Dunrobin Castle
Another misty morning in Scotland but the forecast is for clearing skies. After a hearty breakfast at the Gairloch Hotel, we'll be traveling from the West Highlands across Scotland to the East Highlands.
We make a photo stop at Gruinard Bay.
As the skies clear a bit we get a glimpse of the Full Harvest Moon.
Along the highway we can see a few deer grazing.
The hills in Braemore are showing their fall colors.
We are even treated to a rainbow heading into Loch Broom
And another rainbow is behind us too.
It's time for a comfort/coffee stop. We visit Strathpeffer.
More freshly baked scones and coffee then a brief walk around the square to stretch our legs.
Cute use of the old telephone booth.
We'll be back in Strathpeffer after our visit to Orkney and we'll be staying at the Highland Hotel (pictured below)
We cross the Dornoch Firth and arrive in town in time for lunch.
Jay and I found a cute shop run by a young couple and had fried calamari and shrimp for lunch.
After eating, we had some time to walk around the town. We like exploring graveyards so we spent some time in the one next to the cathedral.
Our next stop is
Dunrobin Castle. And what a castle it is. Today we've traveled about 100 miles so far and we're ready to do some walking.
As I mentioned yesterday it's the Family Seat of the Earl of Sutherland, Chief of the Clan Sutherland. There are 189 rooms making it the largest castle in the northern Highlands. It sits on the shores of the Dornach Firth.
The gardens are spectacular.
The exterior is nothing less than stunning.
And the interior rooms are gorgeous.
Falconry is also part of our visit.
Wow, just wow. So far this has been my favorite day in Scotland.
Back on the coach and we're heading to Scrabster, Thurso to catch a Northlink Ferry to Orkney (just like the ferries on the TV show SHETLAND!!).
We'll have dinner on the ferry then make our way to Stromness. We'll still have a bit of a coach drive to our hotel in Kirwall.
We get to the
Ayre Hotel in Kirwall about 9:30 PM-what a LONG day.
There's a serious storm brewing with possible 50 MPH gale force winds. And I'm sure it will be a noisy night for sleeping. The rain is pouring down and the winds are howling. I guess this is what it's like living on the North Sea.
Tomorrow we visit The Ring of Brogdar and Skara Brae-the reasons we booked this trip!
