Before Durness I had stayed on the island of Hoy in Orkneys at Rackwick Walked to the Old Man Of Hoy
Earlier ferry enabled me to catch the north link to Scrabster. Felt bad not saying goodbye to Kath who had a meal cooking for me but was at the hairdresser. Doug was outside digging up the potatoes.
From ferry views of Hoy.
Drove west until dark looking for camping place. A couple of false hopes like going down long track to beach and then no overnight camping sign.
Then in Borgie forest perfect.
In morning walk to river.
Magnificent scenery.
Stopped at Tongue Hotel for Highland Breakfast including porridge with cream and tot of whisky. Honeymoon couple RAF officer gave information for further.
Raining so missed out visiting some beautiful beaches.
Visited Smoo Cave too much rain for tour.
Bought diesel at £1.47 per litre!
Camping on the Laird road in the middle of moonscape mountain scenery. 2 stags on hill crest. Later 3 deer feeding across the river from me. In the night amazing braying noises. I've since been informed that deer roar!
Backtracked to take ferry and mini bus to Cape Wrath. Although it was Sunday there were only two of us and they needed a minimum of 4. We each paid double i.e. £33 it was worth it. It was a 10 mile bumpy ride to the light house. The area is owned by the MOD and the previous day they had been bombing a nearby island.
I drove on round the northwest coast. The scenery is stunningly wild. I stopped off at Knockcan were there is a geological walk and display of Moine the oldest rock in Europe which protrudes there. 1000million years old.
Scotland was attached to the South Pole and later North America. England and Scotland bumped into each other 400 million years ago. Long enough to stay together I would have thought.
That night I camped at the visitor centre
near Lairg at the Falls of Shin. In the
morning the windscreen was iced up. The falls weren't anything special.
I now drove onto have a look at Aviemore. It seemed very touristy and so busy after all the remote places I had been before.
Then on through the Cairngorms to Fort William. I looked at the campsite but didn't fancy being stuck between caravans. Looked at the youth hostel but it was closed as it was late. So drove along a windy road in the dark and found a car park. A police car drove in while I was looking at the notice board. But they just turned round and drove off without saying anything. Which I was happy about but still thought it strange.
The next day I decided to walk up Ben Nevis to see how far I could go. It was a lovely day weather wise. Well I managed to go halfway, over 700 metres, up to a loch. Considering I hurt my hip before I am so pleased to have managed that.
After a chicken picnic I drove to Fort William railway station and had a lovely shower for £3.50 including a fluffy towel. Oh what bliss.
Then backtracked somewhat and on to Bankfoot north of Perth where you can camp in the visitors centre car park. It seems much warmer here but has a strong whiff of silage.