by Early rise yet alas, no surprise – just grey and rainy. It’s actually difficult to distinguish between roads, buildings, and clouds. Breakfast was poor, black pudding and all, mainly because the bacon was not cooked.
We set off to the north, following the eastern coastline from Aberdeen to Peterbeard, Fraserburgh, Macduff and Portsoy, and many others, mostly small fishing tourist, farming towns. Many had cute little harbours involving an entry, small half-protected area, and then an inner harbour. Some of these towns were very small, we had to reverse down the Main Street of one to allow another car to pass.
The rain kept up for most of the day, we stopped during a small break in the weather for lunch on a hillside overlooking Inverness – very beautiful.
The drive from Inverness to Ullapool over the highlands was again spectacular – lovely mountain streams and heather and snow-capped mountains.
On arrival in Ullapool, we found cheaper B&B accommodation for £13 per head – we even tried the 2 youth hostels, but both were full.
Luckily we located the one Josie and Karla were to stay in and after a small walk returned and went for a longer (although still short) walk and drank a quick beer before splitting for dinner to meet again later at the ‘Seaforth’. It was great to see them and have a beer.
The hostel owner – at the Ullapool Tourist Hostel in West Argyle street – is fantastic – very nice and helpful. £11 with breaks. Mainly 4 room dorms.
