrip, some 7 miles distant serves microlights and similar light aircraft.

WALKING

The summit of Ben Nevis, prior to our marriage.
Poor quality image from early digital device.
Morpeth [Peter Shepherd], Tom [Dave Hamilton] and Eddie [Gavin Meldrum]. Picture taken by Croydon [Mick Hopkins]. Taken 2002?
A major draw on the TGO CHallenge was the LCL was opened by Stan and Bill where a cheese and wine was held for challengers making their way across the hills and glens to complete their walk on the east coast and then to sign in at Montrose.
A walk with the Highland Ramblers from Cluanie to Dornie took in the An Caorann Beag pass and the group struck up the slope to Sgurr a Dubh Doire west of Camban Bothy. This was the spot for lunch, before traversing the ridge and dropping down to Gleann Choinneachain to Morvich and a fish supper at the Jaco'bite' [now closed].
Inn Pinn shrouded in mist as guide abseils off the top after our safe descent.
View north from A'Chaileach [999 mtrs]
Cycled up Glen Tilt from Blair Atholl, walked up path to Carn a' Chlamian then yomped over to the Tarf Hotel at NN 927789. Left coal and food and drink fro our challenge a week or two later. Returned to car after dark.
Picture taken of ridge from bealach just north west of Sgrr Ruadh. Didnt have time to do Fuar Tholl. Accessed from Achnashellach.
Topped out in late 80's and were observed by feral goats on the way down. Weather was better when completed.
Climbed with Mrs M and our Norwegain friend Erik Hesstvedt.
A fine walk and lunch spot at Keiss Castle during our visit to Caithness by train. Given a great aerial display by fulmars nesting in the ruins.
Yacht [Mas Dubh] anchored at Eilean Maol, the island in bay. Dingy ashore then walked up past Camusrory to climb Sgurr na Ciche, before heading back down and back onboard.
View from Langal [NM 712698], west end of Loch Sheil.
Rum and Eigg in distance, looking west from the summit of B. Resipol.
Looking down onto Bealach a Chornaidh from Spidean Coinich.
View on approach from Ribigill.
Path up to Carn an t-Suidhe [450 mtrs] on way to Ft Augustus on North Loch Ness pathway.
Part of the Loch Ness 360 attempt. Failed due to foot issue hence aborted at Invermoriston.
Maiden Pap to left (484 mtrs), Scaraben in centre (626 mtrs). A fine day apart from midges, clegs and high humidity, even on the top. Accessed after a long walk with van parked at Braemor. A cycle would be a good idea.
Early in on the approach to Ben Tee (901 mtrs) from Kilfinnan. 2020?
Great Glen looking north east from near top of Ben Tee. Kilchumein at west end of Loch Ness.
Looking up Loch Ness and Gleann Mhor towards Inverness and north east coastline.
View from bivvy point. HV pylons to left are going to be replaced with larger ones. Surveys were going on on area around the Bealach Aoidhdailean when I walked through in June 2022 on a TGOC whish I was a dnf. Midges and sore feet got me by the time I reached Insch in Aberdeenshire.
Near the Glendoe reservoir. Not saying anything else!
The plateau of the Monadhliaths, north of Glen Banchor.
A delightful camp spot on night 2 of the TGOC 2023.
A welcome port on a very wet and rainy night.
Shooting hut at NJ 124127 looking up from the Water of Ailnack before heading down Glen Loin and the River Avon to Glen Builg and Corndavon for the night. TGOC 2023.
Delightful spot.
Location approx NM 834884. Looking towards Gleann Cùl an Staca and left takes one down to Loch Morar and eventually Oban Bothy. TGO 2023: Day 1.
Sgurr an Fhuarain on right. Sgurr Mor straigh aheaad. Fraoch Bheinn to left. Cache location.
On the way over from Glen Tromie to Feshie.
Small camping are provided by Scottish Canals.
Garrons as they are called in the vernacular.
A TGO Challenge stop off point for a glass of Glencack.
Peat moor erosion - exhibit A. Upper Glen Mark.
Another favourite stop off point for leg weary folks coming down Glen Mark.
Decline to state true location.
Eskin & Abhainn Cró Chlach merge to form the Findhorn.

Apart from short walks around the area the majority of walking is done on longer excursions. The TGOC has been attempted every May, since retirement, and other walks recently have been the Great Glen Way and the Findhorn River.

MOTOR & E. BIKES

Bedecked in offshore gear my father and I astride the V50 in the late 1970's
1993 at the Ganterbrücke, Switzerland, on our way back from a pilgrimage to Mandello Del Lario.
Nephew sits in Triking.
Sport ie on south side of Inner Loch Torridon with, opposite, Ben Alligan.
Audace in Coigach, Wester Ross
Munlochy Bay.
Glenshee road between ski centre and Braemar.
Quinaig, Coigach.
Fain Bridge, Dundonnell.
With Brodie
Stac Poilly, Assynt.
Nr Fearnmore, North Applecross Peninsula.
Ben Stack, North West Sutherland.
South of Tornahaish on A939. Sign in distance says beware of adders.
Kylesku Bridge on A834, Assynt- Coigach
V7 Stone at Newhall Point with QE aircraft carrier.
V7 Stone at "most remote" hotel, in Caithness. Hotel is the Garvault.
Parked up outside front door.
eBike at summit of old road from Cluanie Inn to Tomdoun. This used to be the main road south west from Skye before Loch Loyne was dammed for hydro power.
NH 153050: old road end where the road remains dip into the raised level of Loch Quoich due to hydro scheme.
Cube eBike in woods above Poyntzfield House, Black Isle.
Woods above Culbokie, Black Isle
Newhall Point, Black Isle.
Picnic at ruins at Lochan, Glen Kingie. Used eBike to take cache of food and drink and coal for a night in the KInbreack bothy for use on the TGO Challenge in 2023.
On the return from Kinbreack bothy in April 2023. The bothy (tiny) can just be seen in the distance below the middle peak on the left of image.

A Cube Ebike is used for nipping around the area and also sometimes in dropping off caches of food and drink at various locations for use during walking trips. It is also an ideal way of getting about the Black Isle.

Several models of the Moto Guzzi marque are held in the stable. This includes:-

A V50 MK 2 (1979), Sport 1100 ie (1998), V7 Stone (2013), Audace 1400 (2016)

CARS

Had our first play in an electric vehicle with this demo from Dicksons of Inverness. Picture near Brockies Lodge, Kiltarlity, The Aird.
Prior to PDI and being plated up. End of March 2023. Took almost 5 months for delivery from SAIC. Car was then taken to have ceramic coating applied at Highland Polishing - now unfortunately defunct.
Shiny new ev at the mill. Still awaiting OVO to fit smart Ohme Charger at shed to obtain cheaper rate at this time.
Loch Ness after commissioning. Circa 1988.
About to set off for a trip to Isle of Lewis.
Looking south towards the Harris hills.
Triking at Luskintyre Beach, Harris.

An electric car (MG4) has now been added to the stable. It is convenient, economical, fast and comfortable.

Pros are cheaper running costs overall. No smell or carbon footprint.

Cons are slightly more planning is required over distances > 100 miles. Initial cost of car and home infrastructure required.

The Triking is due to be re-commissioned in 2025, after many years as boxes of bits.