Day 13 Dornoch to Bettyhill.

The boys getting ready for their penultimate day.

Another very good B&B with probably the best breakfast so far, certainly the biggest, most comfortable bed.
The day took us to the North coast but was surprisingly flat only rising from sea level to 200 metres,but across some very empty space. Good progress was made although the wind which was billed as westerly was stubbornly against us, hence our 13.9 average.

Coffee was had at The Shin Falls Visitor Centre, a miracle created by the Scottish Tourist Board. The falls themselves were not very high, in fact on some of the days we have been up steeper torrents of water. Salmon have nothing on us when it comes to getting upstream.

We made lunch at a place, I use the term place in the loosest possible way, called the Crask Inn, it was truly miles from anywhere. It was just cliche after cliche. The building was really a house which had apparently not been decorated since the fifties and had a bar placed in one of the rooms. There were no lights on anywhere, presumably to save money.The proprietor was a dour Scot dressed in full dirty farmer's garb including outdoor boots and tatty jumper.

There was no menu and he said that he could manage toasted sandwiches and that there was soup although maybe not enough for four. The soup on arrival turned out to be leek and potato which our host whilst serving, managed to put his not too clean thumb, in all three bowls.When it came to paying he, just made it up and we did have a conversation in which our jokes fell on deaf ears and he actually said "We don't have fun here."

Most of the day was travelled on an A-road which had passing places, see pics. it was so empty that even the RAF seem to avoid it as too boring.

I have learnt a serious lesson today; don't try to turn on your rear light whilst in motion without looking. I have retained all my fingers, but it was close.

                     

In the Ben Loyal Hotel which has fabulous views and no hot water. Last day tomorrow 50 miles to JO'G and of course the last few hills.

68 miles. Average 13.9 mph