Not at all difficult to summarize the day:

Wind and rain.

Wind and rain.

Wind.

Wind and rain and a steep climb.

Wind and rain.

Wind.

Wind.

Wind.

Wind and rain and a steep climb.

Wind.

Suddenly, Ullapool.

Conclusions

Don't trifle with the weather. Ever. This has got to be the worst day I experienced on a bike so far. A constant headwind of about 20 kt with gusts in excess of 40 kt will ruin your average speed and thus potentially all your advance planning. And that is on top of the real possibility of knocking you down if it comes as a crosswind. I'm just glad I survived this one without any incidents.

Addenda

The Arch Inn, Ullapool, makes a terrific haggis. They will also charge an arm and a leg for a room. Granted it's hard to beat the view from there over Loch Broom as long as it is visible through the mist.

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