BRIAN ON LINE
 
 
After promising to visit for some considerable time it was time to visit the Isle Of Skye and to do some mountain biking in a different environment to what we were normally used to. With the weather set fair for the weekend accommodation was hastily arranged at the Kings Arms Hotel in Kyleakin and we were off with the bikes loaded onto the roof of the X Trail heading north west. For our first adventure we decided to visit the Isle Of Raasay, taking the short 25 minute Cal Mac ferry crossing from Sconser on Skye to Clachan on Raasay. Once on the island we cycled along the coast towards East Suisnish which was the original arrival and departure point until 2010 and the opening of the new ferry terminal at Churchton Bay.In bygone days Iron Ore was mined on the island and loaded onto ships for transporting to the mainland from this jetty. The mine was instrumental in producing the raw material to make munitions to support the first world war effort. The island served as a prisoner of war camp at this time with German prisoners sent to work in the mine. Production ceased with the mines closure in 1919. There was still evidence of the old railway line that once linked the mine further up the hill to the coast and we followed these tracks across fields and woods until we reached the mine buildings at Glen Lodge where there is a car park and some information boards. Leaving the industrial past behind we climbed up towards the ancient remnants of a volcano known as Dun Caan, the highest point on the island. This was was reached after some serious bog trotting and boulder scrambling but the views from the top and the descent back to sea level made things all worth while.http://www.bespokehotels.com/kingsarmshotelhttps://www.calmac.co.uk/shapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1
Mountain Biking on the isle of raasay - 01.10.16
The route profile leading up to the top of Dun Caan
 
A video of the return trip.