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Published: February 13th 2007
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Rainbow over Lochinver
Right outside our window We toured Inverewe Gardens Saturday morning beside Loch Ewe. It has different types of exotic plants and started in1862. At times we would try to take shelter under the trees from the rain, but it didn't work well. The gardens were large and covered different areas like a walled garden and woodlands, along with the centre and gift shop. We got petrol in a town called Laide. On the A832 we found Gruinard Bay and walked on the beach where I found many pretty, pastel colored seashells. We also stopped at a viewpoint of Little Loch Broom. The further we drove, the more mountainous it became and some of them had snow on them. I think it was the Strathmore Mountains and in this area, we experienced rain which turned into sleet. A couple minutes later was sunshine. We actually experienced 3 seasons in less than half an hour! How amazing!
We tried to find the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach but were unsucessfull. We did see Big Loch Broom and then took a single track road past Enard Bay to Lochinver. We were staying at Davar B&B for the night. We had dinner at the Riverside Biastro which
One of many funny signs
Take care! This was posted in the gardens. was really good. We stayed in for the night and had a view of the harbour, Suilven Mountain, and the town from our room with a beautiful, big rainbow.
Sunday morning, our first stop was at Clachtoll Beach which had black rocks and cliffs but turquoise water. Then we stopped at Stoer Lighthouse built in 1870 on the Stoer Peninsula that was dramatic and pretty. We made a stop at another clean, pretty beach called Clashnessie Bay. We saw the Y shaped Quinag Mountain, then heading south to Ardvreck Castle. It was raining off and on, so the path from the car park was slick and muddy. I had old tennis shoes on with little grip and I slid with what seemed to be like 30 seconds! I thought I was going into Loch Assynt until my feet hit a rock and stopped me. Needless to say, I had mud all over my pants. I was fine, just embarrassed. The castle dates to 1490 and is said to be haunted by a clan chief's daughter who fell out a window. It is in ruins and only part of the 3 story tower stands.
We stopped in Kylesku and
Inverewe Gardens
There were many pretty flowers here. drove on many roads before finding Oldshoremore Beach. It was very pretty and was one of my favorite beaches in Scotland. There were a few people walking and we stayed here a while. Later we found the car park for Sandwood Bay which according to books & websites is the most magnificent beach in the UK. The gate was across the road that led to a footpath 4 miles long. We had made it over half way, passing a few people on the path when the sun was beginning to set. The walk was mostly moorland with small lochs and we couldn't see the beach from the path. It started raining and one of the lochs was flooding so we headed back to the car. Our place for the night was Puffin B&B in Durness which is the most north west village on mainland Scotland. We could hear the wind howling outside.
Monday had us stopping in the town at a craft shop then the TIC. We walked around the area of Durness Bay & Beach and watched the waves crashing against the rocks. The Kyle of Durness was where we caught a small ferry across to then board
Inverewe Gardens
Which path to take? a mini bus for Cape Wrath Lighthouse. It was a very bumpy, narrow, curvy, 12 mile ride across moorland called the Parph. The bus went across a narrow, wooden bridge that frequently stalls here & passengers have to sometimes get out and help push the bus! We made it through without a stall. There are also restrictions on visits when used by the MOD for bombing and targeting range. We got to the lighthouse and the driver gave us 45 minutes to explore. It was built in 1828 with a range of 24 miles and sits on cliffs that are 121 metres high. It was wild, windy, raining and cold but I still loved it! The Clo Mor Sea Stacks are nearby and we saw common seals basking in the sand on our way back to the ferry.
By this time the weather had cleared up as we then stopped at Smoo Cave to explore it, only to find out the pathway was collapsed by a storm so we couldn't go inside. We drove by Loch Eriboll which is about one mile wide and picturesque. We stopped in Tongue and a ruined tower called Castle Varrich was visible from
Another sign
Watch yourself! This was near the 1st sign. the road across the way on a hill. We took pictures of Bettyhill and made a stop at a beach that I can't remember the name and also looked at Strathy Point Lighthouse because we weren't sure if tourists were allowed to walk to it.
The Royal Hotel in Thurso was where we would be staying for the next 2 nights. Makay's Bar and Newmarket were our going out stops. We saw more celebrity look-a-likes including a Prince William and Elijah Wood.
The next morning which was Tuesday, we went to Scrabster to purchase tickets for the ferry to Orkney. We made a beach stop at Dunnet Bay in Castletown and we saw Dunnet Head Lighthouse, built in 1832. It is on 300 foot cliffs and windows have been damaged from stones thrown up by the sea. This is the most northerly point on mainland Great Britian. We shopped around at John O Groats and I didn't like the fact of having to pay to use the bathroom. We left and saw Duscansby Lighthouse. All these lighthouses built by the Robert Stevenson looked the same; white with gold trim. They are pretty but you can definitely tell which
Gruinard Bay
Beach where I got seashells. ones he built. On our way to Wick we passed by Noss Head Lighthouse and the ruins of Sinclair Castle. Back in Thurso, we ate and hung out at Joe's Bar and watched a rugby game.
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