Helmsdale

Unable to get booked onto this afternoon's Northlink ferry, so we set off before it got light and drove up to Gills Bay to come across with Pentland Ferries.  

The van was well and truly buffeted during the night, horrendous gales and torrential rain.  This morning we saw bushes uprooted and lots of flooded roads, although we only had one diversion.  Today was breezy, but with bright sunshine and blue skies, snow even down to quite low levels, but thankfully not on the roads.  

We stopped a few times, including at Helmsdale for a look at the harbour.  It was a leisurely drive, and we had plenty of time.  This break has been such a good idea, it was what we needed.