Looking for John O’Groats

Just before the pandemic Troy and I had planned a trip with the Gunn Clan to explore his Scottish heritage. Many of the activities were in Inverness and John O’ Groats. As fate would have it that trip did not materialize, but this trip to Scotland has given us a small chance to see some of that iteniary. So today we took of a tour that took us through many delightful villages. Alness, Tain, Golspie, Brora, and Wick. Each village had a lovely church, a green, a public house and its on special charm. Most of the villages had a small golf course a reminder that this is where the game began. Golfers often share the course with of course sheep. None of the showy Catholic churches in this bastion of Presbyterians, but nice study houses of worship with a graveyard waiting for its declining worshippers. We learned all about the Lord Sutherlands who held sway over the area for years and apparently still do. We had the privilege of visiting Dunrobbin Castle the home of the Sutherland family for many years. Beautifully appointed with paintings, fine china, majestic stag heads and tiger skin rugs, the house was still very much a home. The nursery was a beautiful place for children to spend their time. The library and music room were places to entertain and be entertained. Every room looked out to the sea and gardens full of trees and flowers. I loved seeing how the young duchess had joined the navy and was an ambulance driver during WWI and how other family members had served their country during war and peace. We continued northward and the soft light gave a painterly feeling to the landscape again full of sheep, fat cows and horses and acres and acres of hay. John O’Groats offered lunch, a peek at the Orkney Islands and more breath taking views. Just before arriving we went through a village where the name Gunn was prominent. Troy could get a sense of where his early early ancestors lived. We returned home on nearly the same route detouring through villages that we missed, stopped for lobster rolls and returned home ready for another Scottish adventure.