The Cycling Scot
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Where to go in Scotland
    • Aberdeenshire
    • Angus
    • Argyll and Bute
    • Ayrshire
    • Central Scotland
    • Dumfries and Galloway
    • East Lothian
    • Edinburgh and Midlothian
    • Fife and Clackmannanshire
    • Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
    • Islands
    • Moray
    • Perthshire
    • Scottish Borders
    • Sutherland and Caithness
  • Advice About Cycling in Scotland
    • What kind of bicycle?
    • Cycle Clothing
    • What gear to buy
    • Taking your bike on the train
    • Coping with traffic
    • Best cycling guide books
    • Best travel books about cycling in Scotland
    • Family-Friendly Bike Holidays in Scotland
    • Mountain Biking Guide
  • Working with me
  • Best Cycling Books
  • Edinburgh bike life

The bridge over the Atlantic

19/4/2023

1 Comment

 
Clachan Bridge
Did you know you can cross the Atlantic Ocean on a bridge?  The water that flows under the The Clachan bridge is a sound that's connected to the Atlantic Ocean. It's why it's known as the 'bridge over the Atlantic'. One one side is mainland Scotland and on the other is the Island of Seil. The bridge is around 12 miles south of Oban

Highlights of the route

  • crossing the bridge over the Atlantic
  • whisky, seafood and chocolate in Oban
  • ride alongside the shore of Loch Feochan
  • appreciating the beauty of the two churches along this route

Train from Glasgow to Oban

​This is a great way to start a bike trip. It takes just over 3 hours and you can relax with some of the best train views in the country. On this trip my highlights were counting at least 100 oystercatcher on a beach near Helensburgh. Around Garelochhead there were so many ferns that it felt like the train was fighting to get through them. I could hear them brush against the carriages and see them glisten with morning dew.

Bikes care carried free on this service, but you need to book in advance.

Oban

There is the smell of sea and the cry of gulls. It was August and busy with tourists. Despite the warm weather the whisky shop had a fire blazing. It creates the right ambiance for whisky tasting, curled up in a leather armchair. A crab sandwich from the Oban Seafood Hut is lunch perfection. Follow this with a treat from the Oban Chocolate Company and you are set up for the afternoon.
The Oban Whisky and Fine Wines Shop.
The Oban Whisky and Fine Wines Shop. Enjoy a browse, a tasting and a cosy fireplace

The A816 to Kilninver, 7.5 miles

There's no escaping that the only way to reach The Clachan Bridge is to use the A816.

​You can avoid some of it by taking a twisty minor road that runs roughly parallel. This adds about 2 miles to the journey and you still have to do about 4 miles on the A-road. I didn't have time for this, so took the direct route.
A straight stretch of the The A816 road
The A816
The most unpleasant part is getting out of Oban. There are several supermarkets and other business out this way and this can make the roads busy, but if you are used to city cycling its not too bad and it doesn't last long. Once you are through this the traffic thins out. 

​It was a tough climb on this road. There wasn't much to see until I reached Loch Feochan. The road runs along the shore, so you get a great view for this part.
Loch Feochan
Loch Feochan

The churches

Churches are often the standout architecture when exploring Scotland. Even small churches, like the two on this route, have a presence. About 3 miles from Oban is  Kilmore Church. It sits on a grassy bump that overlooks the loch. A different colour of stone has been used to pick out the corners and the window and door frames, giving it a distinctive look.
Kilmore Church
Kilmore Church
After leaving the A816 and turning onto the B844 you'll find Kilninver Parish Church. It was built in 1793. The front door is approached by a hedge-lined gravel path. That little walk is a joy. With the hedge enclosing you it feels like you have discovered a secret place. There's a wooden porch, a place to take off coats and leave umbrellas. It has a round hole cut in its roof for the chain that pulls the bell.
Kilninver Parish Church. A gravel path leads to the front door.
Kilninver Parish Church
The staircase and upper gallery of Kilninver Parish Church
The staircase and upper gallery of Kilninver Parish Church
The bell pull at Kilninver Parish Church
The bell pull at Kilninver Parish Church
View from the upper gallery of Kilninver Parish Church. Looking down towards the pulpit and large arched window.
View from the upper gallery of Kilninver Parish Church
Inside the walls are white, offset by the dark wood of the pews. Light floods in from the large windows. A narrow staircase takes you to the upper gallery. A place to sit for a few minutes and enjoy how quiet it is and clear your mind.

