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Week 2
Day 8
Day 8 of my run and the start of week 2 of this [what some would say] mad challenge. Another 6 miles chalked up on the treadmill, although my legs were feeling a little achey this morning.
The day’s route started a bit before Melvich and stayed on the A836 to Strathy and a little bit beyond.
Shortly after the day’s route start Loch Beag came up on the left, and although not very big, the view out over the hills looked stunning. Oh for a time when I can see that view for real!
Halfway through the day’s route, on the right hand side of the road, is a Marie Curie Cancer Care Field of Hope. On November 7th 2007 (the day Marie Curie was born 140 years ago) pupils from Melvich Primary School helped to plant 2,000 daffodils in common grazings overlooking Strathy Point, Dunnet Head, and the Orkney islands. A beautiful setting and definitely somewhere I’d love to park the campervan up for the night.
At the end of the day’s route Lochan Ealach and Loch Gainmhich are both visible from the road, again giving some amazing views.
The A836 again looks like a stunning place to drive/run/ride down.
Route
Route Video
Below you can see a video of the route, showing Google Street View images from along the route.
Photos
Some photos from my virtual run.
Day 9
Day 9 of my run and another 6 miles along the A836. It won’t be too much longer before I head south down through Scotland and saying goodbye to the coast for a while.
Today’s miles along the A836 took me past Lednagullin, Armadale, and Bettyhill Viewpoint.
Armadale is first mentioned in charters in the 13th century as part of the parish of Farr. There was a small fishing hamlet consisting of two or three houses north of the village before the year 1600 called Port Moir. The name ’Armadale’, meaning ‘elongated valley’, derives from the Old Norse armr and dalr.
Bettyhill Viewpoint is a little stop on the A836 with amazing views of Ben Hope and Ben Loyal in the distance. You can sit and admire the scenery, using the topography map. There’s also a memorial there for “those who drowned in Kirtomy Bay”, with three names listed for 1881 and 5 names listed for 1910.
Although I’ve not actually been running along the coastal road across the top of Scotland, I’m going to miss seeing the images on the screen as I record the route when it’s time to head south.
I don’t doubt that there’ll be more stunning scenery to come, but I’ve really been taken by this road and the surrounding countryside.
Route
Route Video
Below you can see a video of the route, showing Google Street View images from along the route.
Photos
Some photos from my virtual runs.
Day 10
Day 10 of my run and only 5 miles completed today. I felt a little niggle in my right ankle so decided not to push it any further. There’s a long way to go and I don’t want an injury already!
Today’s route was again all along the A836, passing through Bettyhill, following and across the River Naver, through Leckfurin and Achnabourin, finally ending at the junction with the B871.
Bettyhill’s main attractions are the expanse of Torrisdale Bay, the Strathnaver Museum and salmon fishing on the River Naver. The Strathnaver Museum, better known as “The Mackay Museum”, has an upstairs, older & larger section devoted to the ancient Clan Mackay. The whole of the north-western highlands (Assynt to Cape Wrath, Loch Shin to Strath Halladale and Reay) was known as “Mackay Country” from the 13th century.
Bettyhill holds an annual football competition called the Guy Cup. Teams from nearby northern areas come to compete for the trophy. This annual gathering is held in remembrance of Philip Mackay (nicknamed “Guy”) who died in an oil rig accident.
So, just over 1/20 of the total distance covered now. I’m not feeling too bad for having run 55 miles these last 11 days (I took Sunday off from running). Yes, I have a few aches but making sure I’m not running too fast or too far each day seems to be paying off.
We’ll see if that works in the coming days, weeks, and months won’t we?
Route
Route Video
Below you can see a video of the route, showing Google Street View images from along the route.
Photos
Some photos from my virtual run.
Day 11
Day 11 and a relatively easy 6 miles covered today. My ankle held up and I’m pretty sure I could have carried on if I’d wanted to. A good sign me thinks?!
The route for today was once again along the A836, but wow, what a stunning stretch of road it was! For the most part, the A836 went down to a single track road with passing places along it. And the scenery?! Beautiful locks and hills everywhere you looked.
Not a lot else to say as I didn’t pass through any villages or anything.
Tomorrow I should be [finally] heading south and cutting down through Scotland on my way to England. It’s about 240 miles down to Edinburgh so it’s going to take a while before I make it to England. I always forget how bloody big Scotland is!
Route
Route Video
Below you can see a video of the route, showing Google Street View images from along the route.
Photos
Some photos from my virtual run.
Day 12
Day 12 and the last day for week 2 of this crazy run of mine. I didn’t run yesterday so today I made up for it a little bit by doing my longest run of the year yet!
9 miles I managed to cover today – watching the rugby, which was nice – but not as nice as the scenery along the A836. Seriously, could it get any better? Every day Scotland just gets better and better!
Today’s route took me past Coldbackie, Rhitongue and Tongue before heading off into the middle of nowhere past lots of awesome scenery and lochs.
The name Coldbackie could have old Norse or Gaelic roots. The place name Coldbackie is not unique to the Kyle of Tongue as there are two Coldbacks in Shetland (in Unst and Delting) and one in north west Iceland, both areas where Norse roots would be more likely.
Contrary to popular belief, the name Tongue does not refer to the shape of the Kyle of Tongue (though the kyle can be described as “tongue-shaped”). Rather it is a geographical term in Old Norse which refers to a piece of land shaped like a spit or tongue.
The village of Tongue saw a key battle between a Jacobite treasure ship and two ships of the Royal Navy in 1746, which resulted in the Jacobite crew trying to slip ashore with their gold. They were then caught by the Navy, supported by local people who were loyal to Hanover, which cost Bonnie Prince Charlie valuable support in the run-up to Culloden.
I’m finally heading south, which is good, so hopefully a good bit of progress next week will get me well on the way to Inverness.
Route
Route Video
Below you can see a video of the route, showing Google Street View images from along the route.
Photos
Some photos from my virtual run.
