Hostelling in Scotland from 26th to 28th April 2015 – Comrie Croft in Perthshire
Sunday April 26th
On a cold but sunny morning Roy drove from his daughter’s home in Callander, arriving at 10:30AM, after a bacon roll and tea, Bacca and Tracy arrived about 11:00AM, having driven from a B&B in Perth.
After unloading one bike and a tandem trike the trio rode into Comrie for lunch at the Comrie Hotel. After a good lunch Tracy made a booking for dinner at 7:30PM for that night for themselves and Maurice and Steve who were due to arrive later.
Turning left onto the Braco road and by turning left again a very hilly circular route was followed back to Comrie. Several deer were seen enroute, arriving back at Comrie Croft about 5:30PM. 12.5 miles was covered. Maurice and Steve arrived about 4:00PM.
The whole group rounded off the day with a good dinner at the Comrie Hotel.
Monday April 27th – Comrie Croft to Auchterarder and back
The day started out with brilliant sunshine but with a cold wind. All assembled to received their bikes out of Bacca's van and in Bacca and Tracy’s case the tandem trike. All dressed in winter clothing except for Roy who had shorts on. When asked about if it was wise to wear shorts in this climate he replied he was quite comfortable.
The bike mechanic from the hostel came to see the tandem trike in which he had taken quite an interest. He also put the group straight on which route to take and this was taken with thanks because at the start of the original route there was a severe hill.
The group started out on the main road for just over a mile then a left turn into the lanes. After another ½ mile the group climb a little hill and spotted Sir David Bairds monument above them on the left on top of a hill. After anther ½ mile or so another left was taken onto the the Strowan Road which took them to the outskirts of Crieff and Crieff visitors Centre. The group stopped there for a cuppa and a scone while Steve and Roy visited the Glass factory.
Leaving the visitors centre the group took to the main road then ventured down a lane passing Templemill and on to pass through Caerlaverock Wood and onward through Tulliebardine to arrive at Auchterarder for dinner at the Glendevon Hotel.
All this time riding out the group shouted when they saw deer or pheasant which there seemed to be plenty of, and the one heron which took off from the Mulchany Water (river). A deer actually hopped through a hedge right in front of the group which was quite something to see.
After an incredibly good meal and banter the group set off on the return journey on different route from the town. The mechanic at Comrie Croft said the return journey would be mainly downhill as going to Auchterarder was slightly uphill except for entering the town which had been quite a climb especially for the tandem trike.
The route took the group down a B8062 road back to Crieff. All this time the weather was starting to get cloudier with areas of showers and sometimes spots of rain could be felt. On this return journey Bacca and Tracy obtained the only puncture of the trip which was quickly fixed and onwards they went to arrive at Crieff just as the rain started so it was on with the foul weather gear.
There was only about 5 more miles to go to Comrie Croft but the weather got worse as they got nearer. They returned from Crieff on the same route that was taken on the way out and the rain turned to hailstones and rain and just as they reached the main road, about a mile from the Hostel it started to snow and sleet.
Comments were thrown at Roy, by the group, about his decision to wear shorts and he agreed it wasn't his best idea! On arrival at the hostel, when they were packing their bikes into the van, the weather brightened up and the sun appeared again.
That night another good meal was partaken at the Comrie Hotel with some lively chat and good drinking.
Tuesday April 28th Trip to the Grouse Distillery
After breakfast and packing the van and cars ready to go home the group set off for the Grouse Experience Tour. The ride was fairly easy but was along the main road from Comrie to just before Crieff. Turning left up a slight uphill they soon arrived at the Grouse Distillery.
After booking in for the tour they found they had some time on their hands so they opted for a cup of coffee at the distilleries up market cafe.
Soon it was down to the reception for the tour which was very informative but however not much can be remembered by the author about what was said however the whisky tots at the end of the tour were very remember able (1 of the Famous Grouse and the other of Glenturret). One thing that is remembered is that the process was one that was done by hand as was done when it was started years ago.
After the tour the ride back to the hostel was the reverse of the route by which they arrived to the distillery and bikes were packed away.
After changing for the trip back home some of the group had bacon butties at the hostels cafe while some set off straight away.
The trip back was through some more horrific wintry weather.
