Cycled 38 miles last night which turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far. Was  quite a hard training run and got a great work out from it. Feeling fantastic today after it.

I have just returned after a few days camping in Sutherland on the north coast of Scotland and I am just feeling on top of the world. We were so far north, and it was so wild and remote that is almost did feel like the top of the world! With its miles of white sandy beaches,  bright aqua seas and a stunning vista around corner,  Sutherland turned out to be out to be a very special place and made camping again a real treat.

I hadn’t been camping since  I was in the Venture Scout movement around the age of 17, which is more years ago than I am prepared to admit. My lasting memory of that time was being washed out and having to spend the last night in the back of the scout van.  I’m pleased to say I had a far more pleasant experience this time and it has left me with a hunger for more.

We camped for 2 nights in Ullapool on the west coast during which time we explored some of the surrounding country and villages. Weather was mixed and we managed to get the tent pitched in the dry. Once the tent was up we began trying to cook our dinner.  I have to to admit, if there is one thing I would like to work on before my next camping trip, its camp cooking. There only so much pasta one can eat in a week!  On the plus side, many of my friends told me how cold I would be in a tent but I was really cosy in my sleeping bag night.   On a trip to Achiltibuie and The Summer Isles I got my first glimpses of Sutherland but had no idea what was to come.

The road from Ullapool up to Durness on the north coast of Scotland was simply stunning and I don’t really have the words to describe it. Around every twist and turn of the road was another magnificent view that can hardly be summed up in words. When we arrived at Durness the sun made the sea a beautiful green and aqua colour which, along with the silvery white sand was just idyllic.

The highlight of the holiday for me was a visit the Cape Wrath, the most north west tip of the British mainland. There is mile upon mile of open moorland and mountain, an unspoiled wilderness. At the far end is the Cape Wrath lighthouse which is a welcome site after such a long journey over the moors.

I will defiantly go back up to Sutherland, hopefully sooner rather than later. It was stunningly beautiful and I can’t put into words how I feel about it. It is a very special corner of the UK with amazing scenery and lovely people. I really think you should pay it a visit too.