Boo! Heading back south now and a short trip from Loch Ness down past Fort Augustus to Glen Nevis (the other side of Ben Nevis). It’s turning very autumnal now and the chill is definitely in the air

Still, managed to stop at Oich bridge, rebuilt in 1849 after the first one got washed away. Plus we also stopped at the macabre Well of the Seven Heads. An interesting little revenge story worth a google.

On then to Glen Nevis and one of the largest campsites we have been to (yuk). It’s full of families, kids dogs etc. The views of Ben Nevis are worth a brief overnight but we prefer the smaller family owned sites and you can definitely tell that people here don’t care about the facilities. We were given a pitch with a view of the chemical toilet initially but one call sorted that and at least we are now in a quiet corner.

It’s a really busy site. Looks like everyone came on holiday!!

Welcome to Fort Augustus on the route back to Fort William. Here is home to the CFC (Caledonian “Flooded” Canal).

We woz HERE

Last night we camped HERE

A beautiful site bang smack on the edge of Nessie’s home.

Ignoring Mr Foggs previous blog. Today we had a trip of 103 miles down the coast to Evanton which is just outside Inverness. Although there are a load of campsites this way many of them are closed due to COVID or fully booked. We found a little recommended site next to Black Rock Gorge which is very peaceful and sheltered.

On the way today we visited Latheronwheel Harbour. A tiny fishing village created as part of the clearances where the natural harbour was extended and built in 1840 first to support Salmon fishing then the boom of Mackeral fishing. Today it is a quiet little place with no boats and a steady stream of tourists making their way down a tiny lane.

The villagers are clearly proud of their harbour. It has a picnic area and flowers and a decent size car park. Most of all it has otters and seals. We didn’t spot any otters but watched grey seals in the harbour mouth

The bridge was built around the 1700s initially and was the pony route for post services.

A beautiful place

So when we started this trip we visited a campsite near Eilean Donan Castle and on that site we met a young couple who had hired a camper and had no idea how to hook up electric, that you had to empty the “crapper” cassette or that if you have a shower the onboard water tank runs dry if you don’t fill it. Whilst showing them everything about their camper the girlfriend came running out screaming she had spilt oil all over the carpet and as boyfriend was filling the water tank she was emptying it as fast to try and contain the Exxon Valdez style of spillage (bear with there is a point here).

Later that very evening we and the entire campsite outside were treated to a rather loud and lengthy conversation from inside their camper van where the boyfriend obviously kept asking her a question because she kept shouting “YESS” over and over (ask her a different question for god sake) and he obviously wanted to go for a long walk and was getting impatient cos he must have been asking if she was ready as she kept shouting “I’m coming!”

So move forward to this evening as Mrs Fogg opened the cupboard above the hob and the garlic oil dropped out spilling all over the floor and carpet. Mrs Fogg spent ages cleaning it up, so based on that logic it looks like I might be going for a long walk later tonight and will have to keep asking her lots of questions!!!!

Downhill from HERE

And Duncansby Head, the most northerly point in mainland UK is HERE

1. Get BBQ out and find least windy location and spot the “between downpour moment”

2. Find big brolly

3. Hope for best

4. Watch from inside

The weather is poor today. Windy and heavy rain showers means it’s not a great day for sightseeing. The drive over the bog (yes endless boggy barren landscape) to Thurso was pleasant but due to such low cloud there’s not been much of a view. Contrast that with the setting sun last night.

Onwards then and past some bleak cliffs, an old church which houses a Pictish stone and a quick stop for refreshments

To Dunnet Bay. Our original planned stop was due to be a remote farm campsite. On the top of a cliff. We did turn up, it looked very barren and literally a farmers field so we scarpered and went back 2 miles to a Caravan and Camping Club site. It’s right on the edge of Dunnet Bay, a very long beach about 2 miles in length and has a number of Viking settlements found over the years.

So, a quiet night in tonight to stay warm and cosy. Then tomorrow it’s on to John O’Groats

Lovely night in Tongue, now onto Dunnet Head and John O’Groats tomorrow