Urquart Castle, Dornoch, Sutherland & Caithness

Urquart Castle and a trip to the north to the counties of Caithness and Sutherland were on our agenda for the day.  We did our first petrol (diesel) fill up and all went smoothly. With a full tank of gas and dad in the back seat, we headed north out of Fort Augustus.  Our first stop was Urquart Castle that is located on the West Bank of Loch Ness about mid way up.  The castle is mostly in ruins, but was still very cool to see.  It's location is amazing with the mountains on one side and Loch Ness on the other.

After a couple hours there, we loaded back up at headed out to Dornoch, located in the county of Sutherland.  The cathedral in this town is the same cathedral mom's 5th (and my 6th) great grand father, Alexander Sutherland was christened.  We visited the cathedral and it's cemetery.  It was an awesome to feel the strength of those roots.  After Dornoch we went a little bit further north into Caithness County, which is also the area where Alexander Sutherland was from.

We then headed back to Fort Augustus.  I feel like I am starting to get the hang of driving on the left and after about 10+ roundabouts and only getting honked at once, I am going to deem the trip a success!

Urquart Castle - inside shot

Urquart Castle - outside shot

Mom and dad at the entrance gate to a Urquart Castle.

The prison cell in Urquart Castle.  If you look closely, you can see the prisoner still there.

A view of LochNessfrom one of the windows atUrquartt Castle.

I thought this cottage was so cute!!!  I could live there, no problem!

Dornoch Cathedral & Cemetery

Mom standing at the baptismal font where Alexander Sutherland was christened.

Dad trying his hand as a minister for the Church of Scotland.  Hehehehe!

Out on the pier of the North Sea in Golspie located in Caithness County.