Day 11 – to Pitlochry (63 miles)

Today's ride is the first part of a three day journey along National Cycling Route No. 7, which zig-zags through the Trossachs, following lochs and glens to Inverness.

We started the ride fairly late(about 9:45), heading past the Rob Roy museum in Callander towards the start of the cycle path. The path followed an old railway track through Glen Ogle (Queen Victoria called it “Scotland's Khyber Pass”) over a beautiful viaduct. The cycle path included many gravel and dirt (i.e. mud) sections but it was nice not to have to worry about passing trucks and buses.

The gradient of the old railway track meant that the climbs were long but fairly easy and, despite the weather, the landscape was amazing. Hillsides were covered with waterfalls, bluebells, ferns and moss-covered rocks. We came across a deer, a red squirrel and plenty of interesting birds catching insects in the rain.

We stopped for lunch in the Falls of Dochan Inn, where we ate a hearty pub lunch in front of an open fire (Brittany had some locally caught Salmon). Outside, the rapids of the River Dochan roared towards Loch Tay. After lunch, we followed Loch Tay to Kenmore, where we found a cafe with internet access. From there on we followed the River Tay and then the River Tummel to Pitlochry via quiet minor roads. The rain meant that we were keen to push on without too many stops – although there were many attractions we would have stopped for on a sunny day (e.g. Rob Roy's grave, Castle Menzies and a 9000yr yew tree).

As if to mock us, the sun came out just as we arrived at our B&B. The owner hosed us and our bike down before we showered and set off for a quick walk around some of Pitlochry's main tourist attractions – including a hydro electric plant and an empty salmon ladder.

Simon finally found his Indian restaurant (the owner and chef were actually from Bangladesh), where they served him an eye-watering lamb curry.

Tomorrow, we are aiming to tackle the national cycle network's highest point before lunch. Hopefully, we will have better luck with the weather...