Day 1 of our North Coast 500 started disappointingly in Inverness when we cycled 4 miles to the Bridge across the Beauly Firth to find the cycle path closed so we spent the next 4 miles and in total about an hour to get back to where we started.
We then headed along the south side of the firth to pick the route back up at Muir of Ord. On the way we passed the end of the Caledonian Canal and had some lovely views along the Firth of Beauly. from there we headed west passing numerous Lochs - we stopped for a coffe at Tarvie where we found a lovely little cafe in a wooded valley before taking a detour to see a 18th century bridge at Little Garve which was very spectacular.
Next we had 20 miles to do to Achnasheen for lunch where we planned a stop at the Midge Bite which was a grreat little wooden hut doing some great food and I can vouch for the parsnip soup.
On leaving we were accosted by Johnathon Ross asking us to take a picture of him with the cafe staff - we duly obliged and he then insisted we took a selfie with him.
A 20 mile run down to Lochcarron followed and as we reached the estuary it dawned on me - Day 1 of our tour and we have already done Coast to Coast Scotland !