We left Dingwall after a nice breakfast at the Hotel. It was a touch warmer than the previous day. As often occurs, we started off with a couple of climbs!
Rising up to a ridge overlooking the Cromarty Firth with its distinctive bridge.
Navigation was reasonably straightforward. Agricultural farmland changed to heather, gorse and pine moorlands aside the Struie River.
The Struie viewpoint provided a spectacular vista of the river.
On to Bonar Bridge across the Kyle of Sutherland. The bridge was designed by Thomas Telford. A welcome café stop at the community hub.
Heading on following the trail of the Arctic salmon along the Kyle of Sutherland and up the valley of the River Shin to Lairg and then into a land of peat bogs, single track road for 20 miles before descending into Altnaharra.
We had been practicing saying the name of this place Altnaharra and eventually got it right, only to find the Hotel closed and deserted. So no lunch stop.
The final stage continued along the banks of Loch Naver with a remote and wild landscape. Sheep wandering across the road, we continued on and on wondering where we would eventually find our accommodation for today, the Wee House Glamping in Skail. A very cosy accommodation n which the 4 of us will navigate the night! There has already been much laughter and a full cooked Scottish breakfast for dinner.
Just 2 shorter days riding to reach our destination of John O’Groats!
Claire’s Video:
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