27 May 08
Leaving the glorious A99 to head westwards across the Highlands, the blue skies we've been lucky to experience so far start to make way for ominous looking clouds. The third hour ticks by and the skies open as we pass the gloomy, yet wonderfully motionless Loch Ness.
Although the roads are pretty clear, we're barely averaging 40mph as we tackle the winding A816 from Oban down to our first overnight stop.
Phil climbs behind the wheel. In the teeming wet conditions it soon becomes clear that the laws of physics cannot be ignored: the heavy BMW X6 won't deliver coupe-like handling in treacherous conditions and an understeering episode, thankfully gathered up by the ESP, tells us to calm down and ignore the pretty paltry progress we are making.
Twilight beckons and it yields one of the most enjoyable drives of my year. By the time I pull into the beautiful little village of Kilmartin the front tyres are steaming gently.
First beer is shared in a joyful atmosphere. There's to be a village wedding the next day so we engage in some small talk with groom-to-be.
'Been shaving the shit off lamb's arses today,' he tells us and thus a conversation about the merits of highland farming gathers pace.
We sleep well.
