Menootanaboot; YAMster Leaves The Hutch; 3rd Leg

In case you missed it, this mini-series about the trip north and east of the Hutch has its own label, so you can catch up - or view it again! Not just these 'leg' posts, but also Me-Now-Views and, let's not forget, Hettie's guest post!

After a tasty bowl of parsnip and rhubarb soup (yes, you read that correctly) plus some excellent bread and cheese, Gabby was excited to find that she was again going out in the car with the three ladies of a certain age. This time, F drove us up the A9 a ways before turning off toward Shandwick.

That's the green part of the trail out of Alness. The 'x' marks the spot where we stopped to view the Shandwick Stone. It amazes me that dad never brought us to see this. Neither Mac1 nor I recall ever having seen it, though it is very much within his childhood stamping ground, and he always seemed to know about all such things. No matter, we stood before it in a degree of awe. As you will see from the link just given, as well as from the board info below, this is of Pictish origin. It is one of three such stones within the area, though this is the only one still standing in its original spot - hence the less attractive modern encasing to protect it. The Hilton stone, as might be seen from its undamaged appearance, is a replica and the original is kept in the National Museum. 

The Hilton Stone.

After absorbing this impressive bit of history, we drove down the hill to the village of Shandwick and to the beach. Gabby was well happy. As indeed were the "hyoomons!" What a vista. There were lots of peeps and their pups. Clearly a well-loved and well-used spot and some great wave action too. Surfers were in evidence. (This is following the orange track on the map up top - Hilton at the 'elbow.')

Half an hour here, then back into the car to drive via Balintore and another stop for some art installations. Notably, The Mermaid of the North. I also really appreciated the simple yet striking stonework as a memory for all sailors... the whole thing is admirable. I would love to visit again with the specific purpose of lingering longer than the fifteen minutes we had.

From here we stopped briefly at Hilton to view that replica stone, then it was back towards the main road via the 'sunflower strips.' The farmer here had filled the edges of his fields with these beauties. 

... and this was only the first part of the afternoon. We were headed for Tain... but that's for next Thursday. Yes folks, again with the TBC!