July 2017| 107
ROUTE 2 Bruichladdich – Kilchoman – Saligo
Aoradh – Uiskentuie – Bruichladdich
This time, we re cycling north ish to oreland oad nd
which is, bi arrely, signposted for Sanaigmore. The first
part is pretty much all uphill, so gird your loins and dig
deep – this is what those big sprockets on the back wheel
are for. This uphill road takes you past oreland state
ouse on the right-hand side, before the road levels out
on the approach to Sunderland Farm, and Loch Gorm
looms into view. This is a particularly dramatic, but
exposed vista – without the curvature of the earth, and
with particularly keen eyesight, you’d be able to see the
east coast of Canada. If the wind is blowing, you’ll know
all about it.
A few hundred pedal strokes further on, sitting
comfortably back from the road, is Rockside Farm and
Kilchoman Distillery.
Ahead are the formidable waves at Machir Bay and, if
you wish, you can sidle on down for a look-see. p on the
left is the derelict Kilchoman church and further towards
the beach is a military cemetery for allies lost in tragedies
off slay during the wars.
If Machir is not your intended destination, follow the road
to your right towards Coull Farm and Saligo Bay, where
you are also likely to witness the power of the Atlantic
breakers. In the distance is the oddly shaped escarpment
of Dun Bheolain (it looks like Sydney Opera House) – not
somewhere you could cycle to.
Birdlife is frequently numerous around here, hence a
proportion of the land adjacent being overseen by the
RSPB. Riding past Ballinaby Farm on the left, keep an
eye open for agricultural traffic and errant sheep this
is a pleasant area to cycle and you wouldn’t want any
inadvertent mishaps. The road is all singletrack and little
used, to which the tell-tale grass growing in the middle
will bear witness.
As it veers round to the right and up towards
Carnduncan, it is also possible to take a detour left, to
the sandy bays and Outback Art Gallery at Sanaigmore.
If you’ve all day to spend and fancy an idyllic spot for a
picnic lunch, this might not be a bad idea.
Past Carnduncan, there is the option of carrying straight
on to join up with the Foreland Road you started on, or
turning sharp left up a bumpy road eventually leading
past the S B eserve at Aoradh arm. The road
descends quite steeply towards the latter and there is a
hidden entrance to the farm on the right. While I would
normally advise you to take in the wonderful views across
Gruinart Flats, it might be a more prudent option to
watch where you’re heading at this point. Again, watch
out for agricultural and tourist traffic. There is also the
possibility, especially through the summer months, of
meeting horse-riders on the road. lease adopt a softly,
softly approach in either direction: make sure the riders
know you are there and pass when safe to do so, leaving
plenty of clearance. Do not race past – you may live to
regret it.
The road across ruinart lats will often surprise with
deer sightings and an array of birdlife, before rounding
off to the right and towards iskentuie arm. At the
junction, head right down Uiskentuie Strand, (turning
left will take you, eventually, to Bridgend) a long,
at piece of road that will take you back to Bruichladdich
and that cappuccino or espresso you’ve been so looking
forward to.