To the bridge

It's just under 4 miles to The Clachan Bridge. There are a lot of hills on this road, some with 15% gradients.

The smells coming from this road were glorious. It was earthy from the ferns and grass, plus sweet from wildlowers. No candle can compete with the aroma sensation of cycling in Scotland.
Road sign for 15 percent gradient on the road towards the 'Bridge over the Atlantic'
15 percent gradient on the road towards the 'Bridge over the Atlantic'
Road signs for Easdale and Luing Ferry.
The road takes you to the ferries that cross to Easdale and Luing islands

Crossing the Atlantic

This location is spectacular. The view from the top of the bridge has islands and inlets and hills on the horizon.
The Clachan Bridge, known as the 'bridge over the Atlantic'
The Clachan Bridge, known as the 'bridge over the Atlantic'
The view from the top of the 'bridge over the Atlantic'. There are islands, boats and hills
The view from the top of the 'bridge over the Atlantic'
The humpback bridge was completed in 1793, so it was never designed for motor traffic. I noticed that it's steep incline gave some drivers a bit of trouble with gear changes.
The Clachan Bridge
The Clachan Bridge dates from 1793, so was not designed for motor traffic
A view of white houses and fields from The Clachan Bridge
The view of Tigh an Truish and the other white properties from The Clachan Bridge
On the other side of the bridge there is a lovely scene of white-painted buildings. One of these is an inn called Tigh an Truish (house of the trousers). This curious name comes from the period when the Government banned the Gaelic language and the wearing of kilts. Islanders who crossed to the mainland would first stop in the inn to get changed out of their kilts and into trousers. When they returned to the island they would get changed back into their kilts.
A sign that tells the history of the Clachan Bridge and the inn
A sign that tells the history of the Clachan Bridge and the inn

The Slate Islands

After crossing the bridge you can explore the Slate Islands. Look out for my next blog.
1 Comment

