Big Mac 2011 (DATES CONFIRMED - Ride Out: Sat 23rd July & Sun 24th July)

We are staying in a Big Scottish Highland Castle (not a :bounce: bouncy :bounce: one) for circa £30 a night (should be cheaper).
Youth Hostel in Ullapool for circa £20 a night.

We expect to visit John O' Groats on one day and Applecross on the other.

I require a non-refundable deposit of £25 to secure your place as soon as possible, as I have to pay this to this up front. There is other accomodation nearby.

A sign up page will be appearing soon with all the details.

Cheers
Rosco

Hopefully i can attend at least one of the macs this year rosco. Will see when the dates are confirmed.

Keep it coming Rosco, I really enjoyed last year so I definitely want to attend this years.

Ooo a big castle eh. I guess that not your gaff then?

I shall be in attendance regardless of dates so bring it on!

I'll almost certainly be there for both Ross. Tes

school college holidays so im out
sorry rosco

In, dates shouldn't be an issue

I fancy this one - it's my home territory though I haven't ridden there for ages. Dates might make a difference mind you but I'm a +1 for now!

Lee

Will see you there! V short of leave this year, but won't be missing this one.

Right i'm in but will have to join up with you all on the saturday night as i can't get the BLOODY saturday of work .. but there is a plan in the pipeline

So keep you'r fingers crossed for me (or not crossed :( )

Davie

Aye, Davie will be brill to see you again.
Hope you manage to sort something out for the Saturday.

Cheer,s Fi and Chris I won't know untill pretty near the time, I can only hope, there might be another option of a short shift on the Saturday , if that happens then i could run up the road and meet up with you all in Caithness .

Davie

You never know i might just shock you and come on this one

Pete

Picked up from dot De

Dachsi wrote:perhaps Oldcat can tell us something more about BigMac?

-Booking beds?
- Meals?
And perhaps some prices??

Perhaps i can look lovely and my boss says ok and i can come to BigMäc...

Anything I can pass on to our potential German visitors for this meeting would be much appreciated

There seems to be quite some interest, I would guess at least as many of them wish to make the trip (maybe more) as we did to the Eifel.

Thread link to Big Mac on thundercat-club.de which can be viewed as a guest to their site without registering.

Tel. I put up a little post on the German site but it may require your language skills!!

Peeps, sorry but unforunately family reasons (Simons 2 week holidays begin on the 22nd July) stop me from attending this years ride out.

I'll peruse the remaining ones, TOL & SnT and see if I can fit attend these instead.

And I was so much looking forward to meeting you all again.

Well, it just might be later in the year.

Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy

Brace yourself for the BAD news (good news to follow)

This email fell on my doorstep last night

--
I am writing to you with regards to your booking at Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel.

Due to the extreme weather during the winter the Castle suffered significant water damage. As a result of this and the emergency works that need to be undertaken the Hostel will not be open until September 2011. With this information it is with much regret that we are currently unable to offer your accommodation at the Castle as originally booked.

We appreciate that you will be disappointed with this news and as a valued guest; we are able to offer for your consideration alternative accommodation at the following locations.

The options which may be available are:

Aviemore

Inverness

Ullapool

Cairngorm Lodge

Torridon

Should you not wish to take up the alterative choice of location at this time, we are able to discuss other options which may include a transfer of your booking to another date or cancellation of your booking with full refund.
SYHA Hostelling Scotland sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused to you due to this urgent works programme.
Please do let us know how you wish to proceed.
--

I know I was very much looking forward to staying at the castle (as I'm sure you were too) but it seems that this unexpected event requires us to find alternative accomodation.

GOOD NEWS
--------------

They could accomodate us at either Torridon or Ullapool.

I've gone ahead and booked Ullapool for all 26 of us (so far) as it does have more facilities and amenities nearby than Torridon does.

I'll get details on the room setup and cost in due course ( I suspect it will be the same or very similiar)

If this does not suit you then please let me know ASAP as there is normally a cancellation charge although I suspect/hope they would waive it in the circumstances as long as it was done very soon.

Anyway the place we will be staying is now HERE

Staying here rather than at the castle will allow us to take in more of the West Coast which has beautiful scenery. All we need now is some nice weather!

Cheers
Rosco

Oh no! That's a real blow. I was really looking forward to staying at the castle
Still, let's hope they do a good job so we can visit next year?!

I'm glad to hear they've been helpful in suggesting alternative accommodation as I know this is the last thing you want to happen just as it seemed all was arranged. Ross is doing a brilliant job. Please go with his suggestions if at all possible.

The hostel at Ullapool looks like it's got a few more local amenities nearby so not such a step down - but it's still not a castle Hope you can re-plan the route without too much trouble and can someone else work on the weather? Ross has enough to do.

Chris

I'm sure the beer will be just as good!!!
And I've got an old mate who lives near Ullapool that I've not seen in a few years.

Fine by me ross i had a few days in ullapool maybe 10 years ago & remember it being a beautiful place.

Well done for sorting it out mate, alls well that ends well.

As for me, Ullapool will be grand. Its the good roads, good beer and good company I come for.

See you all there.

Chris

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect Ross, I will mail you some routes over the weekend and take it from there

Davie


PS: Mr Greencat the ferry boat inn has a fine assortment of Whiskey so i'm told

Ohh well Davie, if that's the case, Ullapool sounds grand! :drunken:

I have simple tastes, some just say I'm simple
Hey, why wait for someone else to say it?

Anyone up for a ceilidh on the quay?