Sunday 12 September

Left the hotel at 9.30 heading for Culrain. A bit of climbing to do - nothing we couldn't handle. Had to go onto the A9 for A very short period, but it wasn't too bad as it was early Sunday morning. Towns are getting few and far between. Got overtaken by two cyclists up a steep hill. Some time later we passed them getting fed and watered out of the back of a van. They then overtook us again us the next hill. We alternate between feeling very smug that we're doing our trip unsupported and thinking how nice it would be not to carry luggage and have someone parked at various points feeding you! Decide to stop for a brew and lunch (cooked ourselves) in a viewpoint area overlooking the Dornoch Firth. Whilst there, two different sets of people gave me money for Ty Gobaith. Carried on and missed the turn in Ardgay to take us up the west side of the Firth so we went up the east side. Culrain is on the west side but there is a bridge across (turns out it's a footbridge with steps alongside a railway line - you'd have loved it Janice, it's floor was a metal grid and you could see straight through to the water way below!). We think we have had a lucky break as we have to be on this side of the firth tomorrow and there is a hotel here by the bridge (Invershin Hotel). The couple who own it have only bought it this year and are doing it up. They say we can have a room but there's no breakfast. We have the room cheap - at least cheap compared with what it will probably cost when it's finished. We have to negotiate one floor of stairs which is in the renovation stage, but the place will be fabulous when it's finished. We have a drink and read a paper in the lounge area before going out for A walk. On the other side of the bridge in Culrain we find the Youth Hostel I had marked on the map, which we would have come to first if we'd gone the right way. It was fantastic - a huge castle! And it would have been cheaper! Sod's Law!
Arrival time - 2pm
Mileage - 32.66
Height 22ft max 826ft