John O'Groats
October 2009 saw us taking a road trip to John O'Groats on the Northern most shore of the UK mainland. It was a great trip taking in some beautiful scenery along the way. We stayed over at Inverness en-route before following the A9 along the North East coast to Latheron and then the A99 to our destination.
It was disappointing to see the previously famous John O'Groats Hotel closed and in disrepair.
Sarah was suitably impressed as she stood at the end of the small harbour wall with the island of Hoy (and the Orkney Islands) behind her.
there were few people around (perhaps time of year caused that) but the shop around the main car park were open eking out the last business of the year and the Tourist Information Centre was doing a roaring trade in 'Lands End' merchandise.
the 'Last House Museum' completes the 'attractions' of the area and makes for a cracking photo against the slate grey sky.
down on the shore line sand seems to be in short supply.
After wandering the area and enjoying a cuppa and a bite to eat in the cafe we set off again for Dunnet Head, en route I couldn't resist stopping the car to grab this photo of a Highland Cow (or Coo as the locals would say) by the roadside.
We stopped again at the small town of Brough to visit a seal colony and stretch our legs again, though seaweed and slippery rocks do make for difficult walking conditions
In a very short time we saw a number of seals, some of which seemed to view us with the same curiosity, perhaps they only come here to see some humans as we come here to see them......click smaller pics for larger versions.
After a while enjoying the cliffs and coastline we were back in the car and along the coast the final 3 miles to Dunnet Head
this shot of the lighthouse at Dunnet Head remains one of my many favourites, the location, weather and the enjoyment of the journey no doubt helping to make it so, but even without that it is a good solid 'stand alone' shot.
we took a walk around the lighthouse and cliffs, well, one of us did whilst the other stayed behind the wall above. The towering cliffs are quite stunning and made more so by the waves crashing below
After Dunnet Head we continued West to Thurso before turning South and heading back beyond Inverness and down the Western side of Loch Ness on the A82, finally stopping in a fine hotel we had used on our Loch Ness visit which provided a view of the town and loch just as dusk arrived.
In the morning we had a leisurely breakfast and wandered around the small town for a short while before heading home via Pitlochry where we stopped beside a Loch for lunch and walked in the woods among the autumnal trees, a perfect end to an enjoyable few days away.
Click images below for larger view.
Click images below for larger view.