- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Awesome pics. Just beautiful
Do you know, I live in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney. So there you go
Do you know, I live in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney. So there you go
Autumn Trip to Gran Canaria (aka Helmsdale, Sutherland)
- Thread starter Jacqui-S
- Start date
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Really?? That's so funny, when I was googling places to go and to eat, Sutherland Shire kept popping upDo you know, I live in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney. So there you go
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Have a nice vacation and enjoy the walks, scenery and quality time together!
I like to see the photos! One day I will be visiting Scotland...!
I like to see the photos! One day I will be visiting Scotland...!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Morning walkies.
Another gorgeous day (so far).
This is up the back of the cottage we are staying in. Perfect.
Another gorgeous day (so far).
This is up the back of the cottage we are staying in. Perfect.
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
So yesterday our route map was roughly this, not including the shortish walk from John O'Groats to Duncansby Head lighthouse. Ignore the time, that is just for a section.
Today we covered this bit!
Today we covered this bit!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
We headed south from Helmsdale passing Dunrobin Castle, ancient seat of the Lairds of Sutherland who were responsible for most of the worst atrocities during the Highland Clearances. We didn't go in, but might do later in the week. The gardens are beautifully laid out.
We then cut across country to Lairg. This is Loch Shin from the roadside at Lairg, looking towards the dam in the distance. Interestingly I found out later that the dam has a fish elevator for the salmon, which works very like a lock in a canal.
There were some wood carvings where we stopped as well as this dinky little miniature house in the Loch
We then went a little down the river to the Falls of Shin, well known for its viewpoint of a "salmon leap". When in spring and late summer the mature salmon return to their breeding grounds to lay their eggs, they undergo a hard journey swimming up river and have to negotiate some tricky and powerful water barriers like this. We were really lucky to see some salmon leaping, and sophie caught it on video, hopefully she can post it.
Personally I would rather have the elevator option if I was a salmon.
This is @Sophiedoodle with her granny.
We headed on down river to Bonar Bridge that used to be a main crossing point to access the far north before the coastal bridge at Dornoch was opened.
We stopped and had our picnic lunch at Edderton where we nipped in to Balblair Distillery. Picked up a couple of tasters for later
On the return leg, it was turn for the dogs to let their hair down and have a hoolie on the wonderful Dornoch Beach.
Planning some fish and chippies from the local takeaway for tea.
And a vino or two.....
We then cut across country to Lairg. This is Loch Shin from the roadside at Lairg, looking towards the dam in the distance. Interestingly I found out later that the dam has a fish elevator for the salmon, which works very like a lock in a canal.
There were some wood carvings where we stopped as well as this dinky little miniature house in the Loch
We then went a little down the river to the Falls of Shin, well known for its viewpoint of a "salmon leap". When in spring and late summer the mature salmon return to their breeding grounds to lay their eggs, they undergo a hard journey swimming up river and have to negotiate some tricky and powerful water barriers like this. We were really lucky to see some salmon leaping, and sophie caught it on video, hopefully she can post it.
Personally I would rather have the elevator option if I was a salmon.
This is @Sophiedoodle with her granny.
We headed on down river to Bonar Bridge that used to be a main crossing point to access the far north before the coastal bridge at Dornoch was opened.
We stopped and had our picnic lunch at Edderton where we nipped in to Balblair Distillery. Picked up a couple of tasters for later
On the return leg, it was turn for the dogs to let their hair down and have a hoolie on the wonderful Dornoch Beach.
Planning some fish and chippies from the local takeaway for tea.
And a vino or two.....
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Here’s a couple of videos of the salmon leaping!
And a couple more photos
The colours are absolutely stunning! Would definitely recommend coming to Scotland in the autumn... (that’s if you don’t mind the cold!)
And a couple more photos
The colours are absolutely stunning! Would definitely recommend coming to Scotland in the autumn... (that’s if you don’t mind the cold!)
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
More beach fun 
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
So beautiful (the scenery and you @Sophiedoodle !)
I haven't been to the beach this year at all, I shall have to go once Wales is out of lockdown.
I haven't been to the beach this year at all, I shall have to go once Wales is out of lockdown.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
These are wonderful photos , all of them xx
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Why is that northern spot named John O’Groat???
Love the salmon video. They do that in B. C. as well...amazing to see their perseverance. There’s often a congregation of bears aroundduring the salmon run at those spots waiting for the easy pickings. Poor fish don’t have it easy!!
Love the salmon video. They do that in B. C. as well...amazing to see their perseverance. There’s often a congregation of bears aroundduring the salmon run at those spots waiting for the easy pickings. Poor fish don’t have it easy!!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Think Dundee is heading for local lockdown next week, though not quite sure what we are going to be doing in Fife....
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
@Lisa
"John o' Groats is named after a Dutchman, Jan de Groot. In 1496 King James IV granted De Groot the ferry franchise between the harbour here and Orkney, which was at the time still a relatively new acquisition by Scotland. It has been suggested that De Groot gave his name to the silver coin, the Groat, as this was the level at which his fares were fixed by the authorities to curb his efforts to cash in on his franchise. The truth is that groats as coins predate De Groot by the better part of two centuries. De Groot started the development of the area around the harbour, building a house, reputedly octagonal, and located not far from the hotel."
Undiscovered Scotland
Don't know if it's true....
"John o' Groats is named after a Dutchman, Jan de Groot. In 1496 King James IV granted De Groot the ferry franchise between the harbour here and Orkney, which was at the time still a relatively new acquisition by Scotland. It has been suggested that De Groot gave his name to the silver coin, the Groat, as this was the level at which his fares were fixed by the authorities to curb his efforts to cash in on his franchise. The truth is that groats as coins predate De Groot by the better part of two centuries. De Groot started the development of the area around the harbour, building a house, reputedly octagonal, and located not far from the hotel."
Undiscovered Scotland
Don't know if it's true....
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Wonderful photos and loved hearing about where you have been 
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Cool! Thank you!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
We had a quieter day today.
Headed a little south and an hour or so bimbling around Skelbo Forest Walk
It seemed very family friendly with good paths and wooden way markers and loads of little things to spot, such as wooden carvings, odd little "montages" or a hanging wooden flower, a painted bird on a tree.
We enjoyed the walk with the autumn colours.
We then nipped into Glenmorangie Distillery for a wee nose around their gift shop, and had our picnic lunch looking out over the water from Tain.
We headed home after picking up some provisions and are just chilling.
Headed a little south and an hour or so bimbling around Skelbo Forest Walk
It seemed very family friendly with good paths and wooden way markers and loads of little things to spot, such as wooden carvings, odd little "montages" or a hanging wooden flower, a painted bird on a tree.
We enjoyed the walk with the autumn colours.
We then nipped into Glenmorangie Distillery for a wee nose around their gift shop, and had our picnic lunch looking out over the water from Tain.
We headed home after picking up some provisions and are just chilling.
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Looks like a lovely place for a bimble! I particularly liked the carved owl in the tree. Glad you're having a good time and also taking time to chill.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Looks very beautiful and interesting. Happy chilling x