I left Tomintoul under grey skies. My plan was to ride through Grantown on Spey and make a detour into Culloden Battlefield, which is very close to Inverness and then into Inverness to check into my Backpackers hostel that Rich in Pitlochry had kindly reserved for me.

The total mileage for the day was 51.24 and the route was mainly downhill as I was still descending from the Cairngorms and Inverness sits at sea level on the Moray Firth.

Despite it being more downhill than uphill, I still climbed 2,811 feet.

Fairly soon after leaving Tomintoul, I was confronted with this climb

My body was definitely feeling the effects of the previous two days which were full on climbing days.

After a couple of hours of cycling in the rain, I arrived in Grantown on Spey and was very happy to find a cafe that was open. I needed to warm up and I was hungry. I was the only person in the cafe at first but then a couple of motorcyclists arrived and we got chatting. They were both from Liverpool. Then another couple arrived and the woman was from the Wirral. So it was a little gathering of scousers!

After warming up, I set off once again into the rain but enjoyed riding through some lovely lanes filled with gorst bushes.

My route took me over the historic 18th century Dulsie Bridge. I stopped to take some photos and then crossed the bridge and passed a farmhouse that used to be an inn. Poet Robert Burns was believed to have stayed at the King’s Inn, during his tour of the Highlands in 1787.

After Dulsie Bridge I came upon the impressive Culloden Viaduct before happening upon Culloden Battlefield. Since it was right there, I decided to visit despite the miserable weather.

The Battle of Culloden ( April 16th, 1746) lasted for only 40 minutes but resulted in the death of over 1000 Jacobites who were outnumbered by the 9000 British Government Redcoats. The battle ended the Jacobite uprising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. You can click Here for more information on the battle.

After my detour into Culloden, I continued into the city of Inverness and checked into the Backpackers Hostel. I took a shower, stashed my bike and went out to find some dinner.

The hostel had a nice kitchen so I bought some food and brought it back to cook in the hostel.