We had a bit of a lay in this morning, and set off at 9.30 after some cereal and toast. As we are staying here 2 nights, we are backtracking our steps to go to Borgie Forest to do a couple of small walks. 

The first short walk was alongside the river and flat, the second only slightly longer but uphill to an amazing viewpoint and ‘The Unknown’ sculpture.

Our second stop of the day was Coldbackie beach, the view from the top breathtaking and we decided to attempt to get down on the beach to explore. It was a fairly steep 10 min walk down to a spectacular beach, white sand, blue water and nobody on the beach at all. After a little stroll along to the end of it and back we then had to ascend that lovely steep hill.

With the sun shining we actually put the roof down and headed to the Norse Bakehouse for a pizza and beer (our first made from porridge oats, that’s the beer, not pizza!) before continuing to Tongue. 

We parked up outside The Ben Loyal Hotel and begun our walk to the ruin of Castle Varrich, with the sun full out this was one of the most picturesque walks so far and warmest. Inside the ruin they have built a spiral staircase to give you a viewing platform over the Kyle of Tongue. Stunning.

Being a little parched when we got back near the car, it seemed there was only a hotel bar to grab a drink, so hey ho!

A quick detour upto the Loch Craggie viewpoint, again complete change of scenery, all quite boggy and barren.

Our final destination of the day, another beach only a little way on from our pod called Achininver Beach. Absolutely beautiful and of course we had to once again clamber down to it. This one’s a bit different as it also had a river running across it. We didn’t stay long as the tide was coming in really fast, so we returned to the pod to freshen up prior to dinner back at the hotel where we had the drink earlier.

Dinner was lovely and I had my first haggis, really tasty as well trying another whiskey. 

Back to the pod, hopefully a little warmer tonight as we’ve sorted the temperature on the fire.

Notes if you’re interested on the NC500 so far.

Roads – surprisingly quiet, equal mixture of cars and motorhomes, a few motorbikes even less cyclists and 1 runner (with the whole support crew in tow)

Midges – not seen any, the wind may be keeping them away.

Weather – forecasts wildly inaccurate, very changeable very quickly, the rain we’ve had during the day hasn’t lasted longer than say 20mins.

Restaurants – limited choice, and perhaps not the ‘foodie trail’ we were expecting. 

Accommodation – Glad we prebooked everything, there is some availability, bits lots have the no vacancies sign up.