What do you like on your Scottish breakfast?! Also, for subtitles on this video, UA-cam is now creating subtitles. To turn them on, click CC, then settings > subtitles > auto-translate.
The Scottish government really needs to give you some honorary position and award, as you have done a wonderful job of advertising Scotland as if it wasn't for UA-cam and people like you, many of us wouldn't realize that their is life North of Edinburgh/Glasgow and many now would be thinking about visiting North Scotland. Well done :)
As always, Ruth ... a lovely video. When we walked along the cliffs to see Duncansby Stacks it was in November and on the stony beach at the bottom of the cliff it was very noisy. The reason ? There was a large colony of female seals with their beautiful white furry pups. We felt so blessed to see them. What a privilege. They had wisely chosen a very safe spot because it was entirely inaccessible by humans. Duncansby Stacks is an utterly breathtaking place that leaves you speechless
a Scottish lass , you are a real treat , lots of life and energy. i appreciate the things you do and places you take us all. Happy Holidays from Pensacola , Florida
Ruth, I am so happy to see how many views your uploads are getting! I'm seeing this 8 hours after it posted and almost 13,000 views - WOW! That really shows how great you are at these videos. Fantastic!
Just so you know, I 78-year-old guy living in the planet known as New Jersey, but I love comfortable adventure, as well as a good scotch and real people and at this point, I’m happy to be able to experiencing some of those things but certainly you’re a real person and I enjoy your videos very much and makes me feel a little bit young again and also like I’m travelingthank you very much, Ruth
Thank you for the very enjoyable trip! I love your enthusiasm!! You make my day. I was telling someone about you and how fun you are and my friend asked me if I was speaking about a friend of mine. I said”Well she’s my friend but too bad- we’ve not met! “. 😂
Ruth, I so enjoy your positive energy, humor, and the history, cultural info, and wonderful insights into Scotland. You are awesome. I live in central California, and it's awesome to learn a bit about where some of my ancestors originated. Thank you.
Brilliant video as always!! Beautiful scenery!! Scottish tourism should be making you an ambassador for all the free advertising you are doing for the country. Hope all is well, take care of yourself
You passed a place called Dunbeath. It has a heritage centre and cafe. I stopped there once for a coffee and breakfast. Lights were on, 10am, after 100 mile drive. All good, sat down and waited a while. Nobody appeared, so I knocked on the kitchen door and opened it. A Lady looked at Me in my suit, shirt and tie, and said good morning. I enquired, when do you open ? She replied, April, it was only February !
Thank you for showing the very north of Scotland. My grandparents moved from London to live in Scarfskerry, near Dunnet Head, when I was very young in the early Seventies, so many school holidays were spent rock pooling and climbing the cliffs on the north coast. The view of the Orkneys that you had at Dunnet Head, and of Hoy in particular, is pretty much the view from my grandparents' living room. And in the summer the sunsets were spectacular. My grandparents had two crofts, the main one that they lived in and farmed from, and a smaller one that they used as a holiday let. Both were haunted - the main croft allegedly by an old man that the family referred to as Fred, and the smaller one by a young girl who was believed to have lived there in the early 1900s, and who my uncle saw standing at the end of the bed when he stayed there once. Overall, though, a magical place and a little piece of my heart will always be on the north coast of Scotland.
@adrians6488. What special memories of wonderful experiences. You were so lucky to have been able to spend so much time up there. Wow, Dunnet Head is breathtaking. And yes, I too have witnessed spectacular sunsets there. So many people never venture further north than Inverness. The far north of Scotland is God's own country and is lodged in our hearts also. We've had holidays up there twice a year for donkey's years.
Thank you for another lovely and interesting video, Ruth! I believe John O’groats has the reputation for being the most northerly point because it is just slightly further away from Lands End than Dunnet Head, diametrically speaking and probably by only a few miles, but that may be why. I always watch your videos but don’t always comment. But I am making notes…places to visit etc!
Thank you for visiting the far north and your enthusiastic commentary. The shortest street is so short that you walked right past it! Wick river is tidal and when the tide is in otters and seals can sometimes be seen there (opposite Mackay's Hotel). Another unusual feature of the river is that if there is a lot or fresh water coming downriver and the tide is coming in, the river flows both downstream (central part) and upstream (either side) at the same time. PS You are a brave woman setting fire to a pan in that wee van.....
You're so good at highlighting everything Scottish. It's amazing what you can prepare inside your van. Good idea to get a fridge. I went down the Whaligoe Steps in October 2022 to celebrate being 70. I d I d it again in September this year at 72. So proud! I love that place. I've been to Dunnet Head 3 times now and just love it. I really enjoyed this video. I guess now I need to purchase Old Pultaney. 😉
"This is better then Sawny Bean's ravioli" 🤣🤣🤣 Seriously, my Grandfather was born in Stevenston, Scotland and came to Michigan. He would recite the "Address to a Haggis" at the Robert Burn's suppers at St. Andrew's in Detroit.
You're great at showing parts of Scotland no one would consider visiting. Plse keep You're accent its lovely and the knowledge you talk is so interesting. Take Care ❤
Another wonderful video, regarding the Duncansby sea stacks there's also a view of a sea arch just to the north of them. If I remember correctly from my geography classes (it's 40 years since I left school) over time the waves will erode the arch and the ceiling will collapse leaving another sea stack. I am feeling very hungry for haggis with neeps and tatties, even though I have eaten this evening. Glad you enjoyed the Old Pulteney.
@@ruthaislingYou can see the arch on the video at 25:10 or 26:49. At the first point look at the bottom of the cliff that juts out just before the stacks. At 26:49 when your drone shot moves over the stacks, to the left of the second stack you see the arch at the bottom of the cliff.
