Day two: John O’Groats to Aviemore – Part IV
From Thurso I drove to Ullapool along the A836, A838, A894, A837, and A835. Along the way I passed the nuclear plant at driving directions.
The nuclear plant at Dounreay was quite eerie. It was odd to see this giant white golf ball sitting back some distance from the road, with very evident high security. There appeared to be a visitors centre, but as it was raining I didn’t feel like getting out of the car!
Dounreay, Scotland
The A836 is mainly single track, and the distance from Thurso to Ullapool is about 150 miles. The road passes along the coast and around sea lochs to Turness (driving directions) and then on to Ullapool (driving directions). It passes through stunning glens. The views are amazing. It is truly breathtaking and it must be one of the most beautiful and glorious drives in Scotland. I was blown away and wowed. I was sad that I did not have more time to stop and take photographs and explore the villages. I will have to go back.
The open road – the A836 from Thurso to Ullapool
The open road – the A836 from Thurso to Ullapool
The open road – the A836 from Thurso to Ullapool
One small village I passed through was called Tongue (map it) and the locals had been quite enterprising in setting up a small gift shop which seemed to sell a range of hats and t-shirts that played on the name Tongue. How I laughed. I did stop at a small tea shop by a loch. The views were amazing and the carrot cake was pretty good. But it was the little beaches and bays that impressed me the most. Truly breathtaking and in-between rain showers, when the sun came out, you could also believe you were looking at some tropical beach scene.
The Tea Shop on the A836
One of the many bays along the A836
Ullapool, Scotland, United Kingdom – Map it
