North Coast 500 - Day 2: Wick to Durness

Left Wick this morning and headed north towards John O'Groats, but first took a slight detour to the Duncansby Head Lighthouse and had a bracing walk along the coastal path to the Stacks Of Duncansby (Main Photo + first Extra). They are just stunning, and words and pictures can't really do them justice. They are simply one of the best things we have ever seen. A fabulous walk on a lovely morning (if a little breezy on the cliff edges, where the spray from the sea hitting the rocks travelled up the cliff to hit you in the face!)
Next on to John O'Groats and a photo opportunity with the famous sign. I've visited here once before, a few years ago, and pleased to say there seems to have been some significant investment here, as it was much better than how I remembered it.
And then heading west along the 'top' of the country.
Like yesterday, another 'fail' in attempting to visit the Castle of Mey, formerly the Queen Mother's retreat/residence; like Dunrobin Castle yesterday it's closed for the season, and this time we couldn't even access the grounds, so had to admire what we could see from the roadside. The perils of an October holiday!
After that, a brief stop at Dunnet Head, which is the most northerly point of mainland Britain (It's not John O'Groats, as is commonly mistaken).
Then through Thurso and past the Dounreay nuclear facility (we didn't stop - I prefer my winter glow to come from Ready Brek!).
Stopped for a walk along the beautiful beach at Farr Bay near Bettyhill, then another brief stop at Tongue to admire the views of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope. Extra photo shows the view nearby, looking down the Kyle of Tongue, with the sunlight coming through clouds.
Onwards around Loch Eriboll (blue sky Extra); we're staying here overnight, just on the other side of the island in the middle of the photo.
Final extra is the beach at Durness as the sun was starting to go down.

A fabulous day, worth the whole trip alone. And still the awesome west coast to come.....

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