12 days in and I'm sure our cyclists will be feeling it by now! It isn't one of the most feindish
distance-wise, but this part of the country is hilly. Maybe a few drams of Dalwhinnie Malt will ease that a little.
Day 11 was largely the A9, heading north and this day is much the same. 17km in, they pass through
Newtonmore. Newtonmore is a proud Scottish village and many festivals and suchlike are held here involving pipe-bands and
highland dancing. It is in the heart of the highlands and the gateway to the Cairngorms. The hit television series, 'Monarch
of the Glen' was filmed here. Wild animals, including a rare red squirrel as well as a 5-star golf course can be found here.
Thomas and Andrena will need to make sure they have cash with them, since all of the four ATM machines are out of operation
and so the nearest to the village is a whopping 6 miles away.
Continuing along the A9, taking a couple of B-class roads along the way, they pass Carrbridge and
eventually reaching Inverness.
Since December 2000, Inverness is one of Scotland's seven (or eight, counting Dunblane) cities. It
has all the features of a city, including cathedral, international airport, top notch university as well as a museum and art
gallery. Not to mention the world famous Loch Ness, said to be the home of an ancient dinosaur-type creature - the aptly named
Nessie. Inverness Harbour is also one of the busiest and most important in the country, with practically all trading involving
Scandanavia arriving/leaving here. The historic buildings that have been erected over the years even inspired Shakespear in
his work of Macbeth. But this isn't some old fashioned settlement in the back and beyond, Inverness is as busy and modern
as the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh. A great part of the country and I'm sure Thomas and Andrena will be stopping here for
a well-earned break.
A mere 10km later, taking the B9161 and A832, they arrive at their destination, Tore.
