The Scottish Section Camping Weekend 2005

The Scottish Section Camping Weekend 2005

With barely suppressed excitement we await the arrival of the others at the Scout Station, Lochernhead.	Last year as I prepared to go to the camping weekend the weather (in Edinburgh) turned into a torrential downpour. So I bottled out. However, the weather in Lochearnhead was fine, according to those that went. This year I was determined not to be put off so easily. Bill Keogh arrived at the one thirty on Friday afternoon and we were on the road by about two o'clock. The traffic on the A8000 was grid locked (as usual) and we decided to go through Stirling rather than through Fife to Crieff. This route leads though Bo'ness, Grangemouth and Airth to Stirling and does have some nice bits of road, but the traffic levels and roadworks put paid to most chances of enjoyment. On the upside was the fact that it wasn't too wet and the rain was very light and gone by the time we reached Stirling.

Entertainment was provided by Ivor who gave us his highly acclaimed rendition of Delilah.
The camping weekend was again held at the Hampshire Scouts site at Lochearnhead Station. The old station was acquired by the scouts in the sixties and converted into a superb facility for exploring the surrounding areas. The station is now a meeting and social area with a fully equipped kitchen. The sleeping accommodation consists of various cabins round the site which slept all our group (approx 20) easily.
At the car park in Aberfoyle.		On Saturday the weather had a mixed outlook, but we travelled down to Callander where most of us topped up on fuel. From Callander we went down the A81 past the Port of Mentheith to Aberfoyle. A pleasant run through some great scenery. Geoff Pennycook (At bike in the foreground) went to get petrol moments after this picture was taken and was left behind as the rest of us started off for the next leg to Inversnaid. As was usual in our highly organised ride outs no one but our trusty leader was certain of exactly where we were going next! So we all saddled up and followed. Geoff's wife Val, got a pillion from Steve Pennycook so Geoff was left to return to a empty car park! Fortunately Geoff was not to be left behind so easily and it did not take him long to catch up with us at Inversnaid on the Banks of Loch Lomond.



Loch Lomond from Inversnaid - Although looking ominous the weather improved during the day.

aThe intrepid travelers Photo Call

Coming back from Inversnaid we again passed through Aberfoyle but this time took the A821 . We stopped for lunch at the Queen Elizabeth Forrest Park visitors centre which has spectacular views of the country to the south of Aberfoyle.



	Eddie Pennycook points towards his battery which decided to part company with the bike on the way back from Inversnaid. Fortunately one of his sons was vigilant enough to spot it dropping off and retrieved it. Amazingly it had suffered no harm and could be reinstated with the bike and was further restrained with elastic cords. One of the Joys of Classic biking?

After lunch we continued up the steeply climbing A821 through the Duke's pass and then down hill to the other end of Loch Katerine where the Steamship terminates. For those not familiar with Scotland this area in known as "The Trossachs" and is justly celebrated for the beauty of its scenery. By now the weather had cleared and the views were tremendous.


The SS Walter Scott & Eastern Loch Katerine
We arrived too late to go on a trip as the ship had completed the last journey for that day. The Loch is also a reservoir for the city of Glasgow so they go to great length to prevent pollution of the water. No diesel or oil powered craft are allowed on the water in order to avoid contamination , however as the SS Walter Scott is steam powered it is considered safe to operate. Today the roads to Loch Katherine are super to ride but not of the best for heavy goods haulage. The SS Walter Scott was transported up Loch Lomond by water in sections to Inversnaid and then hauled (according to the information board) by horse to Stronachlachar where it was assembled. Given the primitive state of the narrow , steep single track roads today it beggars the imagination to think how they managed to do it then.
Our trusty steeds await us in the sunshine of a beautiful Sunday morning just crying out to be driven! - What else could we do?- We just had to drive the complete length of the longest Glen in Scotland. This also happens to be a very scenic drive along twisting single track roads which results in some really super biking !		b

	We rest before attempting an amazing ride through a private road (partially surface sheep track) which took us across the mountains from Glen Lochay to Glen Lyon. This section included single track, 45 degree incline, hairpin bends - oh what fun! (actually it really was). The weather could not have been better. All other traffic on the road was either already stopped or paralysed with disbelief as our convoy of classic bikes paraded through. We did not stop en-route, so no photographs. If you were not with us you will have to take my word for it. -It was fabulous-

We set out from Lochearnhead and proceeded up to Killin stopping to top up on fuel en-route, as petrol stations are few and far between it pays to make sure you have enough. From Killin we took a small road up Glen Lochay and stopped to admire the view then across the mountains to Glen Lyon .

c	We drove through Glen Lyon stopping for lunch at Innerwick. I can recommend the Smoked Salmon sandwiches as they tasted great and filled a large empty space. We enjoyed the sunshine and peace of the Glen before started up and temporarily (I hope) shattered it. Our next stop was at Fortingall.

The oldest Tree in the world at Fortingall. Actually this claim is also made for a tree in Icod de Los Vinios, Tenerife and no doubt lots of other places round the world; Ho Hum.

After leaving Fortingall we turned for home going by Kenmore at the Eastern end of Loch Tay then up a very steep and narrow road through Glen Quaich to Amulree. Then down through the Sma' Glen to Crieff where we split up in to those going to Perth and those heading to Fife. This route gives a great contrast of scenery with bare majestic mountains and panoramic views of upland landscapes with little activity but sheep farming, changing to a rich agricultural environment which is intensively farmed and managed, but still very easy on the eye and pleasant to look at and to drive through.

So the Scottish Section Camping Weekend 2005 ended, with everyone agreeing it had been a great success.

Thanks to Ivor for the use of Pictures a, b, c & d