Helmsdale to Latheron (Caithness)

Weather today: Sunny all day

Daily Miles Covered: 20.2

Total Miles Covered: 1033.5

Things of Interest: Badbea clearance village

Personal Comments: First of all we would like to thank Les and Greta of La Mirage restaurant Helmsdale for their generosity in providing us with a free supper last night. Ross organised it, he is still looking after us in another country. Usual early start up the A9 to where they were building a new section of road. I was told by an official looking chap with a hard hat on, not to proceed up the new part as it wasn't allowed. Ok I said until I saw that it went parallel with the old road and there wasn't a vehicle in sight. He wasn't walking to John O' Groats I was, you can guess the rest! 6 miles further I came to Badbea an ancient village which became a place where people took refuge, when they had been forced to leave their homes by the Lairds. The Lairds decided they could make more money dealing in sheep, than collecting rent from the tenant farmers. It became known as The Highland Clearances, mans inhumanity to man!. What I would like to know is why they built the village next to the A9!.
Further along at Ramscraig I met Eve and Ann who live at The Schoolhouse, they kindly gave me £20 for Macmillan, well done both of you. The day was really warm so I took lunch behind a wall next to the road. Soon I came into Latheron where Harry was parked. A welcome brew went down well, rested for a short while, then I looked at the map for tomorrow, I'll make Wick, then just one day left