Na rathaidean fada, lùbach tro Chuimrigh agus Alba

Today’s trivia is on the Tongue Hotel, seeing there’s no other notable trivia:

• Built in the mid-1800s, the building retains character through wood paneling, open fires, and traditional furnishings.
• Situated in the village of Tongue, making it a popular stop on the North Coast 500 route.
• The hotel was acquired by Highland Coast Hotels in 2022, which planned refurbishments while keeping its historic charm.
• Dining and atmosphere, not but known for the Brass Tap Bar, which offers local Scottish ales, whiskies, and gins.
• The hotel is geared towards outdoor enthusiasts, offering easy access to fishing, stalking (isn’t that a chargable offence?), walking, and golf.
• It welcomes pets to stay with their owners. Non here at moment.

We didn’t read the very small fine print, coffee was extra at £3 each for no matter what type of coffee, single or double espresso, cupacchino, etc.

The highlights of Tongue are listed in the hotel info sheet, so we took a drive . . .

We got stuck in roadworks, turns out the traffic lights were stuck on red in both directions.

19th century limestone kilns used to produce lime to negate the acidicity of the soil.

After a long windy and no lay-bys for oncoming traffic, we made it to Dun Dornaigil Broch . . .

Brochs are highly impressive prehistoric buildings, unique to Scotland and found mainly in the north and west. These stone roundhouses date from around 400-200 BC. But not according to hotel manager, just a pile of rocks. His English and proud to have over run the scotts😱

There was also the Sheep Fank Building to house the sheep on bad weather days about 35km away.

It was then onto “The Unknown” Sculpture by Kenny Hunter.

Along the way we met some cute locals . . .

At Farr Bay, the weather was brewing for these youngies . . .

At Strathy Cemetry there’s . . .

Over at Thurso there’s lots of empty shops and no one around. All looking a bit sad from when we were here in 2016.

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On the way back, google kept saying there’s heavier than normal traffic but will arrive on time🤔🤔🤔🤔

For dinner I ordered Crumbed Haddock and chips. The table next to us had ordered the same prior to us but got French fries in lieu of chips. Why wasn’t I given that option?

That same table asked for ice cream and was told, there is also a sorbet option. Why wasn’t I told that last night I asked the waitress. She just looked at me blankly. I don’t understand why when I asked a question I just get a blank look!

Today’s travels . . .