AN ENGLISH couple have told how they loved the NC500 so much they got it tattooed on their bodies forever.
Ash and Liv Dickinson, both 27, spent a week motorbiking round the Highland tourist trail and camped out at beauty spots along the way.
After a fantastic trip they took the last minute decision to get a unique memento so they would never forget it.
They splashed out £200 to get inkings of Highland cows alongside an NC500 map.
Ash got his tattoo on his calf, while Liv went for her arm.
Liv, 27, said: “It has always been on both of our bucket lists to travel round and see the scenery of the NC500. It exceeded our expectations.
“I don’t think we can put into words how beautiful it really was.
“It was actually our first proper holiday just the two of us, without our dogs or family. It was just amazing.”
The pair came in for some stick from trolls when they posted snaps of the tattoos online.
One anonymous user on social media claimed the couple had branded themselves.
They said: “If that’s how they want to spend their money then I guess it’s up to them.”
Another said: “That’s just nuts.”
But the vast majority of people were supportive.
One fan said: “Fantastic tattoo.”
Another poster added: “I’d much rather be friends with the tattooed person than with the people who are being mean about it .
“If I travelled to England and got a tattoo and they were posting it everywhere and slagging it off I wouldn’t bother going back and spending my money there. Catch yourselves on. It’s nice to be nice.”
Liv revealed she’s not bothered about the negativity because they’re both delighted with their new inkings.
She said: “We love the tattoos so that’s all that matters.
“We’ve had mostly positive feedback. There’s been loads of people wanting to get something similar.”
Liv and Ash set off on an eight hour 425-mile trek from their home in Leyland, Lancashire, to Inverness earlier this month.
She was on her Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Ash on his Suzuki GSXS 1000.
They headed to John O’Groats, via Wick, and then various other locations on the tourist trail including Ullapool and Gairloch.
After seven nights in the great outdoors they treated themselves to two nights in a lodge near Tillicoultry.
Just before they headed home they decided to take the plunge and get their special souvenirs at the Ink Hub in Denny, Stirlingshire.
Liv said: “They’re brilliant. There’s a great feeling of excitement when you catch a glimpse of them.
“Scotland is beautiful and the Highlands even more so.
“I thought it would be a lot more common but I suppose not everyone is a fan of tattoos.”
The pair documented their journey on their Instagram page and are already planning a return trip.
Liv revealed: “We definitely want to go back.
“But I think next time we’ll do it over several weeks and go to places we didn’t make it to this time.”
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