Tarbat Ness Lighthouse

Jo and Alf picked us up at 10. As the weather was unpredictable, instead of a walk at Loch Fleet, we drove to the pretty village of Portmahomack where we had a coffee. Next stop was the little museum there about Pictish times. Then we drove a bit further out to Tarbat Ness Lighthouse where we had a short walk to the sea. Mr C assisted with the blip by helping me negotiate the rocks to achieve the shot I wanted. No wonder the coastguard cottages looked familiar - it’s another Stevenson lighthouse as is St Abbs where we once walked with Jo and Alf. Also we’ve seen Muckle Flugga, Duncansby Head, Sumburgh and Butt of Lewis. Maybe I should bag Stevenson lighthouses.

Jo had booked an and tasty lunch at the very popular Pier cafe in Lairg. The route took us along the road in Bonar Bridge where Mr C’s aunt and cousins lived. He loved going there on holiday when a boy.

From there we took the Rogart road to A9 at the Mound, stopping briefly to look at distant harbour seals and a heron at Loch Fleet, before taking a back road down to Dornoch. Ho did a bit of shopping while Mr C and I had a look at the cathedral, celebrating 800 years this year. We were last there at a wedding about 30 years ago. Two old men were sorting out a ladder in one of the transepts. We thought one might have been Mr C’s cousin who we’ve not seen for 10 years. He didn’t look up from his task. Mr C decided not to approach him and we left.

Once back in the van the rain started. Hopefully it’ll be fair in a couple of hours when we’ll be walking up the hill to attending a drinks party.