First there is a stop in Castletown. Then we reach one of the most beautiful beaches of Scotland: Dunnet Bay.

Always in sight: Dunnet Head

 

At Castletown we visit Castletown Hill.

In the Heritage Center time has stopped...


...and we proceed without ringing up anyone.

Passing a glorious landscape of dunes.

Soon we reach Dunnet.

If kids are with you, you certainly should make a longer break here.

It's quite warm again and the seawater is wonderful.

Our B&B gave us "at the phone booth" as direction.

 

 

What a bed - but no really quiet night for 2 tall sleepers...

Finally we pass Brough and then we are there:

Dunnet Head, the most northern tip of the Scottish mainland.

 

Charles-Henry, the most northern bull of Scotland.

 

 

Passing Black Loch, many other lochs and Long Loch, we head for the northern coast.

 

 

Colonies of birds, just like on Faraid-Head and Handa Island.

 

 

In the distance the Isle of Hoy of the Orkneys can be made out.

 

 

So this is the end of the road and the mainland.

 

 

For a long time we enjoy the view before returning.


Close to Brough we finish the day, looking at the Atlantic sundown.

John o' Groats and Faraid Head are arguing who actually is most northern. Faraid Head is indeed 2 km farther north but John o' Groats is a town after all. By the way, the name originates from a Dutch trader who some centuries ago received the ferry right to the Orkney Islands.

The weather is rather warm and sunny as so often in Scotland. It's very busy today because just now some biker meeting takes place.

Today we however will go to see Duncansby Head, the north eastern tip of Scotland, and there the road ends. Also there we find the unavoidable lighthouse which is standing here since about 100 years. More interesting however are the rugged cliffs, rock formations like the Duncansby Stacks, towering from the water like giant rock needles. And most important of course, if anywhere there are puffins, it is here. 

A plateau with lots of cotton grass and sheep. Just the thing if you are looking for nature and loneliness. We get close to an abyss. Thousands of birds are nesting here, first of all shrieking seagulls but Martina hears something else. Indeed, some puffins found their way here! The holidays are made!

Up to now the little darlings were nowhere to be found and Martina was quite in a worry. 

Probably the rest of the clan still is over the ocean... 

...because for the next days a windstorm is expected here.

About a mile off we discover a gorgeous corner. Rocks penetrate the sea like giant needles. 

We hardly can look our fill.

With appropriate shoes one certainly could descend here.

The lighthouse of Duncansby Head is a bit of a disappointment. Compared to the one at Cape Wrath it looks rather unremarkable and moreover we cannot get closer than 50 m to the building.

So we can do nothing but retreat and look forward to some ice cream in a shop at  John o'Groats

 
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