Crossing Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle)

Today was one of the highlights we were looking out for, taking the Bealach na Ba to apple cross, most people we spoke said “don’t do it, it’s to steep. You blow up the engine”. Off course we knew better and headed towards the start of it.

On the way we passed Eilean Donan Castle, so we stopped for a visit. Donan Castle was built on an island, locked in between three lochs. Loch Duich, loch Long and loch Alsh. In history a very important watch out point and ruined somewhere around 1700. Around 1920 someone decided to rebuild it and now it’s open for public. It’s nice to walk trough, and it gives stuning views over the lochs. You can even see the Isle of Skye from there.

In the shop i found this cookingbook about food and Whisky. Off course I really needed to have that. 

The whole trip today was beautifull, with small roads, tunnels that only fits one car, and amazing views.

But the highlight definitly was reaching the top of the Bealach na Ba in one piece and without any problems. It’s a single track road with passing places and going steep uphill the first half, and then down offcourse the second half. Untill 1950 it was a dirt road, and untill 1970 it was the only way to reach Applecross. Nothing mutch changed after 1950. It has a bitumen covering, but isn’t in too good a shape and still looks more like a foothpath than a road. At most places it’s only about 3 mtrs wide.

At the top Tos really needed to cool down a bit before going downhill. The meet thermometer ended up being very usefull to the temperature of the coolingwater. 

Also a great moment for some pictures of our victory.

At the end of the road was Applecross waithing for us, so now we are enjoying a well deserved drink before heading to town for a meal.

We ended the day at the applecross in sitting on the terras. Enjoying the sun an local beer. We had exelent locally catched langoustine en lamb for dinner. During coffee with scotch whisky we saw the sun set. The temperature dropt rappetly after the sun went down, so we ended the night inside the pub with a rare, very nice whishy called Bunnahabhain. It was a special botle Small Batch distilled 18 years old one. Perfect ending of a perfect day.