THE REAL NORTH OF MAINLAND SCOTLAND

 In the last post, I left you in Scrabster. Here's an old view of the harbour.

We head west, along the coast, to Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, where Highland Omnibuses kept a load of vehicles in case of a meltdown and, of course, for shift changes.

Further west, there's a scenic inlet at Melvich.

Melvich was home to the Melvich Hotel. No real ale these days, but it did once brew its own beer.

This local coach operator will transport us inland, vaguely eastwards.....

.....to Georgemas Junction, on the Highland Railway, where trains would split or connect for Wick and Thurso.

26044 awaits the Thurso portion in 1979.

Seven years later and 37421 departs for Thurso.

We also travel onwards to Thurso.

In LMS days, 14414 is in charge of a local train.

In 1976, there was still a bit of freight at Thurso.

Highland Omnibuses was Thurso's main operator. This Bedford had a mail compartment (Les Flint).

Highland had a depot in Thurso. A rare Albion is seen there in 1979.

This old AEC was retained for breakdowns, etc.

One of the last vehicles inherited from the MacBrayne's fleet.

Highland Country became the fleet name by 1998.

Now it's 2003 and Rapson's are in charge.

W Alexander & Sons (Midland) have sent this Burlingham coach to Thurso with a pile of tourists (Les Flint).

Maybe some visited the Central Hotel, also known as "Top Joe's".

It's getting late, but there still plenty of light over Thurso Castle in the summer of 1999.

After a good night's sleep, a visit to mainland Britain's most northerly point, Dunnet Head.

This is looking west from Dunnet Head.

Onwards then, to John O'Groats. Here's the hotel there in the mid 1930s.

The little ferry arrives from Orkney.

A local operator, Dunnet's of Keiss, at John O'Groats in 1976.

By 1999, Highland had taken over the service.

Back in 1963, an earlier Dunnet's vehicle departs.

Just down the road was the depot of Harrold's Coaches.

Now we're in Keiss, looking into Dunnet's yard.

Before we get to Wick, we find Castle Sinclair Girnigoe.

The next post will see us in Wick, probably without any decent beer. Here's a link to a map of the route so far.