Photos, videos and docs of Herb Riddle, with the keywords: "2014"

NC500 GT. - 66 –Journeys End-Inverness

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 10:18:00 +0000

Well after journeying probably a little more than 516 miles we arrive back at our departure point of Inverness. As I stand here on the banks of the River Ness I can now look back on the many splendid highlights of this Grand Tour.

I would like to thank our Ipernity friend Roger for making this virtual tour possible via his NC500 group. I have enjoyed the memories of our mini trips that we have made over the last approx 30 years and made my contributions here possible.

As Roger is meeting me here too today in Inverness there is just time to have a wee dram as we consider our next Scottish holidays.

CHEERS to our NC500 viewers and thanks for your company!

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 65 –Cromarty

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 07:21:02 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

A look at the The Cromarty Bridge, a road bridge carrying the A9 over the Cromarty Firth in Scotland. It was opened in 1976 and is 1464 metres (4803 ft) long. We are almost back in Inverness now having travelled almost the whole of the NC500 route clockwise.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 64 – Firth of Cromarty

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 07:35:45 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

As we arrive back to the Firth of Cromarty we take a break and in doing so spot these Common Seals. They are always a delight to see and watch and no doubt they are keeping an eye on us too even though I am some distance away.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

HFF~ NC500 GT. - 63 – Wick

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:15:14 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

The Inner harbour of Wick (One of three harbours) has a lot of marine activity. This timber being prepared for loading on the 'Scot Carrier' a specialist timber carrying vessel that takes timber to and from many other Scottish harbours.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Enjoy the weekend.

NC500 GT. - 62 – Wick

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:14:01 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

When shoals of herring moved away from the west coast, authorities turned toward Wick as a good prospect for the herring industry. Construction of Wick Harbour began in 1803 and was completed by 1811. Here we see The old Herring Mart, erected in 1890 on the site of an earlier fish market place. The Herring Mart, is thought to be the earliest purpose built fish market still standing in Scotland. The insert shows the extent of this industry at its peak around 1900 with its seasonal herring fishing, which peaked when some 1120 vessels were based here, and over two particularly busy days, landed fifty million fish!
More info: www.wickheritage.org/herring.php

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 61 – Wick

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 06:15:44 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

We have now turned south from John O'Groats towards the Caithness fishing town of Wick. It is now only a shadow of the great herring centre that it once was but for us it was still a most interesting place to visit. We see here the fish harbour.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 60 – Dunscaby Head Puffins

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 06:14:41 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

As we continue to walk along the top of these heady cliffs I glance down and see these Puffins. A long lens insures that they are not disturbed. According to the RSPB the Puffin is one of the world's favourite birds, it is certainly my favourite.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 59 – Dunscaby Head Stacks

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 07:20:16 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

The Duncansby Sea Stacks captured from the Duncansby Head cliff-top path. A contre-jour shot and so much of the detail has been lost but I think this photo still conveys much of the atmosphere of this remote headland at the very top NE corner of the UK mainland. There were many interesting stacks around here and many sea birds too.

The Stacks of Duncansby are some of the finest in the British Isles. The Great Stack towers are 60m high.

Best viewed full screen to see the diving birds.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 58 – Dunscaby Head

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 07:19:22 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

A very fine walk from John O'Groats brings us to Dunscaby Head and its famous sea stacks. As well as the incredible views you can enjoy seeing a varied amount of wildlife and seabirds including Fulmars, kittiewake, guiliemots, razorbills and the Skua and also a few puffins.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 57 – John o' Groats

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 07:15:07 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

As we enjoy the remoteness of this spot we are joined by a group of cyclist. I suspect that this scene is mirrored many times each week up here as the end point of such charity find-raising events.

John o' Groats is a village 2.5 mi north-east of Canisbay, in the historic county of Caithness, Scotland. It lies on Scotland's north-eastern tip and is popular with tourists, as the most distant point on the mainland from Land's End in Cornwall, England, 876 mi to the south-west. Wikipedia

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 56 – John o' Groats

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 07:13:04 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

Well we have made it this far. After many detours we have travelled roughly 400 miles since Inverness traveling clockwise. Only 120 or so more back to our start-point Inverness again. Phew!

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 55 – Giles Bay

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 18:50:38 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

Welcome to Giles Bay on the Pentland Firth. We see here the Pentland Ferries craft that takes cars and passengers to St Margaret's Hope on the Orkney Island of Ronaldsay.

Gills Bay, which is situated about 3 mi west of John o' Groats with the community of Gills close by, has one of the longest stretches of low-lying rock coast on the northern shores of Caithness. Its main features are a small harbour and the pier used as the mainland terminal for Pentland.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 54 – The Castle of Mey

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 07:13:05 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

As we continue east on this most north easterly point of the mainland we reach the Castle of Mey.

The Castle of Mey was built between 1566 and 1572 and was used as an officers' rest home during the Second World War. In 1952, the estate was bought by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the widow of George VI. On 1 January 2019, stewardship of the Trust passed to The Prince's Foundation. The president of the Foundation is Charles III. During our visit inside the castle we were to see much memorabilia of that great lady.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 53 – Dunnet Head

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 07:12:20 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

A place for the most dedicated UK explorer here. Just out of sight at the end of the headland of Dunnet Bay where we are based is this splendid lighthouse. Another built in 1831 by the renowned engineer Robert Stevenson. It is said that “Seal song” is often heard drifting up to the lighthouse from Brough Bay below. Certainly a great spot I can testify to.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 52 – Dunnet Bay

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 06:43:48 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

This is the view almost from our caravan window each evening for six days. We are looking at Dunnet Head, a place we would explore in more detail soon. The house on the top is one which the late Queen Mother often visited to see friends.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 51 – Dunnet Bay

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 06:42:33 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

At last we reach our next stopover destination here at the small village of Dunnet with a big sandy bay, seen here on arrival in the sea fret. A very interesting week of adventures awaits us.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 50 – Thurso

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 06:47:16 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

As out tour continues, we visit the old town of Thurso and we are regaled by the towns Highland band. (Or perhaps a visiting band?) Not only did we have pipes and drums but a very nice display of Highland dancing too. The real flavour of Scotland here as they march and play 'Scotland the brave'.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 49 – Thurso

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 06:46:27 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

Thurso has some wonderful headland cliffs on what is called Holborn Head. Populated by nesting seabirds it has some dizzying views. Its quite funny to see this fence jutting out over the cliff -maybe to stop birds from flying to the wrong cliffs :)

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

HFF~NC500 GT. - 48 – Thurso

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 07:22:49 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

A short walk along Thurso's Scrabster harbour brings us to this splendid lighthouse.

Just around the bay from Thurso on the western headland of Scrabster is Holburn Head Lighthouse. Close by in the harbour, ferries run from Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney.

Another David & Thomas Stevenson design. A light was first exhibited at Holburn Head on 1st September 1862, displaying a flashing white light towards the Pentland Firth and Thurso Bay. A red light sector shone towards Scrabster Roadstead. Discontinued in 2003.

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

NC500 GT. - 47 – Thurso

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 07:21:26 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

...and so we arrive on the North East section of the NC500. We are at Thurso's Scrabster Harbour - one of the top fishing harbours of Scotland and an established gateway to the North of Scotland. It is a recognised cruise port with a modern ferry terminal and used for the fishing, oil and gas industry too. It is the Scottish mainland's most northerly port and has a varied history. The origins of Scrabster date back to the age of the Vikings. Its natural harbour was perfect for their longships, and the seafaring Norsemen frequently landed here in the 11th century.

From here we were to sail to the Orkney Islands. (However that is really not for this NC500 Grand Tour.)

The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.