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Today was the best weather yet, though still a few showers - but I managed to miss most of them.
After another comfortable night and lovely breakfast, this time courtesy of The Birches in Dingwall, I headed 5 miles up the road to Strathpeffer to view The Eagle Stone, a 7th century Pictish stone featuring a carving of a horseshoe and eagle - hence the name.
A little further on I visited the spectacular Rogie Falls. There are a choice of two way marked walks to the falls, so I chose the longer blue walk. I think this was well worth it as the surrounding area is lovely and with some lovely views too. Sadly, I saw no leaping salmon at the falls or even on the salmon ladder alongside them.
It approaching lunchtime, I made my way back to Strathpeffer to the Victorian Station. The railway is long gone but the beautiful station building had been converted to a number of craft shops and, most importantly, a tearoom. Here I tucked into a delicious Black Pudding and Bacon Roll, accompanied by chocolate milkshake.
Now fully sated, it was time to fill the Minx, so stopped at the Tesco back in Dingwall.
After a short drive we stopped in Evanton where I enjoyed a lovely circular walk to Black Rock Gorge. This is a deep (120ft / 36 metres) and narrow (17ft / 5 metres) mile long cleft in red sandstone carved by the Alln Grass (River Glass) at the ice age. There are two bridges film which to view the spectacular gorge, which produces quite a roar. The gorge was also the setting for one scene in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.
On the B9176, we stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the Dornoch Firth - beautiful.
My next port of call was The Falls of Shin - falls off great power where salmon can be seen. Not only did I see them, I managed to get a couple of photos! The visitor centre burnt down a few years ago, but has now been rebuilt by the community.
It was then time to head to the north coast, so I took the A838 that runs alongside Loch Shin. Before reaching the West coast we stopped for a photo shoot by Loch Stack then between the West and north costs another photo stop.
Arriving in Durness, I checked into Churchend B&B where I had a friendly chat with Sarah and Neil. Then I walked to Sango Sands Oasis where I enjoyed a lovely Crofter's Grill, consisting of sirloin steak, sausage, lamb chop, gammon steak and black pudding, followed by a waffle with caramel ice cream. Then I went down to the stunning Sango Sands beach.
Today the Minx and I drove 115 miles.
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