A tip regarding mashed potatoes. I have for several years now been buying Idahoan Mashed Potato. Every supermarket sells it in a packet. They do the Buttery one that I buy, but others with herbs etc. Just add boiling water and stir to thicken. Much better value than the Tesco one and easy to make. I have it with virtually every dinner.
Took a tour of Scotland and visited some of these places. My wife and I loved it and you are right, just about anywhere you turn there is a castle or castle ruin. They served Haggis in a little meatball with some kind of sauce. Could have been a whiskey sauce. My wife isn't a fan of haggis, but I didn't mind it with the sauce. Another guy on the tour and I ate all the haggis the others at the table didn't want.
As Canadians, my wife and I discovered Old Pulteney whisky while we were living in Glasgow during my academic sabbatical in 2010. The original discovery wasn’t the single malt, but rather their scotch liquer, akin to Drambuie but less sweet and syrupy. We then tried the OP single malt and it’s now my wife’s favourite. Thankfully I can buy it here in Ontario and have one tucked away as a Christmas gift for her. During my sabbatical time there and subsequent trips to Scotland, we travelled some of the same routes and places as you, including spending several days in the Orkney’s and driving across the north coast as you are on this trip. It was less busy during our time and very enjoyable. Thank you for these vlogs - we will be back!
What a beautiful tour of different areas of Scotland that many visitors might never see. I can't wait to see where you might take us on your next adventure..
Hi Ruth. Me and Yvonne loved this video. The views, the burial mounds and Haggis should be an option on a Scottish breakfast. RE John O Groats, when you look at Scotland on a map or Atlas etc, yes John O Groats appears more Northerly. But the Earth is tilted on an axis of slightly over 23 degrees and thus Dunnet Head is slightly higher. Like I mentioned, great video Ruth. ❤.
OOh I loved this video, it had everything in it! Castle, harbours, seaside, whisky, neolthic history (my fave) and veggie food! I like those MacSweens haggis I often have them for Christmas dinner. My only Scottish rellie lives in Lybster and the Whaligoe Steps are where Christian Lewis (Chris Walks the UK, took him 6 yrs, for charity) met his partner after he'd landed back from Orkney & Shetland & she did the following years walk with him even having a baby along the way! A lot of us followed that journey & read his subsequent books. Ruth you make me smile so much I really enjoy watching you, a fabulous episode! xxx
Another great one Ruth, I'm at awe as how good your videos are, love to go in your adventures with you, and you also have history of the places you visit! excellent!!
Thank you, Ruth. I lived in Caithness for a year, and your video brings back many glorious memories. Very nostalgic! Caithness has some wonderful hidden beauty spots that do not appear in this video, a wealth of ancient monuments, and some stunning walks and bike trails. One should always ask locals to recommend places! Sadly, almost all tourists bypass Caithness as they rush to see Orkney.
@@ruthaisling Yes - the people at the excellent museum in Thurso would have loved to have pointed you in the right directions, but I believe (!) it is now closed, sadly. The Castle of Mey (where the Queen Mother spent much time) is in fine condition and may be the northernmost mainland castle, if it beats that of Thurso. There are the remains of many brochs, and some of roundhouses, beautiful old stone water mills, a late-Norse church, the breathtaking sea cliffs around the coast from Holborn Head (just past Scrabster) with the De'il's Brig (which you can clamber down into, if you have the courage) , several intriguing goes (sea coves), Achamhanaich where the famous Ava (young woman of the Bronze Age) was found in a kist, the Hill o'Many Stanes, & some fantastic views & forest trails with magical abandoned crofts.
Watch out Ruth with a knife and Haggis. Hahaha!!!!😂 What a trip!! I love your videos. I really needed a good laugh and adventure. Enjoy your winter celebrations ❄️☃️🎄🪵🔥. Have a Jolly New Year 🎊!!!!
I LOOOOVE Scotland, i was there for a year from school, i would go back there after done with school maybe move there & works remotely if i get job like that , love that misty cloudy rainy or cold weather & is sooo nature quite & serene , just love it there🥰😘😍
I'm writing/typing this from Newtonmore prior to heading to Caithness. I love the top of Scotland, but since the 'discovery' (creation) of the NC500 I no longer come in the summer as the roads can be too busy with people 'on a mission'. Whereas in deepest December you really do have to be committed...but the snowy landscapes can be so rewarding.
Enjoyed this one, Ruth....especially the visit to the whisky shop!! I even bought a bottle of Old Pulteney, and I'll raise a small - ish glass to your continued explorations. Slainthe!
Just to think our Ancestors spent the time to build those stone structures. They had to be important to them, or they were really bored. Doubt the bored because time was limited. They needed the time doing things to survive live hunting, fishing, gathering food stuffs, protecting themselves, taking care of Family, making clothing, and-so-much more.......
@@ruthaisling Very interesting thought, (back UA-camrs). Love the comment. And Yes, I would love to see my Ancestors at work and play. It would be precious to see an Ancestral Grandmother and/or Grandfather as a child at play or as a baby in Ancestral Grandmother's or Grandfather's arm.
So great reliving portions of my August trip through this video Ruth. After some horrid weather on Orkney (did see all the stones and settlements) I spent some time in Wick, very near Old Pulteney. Did the stacks (amazing) and lighthouse and had a meal at Mackays's (pretty good) and the smallest street. Sorry to have missed that castle though, it looked impressive. Spent a morning at John O' Groats (so touristy) and I can only think that some enterprising businessman/landowner decided to claim it was the top of Scotland to make a few bucks. Great video... I so enjoy your stuff and haggis in the van...WOW!
thank you, Ruth!! Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We did similar on our last trip to Scotland. I am sorry you missed the Hill of Many Stanes near Lybster - a surprising find! I hope you have an excellent Christmas. Best wishes.