    Categories

    All
    Aberdalgie
    Aberdeen
    Aberdeenshire
    Addiewell
    Airdrie
    Airdrie To Bathgate Cycle Path
    Airth
    Alba Cola
    Alloa
    Alloa To Dollar Cycle Route
    Altnabreac
    Angus
    Arbroath
    Architecture
    Ardersier
    Argyll
    Auchterarder
    Aviemore
    Baird Monument
    Bakery
    Balerno
    Ballater
    Bathgate
    Beach
    Bed And Breakfast Reviews
    Beer Reviews
    Bettyhill Hotel
    Biggar
    Bike And Go Cycle Hire At Stations
    Bike Clothing
    Blackness Castle
    Bonawe Iron Furnace
    Bo'ness And Kinneil Railway
    Book Review
    Bookshops
    Borders Railway
    Bow Fiddle Rock
    Bowhill House
    Branklyn Garden
    Brechin
    BrewDog
    Bridges
    Broch
    Brodie Castle
    Broughton
    Buckie
    Cafes
    Cairngorm Brewery
    Cairn O'Mount Road
    Caithness
    Caledonian Railway
    Campbeltown
    Carnwath
    Castles
    Cawdor Castle
    Chocolate
    Christmas Food & Drink
    Coffee
    Colinton Tunnel
    Colonsay
    Commuting
    Copenhagen
    Craft Cadence Essentials Case
    Craigard Hotel
    Craigmillar Castle
    Crichton Castle
    Cullen
    Cullen Bay Hotel
    Cupar
    Currie
    Cycle Routes
    Cycling Books
    Cycling Jeans
    Cycling Jersey
    Cycling Mirror Review
    Cycling To Work
    Cycling With A Buddy
    Dalgarven Mill
    Dawyck Botanic Garden
    Deeside Way
    Deskford
    Disused Railway Paths
    Disused-railway-paths
    Dollar
    Dornoch
    Dornoch Castle Hotel
    Doune
    Drem
    Drummond Castle Gardens
    Dryburgh Abbey
    Dumbarton Castle
    Dumfries And Galloway
    Dunblane
    Dunmore
    Dunning
    Dunrobin Castle
    Dunrobin Castle Station
    Dunstaffnage Castle
    East Linton
    East Lothian
    Edinburgh
    Edzell Castle
    Electric Bikes
    Elgin
    Falkirk
    Falkirk Tunnel
    Fallen Brewing
    Ferry
    Fife
    Findochty
    Flowers
    Folding Bikes
    Fonab Castle Hotel
    Forres
    Gardens
    Garelochhead
    Gigha
    Glamis Castle
    Glasgow
    Glen Clova
    Gleneagles
    Glen Esk
    Glen Lonan
    Golspie
    Haddington
    Hailes Castle
    Helensburgh
    Helmet Review
    Helmsdale
    Highland Cattle
    Hill Of Tarvit Mansion
    Hills
    Hostels
    Hotels
    House Of Dun
    House Of Mark
    House Of The Binns
    Huntingtower Castle
    Indoor Cycling
    Inverarity Parish Church
    Inverary Jail
    Inveresk Lodge Garden
    Inverurie
    Island
    Jedburgh Abbey
    Kames Hotel
    Kelso Abbey
    Kildonan Station
    Kinloss Abbey
    Kinnoull Hill
    Kirkstyle Inn
    Knockomie Inn
    Krispy Kreme
    Lanarkshire
    Larbert
    Lauder
    Leaderfoot Viaduct
    Library Of Innerpeffray
    Linlithgow
    Livall BH60SE Smart Helmet
    Loch
    Loch Earn
    Loch Flemington
    Loch Leven Heritage Trail
    Loch Turret
    Longniddry
    LOVE Gorgie Farm
    Maps
    Meadows Festival
    Melrose
    Melrose Abbey
    Microadventures
    Midlothian
    Montrose
    Moray
    Morton Castle
    Mountain Biking
    Musselburgh
    Muthill
    National Mining Museum Scotland
    Netwongrange
    New Bike
    Newstead
    North Berwick
    Oatcakes
    Oban
    Oban Chocolate Company
    Only In Edinburgh. Book Review
    Orkney
    Outer Hebrides
    Penicuick
    Perth
    Pitlochry
    Portgordon
    Preston Mill
    Published Writing
    Puncture
    River Tay
    Roslin Glen
    Rosslyn Chapel
    Scotstarvit Tower
    Scottish Borders
    Scottish Borders Abbeys
    Scott's View
    Slate Islands
    Smailholm Tower
    Spey Bay Station
    Spey Viaduct
    Splendid Book Of The Bicycle
    Sportives
    Standing Stones
    Stately Homes
    Stations
    St Boswells
    Stow
    Sunglasses
    Sunset
    Sutherland
    Tantallon-castle
    Taynuilt
    Tea Room
    Tempest-brewing-co
    Temple Of The Muses
    The Bridge Over The Atlantic
    The Counter Canal Boat Cafe
    The Elphinstone Hotel. Biggar
    The-pineapple
    The Unknown Sculpture
    Thirlestane Castle
    Tips
    Train Problems
    Trains
    Traquair-house-ale
    Travel Writing Competitions
    Trimontium
    UNESCO Trail
    Union Canal
    Vogrie Country Park
    Vulpine
    Walk
    Wanderlust Magazine
    Waterfall
    Water Of Leith
    Wemyss Bay Train Station
    West Lothian
    Whisky
    Wick
    William Wallace Statue
    Your Piece Baking Company

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Where to go in Scotland
    • Aberdeenshire
    • Angus
    • Argyll and Bute
    • Ayrshire
    • Central Scotland
    • Dumfries and Galloway
    • East Lothian
    • Edinburgh and Midlothian
    • Fife and Clackmannanshire
    • Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
    • Islands
    • Moray
    • Perthshire
    • Scottish Borders
    • Sutherland and Caithness
  • Advice About Cycling in Scotland
    • What kind of bicycle?
    • Cycle Clothing
    • What gear to buy
    • Taking your bike on the train
    • Coping with traffic
    • Best cycling guide books
    • Best travel books about cycling in Scotland
    • Family-Friendly Bike Holidays in Scotland
    • Mountain Biking Guide
  • Working with me
  • Best Cycling Books
  • Edinburgh bike life