The Journey North. Day 16.     Monday 7th May 2018

From: Balnakeil Bay Durness       To: Grunaird Bay       GR: NG953899         Mileage: 109

Slight rain on reveille but it soon cleared, a bit grey today. The compass needle has swung. Today we turn South. There are different views and aspects today as we head towards

Ardvreck castle. It’s a ruin really. It  stands on the South of Loch Assynt. Its more of a tower house. We stop look and decide we will give it a miss.

Lots of views of sea lochs and those low islands in the bay. Sandy beaches are more prominent but not as many as I thought. You probably need to drive off the main A road to find em.

The Kylesku Bridge

 

View from the Kylesku Hotel onto Loch

 

Langoustines.

 

 

Loch Glencoul at Kylesku

I had planned lunch at The Kylesku Hotel on Loch Glendubh joined to Lochs and ??? This is where in WW2 the Royal Navy trained its X-Craft and midget sub warfare crews. Also from here they sailed for the Norwegan Fjords and to sink the Tirpitz. That task eventually being accomplished by RAF 9 and 617 (Dambusters) Squadrons.

Lunch was £85.  We had the best table in the house. I had langoustines and Jackie grilled fish with lentil and cous cous salad. I ordered a cheese board she said is that for three “No, just me.” “No I mean do you want three cheeses.” Strewth that was £14. Whilst I prevaricated she said “I’ll get you two, cheddar and brie.” “Do you not have any local cheeses?” “No, sorry.” Considering they made such play of everything that was served on the menu was caught shot trapped or?? From the area I wondered about the cheeses. Pretty poor.

Jackie had consumed two locally brewed G+Ts I had a soft drink. My starter Haggis balls.  £85

Drive on in to Ullapool 1788 designed by Thomas Telfod for the British Fisheries Society as infrastructure for the Herring industry. Which my notes tell me was a large ‘town’. I think not. OK its My Bank Holiday but still apart from the local petrols station which had at least 4 pumps a major player then and a queue onto the rd a 12 motorbikes filling and cars waiting on a blind bend I didn’t feel inclined to refuel there.

Turning off the A835 at Braemore we took the A832 on the South shore of Loch Maree and once again started to climb on the coast road to Gairloch. WE had covered about 100 odd miles today. No distance not even Plymouth to Exeter but perhaps up here the amount of consentration needed on these roads especially the single track makes for tiring driving. In fact there hadn’t been that much single track today. The roads were getting noticeable wider and better conditions.

We dropped down off the headland and there before us was a sandy beach bay with a large parking area set back off the road. “That’s the very fellows for me.” In we swung and dropped anchot. Whilst I chatted to our new elderly couple neighbours Jackie had switched on the gas and had a brew going. By the time I arrived inside my T had gone cold. What a lovely couple. Scottish but a delight. Must have been in their 70s.

Wild camp in a small car park opposite.

 

Beautiful evening we walked along the beach. By the time we got onto the beach only across the road I thought about the bubbly we had brought for John O Groats and hadn’t used and thought about doubling back for it but decided no. Too much trouble.

Returning to the truck we ate a rather light meal of salad and cheese washed down in my case by a can of Thatchers Haze.

2130 hrs. We hit the sack I was aware of Jackie reading then that was it.