Thank you, Ruth! This is the very first video I've ever seen that focused on the very north of Scotland. (Was unaware of Lybster.) Plenty of vids that covered the Loch Ness area (for obvious reasons), but none, like yours, that featured the most northern part of wonderful Scotland. Thank you again! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
I agree! Loads of videos of Glencoe and Loch Ness and such but here in the very far north there’s not so many videos about it here. It’s a wonderful area
I adored this video. Getting to see your in you camper van making your dinner, getting a bit tipsy lol. The scenery is just astonishing. I love the wide open space, the ancient ruins, the castle and those steps. Yikes! These are my favourite videos you do, the more isolated and less touristy ones. Would love to see you do another bothy or old cottage one some day.
Ruth, I love your videos from around Scotland! I`m from Norway, but have been to some of the places you present. Some years ago I sailed from Inverness to Kirkwall. The plan was to stop in Wick, which I did not, and regret it to this day that I did not. but thats another story. Anyway, I love your stories from Scotland - keep up the good work! And now I just have to try out Your whiskey sauce!
My family on my mothers side have been whiskey distillers ever since they came from Ireland in the 1660's and even shared a distillery with George Washington and stopped it as a legal business with my great grandfather but my grandfather instead became a moonshiner in Louisiana but he continued the family whiskey recipe along with higher proof moonshine and Irish beer, the beer was like Guinness, very dark and thick and was the only person making that type in the area so people loved it. I still can make all his recipes.
Yay!!! Always happy when you upload. Cant watch atm as in the middle of five 13hr shifts but I'm excited to relax and watch this Thursday 💖💖 hope you're well. Thanks for making my upcoming day off better ☺️
This is a timely video for me, as I'm currently considering visiting both Land's End and John O'Groats within a few days of each other. It's useful to know what to expect at the top end of the country.
Nothing better on a sunday evening before a stressful week to watch one of your videos, drink a whiskey and just learn interesting stuff! Knew about Old Pulteney, had no idea where it would be, so always more interesting stuff to take in. I also have a few new bottles of whiskey on my way... so looking forward already to the next video! :D
I believe that JO'G is the northeastern point in the same way as LE is the most southwesterly point. Purely a tourist concept for the diagonal journey.
Behind you at 20.35 are the remains of the buildings where my dad was stationed ( at Noss Head ) during WWII, and it was great to see so many familiar places in this video. I really appreciate how you give the Far North due credit for its many treasures - thank you!
Another fantastic Vlog Ruth. Quality content, excellent filming, dialogue. Your overall presentation is outstanding. You find amazing scenery and places to visit along with the wonderful history Well done on the tunnel exploration and those Whaligoe Steps, down to the harbor. Great to get your first single malt Whiskey from Wick local , and a lot cheaper than Tesco too. Loved the shortest street. Interesting to hear about the herring industry . The Castle St Clair was impressive . You get some amazing drone footage, the lighthouse and sea stacks are incredible at Duncansby. Great filming at Dunnet Head even though you couldn’t use the drone. What a great van set up you have. Your top looks good and great cooking skills Well Done Ruth Thank You for sharing
Yet another great video Ruth. Gorgeous scenery, great food and a lovely looking whisky. Loved the voliur of it. Thanks for a great year in video, the best being your tour of the war graves. Very thought provoking. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a great 2025
Thank you Ruth for another awesome and informative video. Appreciate all the historical datapoints you provide, which makes your videos so unique and interesting and so different from other UA-camrs. Look forward to the next one. Safe travels.
@@ruthaisling aye it's no bad.. Great if your into fishing like myself.. My local angling club run those wee hill lochs you were parked at up at dunnet head... I've got quite a few videos of them from this summer on my channel if you'd care to have a wee looky ☺.. All the best.. Ross 🍻
Hi Ruth! Beautiful vlog as always. I could never get tired of seeing all the wonders of Scotland. I'm not great with caving either! Many years ago I did a three day trip to Jenolan Caves... A famous area in regional NSW, AU. The tours of the more open cave systems were fantastic, but my partner at the time decided to book a spelunking tour at the very end. I lasted 15 min & that was it! I high-tailed it out of there! 😂 Great history & beautiful filming throughout again Ruth. I now know the shortest street in the world too! Take care & thank you for sharing. 😊
Baked beans are meant to be served at a Bar-B-Q, I make mine with bacon, brown sugar, a little ground beef or sausage and barbecue sauce and cook with a little fresh onion in it.
I spent the first 20 years of my life living in Caithness first in Thurso then Wick - pleased that the Flow Country recently achieved World Heritage status, hopefully curtailing the erection of more wind factories 🤬 You got Whaligoe right but Lybster is pronounced "lie -bster. And Duncansby is Duncans-bee. Old Pulteney (pronounced Pultney - the "e" in the middle is silent) is a fine whisky 👍🥃- many a bottle has been enjoyed over the years. They also produce Old Pulteney Navigator which I am fond of... The painted 'cabins' down the harbour belong to the various fishing boats that still operate from Wick. Sinclair and Girnigoe Castle - the Earl of Caithness imprisoned his son in the dungeon for 7 years after a 'falling out' and eventually fed him on salted beef to kill him. Last time we visited they hadn't closed off sections or started stabilisation of the ruins. The mix up between northern most point is just down to JoG being the most northerly inhabited point of mainland UK and the adoption of it in the JoG2LE challenges in recent years. Dunnet Head has always been the most northerly point... You visited familiar places from my years in the far North - thanks for sharing your visit.
