7 August

We re-traced our train tracks from Loch Lomond back to Glasgow and connected with the train for Inverness, where we changed once more for Thurso, on the northern coast of Scotland. The ride north through the highlands was just great. There is a huge amount of unspoiled land with seemingly endless hills to compliment the sea views and shorelines. We arrived in Thurso in time for the Gala parade. We're not exactly sure what the Gala entails, but there was a reasonable amount of celebration. We found a room at a downtown hotel and took the walking path along the river. Supper was at Charlie Chan's Restaurant. It's definitely not a heat wave here. We ended up wearing almost all of our layers tonight and were not overheating.

Train to Thurso

leaving Loch Lomond

passing through Pitlochry

Highland moors

Cromarty Firth oil rig	Invergordon station art	Invergordon station art
Scottish countryside	Duke of Sutherland monument	zoom of previous photo
seals on the beach	zoom of previous photo	more coastline
heading inland	Typical Highlands

Thurso, Scotland

Thurso Gala stage

Thurso Gala crowds

a tasty find

Thurso Cemetery

Oag Family	Robert Dick	zoom of inscription	Leed Family
In Loving Memory of Georgina Oag Died 13th May 1920, Aged 7 Mths. Also her sister Anna, Died 4th May 1926, Aged 10 Days, and her brothers William, Died 16th Aptil 1928, Aged 9 Mths, Donald, Died 5th February 1930 Aged 17 years 4 Mths, and their father Donald Oag, Died 10th December 1967 Aged 82 Years. Also their mother Anna Banks Swanson Died 28th July 1974 Aged 86 Years. Here lies Robert Dick, Geologist and Botanist, born at Tullibody January 1811, died at Thurso 24th December 1866. In Loving Memory of John Leed died 28th February 1919 and his wife Christinal Mackay Leed died 15th February 1948. Also their daughter Mary Jane Leed buried at Buckie and their sons Alexander Leed, Gordon Leed, and William Leed buried elsewhere in this cemetery.

Gala parade

Pentland Hotel on Princes St

Pentland Hotel

bagpipe band

Gala Queen

Wick Airport float

a lull in the action

volcano theme

What the Dickens	a small participant	I Dream of Genies	Too Many Clowns
view from hotel room