Sunset

This picture was taken at a quarter to three from the coast path to the northeast of Golspie, with the sun already setting across the Dornoch Firth, the official time of sunset today being 15.27.

We had passed Dunrobin Castle, which may be a strange cocktail of styles added over the years, so it more resembles a fairy castle than a serious fortress, but it sits on a strategically important site whose occupation dates back to Pictish times if not earlier. At this point the flat land along the coast, which the path follows, is at its narrowest, with the ground rising rapidly behind, so whoever holds the castle controls movement north-south along the coast.

Today few people follow the path, mostly casual walkers like us or dog-walkers or the occasional more serious walker on his/her way to or from John o' Groats, but to pass through this gate is to tread in the footsteps of thousands of people who have used this ancient highway over the centuries.

It was wonderfully peaceful today, with flocks of birds - mostly gulls and crows - forming and then breaking up into small groups which set off for their roosts for the night.