Castles, historic towns, waterfalls, lighthouses and the Highlands. Northern Scotland has so much to offer.
Days 15-16 were two epic days I spent driving around northern Scotland. I covered a lot of miles. I saw a lot, beautiful landscapes, amazing seascapes, castles, a waterfall, and cute little towns along the way. Honestly, it was my favorite two days of the entire 30-day trip around the island.
Google The route I took on Days 15-16 of my Around Great Britain in 30 Days adventure.
*Warning, this post as way too many pictures of pretty. It may overload your senses. *
Stop 1: Tain
First stop out of Inverness was the little adorable town of Tain, founded all the way back in 1066 (the same year as the Norman invasion and the Battle of Hastings in England). Tain was a sanctuary city where people could claim the protection of the church and immunity from taxes, which caused the population to grow for obvious reasons.
Just a cute little Scottish town, where I found parking in a random side alley.
The Hotel Royal, the fanciest place to stay in Tain, way out of my budget.
Cute little chapel, which I now believe is part of a museum, Tain Through Time.
Now to the beautiful coast of the Dornoch Firth, complete with a rainbow.
Stop 2: Dornoch
Dornoch is further north along the coast. At the center of town is the 13th century Dornoch Cathedral and the town castle, which is now a hotel. Dornoch is famous for being the last place a witch was burnt in Scotland. Janet Horne was condemned to death in 1727. Nice thing to be famous for.
This is Dornoch’s castle, now a hotel.
The lovely Dornoch Cathedral. Madonna had her son Rocco baptized here for some reason.
Very Scottish plain. When the church was built, the walls, most likely, were plastered over along with the ceiling, with more decoration.
Stop 3: Dunrobin Castle
The road to Dunrobin Castle from Dornoch was simply beautiful. It even followed the coast for a while.
Dunrobin Castle is the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland, located along the coast in a very pretty area. While the castle was founded back in the Middle Ages, the current castle is mostly a modern building, built between 1835 and 1850, straight out of a fairytale.
The sun and dust on my lens led to this very horrible photo.
While photos aren’t allowed inside (the castle is still lived in), the gardens were free game. They were splendid. I wish I had more time to enjoy them, but I had other things to see that day.
Like I said, straight out of a fairy tale.
I covered a lot of miles in these two days, so I have a ton of photos just from the road. Here are some I took along the way on to my next stop.
Even the coastal Highlands are amazing.
Near Lybster, I found some Shetland Ponies. I just had to stop. The lady across the street was laughing with me, or at me.
Lybster, Scotland, is twinned with Fort Mackinaw, Michigan. Why? You ask. Well, the famous son of Lybster, Patrick Sinclair fought on the British side of the American Revolution and was the Lieutenant-Governor of Michilimackinac and constructed a new fort, Fort Mackinaw on Mackinaw Island.
An old farm, complete with giant old stone buildings and a newer cottage.
Stop 4: John o’Groats
John o’Groats lies on Great Britain’s more northeastern tip. Its counterpart is Land’s End in Cornwall, 874 miles away in a straight line. The town itself is a seedy little tourist trap, just like Land’s End (which is kind of run by the same people). I skipped it and went to the lighthouse, which is actually the most northeastern point.
The lighthouse at Duncansby Head, the most northeastern point on Great Britain.
Stop 5: Dunnet’s Head
For the most northern spot on the island of Great Britain, you must head further down the road to Dunnet Head.
There is also a lighthouse at Dunnet Head. Behind that random rain cloud dumping rain are the Orkneys.
The coastline here is just gorgeous. I love these cliffs. It was actually raining not far away.
And again, we have random on the road pictures I took on the way to Tongue, where I was staying the night.
A lovely cove.
It had started to get a bit rainy, but the views were still amazing.
The lovely village of Invernaver.
Such a beautiful countryside.
Stop 6: Northern Highlands
Day 16 now. From Tongue, the road heads further inland.
Clouds in the distance, beautiful grass in the foreground. I love this.
A little lake near the coast.
And for my favorite photo. Just driving down the road with a lovely vista and sheep. Many of the roads in Northern Scotland go through sheep pastures which always makes it interesting.
That is got to be one of the best spots for a house ever.
Around every bend, you find something amazing.
Another one of my favorite photos. I love the light here.
Loch Gleann Dubh.
Loch a’Chairn Bhain.
A nice little coastline.
You can even see a waterfall in the distance.
The ruins of Ardvreck Castle. It is actually possible to go out there to see the ruins, depending on the water levels.
The coastline is just lovely. Everything is just lovely here.
Corrieshalloch Gorge. The sky cleared up right when I got here, which was unfortunate because I had to shoot into the sun. It was a nice waterfall that I have no good pictures of.
The clouds and rain returned when I reached my final destination of the day. I think this is Loch Carron, not completely sure.
Stop 7: Eilean Donan Castle
Near the bridge to the Isle of Skye is the famous Eilean Donan Castle. The castle was founded in the 13th century. However, the castle was damaged after the Jacobite rebellions in 1719. The current castle is an early 20th century reconstruction, and it is super cool inside. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed. Poo…
You know you have seen this castle somewhere.
The castle sure has quite a view.
It was a long, eventful two days of driving in Northern Scotland. The landscape was just breathtaking. There is much more to explore than what I have just shown you. So much more to be seen. I guess it just gives me another excuse to go back. Not that I needed one.
Check out Day 17, where I explore the beautiful Isle of Skye.
or
Start at the beginning of my 30 days around Great Britain!
