Facts of the Day:
Date: 24/July/2002
From: Inchnadamph
Via: Smoo Cave, Strathy Point
To: Thurso
Miles: 131
Midges: none I can remember (probably too windy for them)
Weather: Low clouds, some sunshine later
Mood: Good

Back on the mainland it was time to make my way to Thurso, meaning I had to cover the far north western part of Scotland. When I left it was very cloudy and it rained occasionally, so I couldn't enjoy the beautiful landscape as much as I was hoping. I was still able to enjoy some nice views though. Soon I arrived in Durness, where the road turns east. A short distance from Durness is Smoo Cave. Smoo Cave has one of the largest entrances to a cave in Britain, at least 30 metres wide. Inside the cave a walkway leads into a second chamber with a waterfall coming through a hole in the ceiling. There is also a third chamber which can only be reached by a rubber dinghy through a guided tour, but I didn't take the tour. From here it is not far to Loch Eriboll, probably the most beautiful of the sea lochs on the north coast. Very difficult to capture on a picture, I tried it with this view from the south. Luckily finally the sun also put in an appearance to show some blue sky and dramatic clouds. Along cliffs, over A'Mhoine Mhor and past the Kyle of Tongue my journey continued. Strathy Point was my last stop for the day, taking a look at the northern coastline and the cliffs at Strathy Point. A few impressions below:

Late in the afternoon I arrived in Thurso, where after a short search I managed to find a B&B in Princes Street. Dinner was at the lounge bar of the Central Hotel, nothing special, just something to fill the empty stomach after a long day. And finally back to the B&B, prepare the travelogue and go to bed to be ready for the ferry crossing to Orkney the next day.