LEJOG day 17 (Peter)

“Flaming June”, Highlands style (a wee bit cooler than the SE); the roadside bursting with bright yellow gorse; kaleidoscopic views of hills, firths and sea, as in picture books. We were gobsmacked, even our Scottish team member.

We crossed three major firths today; Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch, the first of these across the breezy bridge from Inverness; lovely, but probably not a crossing to relish in a high wind. Then through the rolling coutryside of the Black Isle (escaping the A9), to Cromarty, memorable from the shipping forecasts and as a major harbour during two world wars.

Across the Firth of Cromarty on a wee ferry (two cars max, plus assorted passengers) to the landing point which is called simply “Nigg Ferry”. After an alfresco lunch in Tain, we reached Golspie in time for a 6pm tee off at this demanding, but entertaining seaside links course; the golf not quite matching the surroundings.

A 9pm dash to the Sutherland inn for supper before the kitchen closed. And so to bed!