A big thanks should go to the organisation of Bacca and Tracy for such a relaxing few days.
Sunday April 26th
On a cold but sunny morning Roy drove from his daughter’s home in Callander, arriving at 10:30AM, after a bacon roll and tea, Bacca and Tracy arrived about 11:00AM, having driven from a B&B in Perth.
After unloading one bike and a tandem trike the trio rode into Comrie for lunch at the Comrie Hotel. After a good lunch Tracy made a booking for dinner at 7:30PM for that night for themselves and Maurice and Steve who were due to arrive later.
Turning left onto the Braco road and by turning left again a very hilly circular route was followed back to Comrie. Several deer were seen enroute, arriving back at Comrie Croft about 5:30PM. 12.5 miles was covered. Maurice and Steve arrived about 4:00PM.
The whole group rounded off the day with a good dinner at the Comrie Hotel.
Monday April 27th – Comrie Croft to Auchterarder and back
The day started out with brilliant sunshine but with a cold wind. All assembled to received their bikes out of Bacca's van and in Bacca and Tracy’s case the tandem trike. All dressed in winter clothing except for Roy who had shorts on. When asked about if it was wise to wear shorts in this climate he replied he was quite comfortable.
The bike mechanic from the hostel came to see the tandem trike in which he had taken quite an interest. He also put the group straight on which route to take and this was taken with thanks because at the start of the original route there was a severe hill.
The group started out on the main road for just over a mile then a left turn into the lanes. After another ½ mile the group climb a little hill and spotted Sir David Bairds monument above them on the left on top of a hill. After anther ½ mile or so another left was taken onto the the Strowan Road which took them to the outskirts of Crieff and Crieff visitors Centre. The group stopped there for a cuppa and a scone while Steve and Roy visited the Glass factory.
Leaving the visitors centre the group took to the main road then ventured down a lane passing Templemill and on to pass through Caerlaverock Wood and onward through Tulliebardine to arrive at Auchterarder for dinner at the Glendevon Hotel.
All this time riding out the group shouted when they saw deer or pheasant which there seemed to be plenty of, and the one heron which took off from the Mulchany Water (river). A deer actually hopped through a hedge right in front of the group which was quite something to see.
After an incredibly good meal and banter the group set off on the return journey on different route from the town. The mechanic at Comrie Croft said the return journey would be mainly downhill as going to Auchterarder was slightly uphill except for entering the town which had been quite a climb especially for the tandem trike.
The route took the group down a B8062 road back to Crieff. All this time the weather was starting to get cloudier with areas of showers and sometimes spots of rain could be felt. On this return journey Bacca and Tracy obtained the only puncture of the trip which was quickly fixed and onwards they went to arrive at Crieff just as the rain started so it was on with the foul weather gear.
There was only about 5 more miles to go to Comrie Croft but the weather got worse as they got nearer. They returned from Crieff on the same route that was taken on the way out and the rain turned to hailstones and rain and just as they reached the main road, about a mile from the Hostel it started to snow and sleet.
Comments were thrown at Roy, by the group, about his decision to wear shorts and he agreed it wasn't his best idea! On arrival at the hostel, when they were packing their bikes into the van, the weather brightened up and the sun appeared again.
That night another good meal was partaken at the Comrie Hotel with some lively chat and good drinking.
Tuesday April 28th Trip to the Grouse Distillery
After breakfast and packing the van and cars ready to go home the group set off for the Grouse Experience Tour. The ride was fairly easy but was along the main road from Comrie to just before Crieff. Turning left up a slight uphill they soon arrived at the Grouse Distillery.
After booking in for the tour they found they had some time on their hands so they opted for a cup of coffee at the distilleries up market cafe.
Soon it was down to the reception for the tour which was very informative but however not much can be remembered by the author about what was said however the whisky tots at the end of the tour were very remember able (1 of the Famous Grouse and the other of Glenturret). One thing that is remembered is that the process was one that was done by hand as was done when it was started years ago.
After the tour the ride back to the hostel was the reverse of the route by which they arrived to the distillery and bikes were packed away.
After changing for the trip back home some of the group had bacon butties at the hostels cafe while some set off straight away.
The trip back was through some more horrific wintry weather.
A big thanks should go to the organisation of Bacca and Tracy for such a relaxing few days.