Tornapress to Shieldaig (the easy way)

Looking towards Beinn Damh from the Tornapress to Shieldaig road

I finally got round to going for a decent cycle late this afternoon, from Tornapress, at the foot of the Bealach na Ba, to Shieldaig.  No I did not go over the Bealach, via Applecrss to Shieldaig.  I opted for the much more sensible main road (if you can call this a main road).  The total distance was 28.34 km with 329m of elevation gain, with 6% being the steepest section according to MapMyRide.  I was hoping to use my more modern, lighter bike but the gears are acting up and it is in the workshop to be fixed.  Thus, I resorted to the trusty old (1959) Flying Scot.  I had replaced the nice light road wheels and tyres with hybrid ones, adding significantly to the wieght of the bike, plus the mudguards and the panier rack.  All in all, the bike felt like it was about twice the weight of the modern one.  So, after a long absence fro proper cycling I did find it pretty tough at times but managed quite well.  It was a lovely cycle, with amazing views and the tourist traffic wasn't too bad.

Shieldaig is a lovely village and very popular with tourists.  On this wonderful sunny afternoon it was very busy so I didn't hang around long.  Shieldaig was developed as a planned village to encourage the fishing industry in the early 1800s and the pine trees on the island were planted specifically to provide straight long poles for drying fishing nets.  Just inland from the coastal village is one of my favourite native woodlands - the Shieldaig Pinewood, fantastic place.

View over Loch Shieldaig with Shieldaig Island covered in pines on the left.

Main Street, Shieldaig