Iain Crawford’s Scotland
Iain Crawford shares with you three fun routes from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
You’ll explore Scottish country lanes, quiet farm yards and bright blue skies in this fun collection of three routes.
Be sure to check out Butt of Lewis to Port Ness for some dells and rollings dales of the region.
Find all these rides under NEW in the FulGaz app or by searching Crawford.
VALTOS PENINSULA
We start at the Traigh na Beirigh campsite on Reef beach on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. This location is a large area of machair, beach and cliffs. The machair is a mass of wild flowers and orchids in the summer. However, in early June we are unfortunately a few weeks too early to witness it in it's full glory. Nevertheless, we enjoy stunning, rugged and unspoiled scenery as we travel first clockwise round the peninsula. Weather is very mixed in these parts; four seasons in one day often being the norm. But we were blessed with a dry three weeks and on this day it was particularly pleasant. The ride takes in the small harbour at Valtos and then climbs back up a steep section before completing the circuit back to the camp site, where we embark on a counter-clockwise circuit.
More InfoBUTT OF LEWIS TO PORT OF NESS
This short ride starts at the Butt of Lewis which is the most northerly point on the Outer Hebrides and one end of the Hebridean Way cycle challenge. The headland, which lies in the North Atlantic, is frequently battered by heavy swells and storms and is marked by the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse. It is claimed that it is one of the windiest locations in the UK and today, in early June, it was cold and coming from the North East. The ride concludes at Port of Ness where the boathouse at the harbour features in the Peter May novels, The Blackhouse and The Lewis Man.
More InfoWINDY YETT CLUNCH ROAD LOOP
This loop is a regular for those in the area south west of Glasgow, where the locals know it as “The Anvil”, which becomes obvious when you look at the course map. The Clunch climb is a toughie, which you’ll get to experience on the “King of Clunch” Strava Segment. You’ll also get to ride the A77 cycle path which, whilst being great for cyclists, hasn't been extended since its inception many years ago. There’s lots of classic UK narrow hedged laneways and backroads. It's a fun undulating ride that can be as challenging as you make it.
More InfoABOUT IAIN
Hailing from the Netherlands, Iain has contributed a number of routes to FulGaz, find out more about the person behind the camera and how got into filming routes for FulGaz.
https://fulgaz.com/iain-crawford/