A really excellent video Ruth ! Very well done. I really like the cooking segments :) and the SheepieBoy™ cameos. You seem to have been having a genuinely great time in this one. I'm grateful you shared it with us. Cheers, BobInOregon
The best breakfast I ever had was in Lairg made by a couple of older ladies who could have been my Gran. I don’t recall though if it included a slice of fried Clootie pudding which my Gran and her sister usually put on the breakfast plate. That and black pudding are my favourite parts of a fried breakfast. But surely in Scotland square sausage should also be included ? My only visit to John o’Groats was in 1983, I rode there from Corby, Northamptonshire on my Triumph Bonneville. I suspect it was less commercialised then. I had a Scotch pie, chips and beans in the café which had Reo Speedwagon’s “Keep on Loving You” on the jukebox. I also put on the B side “Follow My Heart” which, although I had the LP I’d never really listened to. I was amazed to realise that “Follow My Heart” contained not one, not two but three searing Gary Richrath guitar solos and became one of my favourite pieces of music. And the first time I really heard it was in that café. One other highlight was a visit to the nearby visitor centre at Dounreay fast breeder nuclear reactor which I’m guessing is mainly demolished now ? 🇬🇧
Always love your videos Ruth! This was a fun one! Loved your cooking for us! And always love to hear what you think of the local libations.😂Thank you so much for creating this lovely video to share this interesting part of Scotland with us!🌺✨️🙋♀️
I’m watching this after driving up from Birmingham to Perth, my son has a uni thing happening tomorrow. Arrived at night so interested to see here in the daytime. Another fab vlog Ruth
It looks like you caught a lovely sunset! Ruth, I have not had so much fun watching someone else cook since Julia Child was live on TV. I'm not enamored of beans for breakfast, but I'll take everyone's tomatoes and some cheese, and you can have the blood pudding. Haggis and whisky sauce is a true treat, but I've never had it with mustard in it. I look forward to trying your recipe. Fun video, many thanks!
Lybster is at exactly the same latitude as Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Wikipedia gives both the same latitude at 58 degrees, 18 minutes, 0 seconds, North. This part of Scotland is as far north, as southern mainland Norway.
What do you like on your Scottish breakfast?!
Also, for subtitles on this video, UA-cam is now creating subtitles. To turn them on, click CC, then settings > subtitles > auto-translate.
I went 1 further when I was last in Scotland, haggis AND black pudding, but you can keep those plumb tomatoes (gross)
Defo needs haggis and black pudding. Baked beans should be in a ramekin and those tinned tomatoes can get in the bin ..great video again Ruth ❤
@colinallan2450 amen to this
@@colinallan2450 Yes, a ramekin is such a good idea, I'm going to ask for that next time!
@@ruthaisling yes Ruth for sure and I do love your new top.the ladies were right. It looks fabulous and a bargain at £8
The Scottish government really needs to give you some honorary position and award, as you have done a wonderful job of advertising Scotland as if it wasn't for UA-cam and people like you, many of us wouldn't realize that their is life North of Edinburgh/Glasgow and many now would be thinking about visiting North Scotland. Well done :)
Ruth got caught in Edinburgh with the L.E.Z. I got caught in Edinburgh but I knew what the fine would be as she said in 1 of her videos 😂😂😂
@@itsmephil2255 Lol, and true, that does go to show, local knowledge helps 😆
@dylancarter1831 100% true, Ruth knows the whole of Scotland it seems 😂😂
@@itsmephil2255 Hope you got your 50% discount haha!
@ruthaisling ohhhh if only 😂
As always, Ruth ... a lovely video. When we walked along the cliffs to see Duncansby Stacks it was in November and on the stony beach at the bottom of the cliff it was very noisy. The reason ? There was a large colony of female seals with their beautiful white furry pups. We felt so blessed to see them. What a privilege. They had wisely chosen a very safe spot because it was entirely inaccessible by humans. Duncansby Stacks is an utterly breathtaking place that leaves you speechless
Thanks! The next breakfast is on me. Haggis, no beans. 😀
Haha thanks very much Curt! Definitly no beans next time!
@@ruthaisling 😂
You make me want to jump on a plane and follow you around on your ventures. I like the out-of-the-way places better than the cities - lovely videos!
Another beautiful video in the bags. Ruth is a sunshine and mood Lifter.! The top suited you well!
Thanks Phil, glad you liked this video!
a Scottish lass , you are a real treat , lots of life and energy. i appreciate the things you do and places you take us all. Happy Holidays from Pensacola , Florida
Thanks for watching from Florida!
Ruth, I am so happy to see how many views your uploads are getting! I'm seeing this 8 hours after it posted and almost 13,000 views - WOW! That really shows how great you are at these videos. Fantastic!
Thanks very much Jim!
Just so you know, I 78-year-old guy living in the planet known as New Jersey, but I love comfortable adventure, as well as a good scotch and real people and at this point, I’m happy to be able to experiencing some of those things but certainly you’re a real person and I enjoy your videos very much and makes me feel a little bit young again and also like I’m travelingthank you very much, Ruth
Thanks so much for watching all the way from New Jersey!
Thank you for the very enjoyable trip! I love your enthusiasm!! You make my day. I was telling someone about you and how fun you are and my friend asked me if I was speaking about a friend of mine. I said”Well she’s my friend but too bad- we’ve not met! “. 😂
@@annesickinger8298😂😂
I love your comment from one real person to another
"I don't tend to eat Scottish breakfasts that often...usually when I'm hung over." Who else could it be but Ruth Aisling? Splendid episode.
