Day 14 – Saturday 4 August

Dornoch to John O’Groats

Stroma View

The final day was 79 miles, through John O’ Groats and on to the Stroma View Campsite at Huna.

Simon was determined to cycle for part of the day, so Mick and Liz agreed that he ride the last 40 miles or so from Dunbeath to John O’Groats. Mick had to tighten up his mudguard stays that were rattling (on a bicycle you can’t just increase the radio volume) and to check his tyres that were showing signs of wearing thin. Simon recalls riding too close to Mick at one point and getting his handle bars caught on Mick’s panniers, nearly bringing them both to grief, but in the end they got there in one piece, and spent a comfortable night on the Stroma View campsite at Huna before setting out on the return to Birmingham via Bridge of Earn to collect me.

Wedneday 29 May 1991

When I rode the final day the following summer I recall the small coastal villages, cycling repeatedly down into small valleys round which they were centred and back up the other side. It was probably at Dunbeath that Liz and I met up for lunch. It was getting chilly and I put on an extra layer. At Wick I was joined be another cyclist who rode with me for some miles. He had been a professional in his day and although pretty fit had suffered a heart attack. Cycling was part of his fitness regime and he could easily have left me behind, but stayed with me just for the company.

Liz met me at the John O’Groats Hotel where we had an evening meal before driving back to our bed & breakfast lodgings.