Scotland 2024

Inverness to Borgie – 16 May 2024 (288kms)

Start with a vegan or vegetarian bfast of haggis, black pudding & sausages??

Out of Inverness (not a particularly attractive city), across the harbour and we are on a coastal road. Water to our right.

40 miles up the road is our first scheduled stop at Dornoch, a lovely stone built market town. A quick wander around town & off again.

Next stop is Dunrobin Castle. This is a truly amazing building. We decide to take a look around & inside the castle. It was last occupied by the 5th Duke of Sutherland in the 1860’s. The family still own an apartment in the castle. The gardens outside are fantastic.

As we left Dunrobin, the sky starts to clear & a big blue is above us. The landscape is flat, lush green pastures sparsely populated with sheep, run down to the water. The wind is strong, hence the preponderance of wind farms.

The ride continues north to John O’Groats. Its a barren landscape but there are communities here. Not sure what they all do.

We are sooo lucky with the weather. Its a clear sky! We have lunch & take the obligatory photos. Singo finds his Jimmy cap!

Oh no, Pete’s started telling Dad jokes again.

After lunch, we are Borgie Bound, about 1.5 hrs to go. A short stop at Castle Mey & gardens & then a final run in along curving flat roads. The Borgie Lodge is well located in a quiet valley.

We carry on past a nuclear plant, Dounreay on the coast.

Dounreay (/ˌduːnˈreɪ/;[2] Scottish Gaelic: Dùnrath) is a small settlement and the site of two large nuclear establishments on the north coast of Caithness in the Highland area of Scotland. It is on the A836 road nine miles (fourteen kilometres) west of Thurso.

How good was today! About 12 goods.

The Borgie Lodge is well located in a quiet valley. Drinks in the walled garden followed by dinner in the Hotel restaurant. A feast of venison followed by drinks & music in the Foxes Den. One of the Foxes found the whole thing exhausting!