Day 16 - Cape Wrath

A guided tour to Cape Wrath was one of the big highlights of our trip.  

We left the pod early to make our way to Keoldale to catch the ferry to the Cape Wrath peninsula.   We had booked for yesterday but the ferry couldn't operate because of the high winds so we were able to transfer to today.

As we were driving up the track 3 red deer jumped over the fence and across the road.  They climbed onto the rocks and turned round to stare at us. 

 
Red deer 

Cape Wrath is unique as there is only one road to it and this road can only be reached by passenger ferry.  Therefore, unless you walk the Cape Wrath trail, walk or cycle from the ferry or have your own car transporter to get across the Kyle of Keoldale, the tour is the only way to see the most north westerly part of the UK.

 
The tour 

 
The ferry 


When we got off the ferry we boarded a 16 seater minibus.  It took almost an hour to do the 11 miles and was extremely bumpy making it difficult to take photos.   The road was taken over by the local council in the 1950s and tarmaced but hasn't had any maintenance since, despite the small number of vehicles used there needing to pay road tax.   
 
 
Kyle of Keoldale 

 
View from minibus 

 
Small stream running across the peninsula 

 
There are several houses along the road.  Some are privately owned and others are owned by the MOD who use the area for shooting and bombing practice.  We could see many objects used as targets.  
 
 
Former shepherds house, now MOD owned 

 
House now privately owned 
90
 
House now privately owned 

 
View of small beach with sea stacks in distance.  There is a bothy here which walkers and campers can use free of charge during inclement weather. 

Road bridge crossing the river


At the most Northern point is a lighthouse built by Robert Stephenson.  It used to be manned but us controlled automatically from Edinburgh now.  Our driver and guide, Stuart, had lots of stories to tell and was very funny. We had an hour at the lighthouse to look around and use the cafe, called ozone, run by a man and his daughter who live there during the summer season.
 
 
View towards east and Dunnet Head 

 
Cape Wrath lighthouse 

 
Cape Wrath 

 
Rocks north of Cape Wrath with natural arch 

 
Inside the Ozone cafe 

 
Sign showing the finish of the Cape Wrath trail, 470 miles long from Kirk Yetholm, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders to Cape Wrath.

 
Coastal view near lighthouse 

 
Paul at lighthouse 

 
View with stone road bridge designed by Robert Stevenson


It was a really fun morning and so good that the weather was sunny and warm, although still windy.  It was difficult to believe we are still in the UK.  

It was low tide when we got back to the ferry and Paul got on but I was left behind as the ferryman could only take a few at a time so I had to wait for him to come back.  
 
 
Paul leaving on the ferry 

 
Seals basking on a nearby beach 

 
Seals basking on a nearby beach  

 
Oystercatcher 

 
 
Tern flying around near the ferry.


We then went to Durness which has a fantastic beach, 2 shops, a campsite and very little else.  We drove to nearby Bal which has another fantastic beach and ruins of a church.
 
 
Durness Beach 

 
Balnakeil Beach 

 
Balnakeil Church 

 
Monument to Rob Donn, Gaelic poet 

 
Back at the pod we sat on the patio area and Paul lit the chiminia.  The owner brought us a carafe of wine which was very welcome. There are a few midges around tonight, now that the wind has dropped.  We sat outside until 8.30 watching the sheep and birds aorund the pod.

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