Day 9
July 22, 2025
Stats: 19 miles, AIS: 2:05, Elev. 1092 ft, Speed: 8.8 mph
Port Charlotte to Portnahaven to Port Charlotte loop.
The hostel has a “wee” breakfast (continental) so we had that for breakfast. Then Jim and I had to move out of our nice single room to join the bunkhouses…men’s and women’s. At this point there is only one other woman with me in a room for 4.
We were out of the hostel at 10am to take a nice ride up and over the peninsula to see the North Atlantic Ocean then south to Portnahaven. The weather today was calling for cloudy… maybe some sun and mildly windy. Temps always seem to be low 60’s. Really perfect actually.
Started with steady easy climb with lots of open countryside with livestock farms of sheep and cows. Then we had a glimpse of the ocean coming down the other side.
We had a big steep descent to a very old stone church.… or what was left of it. This church was located with a view of a beautiful small bay into the ocean.
Leaving the church we had a steep long incline back up above the ocean
Another worthy photo for a
bike travel brochure!
or maybe this on the cover?
As we began the descent into Portnahaven we came across an honor system Cake Box. Unfortunately only on Saturdays
We spent some time poking around this area and stopping at the Pub for a little lunch.
Great village to stop and checkout.
Atlantic Ocean
for a few palm trees. Did not expect that… seems like harsh exposure
After spending some time poking about we headed back to Port Charlotte. Not very far… just seven miles.
to Port Charlotte.
This is all over Scotland
It was a pretty quick easy day. Some of us took a little walk in the afternoon. Sandy cooked us a nice pasta with marinara chickpeas and beans at the hostel. Tomorrow we are planning an early stop at a distillery along the way and to explore to the northwest of the island. We’re planning to ride a bit further than the last two days. It will be our last day to take our time and enjoy the scenery, the quiet and the joy of riding so many different areas in Scotland.
Thursday we have to hard charge 18 early morning miles to Fort Ellen to catch the ferry back at 9:30am. No chance to stop for photos and such. So I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Hope the guys get a better night sleep in the bunkhouse!
cinnicrew 
Had Sandy ever been to this Island before? I’m guessing he had not. It is so quiet and beautiful and that all white village was so lovely. Did you get to talk to any locals at lunch?
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No it’s his first time as well. Have not talked to any locals. It’s very rural for sure. All the villages are white it seems and also the farm houses. They show up against the green landscape
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