Blogs from John O'Groats, Caithness County, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

We’re on the NC500! a route we’ve been wanting to take for some time, the glorious coast of the wild Highlands. Launched in 2015 by North Highland Tourism, it was intended to be Scotland’s route 66, bringing much needed income to businesses in the remote Highlands. A circular route, north of Inverness. All seemed to be well until ‘lockdown’ and staycations of 2020/21, causing a huge increase in campervans and motorhomes driving the route. We were aware there had been some bad press about motorhomes undertaking the NC500, poor thoughtless driving and camping, making for some really fed-up locals. However, we only found fabulous scenery and friendly people. Its quite a challenge heading into the Highlands at the end of October, most of the campsites are shut so it was a matter of negotiating some ‘off ... read more

I got up early and went back to Urquhart Castle for the sunrise to try and get some photographs. As the castle is not openly accessible, there were only limited points where I could get a decent view of the castle and the loch. There was a thick mist hanging over the loch, which would hopefully made for some dramatic pictures, although not what I was expecting. As we were so close, decided to go to John O'Groats. I say "close", but it was still well over 100 miles from Inverness to John O'Groats and the roads are not exactly motorway standard. We thought we would go straight there with no stops and then stop-off at other places on the way back. It took about two and a half hoursto get there. The first thing that ... read more

I wont write too much about today bar to say after a lovely breakfast it was almost sad to leave ''The Crask Inn'' - and after chatting over breakfast we didn't get away again until about 11am - the first few miles along the rest of the A836 were again superb - hugging a river and a loch again - all too good. The weather was A1 again as well. So all good and relaxed as we ambled along. In short good riding again and we got to the North Coast of Britain - lovely beaches and viewsbut no people to speak off and pretty hilly plus the wind was right at us so progress was slow. We went past the nuclear power plant Doonrae and arrived in Thurso about 7.30pm. It was getting cold and ... read more

JoG to Helmsdale 72 miles It was rather auspicious starting the ride on Friday the 13th. However this was quite accidental but we were looking out for other signs for the potential of success for our trip. The first was arriving in JoG to find that the only shop was on an early closing day. As we were self catering this was a minor disaster. Does anywhere still have early closing? We managed to find a farm shop where we got some potatoes and goats cheese. Was this the omen? Or was it the sight of seals in the moonlight on the beach, wishing us well on our travels. The other challenger was the puncture Ewen received after storing the bike overnight which we discoverd as we started off. After this the consensus was that looking ... read more

Well , here I go , todays target was to be Alness , but due to the 40 miles I did yesterday I intend to push through to Daviot on the edge of the Cairngorms , my new companions were to depart at Cromerty Firth to head for Beuly and through the great Glen to Arran. The first obstacle of the day was the infamous hill The Berriesdale Braes, a short hairpin decent, followed by a long steep climb,not great for cold muscles but we all managed to haul up and stopped at the top for a breather , The next stop was a coffe stop at the coffee bothy in Golspie , this was lovely little town and Will managed to get his gears sorted by a local handyman. We continued along the i,pressive coastal ... read more