Hehe!
Ruth, I so enjoy your positive energy, humor, and the history, cultural info, and wonderful insights into Scotland. You are awesome. I live in central California, and it's awesome to learn a bit about where some of my ancestors originated. Thank you.
Thanks Charl, so glad you like the videos! Have you been to Scotland?
Not yet. But I hope to. You're helping me make plans. Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2025. @ruthaisling
Brilliant video as always!! Beautiful scenery!!
Scottish tourism should be making you an ambassador for all the free advertising you are doing for the country.
Hope all is well, take care of yourself
You passed a place called Dunbeath. It has a heritage centre and cafe. I stopped there once for a coffee and breakfast. Lights were on, 10am, after 100 mile drive. All good, sat down and waited a while. Nobody appeared, so I knocked on the kitchen door and opened it. A Lady looked at Me in my suit, shirt and tie, and said good morning. I enquired, when do you open ? She replied, April, it was only February !
Just too funny 😂
That’s so funny! I know Dunbeath well as I live up here. They are a friendly bunch in the village.
I have driven past Whaligoe Steps hundreds of times, but didn’t know they were there. Thank you Ruth, for showing us the steps.
There’s so many awesome places around that area 😍
You'll need to stop next time!
It's nice to see Scotland so charmingly presented. I can almost feel both the cold outside and the warmth in the campervan.
Especially this time of year, so glad to have the heater in my van!
Thank you for showing the very north of Scotland. My grandparents moved from London to live in Scarfskerry, near Dunnet Head, when I was very young in the early Seventies, so many school holidays were spent rock pooling and climbing the cliffs on the north coast. The view of the Orkneys that you had at Dunnet Head, and of Hoy in particular, is pretty much the view from my grandparents' living room. And in the summer the sunsets were spectacular.
My grandparents had two crofts, the main one that they lived in and farmed from, and a smaller one that they used as a holiday let. Both were haunted - the main croft allegedly by an old man that the family referred to as Fred, and the smaller one by a young girl who was believed to have lived there in the early 1900s, and who my uncle saw standing at the end of the bed when he stayed there once.
Overall, though, a magical place and a little piece of my heart will always be on the north coast of Scotland.
@adrians6488. What special memories of wonderful experiences. You were so lucky to have been able to spend so much time up there. Wow, Dunnet Head is breathtaking. And yes, I too have witnessed spectacular sunsets there. So many people never venture further north than Inverness. The far north of Scotland is God's own country and is lodged in our hearts also. We've had holidays up there twice a year for donkey's years.
Watching you cook slightly tipsy was a delight! 😀
Thank you for another lovely and interesting video, Ruth! I believe John O’groats has the reputation for being the most northerly point because it is just slightly further away from Lands End than Dunnet Head, diametrically speaking and probably by only a few miles, but that may be why. I always watch your videos but don’t always comment. But I am making notes…places to visit etc!
Thank you for visiting the far north and your enthusiastic commentary. The shortest street is so short that you walked right past it! Wick river is tidal and when the tide is in otters and seals can sometimes be seen there (opposite Mackay's Hotel). Another unusual feature of the river is that if there is a lot or fresh water coming downriver and the tide is coming in, the river flows both downstream (central part) and upstream (either side) at the same time. PS You are a brave woman setting fire to a pan in that wee van.....
Thanks for the tips!
You're so good at highlighting everything Scottish. It's amazing what you can prepare inside your van. Good idea to get a fridge. I went down the Whaligoe Steps in October 2022 to celebrate being 70. I d I d it again in September this year at 72. So proud! I love that place. I've been to Dunnet Head 3 times now and just love it. I really enjoyed this video. I guess now I need to purchase Old Pultaney. 😉
Well done doing those steps! And yes, you need to get a bottle🥃
"This is better then Sawny Bean's ravioli" 🤣🤣🤣 Seriously, my Grandfather was born in Stevenston, Scotland and came to Michigan. He would recite the "Address to a Haggis" at the Robert Burn's suppers at St. Andrew's in Detroit.
I only know the first verse haha, I need to learn the seond verse at some point!
You're great at showing parts of Scotland no one would consider visiting. Plse keep You're accent its lovely and the knowledge you talk is so interesting. Take Care ❤
Thank you! 😃
Another wonderful video, regarding the Duncansby sea stacks there's also a view of a sea arch just to the north of them. If I remember correctly from my geography classes (it's 40 years since I left school) over time the waves will erode the arch and the ceiling will collapse leaving another sea stack.
I am feeling very hungry for haggis with neeps and tatties, even though I have eaten this evening. Glad you enjoyed the Old Pulteney.
Oh I didn't know about the arch, I should have walked further! Burns night soon!
@@ruthaislingYou can see the arch on the video at 25:10 or 26:49. At the first point look at the bottom of the cliff that juts out just before the stacks. At 26:49 when your drone shot moves over the stacks, to the left of the second stack you see the arch at the bottom of the cliff.
A tip regarding mashed potatoes. I have for several years now been buying Idahoan Mashed Potato. Every supermarket sells it in a packet. They do the Buttery one that I buy, but others with herbs etc. Just add boiling water and stir to thicken. Much better value than the Tesco one and easy to make. I have it with virtually every dinner.
Took a tour of Scotland and visited some of these places. My wife and I loved it and you are right, just about anywhere you turn there is a castle or castle ruin. They served Haggis in a little meatball with some kind of sauce. Could have been a whiskey sauce. My wife isn't a fan of haggis, but I didn't mind it with the sauce. Another guy on the tour and I ate all the haggis the others at the table didn't want.
