Scotland´s scenery is usually quite spectacular, but when I stopped at the Assynt Viewpoint I was again surprised by how beautiful it can be!
Assynt is on the North West of Scotland and kind of a hidden gem with otherworldly mountains, stunning beaches and wonderful coastline.
Together with the neighbouring Coigach, it has been being designated as the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area.
And scenic it seems to be. While doing some research for this post, I found so many walk-guides, hiking and fishing tips and so much more. I´ve already booked a little cottage for next year and will explore more!
Next stop: Smoo Cave, large seawater and also a freshwater cave near Durness. Normally it is possible to walk into the cave and I think even take some kind of boat trips, but it was closed this day after the heavy rainfalls during the night.
The name “Smoo” comes from the Old Norse Smuga which means “hiding place” and it is not only the cave that´s hiding but also part of the village, the Allt Smoo, which disappears into a sinkhole on the inland side.
Traces have been found of a fishing and shipbuilding community living and working here during the Viking era, and it is easy to imagine that this was an ideal place for a community that wanted to stay undetected by anyone sailing by, in an age when far more travellers journeyed by sea than overland. The earliest evidence of occupation of the cave goes back much further, to around 5,000 years ago. (Undiscovered Scotland)
Smoo Cave became more known after Sir Walter Scott featured it in his cruise around northern Scotland in 1814.
Inside the first cavern which was made by the sea. The following caverns, which were closed, were made by freshwater, the river Allt Smoo.
Duncansby Head – the most northeastern point of mainland Scotland. And while looking towards Orkney, it was the moment I decided my next Scottish summer will be spent on the islands (we will see if it will happen this year like planned or if I´ll have to postpone a year). But back to that sunny afternoon at Duncansby Head.
This beautiful spot is often overshadowed by John o´Groats, it´s westerly neighbour, which is just a bit more famous.
Duncansby Head sits on top high cliffs and is the home of a lighthouse, built in 1924, lots of sheep and several bird colonies.
The view towards Orkney and also John o`Groats is absolutely stunning, but don´t get back into your car yet. Take a walk over the little hill towards the cliffs on the other side. The sheep will ignore you.
This little walk will bring you to Geo of Sclaites, a big split into the cliffs and the home of thousands of birds.
The next highlight was already visible from the top of the hill, the stunning view south to Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby. A rocky arch and a group of large jagged sea stacks.
John o´Groats
I made my way back along the single track road and also did a short stop in John o`Groats. It is a distance of 876 miles from here to Land´s End, the most southwestern point of mainland UK in Cornwall.
The hut at the end of the road
In the late afternoon, I arrived at my home for the next three days, the hut at the end of the road, near Tongue.
