Thursday 7^th September - Tongue to John O'Groats then Wick

The final day began with light drizzle, but I re-energized by the fact the journey would soon be concluded. Progress was hilly and strenuous in the morning to Betty Hill where I was hoping for some breakfast. Arrived there disappointed to find the café shut, so I had to snack on energy bars and cakes I had in reserve. I pushed on towards Thurso and was glad when the last of the Highlands fell away to the flats of Caithness at Strathy, with the particularly flat coastline highlighting the large structures of Dounreay Power Station. Arrived at Thurso in good time for lunch and had clear views out to Dunnet Head and was lifted by the fine and warm weather. The headland I decided was worth a detour because it was the true point furthest North on mainland Britain. After meeting to fellow end to enders, I ventured up to the summit of Dunnet Head which gave fantastic views both inland and out to the Orkneys.

The last 15 miles to John O’Groats were flat and fast, and on arrival I was greeted with a similar affair to Lands end, with the assortment of gift shops and tourist attractions. Having been photographed, stamped and signed the official book, I had a celebratory drink of tea and cake with the same cyclists I met earlier, whom it turned out had set off a day earlier than me. Since there was plenty of daylight left, I could not resist the few extra miles out to Duncansby Head, the most North Easterly point. This was well worth it, an I was rewarded with wonderful views up the coastlines South and East in glorious sunshine. This I felt was a more worthy finale than John’O Groats itself, with its remote feel and great views of the “stacks” just off the headland. I made the obligatory phone call home to mark my arrival before making weary progress on the 15 miles or so to Wick.

The tiredness that had been mounting the past few days seemed to hit me on the ride to my final stop at wick and I had a celebratory beer and curry that night to round off the trip before an early train back at 6am the next morning. The 12 hour train journey to Sheffield was like a dream (though I was literally falling asleep) and after Inverness the route back through the Grampians showed my progress in reverse how it should have looked in glorious sunshine. The whole journey seemed worthwhile just for the train journey, and when I had woken up a little I was able to recount my journey to fellow passengers. Views up to Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth were amazing, on crossing the famous Forth rail bridge a gleaming white ocean liner was sheltering beside the bridge. I realised Scotland was big by the fact the train journey had taken so long!

    Distance: 94 miles

The Kyle of Tongue                                                  Residents of Bettyhill

Dounraey Power Station                                             Dunnet Head invites exploration!

View off Dunnet Head summit out towards the Orkneys and back inland.

Dunnet Head and the view off Duncansby Head to the stacks.

The Finale!