Wednesday 19th June - Laxton to Scourie

The midges had been very bad last night; worse than I'd realised; and were still bad in the morning.  I react badly to bites so today my face and hands were covered in raised reddish bumps.  When you factor in sunburn and  lack of sleep, let's just say that it's not a very good look :-)   They also went for the feet and ankles, and John had his own collection.  Even Alfie got bitten and only Andy was immune.  Let's just say that Avon skin-so-soft may be recommended but it doesn't work for me, and antihistamines do little to help.  All I could do was try not to scratch.

Topped up my water from the river by the bridge and saw fish jumping; trout or salmon I couldn't say.  They fish for both round here.  It's a lovely spot though.

Pursued by midges, we made an early start and took the road out of Laxton towards Tarbet, which was very steep in places with more dramatic scenery all around.  One plan was to go off-road but we couldn't find the path; though there was one 'no entry' path which allowed access to walkers - we saw what would have been our exit back to the main road.   But despite this being an 'A' road, traffic was light.  It's not high holiday season yet.

The old road 

The quiet road

The steep road 

Tarbet

 Tarbet is a pretty, tiny little place, no more than a jumping-off place to visit Handa Island with all its varied sealife and birds.  Perhaps another time we'll visit - and without Alfie too, as dogs aren't allowed on the ferry.

After a lunch and coffee settled against the wind, we took the steep and rough footpath over the hills towards  Scourie.  Warning notices indicated it was rough, trackless and boggy and they were right.  I was tired enough to trip over my own shadow and found this very tough going.  There were enough pink granite cliffs and black lochans for anyone to admire and I was glad to get to the end of it and a downhill through hedges of flowering gorse into the village.


An amazing sight was a large walled garden, beautifully laid out (left).  Who says you can't have a garden this far north?









We did a shop and headed for the campsite although it was early for a stop.  I got the tent up and instantly slept.  Dinner at the hotel later was wonderful.

Alfie surveys his estate