Wild
Wild

You may call it a sudden whim, if you wish

Okay, so we have talked about doing this for a while now and nothing happened but finally we saw sense. It was crazy to be so …

Galloway Forest Park

Galloway Forest Park is a woodland park, operated by Forestry Commission Scotland, principally covering woodland in Dumfries and Galloway. It is one huge playground for the actively-minded motor-homer and one of the few places that appears to welcome us warmly. According to the rules it is okay to overnight in any of the free car parks, though not in the paid car parks at the visitor centres.

Overnight at the Red Deer Range

Until very recently it was possible to drive off into the forest and pull up overnight anywhere suitable for the purpose but sadly, in just the last few weeks, the “No Unauthorised vehicles” signs have been appearing at the forest track entry points.

Overnight at Loch Trool

Luckily there are plenty of free car parks available and not much competition for space at this time of year. In Summer things may become difficult.

Overnight at the Raiders Road

The Forest Drives are closed at this time of year but we thought it okay to just drive onto the end of the Raiders Road in order to park in the car park.

We had all three locations to ourselves and the peace and quiet was absolute. The darkness was absolute too, apart from the wonderful surprise at Loch Trool when there was a show of the Northern Lights – though between the hill and the cloud cover, we saw very little of it though what we did see looked very bright in the absence of any other light.

Arran

Being parked up at the Red Deer Range it would have been impolite not to call in on the neighbours. We were surprised by how friendly they are!

Spike loves carrots

The Wild Goats also enjoyed some carrots when we went to visit them.

We called in at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, which is open, although on limited hours, throughout the winter and had a grand walk there. We are keen to go back again before we head for home.

A diversion between Newton Stewart and Glentrool sent us on a grand tour of D&G and we travelled on some “interesting” roads. Great fun but it made our arrival at Glentrool very late – too late for an afternoon walk as darkness was already descending.

There are more photographs but I have not had time to sort through them yet. Just wanted to write up last week’s trip before we go off again tonight,

Next stop…. Ireland!

Day 3

Note to Self: If parking overnight adjacent to a lighthouse, then expect the obvious.

Last night we sat in the front seats, Talisker at hand, inserted the USB stick with our music on it into the stereo (it began with Adiemus, I guess that we have no Abba) and watched the sea until it became dark… and then we watched the  lights. We counted at least a dozen Lighthouses within view.

A fat orange moon rose over the sea to our right. I should have loved to go out and photograph it but (a) a strong wind had come up and (b) the lighthouse beam would have spoiled the effect anyway. Later we took the dog out before bed and marvelled at the Milky Way. This would be a stunning location for Aurora watching sometime.

The wind strengthened through the night and we were woken by the gentle thud of rubber on rubber as our mudflaps struck the wheels at intervals.

This morning dawned bright and fair. There was a lot of lenticular cloud lit by the rising sun. I felt as though I should go and observe this for myself, camera in hand but I was snug in my bed and coffee had been delivered. It was still very windy when we took Nell out for a morning walk – and that wind significantly cooler than the day before. I had to don a fleece.

We strolled down to the beach, where I tried to get some seal shots, There was some really good seal action but my camera skills let me down quite badly.

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The drive down to Dunbeath was a pleasant one. I have previously been unimpressed by Caithness, finding it bleak and unlovely but today I saw it with a fresh eye. The light was fabulous and I saw much photographic potential as we ambled along. My cries of “I should love to photograph that!” went unheard, unfortunately.

It was a short journey and we arrived in Dunbeath at midday. I confess to some alarm when I saw how narrow a gap we were aiming for in order to arrive at our overnight spot. I sucked my girth in and we made it. I am not looking forward to going out again!

Note the handily-placed rock
Note the handily-placed rock

It was worth it. This is a smashing spot, quiet and well out of anyone’s way.

After lunch we walked the dog along the Dunbeath Strath, which furnished me with a ruin to photograph, an old Inn.

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At one point I looked to my left and saw three deer, one young Roe buck and two does just standing on a rise in the middle of a field and looking directly at me. Whilst I was attempting to liberate my camera and park my walking pole, Nell came galloping back to see where we were and the deer were startled. I had to settle for enjoying the sight of their white alarm flags soaring over the fence and far away.

Dunbeath is a smashing wee place, full of interest and cannot be recommended highly enough. I would be happy to return here at any time.

Our  berth for the night
Our berth for the night

Day 1

We got away last night and reached the top of the road only for Mr Snail to recall that he had left his coat and wallet at home. He did a magnificent job of reversing all the way back to the gate…

We set off again. I was a little concerned about the exhaust puttering and asked if all was well. Mr Snail said it always sounds like that from a cold start.

On the way to Loth we heard an odd noise. I asked what it was and he said we must have run over something. I tried hard not to have images of cats running between the wheels.

We parked up at Loth and waited for the otters to come out and play. G&A Best came along to see us off and we all sat waiting for otters.

Hank at Loth in the evening light
Hank at Loth in the evening light

This morning we were up bright and early and ready for the early boat departure.

Ceridwen awaits the ferry to Kirkwall
Ceridwen awaits the ferry to Kirkwall

It was a beautiful morning and a calm sailing.

We exercised the dog and breakfasted on arrival in town and then hit the supermarkets before going for lunch at Helgi’s.

With time to kill before the ferry to Scrabster, we went to Brodgar for a walk around the RSPB reserve. As we set off, Mr Snail groaned. I asked what was wrong and he said, you see that exhaust pipe under the van? We used to have two of those.

Oh, dear.

The Pentland Firth was flat calm and plain sailing today. We set off for Sibster only to find the place chock full of motorhomes. It was a motorhome ghetto. Clearly the secret is out. We felt guilty about parking, and really ought to have gone elsewhere. But where?

Luckily four of the six vans here left without staying the night so now we don’t feel too bad. Just tired. Very, very tired.