Nowhere to lay my head…

Tuesday 5th October 2010

Having left Kate and Wayne's on Monday I had travelled through Inverness,again visiting ‘Tiso’ outdoor shop (without purchase ,as usual!), and travelled up along the Eastern coastal route, which by now had changed into the ‘North Coastal Route’, through the Cromarty Firth, Inverrgordon,Tain and around the Dornoch estuary, which had brilliant sandy beaches, and views out to sea,but, as I was to find…all the campsites were closed, and everywhere I thought would be suitable to stop had ‘No overnight Parking ‘ signs, in bright yellow !…hmm, hope it get’s easier?

However I eventually managed to find a secluded area inside Skelba Forest just slightly inland, north of Dornoch… the rain pattered on the roof, but I was cosy !

Tuesday morning dawned misty ,breezy, but dry, and I set off, back to the coast, visiting various Coastal villages including Dunbeith, home to a famous Scottish writer Neil Gunn,  and on to the Hill O’Many Stanes, which they are still trying to work out what they exactly were for ?   and continuing up the coast, following the Pictish Trail,well signposted,with various artifacts available for viewing at all the differing locations..

Eventually arriving at the top ? John O’Groats or is it… ??

It may be the bit where everyone gets photo’s but as you’ll see there are various other claims to it !

Anyway, try to find the campsite to look over the North Eastern tip, out to the islands…it was shut ! as was everything else around it… so carrying on to Dunnet Head ..the real most Northerly point on the mainland, where it was very,very breezy (gale force,or stronger…)

and then on from there, along the North Coast, with nowhere I could stop, and all campsites closed…

Eventually arriving at Thurso – the most Northerly Town ! on the British mainland…and a campsite that was open…run by an American !..but a place to stay, and pleasant it is ! Overlooking the sea, and towards the ‘Old man of Hoy’ a great rock tower..