John O’Groats to Lybster

Today started with breakfast and picking up our packed lunch and we said goodbye to the Seaview Hotel. Just about to start walking and the rain started – so on with the waterproofs. Luckily the rain didn’t last for long but the cold wind persisted so the waterproofs stayed on for a while longer. Eventually the sun put in an appearance which was most welcome.

The road was reasonably quiet – bursts of traffic on the other side which we presumed was traffic from the Orkney ferries. We kept walking, through Freswick and Auckengill with some wonderful scenery to keep us company.

Next up was a ruined castle – Keiss Castle which stands on sheer cliffs overlooking Sinclair’s Bay. The castle was built in the late 16th century by George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness. The large house in the picture is Keiss House, a category B listed baronial mansion that is in private ownership and not open to the public

Continuing on our way, through Reiss and into Wick. Noticeable along the way were the numerous memorials to fallen soldiers. Lunch stop in Wick, in the salubrious surroundings of a Poundstretcher car park and then off again for the second half of the days walking

Past Thrumster and Ulbster, finally the sea was in view again and we could see the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm dominating the horizon

The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm is in the Moray Firth and 13km off the coast. This is the fourth largest offshore wind farm in the world and cost approx. £2.6bn to build. It has 84 turbines and generates enough power for 450,000 homes.

More scenery, many more fields of sheep, cows and even Llamas (or Aplaca – who knows) and through Mid Clyth, Occumster, passing a very lonely cemetery and finally into Lybster and the Portland Hotel.

Today was a long day – 49.2km and over 56,000 steps but good to get day one under our belt. Being Sunday, breakfast isn’t too early tomorrow, so probably setting off for Brora (approx. 53km) around 0830 in what will be an even longer day.

At time of writing, total donations are at £29,105 – thanks to all who have donated.