I found a very nice man in Inverness at Ness Tyres and Brakes. He said he’d squeeze the car in and fix the brake pads by 4pm. He achieved it by 12:30 and off we set for Lybster. We called in at Dunrobin Castle. I expected it to be owned by a reformed burglar but one of its original owners was a land grabber the 1st Earl of Spencer, responsible for many of the Highland clearances.
Lybster was only a base so, this morning we headed off to Sinclair Castle at Noss Head and then across to the bay. The castle was once a great place and having fallen into disrepair has been taken on by Scottish Heritage to be updated. I doubt it will get double glazing but it’ll keep some stonemasons in work for some time.
Across from the castle on the other side of the bay is a wonderful sandy beach and after a little walk I was told we may as well do John O’Groats. Why not, I thought.
If you’re not already aware, John O’Groats is as far north as you can travel on British mainland. So people go there 🤔 Dunno? It’s no good asking me. They queue to have a photo underneath the sign that points to Lands End (the southernness part of Britain) and other places. The Princess explained why it’s important to them, but as I don’t listen I’m unable to enlighten you. They do sell rather nice Cheeseburgers though😂.
So there you have it. A bit of Scotland in your box. Tomorrow we venture onwards to Tongue and hopefully a run. Take care my lovelies 😘
Charliecountryboy's Blog 
Is there really a place called Tongue or are you shitting me?
Good on that guy for fixing up your car so quickly as you managed to pack a lot into your day. I love looking around old mansions and castles so it’s great seeing your photos. Looks like Sinclair Castle will certainly keep a few folks in work for many years to come. Gorgeous area there though. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll see, Caz, Tongue really exists. My kinda town 😂😂. Thanks for the comments, the plans for Sinclair castle are very optimistic xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
OHHHHHH! I wish I was there!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, and it just gets better, or worse depending on your view of the weather 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Scottish grandmother, is visiting on my shoulder right now, with her heather and her knitted slippers, requiring me to comment here. (I loved her slippers throughout my childhood.) The photos are glorious. It’s Scotland after all! So now I’m off to google Tongue….. “Tongue is a coastal village in northwest Highland, Scotland, in the western part of the former county of Sutherland. It lies on the east shore above the base of the Kyle of Tongue and north of the mountains Ben Hope and Ben Loyal on the A836. To the north lies the area of Braetongue.”
God Bless Scotland! And the Kyle of Tongue.
Oh, and you, of course.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww, love the slippers, Tongue is covered in mist this morning, so it still has a kind of beauty. Taking a walk up to the Castle after breakfast 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somewhere we have pictures of us under the signs at John O’Groats and Land’s End. In the Jo’G sign we are young and fresh-faced and smiling and in our early 30s. In the other, taken a few years later, (it was a very slow journey) we have two toddlers, haunted expressions, pale complexions and the appearence of being undead. Time, as they say, is a great wrecker.
Good luck with the running, I suspect that many elderly men are re-living their youth by reading this blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, time is gruesome, I’m not keen on having my photo taken anymore, although someone keeps insisting on selfies 😏 I often forget how old I am, but the human body is a great grounding tool 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous images, Charlie. You haven’t said much about The Princess, except that you don’t listen to her… who would have thought? Is she enjoying herself?
Sounds like you are both having a great time. Great to hear you can get great cheeseburgers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s keeping in the background, Carolyn. And of course translating for me 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Charlie,
Thank you for sharing these awesome pictures.
I hope to visit Scotland one day soon.
Blessings! ♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much 😊. You should but hopefully the sun will be shining 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you become a Northerner in extremis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I was wrong about John O’Groats apparently it’s not quite as far North as you can get 🤔
LikeLike
Wow! Very beautiful pictures! Also if you plan to visit Scottish castles then you should definitely go to Kelburn Castle. It is actually known for the quite odd and colourful mural situated on its exterior. Check this out for more info https://castrumtocastle.com/scottish-castles/kelburn-castle/
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://castrumtocastle.com/scottish-castles/kelburn-castle/
LikeLike