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Tuesday 24th December 2024 A scooter run to Newton Point and Loch Migdale (48 miles). |
I left home at about 1.20 after my lunch and headed up the Struie Road, the B9176. About 5 miles up the road is this abysmal mess, created by constructing yet another wind-farm. I am so sick of the pillaging of our countryside permitted and imposed by our MSPs chasing after their supposed “Green” policies. Our Highlands of Scotland are being ruined visually and ecologically by the construction of so many wind-farms.

To prove it is winter here is a picture of Bheinn Tharsuinn with just a little snow on it.

I went on beyond Aultnamian and turned right onto the single track road that takes you down to Edderton. This is Struie Hill which will show in a lot of today’s photos. The actual summit with the radio mast on it are just out of shot to the right.

Looking out to Sutherland.

I came down to Edderton and turned right to take me to the Dornoch Bridge roundabout. I went left at the roundabout and stopped at the start of the bridge. I’ve never seen this information board before.

Looking West up the Dornoch Firth. Struie Hill has the mast on it towards the left. In a short time I will head up the coast to the right of the picture.

Looking East towards Ben Bhraggie and Dornoch.

Looking North up the bridge.

I continued up the A9 turning left to go through Clashmore. A couple of miles on I noticed a sign pointing left to Newton Point. I went past it but thought “there’s a road you’ve never been down”. I backtracked and went down it. I am trying to go along roads branching off the normal routes to get a new adventure! It was great to get a new road.
I passed this rather lovely building. I wonder does it have something to do with Skibo Castle?


It wasn’t my wisest move to come down here. Once passed that fancy building the road deteriorated becoming very potholed and muddy. The scooter slipped on me and I thought I was coming off but like a hero I manged to catch it. That is the advantage of it being so light. If it was my old XS650 it would have been on the ground (or mud)! When I got down to Newton Point I went to park the bike in the small car park there but the bike took another slide. In fact I had an awful job to turn round and get out of the situation, but I managed and parked the bike on the tar. This is looking back towards the Dornoch Bridge which I have just crossed.

These are various shots of the Dornoch Firth.

The sun is very low in the sky at just after 2.00.

I’ve got to get a picture of Struie Hill again!


Looking towards Spinningdale; it is just round the corner to the right.

I’m not sure what this is. Was it some weighbridge?

This is the condition of the road at a better part.

I came back up onto the road to Bonar Bridge and turned off at Spinningdale going right onto the Migdale Road. This was Tom Macbride’s garage where he did many an MOT for my bikes over the years. I think it is a private house now. He was unable to sell the business. A couple of years ago there would be a row of bikes parked outside as well as cars.

I pushed on up the road and further on turned left to go to Migdale. This is just beyond the turnoff.

Loch Migdale.


Creich, or Bonar Bridge, Free Church. It is so sad no worship takes place here anymore. The congregation do worship in the village in the Gair Memorial Hall. The minister from the 19th century, Augustus Aird, is buried in the church grounds. He had a lot to do with helping the people from Glen Calvie when they were cleared from the land.

Just after the church you turn down towards Bonar Bridge and get this super view over Loch Migdale.

This is beside the Church of Scotland in Bonar Bridge. The bridge itself is visible even though the sun is doing its best to screen it.



I crossed the bridge and parked just beyond it at the public car park.

This view is looking down the Dornoch Firth from the head of it.


My scars are healing, barely noticeable in this picture, I’m almost gorgeous!

It was the usual way home going through Ardgay and over the Struie. This is at the viewpoint where I’ve taken many a photo over the years out on two wheels. This picture is looking once more to Struie Hill. The mast is much clearer in it.

Looking up the Dornoch Firth to where I have come from. Bonar Bridge is on the right of the strip of land separating the two pieces of water at the centre of the picture.

The hero of the day, my Yamaha Majesty YP250. It is incredibly easy to drive and keeps chugging along. I am not precious about it and though there was very little salt on the roads after all the rain we have had there was still some.

I reached home at 3.10 after a grand wee trip. It is fantastic to be able to be out on two wheels at this time of year. Tomorrow is Christmas! I was very comfortable as far as temperature goes but I was wearing thermal underwear, two pairs of socks and my USB heated gloves! Of course I gave the bike a good wash. I have still to spray WD40 on it before I put it in the garage.
(Matthew 1: 18 – 25 AV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
A blessed Christmas to you all | ![]() |