Helmsdale to Thurso

 Helmsdale to Thurso via John O Groats - 4th July

After a night at the hostel in Helmsdale we headed up the east coast visiting "points of interest" along the way Maree finally started playing the game and found the Ousdale Broch  info here a historic site more info below. The interpretation also talked about the landowner Highland Clearances of tenant farmers that started in the early 1800 and is still a sore point now. 

Along the coast we could see the wind farms in the sea they looked amazing and Scotland seems to have embraced wind and solar. One of the chaps we talked to also mentioned wave /tide power generation but we didn't see any of those and haven't had time to learn about them where they are etc.

Further up the coast our lunch spot was the Whaligoe Steps another "point of interest" also found by Maree, Matt still not participating. An amazing little historic port one thing that struck me with the area was the water clarity it would have been great snorkeling or diving all be it a bit cold.

We then drove up the coast to John O Groats where we had the 2.30pm boat trip out to Stroma Island. The Island had many unoccupied houses and a very interesting landscape. More info There were many seabirds along the coast and seals on the rocks. The tide was very strong around the island with the boat hardly making progress at some point of the journey. We got back to John O Groats about 4pm and we made our way to Thurso where we stayed at the Station Hotel. Matt stayed down the road at the backpackers.

The small port of Helmsdale

Our trip from Helmsdale to Thurso with a stop at John o Groats for the boat trip.

Painted houses at the port.

Ousdale Broch was a iron age drystone tower a " point of interest" along the way info here 

Matt and Maree reading the info

Wind farms off the north east Scotland.

Rain storm in the wind farms.

Another photo with the stilts visible.

Whaligoe Steps another "point of interest" reasonably cool place to stop and have lunch.

Whaligoe Haven is one of the most remarkable harbours to be found in Scotland – surrounded on three sides by 250 feet cliffs, and is reached by the Whaligoe Steps which zig-zag down the cliffside. The natural harbour at the foot of the steps has been a long standing landing point for herring, salmon, whitefish and shellfish.

Maree at the steps.

Boarding for the boat trip at John o Groats around Stroma Island

Stroma Island and Nethertown. More photo below and a link to - More info Some cool landscapes and structures. No permanent residents live on the island.

Puffins on the water.

Managed to get one in flight.

Lighthouse on Stroma Island

Some of the seals around the island.

This cave is where the islanders used to brew their illegal whiskey.

A lot of birdlife along the coast and around the island.

More sea birds living in high rise apartments. Not too great on the bottom floor.

The Pentland Skerries Lighthouse.

Heading back to John o Groats.