On leaving the B&B we visited the local (disused) flagstone works which is on a little road close to the beach. They had a windmill to pump the water out and water wheels to power the saws, The Caithness landscape has no mountains and is quite green with some crops cultivated (as well as sheep and cows). There is machair on the sand dunes, but no heather inland. We saw a couple of hawks. Discovered that there is a new car ferry from Gills Bay to St. Margaret Hope in Orkney, but decided not to take it. So we went on to John O'Groats and had our photos taken by the sign. Duncansby head is 2 miles further NE, so we went there and saw a deep rocky bay with hundreds of sea birds nesting on horizontally stratified cliffs. Also two big stacks. Took the 4pm ferry from John O'Groats to Burwick on South Ronaldsay. We had to get to the B&B by 6.30 for supper - this involved cycling against strong winds all the way including the ascent of a steep hill. The island is very green - covered entirely in grass, no trees, hilly but smooth (no rocks except on the sea cliffs). Birds are everywhere - oyster catchers, curlews, terns.
 G and J at John O'Groats |
 Duncansby Head stacks |
 Duncansby Head stacks |
 Duncansby Head stacks |
 Duncansby Head cliffs |
 Duncansby Head cliffs |
 Duncansby Head beach |
 Boat to Orkney |
B&B Mrs.Cromarty,South Cara Farm, St.Margarets Hope. S.Ronaldsay, Orkney. 01856 831275
Castletown John O'Groats. Total on mainland 392 (32 today)
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