North Coast Route to John O'Groats, Scotland

27TH AUGUST 2018 SCOURIE TO JOHN O'GROATS

Loch a' Bhadaidh Daraich

We stopped at this loch just passed Scourie called Loch a' Bhadaidh Daraich.

Photographed a little house on an inlet of Loch Laxford....This is one of my most favourite photographs I took on this trip - we were driving in the car and I didn't expect to see this house so grabbed my phone and took a couple of quick shots. Kevin says it's blurry and I like that it's blurry but the house is so in focus that it doesn't even look like it's real.

House at Loch Laxford

We stopped to take some pics of the view in the rain and met a guy on a motorbike who had stopped to take some photos too and then the rain came in. I've looked this place up on the map and cannot find a name...we were on the A894 to Durness...

Views along the A894 to Durness

We stopped at Balnakeil to see the beach, church which is a scheduled monument and cemetery which has a few famous people in it, the arts and crafts village which was built in 1950's as an early warning station in case of nuclear attack but never finished and stopped for hot chocolate.

Balnakeil, North West coast of Scotland

We kept on travelling along the coast road to Smoo Cave... The cave is near the coastline and the Smoo River travels from Loch Meadaidh to the coast which is made of limestone. An underground stream and sea erosion formed the cave and the Smoo River flows into the cave via a sink hole and waterfall.  The cave has been used by people since before the Vikings. The cave name is thought to have originated from the Norse 'smuga' meaning a hole or hiding place.

Smoo Cave,  North Coast of Scotland

Smoo Cave, North Coast of Scotland

View from above Smoo Cave, North Coast of Scotland

View from the North Coast of Scotland from Smoo

House along the coast:

Driving further along the North Coast 500 Route we came to and old town site near Rispond Beach. Ceannabeinne in gaelic means the end of the mountains. According to Wiki "Ceannabeinne is said to have been a thriving "township" until the Highland Clearances of 1842, which resulted in rioting. There were once fourteen houses in the village of Ceannabeinne, all of which are now ruined." There is a walk trail which we followed and took some photos of the beach.

Ceannabeinne Township Ruins, North Coast of Scotland

Coastal views to Rispond Beach at right, North Coast of Scotland

Stunning views as we went around Loch Eriboll...

Driving south along the west side of Loch Eriboll

We even saw lime kilns from the 19th century whilst driving north on the east side of Loch Eriboll.

Driving north along the east side of Loch Eriboll. Bottom middle photo - lime kiln buildings.

Then we crossed the Kyle of Tongue...

I found this interesting information on Wiki "In 1746, a naval engagement occurred at the Kyle involving Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rebellion.^[7] The Jacobite ship Le Prince Charles, commanded by Captain Richard Talbot, was bringing a large amount of French gold to aid the Jacobite cause. It was chased by a British squadron and one of the Royal Navy frigates eventually caught up with it in the Kyle of Tongue, on 25 February 1746. A fierce five-hour battle took place: the Jacobite ship fought bravely, but in the end was defeated. The failure of the gold to reach the Prince's army was one of the main factors which led to the Battle of Culloden." I wonder what happened to all the gold....

Photo 1Views on the drive between Loch Eriboll and Kyle of Tongue, Photo 2 driving over the Kyle of Tongue causeway view to the north/sea, Photo 3 - View to the south and mountains, Photo 4 Kyle of Tongue view from the east side climbing up the hill.

Kyle of Tongue

Kyle of Tongue, Scotland, view to the south.

The view of Ben Loyal...

Ben Loyal, Scotland

We travelled along the coast to Thurso

Thurso, Scotland

And finally we reached John O'Groats, the north east point of Scotland and celebrated with a local cider and beer. Woohoo!!!

John O'Groats, North East Scotland