Gone and Dunnet

Another brilliant sunny morning. Had an amazing view with the sun streaming in, and the local herd of cows were munching along the road. Once we had our first cup of coffee in hand, made from ground beans we purchased on the Isle Skye, we headed to the beach. The sun was warm, breeze light, and sand soft; quite the start of a new day!

Back at the camper A made porrage, and more coffee, that we enjoyed in the morning sun. After a quick clean up and shower, we were on our way. About half an hour down the road J found the Borgie Millennium Forest and River walk. Although the sun had disappeared behind the bank of clouds that moved in, it was still pleasant out. The Millennium trail spiraled inwards with inscribed rocks along the way naming the various trees in Gaelic. Apparently the Pict tribes that journeyed over from Ireland brought Gaelic life to northern Scotland, roughly 200AD.

We carried on steadily eastward making a slight detour to Strathy Point Lighthouse. It was at this point when it started to slightly drizzle. Unfortunately it wasn't much of a view point, and more of a surf'n turf parking lot; lobster traps on one side and cattle corrals on the other. We eventually found a nice view point nearby, and enjoyed smoked mackerel, brie, and crackers for lunch.

The desolate seeming Moor landscspe eventually gave way to lush partioned agricultural land. One industrial complex stood out along the way. Turns out it was the Dourney Nuclear plant and Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment. Just down the road we made a quick stop in Thurso, and carried on to the Dunnet headland. We hadn't yet planned our evening stay, so kept our eyes open for possibilities. We did pass a campground near Dunnet beach, as well as some boondocking pads on the way to the headland.

Finally arriving at Dunnet head, we could see the lighthouse that was originally established in 1831, as well as some wartime era relic buildings on a backdrop of the Orkney Islands. Dunnet head is the most northern point of "Mainland Britain".

On the way down we backed into one of the open areas for the night. Not too long after, another campervan joined us.Les mer