Beautiful scenery. Whisky. Haggis. Lighthouses. Perfect video.
As Canadians, my wife and I discovered Old Pulteney whisky while we were living in Glasgow during my academic sabbatical in 2010. The original discovery wasn’t the single malt, but rather their scotch liquer, akin to Drambuie but less sweet and syrupy. We then tried the OP single malt and it’s now my wife’s favourite. Thankfully I can buy it here in Ontario and have one tucked away as a Christmas gift for her.
During my sabbatical time there and subsequent trips to Scotland, we travelled some of the same routes and places as you, including spending several days in the Orkney’s and driving across the north coast as you are on this trip. It was less busy during our time and very enjoyable. Thank you for these vlogs - we will be back!
What a beautiful tour of different areas of Scotland that many visitors might never see. I can't wait to see where you might take us on your next adventure..
Hi Ruth. Me and Yvonne loved this video. The views, the burial mounds and Haggis should be an option on a Scottish breakfast. RE John O Groats, when you look at Scotland on a map or Atlas etc, yes John O Groats appears more Northerly. But the Earth is tilted on an axis of slightly over 23 degrees and thus Dunnet Head is slightly higher. Like I mentioned, great video Ruth. ❤.
thanks for the info!
The enthusiasm is infectious. Great vid and a place I have enjoyed visiting myself.
Im 53 now, and im considering retiring to Scotland when i can
Thanks to your videos, im seeing so many places to visit, you are the best Ruth 🫶🏼
Thanks Phil, lots of nice palces to choose from. It seems you are doing a great exploring lots of them already!
@ruthaisling I have some spare time in my hands at the moment, so might as well
Been to Scotland a few times, it really is an amazing place
@@itsmephil2255Scotland is so special!
@thehighlandlife2023 it really is
I really enjoy traveling with you to the home of my heart. With love from Alberta, Canada ❤
Thanks for watching from Canada!
We really love your video adventures. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thanks for watching Toby!
An utterly brilliant montage of northern Scotland..your effervescent personality is infectious.Thank you so much,Brooks,Canada.
Wow, thank you so much 😊
You've reminded me how much I miss my late partner's whisky sauce with haggis, tatties and neeps! I fell in love wit Scottish square sausage too! 👍👍👍
Are you going to try out the recipe?!
OOh I loved this video, it had everything in it! Castle, harbours, seaside, whisky, neolthic history (my fave) and veggie food! I like those MacSweens haggis I often have them for Christmas dinner. My only Scottish rellie lives in Lybster and the Whaligoe Steps are where Christian Lewis (Chris Walks the UK, took him 6 yrs, for charity) met his partner after he'd landed back from Orkney & Shetland & she did the following years walk with him even having a baby along the way! A lot of us followed that journey & read his subsequent books. Ruth you make me smile so much I really enjoy watching you, a fabulous episode! xxx
Another great one Ruth, I'm at awe as how good your videos are, love to go in your adventures with you, and you also have history of the places you visit! excellent!!
Thanks so much Cynthia!
We love watching you videos and travels! Hope you get some time off and enjoy the holidays! A happy and healthy new year!
That's very kind of you, thanks! I'm glad you enjoy the videos!
Thank you for showing us my dream country Scotland. One day I will visit it. Greetings from Germany with the dram of nice peated Scotch whisky.
Enjoy your whisky!
I’m 100% with you on the claustrophobia! And it’s so pretty outside and plenty to see!
Top quality video presentation!
Thank you so much!
Nearly 39 minutes of pure pleasure, it's a joy to watch also your knowledge of the history of Schotland is very impressive.
Thank you so much 😊
Very familiar with Caithness. So much to see and do . Always nice to see and hear about the area.
I’ve tried the subtitles- your diction is so good that they catch nearly every word - well done !!
That’s great to know!!
Thank you, Ruth. I lived in Caithness for a year, and your video brings back many glorious memories. Very nostalgic! Caithness has some wonderful hidden beauty spots that do not appear in this video, a wealth of ancient monuments, and some stunning walks and bike trails. One should always ask locals to recommend places! Sadly, almost all tourists bypass Caithness as they rush to see Orkney.
I'll need to revisit again sometime!
@@ruthaisling Yes - the people at the excellent museum in Thurso would have loved to have pointed you in the right directions, but I believe (!) it is now closed, sadly. The Castle of Mey (where the Queen Mother spent much time) is in fine condition and may be the northernmost mainland castle, if it beats that of Thurso. There are the remains of many brochs, and some of roundhouses, beautiful old stone water mills, a late-Norse church, the breathtaking sea cliffs around the coast from Holborn Head (just past Scrabster) with the De'il's Brig (which you can clamber down into, if you have the courage) , several intriguing goes (sea coves), Achamhanaich where the famous Ava (young woman of the Bronze Age) was found in a kist, the Hill o'Many Stanes, & some fantastic views & forest trails with magical abandoned crofts.
Watch out Ruth with a knife and Haggis. Hahaha!!!!😂 What a trip!! I love your videos. I really needed a good laugh and adventure. Enjoy your winter celebrations ❄️☃️🎄🪵🔥. Have a Jolly New Year 🎊!!!!
Thanks Sandra! Have a nice holiday season too!
I LOOOOVE Scotland, i was there for a year from school, i would go back there after done with school maybe move there & works remotely if i get job like that , love that misty cloudy rainy or cold weather & is sooo nature quite & serene , just love it there🥰😘😍
I like the misty and cloud weather too sometimes!
