Sat 24 Aug - Castletown, Scotland

Northern and northeastern extremes of mainland Britain... And John O'Groats... But mostly a "down day".

The whole day was a quiet day for Di who was feeling a bit "under the weather" (which seemed ironic since we've had quite good weather in Scotland). Breakfast, another snooze, a long bath, more tea, panadol and more rest. No photos from Di's day.

It was drizzling at the start of the day so Hans kept Di company until about 11am when he headed off to explore the areas northeast of Castletown.

First off was Dunnet Head, Britain's northernmost point on the mainland, but the road there was also very scenic and beautiful. And barren...

Hans listened to what he thought was very suitable music and songs; the group Big Country and "In a big country", "Wonderland" and "The Teacher" and, of course, anything with Blackmore's Night seemed very appropriate while driving through his environment.

 

Hans reached the end of the (northern) line with Dunnet Head Lighthouse with the southern tip of the Orkney Islands in the background.
A storyboard told Hans about the Dunnet Head Lighthouse, which had an unexpected Robert Louis Stevenson link (famous author for the uninitiated). His grandfather built the lighthouse and he stayed there as a youngster and it is thought that the experience provided inspiration for some of his books.

The Dunnet Lighthouse from another angle. The lighthouse is now automatic and requires only once a year maintenance onsite. The other buildings have all been sold to private investors, who presumably live in them, at least sometimes.

This signboard provided a broader overview of this part of the world.

You could walk up a hill to get a wider outlook of the area, which of course Hans did. There were also several concrete WWII relics on the site.

Dunnet Head is also a birdwatchers paradise. Around this spot, there were several of them with large binoculars.

The birds in the sky around the outlook looked all like seagulls to Hans, but there seemed to be a number of similar looking birds according to this overview.

On the way out from Dunnet Head, Hans had to stop for a few more photos.

They are fantastic looking, these rocky outcrops in the water.

Looking east towards John O'Groats and Duncansby Head.

John O'Groats was Hans next stop.

The famous(?) sign is apparently privately owned and they want £ for photographs. The "Your Town ?" piece can be with pretty much anything as long as you are prepared to pay them for it. Hmm...

You get the whole spiel through various signs which all seemed to somehow justify charging the punters for photographs. Starting price was £9.95 for a paper framed print. Don't think so.

Well, Hans saw no business by anybody and instead the punters did what he was doing, staying outside the barrier and taking a zoomed in photo. One bloke was holding up his pushbike as his mate took a photo of him with the sign in the background.

A couple of photos of John O'Groats from the ferry pier.

Not sure what these colorful buildings were, but at least they were a break from the various shades of grey.

East towards Duncansby Head.

Time for a stand up traditional Scottish lunch... Chips with gravy and black coffee.

This building was targeting end to enders, I.e. people who had or will have walked, cycled, whatever between Land's End and John O'Groats, the supposedly two extreme points of mainland Britain.

Hans then popped in John O'Groats Ferry Office to pick up our ferry and bus tickets for tomorrow. We have planned a full day to, at and from Orkney Islands.

As John O'Groats is actually not the northeastern extreme point of mainland Britain, despite all the spiel. Duncansby Head, 2 further miles away, is and Hans just had to drive there too and check it out.

You literally drive through sheep paddocks to get to Duncansby Head, i.e there are no fences.

Hans arrived and... well, this was probably inevitable...

The Duncansby Head Lighthouse up on a cliff.

The lighthouse didn't look much for the world, but the immediate area around it did.

 

On the other side... Our car is at the far right.

A sort of Titanic configuration...

Looking west back towards John O'Groats and beyond.

Hans then decided to drive home and he took the opportunity to time the trip from John O'Groats to Castletown (20 minutes).

Di was watching cooking programs on TV and had her lunch (cold meatballs from the shop next door) as Hans arrived back at Castletown Hotel just before 2pm. We were "lazy" for the rest of the afternoon and decided on take away Chinese food yet again for dinner. Our meals yesterday were very good indeed.

On the way to get our food, we stumbled on to this character again. We saw him yesterday and yes, it is a him.

The Chinese take away is in a really well decorated building... Not. At least it is not grey like all the rest.

The inside is not any better. Not even a Chinese calendar in red, or a nodding cat. But great food :-)

Next door is an equally unglamourous pizza / kebab / fish and chips shop. They had this sign stuck to their window. Maybe a potato levy would be appropriate? Heck, if the airlines can do it...

This part of Castletown did not look very affluent or glamorous. Grey, grey and more grey. A couple of location shots...

 

On the way back to Castletown Hotel with our dinners, we again stopped by the shop across the road for a few beers for Hans and a gin and tonic for Di. Chilling with Chinese food and drinks in front of the TV. Relaxed evening. After all, it is Saturday night, NOT the traveller's preferred night out. Good night.

 

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