Day 16, 10/10/26, Thurso to Scourie Lodge and Gardens.
Waking in Thurso we found the rain had gone and we had a brilliant sunny day, at least for a little while, we're learning it can change so quickly, and indeed by the time we packed the car, rain was again drizzling down. So we persevered with our plans, otherwise we wouldn't see half of what we wanted too.
First stop was St Mary's chapel, an old ruins on a windswept (what's new), outcrop. Why they built in such exposed places I have no idea why for apart from being able to see for miles around, I'm sure it made life unpleasant for a lot of the time. Going to the chapel you never could of arrived looking neat!
I enjoy the drive as much as the destination, so with Tony doing the driving I could enjoy the scenery. Between Naarah and I we found lots of extra spots to stop to get photos. The Kyle of causeway and bridge was one of these places.
Finding the carpark for Smoo Caves, we also found the pay machine was on the blink, so free this time. Wrapped up in our raincoats off we went, with every other wet tourist, down all the stairs to the cave. Due to all the rain the falls were really roaring, it's an underground access point, where you see them come though from above. If we weren't already damp, would of been then. At risk of getting phones very wet, we took photos and videos, note to self, bring waterproof cover for phone, if I travel here again, that you can take photos through. Now because it's really getting into off peak season, cafes were shut etc., so the cafe at Smoo caves carpark had an undercover area that was going to waste, so we put it to good use, easier then our "car boot picnics" we've been having.
Finding some places is a bit hard, Eas na Glutachan waterfall was one of those. Found a place to park, then following the sound of water, and having seen the waterway, decided waterfall must be somewhere. Other muddy tracks through the heather showed us the route ~ sort of! Wandered down the hill towards the deep rocky valley until the water fall came into sight. Definitely pretty, and no-one else around either.
On to Scourie Lodge, still raining! Waited to check in at 4 pm, we were early for once. Very nice family run business. Enjoyed the lounge where Naarah and I got in a game of scrabble. Off to our dinner, then ready for bed. Didn't even think of the northern lights, as we went to sleep with the sound of rain, however to our disappointment, 30 minutes after we went to bed, the rain cleared, the northern lights showed, and everyone else was chuffed about it over breakfast!! very glum I was.
Back of Scourie Lodge, bed and breakfast.
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