A road trip around the North Coast – from John o’ Groats to Inverness (part 1)

After missing out on the Northern lights due to a cloudy sky all night long, we left John o’Groats early in the morning in search of Duncansby Head. But first, we drove into the town centre to see the landmark of the most northern point stood. Because if you walk from Land’s End (which is all the way in the Southwest) up north than this is where you end up. In John o’Groats.

landmark @John o’Groats

Then we were off to Duncansby Head which is the most northeasterly point of the British mainland. Here you find the usual lighthouse and sea stacks. If you are wondering what the stacks, wonder no more. These are rocks in the sea which look awesome.

the lighthouse at Duncansby Head @Scotland

the sea stacks @Duncansby Head

the stacks from a little closer up @Duncansby Head

The wind was already blowing pretty strong here, but got worse once we arrived at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe. By the time we got out of the car it had started to rain as well and with the wind it came basically down sideways. So the 15 minutes walk from the car park to the castle ruin on the coast, was more than miserable. However just a couple of minutes later the sun came out and made it all worthwhile.

heavy rain @Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

another rainbow @Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

the bridge from Castle Sinclair Girnigoe @Scotland

The Hill o’Many Stanes was our next stop. Just a couple miles further from the castle was this site with about 200 stones. Apparently they were for religious ceremonies. But who knows? They have been there since 4000 years. They could have been used for anything.

200 stanes in 22 rows @Hill o’Many Stanes

At least at the Grey Cairns of Camster you know what they were for. Neolithic people built these two tombs 5000 years ago (with a little reconstruction in modern times), and scientist learned from them about funerary practices. Unfortunately you can’t go in and when you look inside, it’s just dark. So I didn’t learn anything from these, but they were still impressive.

the long cairn @The Grey Cairns of Camster

It was almost time for lunch but this area is pretty empty. Which is good otherwise such neolithic gems wouldn’t have survived. In any case we had something more on the agenda for this morning, the Standing Stones of Avanich. I hope you are not tired of the stones.

These standing stones were more to my liking. Unfortunately not as tall as the standing stones in Outlander, but good enough to get an impression. They were in a horseshoe-shaped structure, like a U with an open side. compared to the cairns the stones are relatively young, only 4000 years old. Yours, Pollybert

the Standing Stones of Avanich @Scotland

Let me know what you think