I'm writing/typing this from Newtonmore prior to heading to Caithness. I love the top of Scotland, but since the 'discovery' (creation) of the NC500 I no longer come in the summer as the roads can be too busy with people 'on a mission'. Whereas in deepest December you really do have to be committed...but the snowy landscapes can be so rewarding.
Enjoyed this one, Ruth....especially the visit to the whisky shop!!
I even bought a bottle of Old Pulteney, and I'll raise a small - ish glass to your continued explorations.
Slainthe!
Just to think our Ancestors spent the time to build those stone structures. They had to be important to them, or they were really bored. Doubt the bored because time was limited. They needed the time doing things to survive live hunting, fishing, gathering food stuffs, protecting themselves, taking care of Family, making clothing, and-so-much more.......
It would be interesting if we could watch back UA-camrs from that time haha!
@@ruthaisling Very interesting thought, (back UA-camrs). Love the comment. And Yes, I would love to see my Ancestors at work and play. It would be precious to see an Ancestral Grandmother and/or Grandfather as a child at play or as a baby in Ancestral Grandmother's or Grandfather's arm.
So great reliving portions of my August trip through this video Ruth. After some horrid weather on Orkney (did see all the stones and settlements) I spent some time in Wick, very near Old Pulteney. Did the stacks (amazing) and lighthouse and had a meal at Mackays's (pretty good) and the smallest street. Sorry to have missed that castle though, it looked impressive. Spent a morning at John O' Groats (so touristy) and I can only think that some enterprising businessman/landowner decided to claim it was the top of Scotland to make a few bucks. Great video... I so enjoy your stuff and haggis in the van...WOW!
thank you, Ruth!! Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We did similar on our last trip to Scotland. I am sorry you missed the Hill of Many Stanes near Lybster - a surprising find! I hope you have an excellent Christmas. Best wishes.
And the Cairn’o get is also a nice little spot near Whailigoe Steps. So many interesting places to visit here in the far north of Scotland xx
I'll need to go back again!
Thank you, Ruth! This is the very first video I've ever seen that focused on the very north of Scotland. (Was unaware of Lybster.) Plenty of vids that covered the Loch Ness area (for obvious reasons), but none, like yours, that featured the most northern part of wonderful Scotland. Thank you again! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Thanks Ben, glad you enjoyed this one!
I agree! Loads of videos of Glencoe and Loch Ness and such but here in the very far north there’s not so many videos about it here. It’s a wonderful area
@@ruthaisling 😀
Hi Ruth, George here. Thanks for sharing your trip. I enjoyed the way you described all those cool things you saw. Good job on the sauce too. : )
I adored this video. Getting to see your in you camper van making your dinner, getting a bit tipsy lol. The scenery is just astonishing. I love the wide open space, the ancient ruins, the castle and those steps. Yikes! These are my favourite videos you do, the more isolated and less touristy ones. Would love to see you do another bothy or old cottage one some day.
Such a nice video! Your enthusiasm throughout the video is a pleasure to watch. The dinner, the whiskey, and the beer looked great! Now I'm hungry 😊
Please! There is no E in Scottish whisky.
Beans are a must. And hash browns should be additional to tattie scones.
Oh yes love a tattie scone!
Ruth, I love your videos from around Scotland! I`m from Norway, but have been to some of the places you present. Some years ago I sailed from Inverness to Kirkwall. The plan was to stop in Wick, which I did not, and regret it to this day that I did not. but thats another story. Anyway, I love your stories from Scotland - keep up the good work! And now I just have to try out Your whiskey sauce!
My family on my mothers side have been whiskey distillers ever since they came from Ireland in the 1660's and even shared a distillery with George Washington and stopped it as a legal business with my great grandfather but my grandfather instead became a moonshiner in Louisiana but he continued the family whiskey recipe along with higher proof moonshine and Irish beer, the beer was like Guinness, very dark and thick and was the only person making that type in the area so people loved it. I still can make all his recipes.
It cannie be a Scottish breakfast if there’s nae tattie scones or Lorne (square)sausage. Hoots mon!
Lots of love to you and yours Rab❤
Yay!!! Always happy when you upload. Cant watch atm as in the middle of five 13hr shifts but I'm excited to relax and watch this Thursday 💖💖 hope you're well. Thanks for making my upcoming day off better ☺️
Hope you enjoy when you finish your long shifts!
This is a timely video for me, as I'm currently considering visiting both Land's End and John O'Groats within a few days of each other. It's useful to know what to expect at the top end of the country.
Nothing better on a sunday evening before a stressful week to watch one of your videos, drink a whiskey and just learn interesting stuff! Knew about Old Pulteney, had no idea where it would be, so always more interesting stuff to take in. I also have a few new bottles of whiskey on my way... so looking forward already to the next video! :D
Fabulous video best I've watched for ages, loved the cooking part, so funny, the haggis supper looked superb .
Been with you Ruth since the begining and this is one of the best videos youve done. Brilliant.
Wow, thank you so much!
Another great video Ruth! Loved the shortest street, and looking forward to making the whiskey sauce. Can't wait for the next video!!!
Thanks so much! The sauce is the best!!
Hi Ruth, WOW! Fabulous video!
Scotland is Soo beautiful!
I will visit! I welcome the solitude, and privacy!
Blessings
Hope you can visit sometime!
I believe that JO'G is the northeastern point in the same way as LE is the most southwesterly point. Purely a tourist concept for the diagonal journey.
You've just reminded me that the trip is sometimes called LEJOG. I suppose the opposite direction is JOGLE 😃
Oh that makes sense, thanks for sharing about it!
