We left our little holiday cottage near Scourie as dusk fell, taking the road north to watch the sun setting over Durness beach.
Driving very carefully, due to livestock not hearing our car’s electric engine, we roll over a road marking that makes me smile. Slow is an instruction not just for the vehicle but the passengers too … time to embrace the beauty around us, stop looking at our watches and breathe.
The road follows the course of the River Dionard as it gently meanders its way through a heather-clad mountain valley. It has been a long and busy day and, as the light starts to dim, our three youngest children fall fast asleep.
The landscape changes as the river joins the Kyle of Durness, where the sloping hills meet drifts of sand. With the car window slightly down, I can taste the sea salt in the air.
Our eldest son has been looking forward to this moment since we started planning our trip. Here we are, at the most northerly coast of Britain.
We tell him that we could not have done this without him. He has sat for this long journey between his seven month old baby sister and his youngest brother. He has picked up dropped toys before tears began. When his autistic sibling had suddenly panicked at the low sun and sudden air pressure drop as we drove up into the Cairngorms, our eldest son had soothed him, held his hand and helped him to settle.
I encourage our teenaged son to go up to the cliff, listen to the waves crashing, feel the fierce coastal breeze on his face and know that if he can help us to make this epic road trip a reality, with all the difficulties we have overcome to get here, he can surely do anything he sets his mind to.
My husband and I take it in turns, one of us always with the still-dozing tiny ones, to take in the view. Durness is more beautiful than a photograph can convey. Glassy pools reflect the ever-changing light, where monolithic rocks stand anchored against the crashing waves.
As the wind changes, we notice a sudden strong ashen smell in the air and, looking westwards, smoke plumes are now drifting out to sea from beyond the cliffs.
The owner of Mather’s, the little late hour shop we stop at before leaving, tells us that a planned heather burning has gotten out of control, due to the sudden gale force winds. He was not at all worried. A fleet of fire engines are starting to noisily arrive, and we can now see that the nearest mountain peaks are scorched with line after line of fierce flames. It was a sight that will always stay with me, but not one I photographed – the safest course of action was to get out of the smoky air and safely back to Scourie. Our three littlest ones slept on, oblivious.
The fires blaze on the east side of the Kyle, though the westward peaks are serene, beneath a purplish blue sky.
We arrive safely back at the little cottage by the river, tuck the little ones into bed and watch the remaining light ebb away over the sea loch from the kitchen window. We talk about the brave fireman, out on the hills, possibly still battling the flames as night falls. The shopkeeper had told me they were well practised and all would be well.
For now, rest. Tomorrow, we plan to return to the north coast and explore Smoo Cave.
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Such beautiful pictures! And a lovely story about your eldest son.
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Thank you Laurie x He is a good lad 🙂
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Planned heather burning is new to me, but I know burning was often used to maintain forests in the US. Often too risky now.
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It’s a controversial topic over here – the landowners say it is essential for land management, many environmentalists tend to disagree.
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Thank you. I will keep my eyes open for more articles on this.
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On the North York Moors we also have planned heather burns. There have been a lot of false alarms recently, probably as a result of the bush fires. Your pictures are stunning, and your teenager is a super chap.
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Thank you so much, regarding the photos. I remember saying o my husband that the scenery was so stunning that I felt like I could just randomly point the camera and click, and everything would look beautiful 🙂 Yup, our eldest is a lovely fellow x
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I am amazed abut the beauty of the photos and your writing “Glassy pools reflect the ever-changing light, where monolithic rocks stand anchored against the crashing waves.”
How lovely put and how caring it shows you are.
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Thank you so much Gerald – I find it really easy to write with this amazing scenery as inspiration. I still don’t feel I can do it full justice, it was so breathtaking. I take a lot of notes whilst I’m away too, of everything I felt in the moment. Thank you for such a lovely comment x
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Just Beautiful descriptions of your visit here and Kudos to your Son whose patience and love with his siblings have helped ease the long journey… Just Stunning photos…
Your descriptive writing flows like the waves as you share all you sense… We sense them too.. Many thanks Mrs TP…
Love your way ❤
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Thank you Sue, we are so proud of him – and he is made up reading the comments left about him here 🙂 He really didn’t think he does anything out of the normal or special, and it’s good to keep letting him know x
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Brilliant…. that is wonderful to know Mrs TP.. And great feedback for him… 🙂
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Good description and magical photography
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Thank you Derrick! We all love your photographs, so that means a lot 🙂
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What an excellent job your son did! Your photos and narration are lovely. 🙂
janet
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Thank you Janet 🙂 He is a lovely older brother, and having disabled siblings does make things a little complicated when we travel – he is a wonderful help.
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More power to all of you and many blessings!!
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So wonderful about your son! ❤ The photos are just breathtaking. I love that kind of scenery…an untouched quality to the landscape. Just sooooo gorgeous.
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Thank you Amy 🙂 Such kind comments x I find my photographs come out way better from Scotland than anywhere else – I think its the light, and the sheer scale of the scenery.
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How lovely that your son cares so well for his brothers and sister, and that you recognise and acknowledge it.
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Thank you x We try to to remember to tell our eldest two all the time, and make sure we set aside lots of time, just for them, every evening when their two disabled siblings and baby sister are asleep 🙂
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Gorgeous photos – truly atmospheric. I loved the story regarding your oldest boy though – the way you acknowledge what he’s done and how he helps, that’s just beautiful.
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Thank you Jo 🙂 I am reading all of the comments out to him and he is absolutely amazed x
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I lovely post, I really like the photos you included as well.
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Thank you x I really enjoyed writing this post and reliving the whole trip again 😀
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