We visit Dunrobin castle, 15 mins back down the road this morning, in time for its 10:30 am opening. It’s a impressive house the largest in Scotland, designed by Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament and is supposedly modelled in the style of a Loire chateau, but would look good in a fairytale with its 2 pretty turrets. Its ornate, very Scottish with antlers everywhere and filled with lovely furniture and some gorgeous paintings so definitely worth a look.
The gardens have an impressive parterre and we wander down to watch the falconry display which is fun, enjoying the swooping acrobatics of a Saker Falcon, Harris Hawk and Peregrine Falcon.
After a cup of tea in the van we get back on the road towards John O’Groats and stop at Helmsdale to visit the Timespan museum which has recreated croft living and tells the story of the clearances. It’s a community museum, very well put together and informative and only £3 to get in! As it’s Sunday we treat ourselves to a roast in a local pub.
The undulating road hugs the coast with mostly green on either side, yellow flowering gorse everywhere, very little farmed land, and occasional sparsely populated villages. Our next stop is Wick but only for 5 mins. It’s a bit rundown, missing it’s fishing trade.
Final visit of the day is John O’Groats. Not much here but it’s good to arrive, take a photo or two in the baltic windy conditions before running back to Luci. We’ve been to Lands End too, a long time ago whilst on a holiday in 1990 with my lovely Mum and Dad. I was pregnant with Matt at the time and it was Mum’s last holiday. It’s good to remember and finally travel to the other end of GB.
Sunset at our campsite.
lin and tony go travelling on wheels 