Today

Today we drive 151 miles (243 km) from Thurso to Inverness.

Dunnet Head

We take a small detour to Dunnet Head (Gaelic: Ceann Dùnaid), the most northerly point on the mainland Great Britain.

John o'Groats

We have arrived in the small village of John o'Groats (Gaelic: Taigh Ian Ghròt). The settlement takes its name from Jan de Groot, a dutchman who once plied a ferry to Orkney, which had recently been acquired from Norway in 1496 by King James V.
Today, there is a passenger boat to Burwick, Orkney, a ride that takes around 40 minutes. Population: around 300.

Duncansby Head

This is the viewpoint Duncansby Head (Gaelic: Dùn Gasbaith), only 2 miles (3 km) east of John o'Groats. Wonderful view!

Wick

We have now arrived in the town of Wick (Gaelic: Inbhir Ùige) with around 7000 inhabitants. The town's history goes back at least to the time when Caithness belonged to Norway and was governed as a part of Orkney until 1266. The name of the town is Norse, from Vik, meaning bay. Wick is the capital of the county Caithness. The Norse name is Katanes. The gaelic name, Gallaibh, means "among strangers" - being the Norse Vikings.
The flag of Caithness, since 2016, reflects the Norse heritage. The flag looks a bit like the Norwegian flag, but it is black with a blut Nordic cross with yellow edges, and with a galley placed in the first quarter.

Dunrobin Castle

We have arrived at Dunrobin Castle. Dunrobin's origins lie in the Middle Ages, But most of the present buildings and the garden were added by Sir Charles Barry between 1835 and 1850. Some of the original building is visible despite a number of expansions and alterations that made it the largest house in the north of Scotland.
After being used as a boarding school for seven years, it is now open to the public. There are 189 rooms, making it the largest in the northern Highlands.

Inverness

This is the capital of the Highlands, Inverness (Gaelic: Inbhir Nis), with around 70000 inhabitants. Many of the city's building have a history going back around 300 years. They are working actively to preserve the old buildings and several restaration projects are in progress. And we are spending the night in the cozy Moyness House.