I have now completed my first twenty six miles from John O’ Groats to Land’s End and I received the following motivational postcard after completing the opening 26 miles. The email also included the text that I have copied below.

I am really enjoying my virtual challenge with End to End and would recommend their website to everyone as it really helps to keep you motivated – we all know that some forms of exercise can be lonely, boring and repetitive. If you find yourself in a similar situation then I urge you to click on this paragraph and find out more about End to End.

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Steady first few miles in! Good job!

John O’ Groats (Scottish Gaelic: Taigh Iain Ghròt) takes its name from one Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for the ferry from the Scottish mainland to the island of Orkney, recently acquired from Norway, from the Scottish King James IV in 1496. Local legend has that the “o’ Groats” refers to John’s charge of one groat for use of his ferry, but it actually derives from the Dutch de groot, meaning “the large”.

Did you spot Bucholie Castle along the coast? – it is believed to have been built during the 12th century by Sweyn, a Norse pirate and freebooter. However, the present visible structures were built by the Mowat family, who were granted the lands by King Robert the Bruce.

You’ll see the word Broch a lot during your journey through beautiful Scotland. Brochs are the most spectacular of a complex class of roundhouse buildings found throughout Atlantic Scotland. 

You went through the small town of Wick, definitely worth a stop right? The coastline at Wick has a spectacular, rugged appearance  – perfect for dramatic photographs. Snapped a few?? The Cairns formed from stacks of pebbles beside turquoise seawater in a natural harbour below Sinclair Girnigoe Castle near Wick are a must see!

One of the main features of the stunning and barren countryside surrounding Wick are the ruined stone cottages and farmhouses, which add a dramatic touch to the landscape. You will not want to miss taking a few photos of that too!

If you’re a fairy lover, slightly detour after Latheron, for the Latheron Wheel Fairy Walk, one of Scotland’s hidden gems.

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Of course, when I lived in Scotland many moons ago, I did take a trip from my base in Inverness to Wick. I bothered to do this only because the freezing cold town is home to Wick Academy’s Harmsworth Park. Wick are the most Northerly football team based on the UK mainland and they ply their trade in the Highland League.

I was completing a tour of the highland league football grounds in 2016 or thereabouts, so obviously needed to take the trip north.

The most remarkable feature of Harmsworth Park is the infamous sloping pitch. I have never seen a football pitch built on such a steep gradient.

Behind the goal at the top of the hill is an almost vertical grass embankment. At the top of this bank there is a large car park over looking the pitch so supporters can watch the match from the comfort of their cars – an attractive prospect in the winter.

At the opposite end of the pitch is an uncovered pathway with only quaint wooden barriers separating supporters from the field of play.

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I am so pleased that I managed to achieve some things during my depressing stay in the Highlands of Scotland. I made memories that will last a life time as well as enduring some chapters in my life that I would really like to forget…

I will carry on cycling and see where I end up next. In the meantime you can sponsor me on my trek from John O’Groats to Lands End in aid of Ataxia UK by clicking here.