The Adventure Begins - Tour of Scotland 2019

Our tour of Scotland started on 9th September. Some of you will remember we did a similar tour in October three years ago. Then, we had not long owned our first electric car - The Renault Zoe. This had a range of approximately 100 miles. This time, with our new Hyundia Kona we were looking forward to travelling further between charges, as we now have a 300 mile range. (Edited to add photo of car on charger at Tongue - towards the end of the post.)
Our plan is to travel up the East coast from Suffolk, then stay for a week in Tongue on the north coast of The Highlands, a week on the Isle of Skye, then a few days on Arran and travel home via the Lake District.

Day 1 - Mendham, Suffolk to Seahouses Northumbria

First Destination - Seahouses, Northumbria - 340 miles

Seahouses towards Bamburgh - Late afternoon on our arrival

We booked two nights in a hotel, and this was the view from the seafront just outside.

Day 2 - Bamburgh and Seahouses

On day two we had a look around the small town of Seahouses, taking in the harbour, and charging the car in the local car park. Then we drove along the coast to Bamburgh, visiting the castle, the town for lunch, the RNLI Grace Darling Museum and St. Aiden's Church.

From the walls of Bamburgh Castle

Looking out over the town from the castle

Alan took this one with his drone

After lunch we investigated the RNLI museum dedicated to Grace Darling, then took a walk around the church and graveyard.

 

There is a memorial to Grace in the churchyard which can be seen from sea.

Then there is also the family grave, where she is buried. In 1838, Grace and her father risked their lives to rescue stranded survivors from a ship wrecked in a fierce storm. This feat changed her life dramatically, she became a celebrity of her day and was awarded honours and the NRLI's silver medal for gallantry. Sadly, Grace died just four years later, aged 26 due to tuberculosis.

Day 3 - Seahouses to Killin, Scotland

A few photos taken early in the day, before leaving Seahouses for Scotland.
153 miles (total 493)

 

We picked a Bed and Breakfast in Killin - The Dall Lodge Country House for the night, and headed off to complete the trip, stopping a few times to admire the scenery and have a break. Very near to the B & B we stopped to look at the Falls of Dochart.

 

The weather was very wet and windy by this time, so we were pleased to arrive at the excellent B & B. The host is an excellent photographer of wildlife.

We enjoyed an excellent evening meal in the nearby Killin Hotel.

Day 4 - Killin to Rogart
Our next destination was Willie Jack's Cottage, Rogart - 155 miles (total 548)
This is a lovely 'home from home' B & B where we were made to feel like part of the family, we booked in here for two nights so we could explore the area on Friday before moving on again.

Day 5 - Dornoch & Dunrobin

We spent the day looking around the local area, first we went to Dornoch for some shopping. I found the Kingcraig Fabrics (Brora) Ltd. shop. It was recommended by our host Sandy, who had made some lovely things for the home with materials from this shop.

4 ply wool and 100% woolen fabric

Then we spent some time shopping in The Jail and the Courthouse. I was keen to see Dornoch as it was features in Lucinda Riley's Moon Sister (part of the Seven Sisters Series). An excellent read and so far there are five published - eagerly awaiting the sixth due to be published late October.

Shopping in the Old Jail and Courthouse

Lunch in the old Courthouse

After lunch we drove to Dunrobin Castle.

View from inside the castle

Castle from the grounds

 Day 6 - Rogart to Tongue

52 miles - mostly single track! (total 600)
We set off on Saturday morning for the last trip for a week, as we will be staying in a cottage on the North Coast at Tongue for a week. A welcome chance to unpack, and other then shorter day trips we will not have any long journeys for 7 days.

On route

We arrived at Tongue and stopped at Hotel Tongue for a snack as we were early for our accommodation and also to charge the car. 

When we arrived it was extremely windy and raining - Gale force 9! It's very remote here, and we were pleased to arrive, do some shopping for supplies and then make the cottage cosy for the evening.  Weather likely to be similar for a few days, then forecast to be much better. Hence I have had time to write this post and I'm getting on well with the crochet and reading.

From the back of the cottage

Thanks for reading to the end, will be back with more next week.
Lynn x