{"id":11244,"date":"2018-06-29T17:39:44","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T17:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/?p=11244"},"modified":"2019-05-26T07:21:14","modified_gmt":"2019-05-25T21:21:14","slug":"back-on-the-500-scotland-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/?p=11244","title":{"rendered":"North Coast 500 (day 4), Scotland 2018 \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Date: &nbsp;28th June 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Travelled: &nbsp;145 kilometres from Burwick on Orkney to Golspie in the Caithness.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Visited: John o\u2019Goats, Duncansby Lighthouse, Old Wick Castle, Lybster.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stayed: &nbsp;Golspie, free carpark with toilet. &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/XEcuyziyFSAjTcAC7\">N57.97502, W03.97623<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its an early start this morning as our ferry departs St Margaret\u2019s Hope at 0745. &nbsp;So we get up, have a coffee and plan our day back on mainland Scotland. &nbsp;When you roll of a ferry in a strange place its nice to know whether to turn left or right. &nbsp;On the road we drive the 6 miles to the ferry terminal and join the queue. &nbsp;Cannot overstate what a wonderful destination the Ornkey\u2019s has been. &nbsp;We could easily do another week here visiting the northern islands, but that would require more ferries and expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Hymer_Ferry_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"\/><figcaption>No tape measures today, we just reverse on, lockup and head for the lounge.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"STROMA ISLAND\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WOtvIx57pNg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from being a lovely sunny morning, there is no detectable breeze and the sea a millpond. &nbsp;Pam is happy. &nbsp;Off the ferry at Gill\u2019s Bay we head east driving through John o\u2019 Groats the most northerly village on the Scottish mainland, then up to Duncansby Head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_1.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Another Stephenson light house here at Duncansby Head.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_3.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>There is a handy little carpark up near the lighthouse. &nbsp;We have breakfast before going exploring.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_4.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>We take the headland walk to the Duncansby Stacks, after a 10 minute walk they come into view.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_6.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>We have brought the binoculars with us in hope of spotting a puffin bird. &nbsp;No problem finding hundred of nesting seagulls.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpps_container\" style=\"margin: 10px auto; width: 1000px; max-width: 100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/3A3E4340-9A7C-48D1-8AA5-85CD37345629-scaled.jpeg?height=550px&amp;segments=100&amp;rings=100&amp;hide_link=0&amp;autoload=1&amp;anim_after=2000&amp;anim_speed=1rpm&amp;vertical_anim_speed=2rpm&amp;vertical_anim_target=0&amp;navbar=1&amp;overlay_img=&amp;overlay_position=bottom+left&amp;min_fov=30&amp;max_fov=90&amp;zoom_level=0&amp;long=0&amp;lat=0&amp;tilt_up_max=90&amp;tilt_down_max=90&amp;min_long=0&amp;max_long=360&amp;reverse_anim=0&amp;xmp=1&amp;smooth_user_moves=1&amp;scroll_to_zoom=1&amp;zoom_speed=1&amp;eyes_offset=5&amp;full_width=default&amp;full_height=default&amp;cropped_width=default&amp;cropped_height=default&amp;cropped_x=default&amp;cropped_y=default&amp;horizontal_fov=360&amp;vertical_fov=180\" style=\"display: block; padding: 5px; background-color: #3D3D3D; color: #FFFFFF;\">Michael and Pam's Photo Sphere (Duncansby Head Pano)<\/a><div style=\"position: relative; box-sizing: content-box;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_7.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>There are lots of people wandering about looking for Puffins&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Duncansby Head\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XAaVEcb8qFw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_8.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Evenually we tire of looking at birds and continue on to the stacks. &nbsp;The scenery along this section of coast is spectacular.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_9.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Once we get close to the Duncansby stacks, your can look back towards the lighthouse and see Muckle stack. &nbsp;It hidden from view until this point.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_10.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"\/><figcaption>The clear and sunny morning add to our enjoyment of this wild and rugged coastline.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"\/><figcaption>A last picture as we walk back to the Hymer.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Duncansby_13.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>We continue on down the east coast of the northern highlands for another 40 miles, still on the NC500. &nbsp;Stopping at a big Tesco in Wick we do a quick shop. &nbsp;Then look for somewhere nice for lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Wick_2.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>The Castle of Old Wick, looks as good a place as any. &nbsp;So Pam warms a soup for lunch as we look across the North Sea. &nbsp;We can see oil platforms out on the horizon, past that, there\u2019s nothing till Norway, but we cannot see that far.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Wick_14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"\/><figcaption>Old Wick was built by the Earl of Caithness in 1160\u2019s, making it one of the oldest in northern Scotland. &nbsp;The walk out and back with a bit of exploring takes about 40 minutes, then we continue south.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lybster_1.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Another 40 miles further south on the NC500, it\u2019s time for a stop. &nbsp;The road is fairly slow due to the traffic and lots of bends. &nbsp;So we decide to stop for a quick nanna nap. &nbsp;Lybster will do nicely.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lybster_4.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>We drive the Hymer out onto the sea-wall and chill. &nbsp;Its a beautiful spot but there is no phone service here, so we will move on after we have a leg stretch.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lybster_7.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>We chat to the fisherman who has owned this boat for ages. &nbsp;He tell us his catch is crab or lobster, depending on the season and quota rules. &nbsp;He really liked to talk !<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We continue on to Golspie arriving in the late afternoon. &nbsp;We plan to visit Dunrobin Castle in the morning and Golspie is only a mile or so from here. &nbsp;After a couple of false starts we find a suitable car-park behing the Co-op and have a drink. &nbsp;Only a few minutes later another motorhome joins us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael and Pam<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"bpp_credits\" style=\"clear: both; float: right; width: 200px; height: 70px; text-align: right;\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.blogpadpro.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"vertical-align: middle; font-size: 8pt; color: #999;\">Edited with BlogPad Pro<\/span><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; padding-left: 5px;\" src=\"http:\/\/files.blogpadpro.com\/images\/speech-bubble.png\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\"><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Date: &nbsp;28th June 2018 Travelled: &nbsp;145 kilometres from Burwick on Orkney to Golspie in the Caithness. Visited: John o\u2019Goats, Duncansby Lighthouse, Old Wick Castle, Lybster. Stayed: &nbsp;Golspie, free carpark with toilet. &nbsp;N57.97502, W03.97623 Its an early start this morning as our ferry departs St Margaret\u2019s Hope at 0745. &nbsp;So we get up, have a coffee [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":11290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,25],"tags":[66,101],"class_list":{"0":"post-11244","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-scotland","8":"category-united-kingdom","9":"tag-hiking","10":"tag-scottish-villages","11":"czr-hentry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11244"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18335,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11244\/revisions\/18335"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}