More pictures are available on Flickr

All three of the participants (Rob, Ken and me) have been working furiously on the text for a planned book about the trip. Have to say that so far I think it's absolutely hilarious. Working title is Journey's Blend: Towards A New Theory Of Motorcycling, Malt Whisky, Scotland And Everything

There's a Flickr set of photos here, should you wish to investigate further the mysteries of Ken's moustache and other matters.

Getting it right first time, and heading for home

I'm in the Mcdonalds at Kirriemuir, heading north on the A90 to get the boat home tonight. And it's done! The Journey's Blend blend is complete, expertly put together by Edrington's head of all things blendiferous, John Ramsay, at the Glenturret distillery just outside Crieff. Also the site of the Famous Grouse Experience, hence the giant...bird thing.

It was absolutely brilliant watching John at work - using five whiskies collected on the trip - Highland Park, Kilchoman, Glengarioch, Bladnoch (most northerly, westerly, easterly and southerly, respectively) plus Glenturret itself, which is almost at the dead centre of Scotland. The exact proportions must remain a secret, but John, using his decades of experience, came up with a formula based on an exacting tasting of each whisky. I'll describe the process in more detail later. suffice to say that we did three variant blends, but the first was best. Brilliant, in fact.

Afterwards we repaired to the absolutely superb Barley Bree in Muthill for dinner - best of the trip, and one of the best I've ever had in Scotland). This morning, Rob Draper from Singlemalt TV carried out his final interviews (look out for two programmes on the trip soon) and we parted, Rob and his son Paul so impressed with the Barley Bree they're staying on, Ken and Rob Allanson heading for Cambridgeshire. Next year, America. Apparently.

The book, the magazine article, the TV show and much else to follow. I'm back on the radio tomorrow, all being well.

Some pictures from the trip...

A few snapshots: The Kilchoman cross on Islay, and the very first cask of Kilchoman whisky - now, at more than three years old, legally Scotch whisky. The bikes, first at 6.15am waiting for the ferry from Port Askaig to Kennacraig, and then including a yellow interloper, Dave's Triumph Sprint, outside Bladnoch Distillery at Wigtown.

Finally, that's an incredibly rare, restored BSA Gold Star racer, used at Daytona in the 1950s, and on display at the Scottish Classic Motorcycle Show, which I was delighted to declare open today.

Islay, Wigtown, McDonalds...

In the Broxden McDonalds outside Perth. First internet for three days. That's 620 miles, and now heading (alone - others had a long lie) for Glen Garioch at Oldmeldrum. Big Red Bathtub behaving very well.

I left the - truly excellent - Bladnoch Inn at 7.00am as I was booked to open the Scottish Classic Motorcycle show in Fenwick. Made it up the lovely New Galloway road in an hour and a half. Then thrashed it north in dry but dull weather because I knew there was free wi-fi at McDs...how sad is that?

The other bikes are doing well, but poor Ken Hamilton on the Enfield is having to put up with serious discomfort and lack of speed. The (2009) Enfield looks lovely, though. Rob on the Triumph has all the benefits of classic design and modern tech.

Kilchoman on Islay was very interesting, and Bladnoch fantastic...never had a tasting session like that before. Just the most easterly distillery left now, and the actual blending. Must go. This is a fast food place, after all. Got some great pix and will blog later if there's wi-fi at the b&b. Hope the other guys make good time.

Fort William at last

Rob here...

Sat with Tom and blogging from the bar in Fort William, it's true anti social behaviour has a new name. The team has now finally all come together. We have Ken, your stills snapper (with the magnificent moustache), Rob Draper from SingleMalt TV and his son Paul who are documenting the trip in HD...

Well the trip so far has been very eventful. Ken and I took 16 hours to get up from Norfolk to the Anderson at Fortrose. The Enfield has bags of character, shakes and does not really like being above 60mph. The Triumph is pretty much the opposite and is a dream. I have to say am in love.

The roads have been magnificent as has the weather so far. Swoopy S bends and some harsh 180s, but then some lovely straights to let the bikes open up and test their legs.

So we have picked up the first part of the blend from Highland Park. We were presented with four choices by brand ambassador Gerry Tosh and had to chose. Thankfully the choice was pretty clear. The one that stood out was a big, bold sherried number with bags of honey and heather.

Tomorrow brings the run for the ferry at Kennacraig and Islay with the western point of our trip at Kilchoman, Islay's newest distillery that came of age (three years old) in December.

On the road - Glencoe in unaccustomed sunshine

It's 100 miles exactly from Glasgow to Fort Bill. I'd done 105 by the time I'd found my b&b, tucked away behind the town. I set out from Glasgow under grey skies, but by the time I hit Tyndrum (my usual pilgrimage to the Green Welly Stop) the sun was out. Fort William is HOT, and Glencoe, which I'm used to seeing in winter, under thundery, emotional clouds or in slashing rain, was baking hot. Loads of camper vans and would-be Jeremy Clarksons in SLK Roadsters.

The old Triumph behaved immaculately, displaying just how 1200cc can overtake...almost anything, anywhere, if you can cope with the fear. Heard from Ron, Derek et all, who were safely at Glenmorangie and heading off for Lochaber. I believe they have a satnav, so they might have better luck finding the b&b...tomorrow, it's a belt down through Oban to Kennacraig, and Islay.

Meanwhile, I'm sipping IPA in the sun..

Rob has the Bonneville

Well they say that first impressions last, and here are mine of the Bonneville SE that Triumph has lent me for the trip.
It¹s black and it¹s very shinyŠ
No but joking apart this is an incredible bike. It¹s size belies the amount of poke it has when you blip the throttle. To be honest it feels more like my old AJS 125 in terms of weight that the more than 800cc it actually is.
With all the engine lump set quite low down you feel like a Weeble, wobble but not fall down. I have to say it makes it a very confidence inspiring bike. Push the bars and it tips into the corners with ease.
The parallel twin is certainly a different beast than the V twin of my Korean bike. More refined and mild mannered. It is also a lot quieter making the smooth acceleration feel like you are on a magic carpet.
Cruising is aided by the big ass screen deflecting most of the wind, and we both seem to be quite happy thrumming along at 70. There is a little buffeting across the top of the screen between about 71 and 75, but that sorts itself out after that.
So truth be told I am in loveŠunfortunately. I think this is going to be a holiday romance I am going to enjoy.


R