NC500 Sutherland County Scotland

Day 43/Scotland 20

Travelled:69km

Stay: Kyle of Tongue- free parking with great views N58.4999 W4.4493

Visited: Portskerra, Strathy Point Lighthouse, Kyle of Tongue

After our morning coffee we enjoyed a lovely coastal walk to Portskerra harbour. 

Then we were on our way once again along the NC500 heading west not really sure of our destination for today. We saw a brown tourist sign pointing down the road to Strathy Point, so we turned off and drove to a small car park just before a farm. Along the way we saw some Highland Cows with their long hair and horns. 

 It sure if his going to have some trouble with his down turned horn in the future...

We also noticed some peat drying in the sun which will be burned for heat during the long winter months. 

As we parked up we went to chat to the farmer who was shearing his 150 sheep by hand. He sells the fleece to an Irish chap who then exports it to China. They don’t get much for it £1.20 per fleece and if he had to pay someone to shear them they would be going backwards! The farm has been in the same family for the last 300 years and his son is preparing to take it on. 

After a good chat we walked down to Strathy Point Lighthouse which was the last one built in Scotland in 1958 and the first one to be electric. 

There were some great coastal views.

 This area was also part of the Clearances in the 1800’s when 40 or more families (of the Mackay Clan) were evicted from their homes and farms to make way for sheep.

 We then drove along some beautiful countryside with some great coastal views. 

We stopped on the Kyle of Tongue causeway and had some lunch.

 Then we drove up the west shore to Talmine and the mouth of the sea loch. 

As we turned back we decided to call it a day and parked up next to the loch and enjoyed the views of the water and mountains. 

We were also entertained by the farmer rounding up his sheep.

 We also booked our ferry crossing to Lewis and Harris also known as the Outer-Hebrides. And so ends another lovely day in Scotland.