LEJOG Blog

This morning dawned bright and clear. We had another very good breakfast overlooking the Moray Firth in which, according to our landlady, we could see the world's tallest wind turbine. It isn't working yet and there is a similar one being built nearby.

We set off around 9:30 and made for Lybster where we bought provisions. A mile or so later, we took a left turn and went due north through some very remote and wild countryside. We climbed gently but for quite some miles and when we reached the top of this lens shaped hill, the views were spectacular. There probably wasn't another human within five miles of us and once we stopped the bikes, the only sounds were of wind and birdsong. This was one of the finest parts of the entire ride.

We descended to Watten, which to judge from the people we met has more than its fair share of attractive young women with children. We crossed the railway at the level crossing and a few minutes later, a train came, one of very few all day. Loch Watten, although small when compared to some we have seen, is a large lake about three miles long.

After lunch, we climbed again, although this time through less remote countryside and after one final rise, we could see Stroma Island and Orkney beyond. This was the home straight. The last two or three of a 1000-mile journey which ended up in a not-very-inspiring pub where no beer worthy of the name was served. However, Christopher and I celebrated with a wee dram of Glenmorangie since we cycled past the distillery gates yesterday and Janet had orange and lemonade.

Because we had decided to see Dunnet Head tonight rather than leave it until the morning, we made the mistake of not going to Duncansby Head. This became apparent when we arrived at Creag Na Mara to find that the latest we would be served dinner would be 7:30 so we wouldn't have time to get to Dunnet Head and back either. We have now opted for a 7:30 breakfast to leave at 8:30 via Dunnet Head and to get to Thurso in plenty of time for the 13:06 train.

We had a very good meal at Creag Na Mara where we are the only guests for tonight. We have been overlooking Dunnet Head where we were treated to a very fine sunset.