Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
The wind strengthened overnight, waking me up about 4ish. However, I was soon back to sleep and finally awoke about 7, by which time it was calming down.
Breakfast was the best yet, and was also the only one so far that included haggis. Leaving the hotel, I was relieved to see that the Minx was still intact!
My first destination was just 5 miles up the road - The Castle of Mey. This was the private residence of the Queen Mother, which she rescued from possible demolition in 1953, soon after the death of her husband King George VI. As it was a private residence rather than a state palace, it was decorated in a more homely manor, but still very impressive. A very interesting 1 hour tour was included in the price.
When I left, it was dry so I decided to get the roof off while I could, and started heading south down the east coast. After passing through Wick, the rain arrived so the roof was back up.
When I arrived at the highly impressive Dunrobin Castle, on the outskirts of Golspie, it was still raining. It being lunch time, in the castle tearoom I enjoyed a little snack consisting of a fruit scone and cream, hot chocolate and a millionaire shortbread sandwich!
Then I went out into the garden, which is very well maintained, for the falconry display, which takes place twice a day. During this extremely interesting, informative and entertaining 45 mins, we saw an Icelandic Gyr Falcon, Bengal Eagle Owl (pictured) and a Peregrine Falcon. Even better, during the display it stopped raining.
After, I went around the castle itself, which was the home of the Duke of Sutherland, and is very impressive.
A further mile up the road in Golspie itself, I stopped at the Orcadian stone Company, which has an interesting exhibition of rocks, fossils and gems.
Still in Golspie, I checked in to the B&B. In the evening I took the 10 minute stroll to The Trawler Fish and Chip restaurant, where I had a lovely meal of Haggis, Chips, Beans, Gravy and Diet Coke.
Today we drove just 83 miles.
- comments