Heading West

Wednesday 3rd October – distance travelled 80 miles

Another poor nights sleep and feeling worse not better 🙁  Took some paracetamol with breakfast and a shower helped a bit.  The weather still looked iffy but with Gavin offering to drive, and in need of cold/flu supplies we headed west, after a couple of false starts, one because I  forgot the camera!

Deciding to miss the furthest two beaches, being a much longer drive and less fun in the rain we set the TomTom to Durness.

Loch Eriboll

The route took us across the Kyle of Tongue and around Loch Eribol which took a long time but was beautiful despite the weather.  The roads are all narrow, often single track, twisty and hilly.  We had to stop just before Laid for a herd of cows in the road being chased by two farmers, very amusing 🙂

Farmers rounding up the cows
Cow

It was lunch time when we got to Durness, so we went to Smoo Cave Cafe for some hot food, Gavin had steak pie and me the lasagne both with chips, Gavin also managed to squeeze in a chocolate pudding.

With the bad weather, me feeling like death warmed up and developing a cough, we gave Smoo caves a miss and went in search of the Spar shop.  We found it ok and stocked up on tissues, cough medicine, bread and drinks before starting the drive back.

We came across Sango Sands just outside Durness, which was spectacular.  I put all my layers on and walked down to get photo’s of some of the biggest waves i’ve seen hitting the rocks.

Sango Sands

Going back around Loch Eribol had several more photo stops and quite a giggle at the various signs as we went through Tongue.  Checked out the BettyHill store where Gavin purchased some rum balls..

Loch Eriboll
Sheep living on Loch Eriboll
Tongue

Tea was sandwiches with our fresh bread followed by a very early night.

Home Sweet Home

Saturday 29th September – distance travelled 167 miles

Woke up this morning to heavy rain, another lovely breakfast at the lodge before checking out and squeezing everything into the car.

The plan was to make out first stop at the Nevis Range and take a gondola to the top, it was so misty it didn’t look a good option, we went anyway and found the gondolas were not running due to the high winds.

Ben Nevis Range

So we headed off to our second stop, the commando memorial at Spean Bridge, the grey day and drizzle seemed to give it added meaning, this was a quick 10 minute stop due to the conditions.

Commando Memorial

Next on the agenda was Fort Augustus for some lunch, it was sunny but cold when we arrived, but by the time we had parked and got to the canal and locks the rain had started again.  We both had warming Tomato, Vegetable and Lentil soup and as we headed back out into the now heavier rain we got to see the final lock gate and road open onto Loch Ness.

Fort Augustus – Caledonian Canal
Me in Fort Augustus
Gavin in Fort Augustus
Lunch – Tomato, Veg & Lentil soup

Our next stop was a short distance away at Invermoriston Falls, the rain had eased off and we had a walk through the forest to see the falls and summer house.  Unsurprisingly the rain started again as we got back to the car.

Invermoriston Falls
Gavin at Invermoriston Falls

A couple of stops to view Loch Lochy and Loch Ness later and we came to Dingwall where we stocked up at Tesco for the week.  It was 5.30 by now so a visit to the cafe for tea was a must.

Loch Lochy
Loch Ness

Gavin took over the driving from Dingwall, Tom Tom said 83 miles, 2 1/2 hours to go!  It actually took longer as 50 of those miles were on a single track road, tricky in the fading light and we had to make stops firstly for Stags in the road and then again for cows in the road!

Stag crossing!

We arrived at Rhianchatel House, our home for the next week, at 9pm, quickly unloaded the car and got our bearings before some crumpets and bed.