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Monday, June 26, 2006
Sarah and I began the day with a run from the house over the mountain. The first half mile was on the road and then the rest was on a track through the bog — it was a pretty rough path. The views were gorgeous though.
After breakfast we reunited with my parents and then began the trek from Lochinver to Tongue. First, we wanted to make sure we visited Castle Aardvrek, a former MacLoed stronghold that was built in Loch Assynt near the junction of the A837 and A894. The castle has a stone bawn in the water and it looked like a dream to defend. It apparently wasn’t that easy though as they lost a few battles there.
Castle Aardvrek, Sutherland, Scotland
The view of Castle Aardvrek from the shore
The approach to Castle Aardvrek
Loch Assynt
This narrow causeway is the only way to access the castle
The front gate to Castle Aardvrek
The bawn surrounding Castle Aardvrek
Trees growing in Loch Assynt
I thought we might take the scenic route out of town along the Assynt Coastal Road (B869) to see a broch, only we couldn’t find it! It was a beautiful, but tough to drive (my poor Dad). It’s a single track road for about 15 miles, but it was VERY slow going. I also ended up sleeping through a lot of it, my poor Dad.
Assynt Coastal Road
The view from Drumbeg Viewpoint
Eddrachillis Bay as seen from Drumbeg Viewpoint
The hills near Drumbeg
When we reached Durness, we stopped briefly to contemplate Smoo Cave but the tide was out so there was no waterfall. It didn’t seem worth £3. Up the road a ways we went off the main road down a really small (terrible) road past the car park for Ben Hope looking for another broch. This one was really well sign posted on the main road.
It is found at the head of the longer Ben Hope Trail. On the way, my father drove off the road making the whole adventure that much more exciting!
The trail up Ben Hope
Highland coos alongside Loch Hope
Strathmore River next to Dun Dornaigil
The broch, Dun Dornaigil, was interesting and worth the 10 mile pasture penetrating drive. The broch is about 2,000 years old and originally stood twice as tall. When in tact, the walls formed a circle with only one entrance. The roof was thatched, and the walls were hollow in order to provide storage. These would have been very secure structures when they were built.
Dun Dornaigil, Iron Age broch
Looking back down the road to the broch
Dun Dornaigil as seen from the south
From there we reached the village of Tongue where we stayed at Rhian Guesthouse on a farm. We ate at the Cragness Hotel which was in a picturesque village (I think it was called Milknes) and had nice seafood.
Rhian Guesthouse
Rhian Guesthouse, Tongue, Scotland
Rhian is a nice house, but when we arrived it seemed as if they were hosting some sort of party. Our interaction with the owners was thus very limited. However, after we returned from dinner we were treated to this view:
Sunset at Rhian Guesthouse, Tongue
Sunset on the mountains south of Tongue, Scotland
Scotland Itinerary – Day 5
Castle Aardvrek
Dun Dornaigil
Spend the night in Tongue
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