Behind you at 20.35 are the remains of the buildings where my dad was stationed ( at Noss Head ) during WWII, and it was great to see so many familiar places in this video. I really appreciate how you give the Far North due credit for its many treasures - thank you!
Amazing, thanks for pointing it out!!
We love your videos, they are like reliving our trips around Scotland. You look at lots of interesting things and entertain us too.
Glad you like them!
Great video as always. Nice to see you up in my part of the country. 😃
Wonderful, stunning scenery and views of Orkney ❤
Another good trip Ruth , your presenting is getting better and better. And that haggis and whiskey sauce!!!😋
Thank you so much 😊
Another fantastic video, Ruth. Well done. I going to recommend your videos to all my granddaughters. Fantastic.
Please do! Thank you for watching 😊
I was there at Old Pulteney. Bought some and a tee shirt. Yes that area was beautiful. Ate at John o' groats
I hope you have a Merry Christmas Ruth! Love your channel! Looking forward to todays video!
Thanks so much Harley, I hope you have a great Christmas too!
Another fantastic Vlog Ruth. Quality content, excellent filming, dialogue. Your overall presentation is outstanding. You find amazing scenery and places to visit along with the wonderful history
Well done on the tunnel exploration and those Whaligoe Steps, down to the harbor.
Great to get your first single malt Whiskey from Wick local , and a lot cheaper than Tesco too.
Loved the shortest street. Interesting to hear about the herring industry .
The Castle St Clair was impressive .
You get some amazing drone footage, the lighthouse and sea stacks are incredible at Duncansby.
Great filming at Dunnet Head even though you couldn’t use the drone.
What a great van set up you have. Your top looks good and great cooking skills
Well Done Ruth Thank You for sharing
Thanks Clive, it was a fun trip
Yet another great video Ruth. Gorgeous scenery, great food and a lovely looking whisky. Loved the voliur of it. Thanks for a great year in video, the best being your tour of the war graves. Very thought provoking. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a great 2025
Thank you Ruth for another awesome and informative video. Appreciate all the historical datapoints you provide, which makes your videos so unique and interesting and so different from other UA-camrs. Look forward to the next one. Safe travels.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful video! Thanks so much for. Compliments of the season!
Thank you! You too!
You go to some amazing places i am Scottish but i am still in awe of all the great historic places you take us too ..
Ruth...you have shown us that watch your channel another first class video and I'll always fly with you. Great job on the channel.
Thanks Edward!
@ruthaisling Yes ma'am
The Haggis actually looks wonderful, I may have to try it !
Lovely to see you up our neck of the woods.. Great video Ruth 👍
Thanks so much, what a lovely area to live!
This is what I thought!!!
@@ruthaisling aye it's no bad.. Great if your into fishing like myself.. My local angling club run those wee hill lochs you were parked at up at dunnet head... I've got quite a few videos of them from this summer on my channel if you'd care to have a wee looky ☺..
All the best..
Ross 🍻
Hi Ruth! Beautiful vlog as always. I could never get tired of seeing all the wonders of Scotland.
I'm not great with caving either! Many years ago I did a three day trip to Jenolan Caves... A famous area in regional NSW, AU. The tours of the more open cave systems were fantastic, but my partner at the time decided to book a spelunking tour at the very end. I lasted 15 min & that was it! I high-tailed it out of there! 😂
Great history & beautiful filming throughout again Ruth. I now know the shortest street in the world too!
Take care & thank you for sharing. 😊
So brave to go in the claustrophobic gnome burial tunnel. And you're a vanlife gourmet chef!
Well, I’m not so sure 😆
and she's back.
Baked beans are meant to be served at a Bar-B-Q, I make mine with bacon, brown sugar, a little ground beef or sausage and barbecue sauce and cook with a little fresh onion in it.
No baked beans. Haggis, black pudding, beef ham, smoked bacon, sausage, soda scone, mushrooms and two fried eggs. That's a Scottish breakfast.
Soda scone sounds good too!
Yes, this 👏🏼
I spent the first 20 years of my life living in Caithness first in Thurso then Wick - pleased that the Flow Country recently achieved World Heritage status, hopefully curtailing the erection of more wind factories 🤬
You got Whaligoe right but Lybster is pronounced "lie -bster. And Duncansby is Duncans-bee.
Old Pulteney (pronounced Pultney - the "e" in the middle is silent) is a fine whisky 👍🥃- many a bottle has been enjoyed over the years. They also produce Old Pulteney Navigator which I am fond of...
The painted 'cabins' down the harbour belong to the various fishing boats that still operate from Wick.
Sinclair and Girnigoe Castle - the Earl of Caithness imprisoned his son in the dungeon for 7 years after a 'falling out' and eventually fed him on salted beef to kill him. Last time we visited they hadn't closed off sections or started stabilisation of the ruins.
The mix up between northern most point is just down to JoG being the most northerly inhabited point of mainland UK and the adoption of it in the JoG2LE challenges in recent years. Dunnet Head has always been the most northerly point...
You visited familiar places from my years in the far North - thanks for sharing your visit.
The OP whisky bottles are the shape of a pot-still. 👍
Ahhhhh, I didn't notice that until I read your comment, how cool!
Thanks Ruth it was both fun and funny to watch.
日本のお正月には欠かせないニシンの卵あるカズノコの輸入先の1つにスコットランドも含まれているそうです。ひょつとしたらWickの町で水揚げされたカズノコも日本に輸出されているかもしれませんね。スカイ島では、Bride's Veil Fallsまでは行けましたがその先には行けなかったのが心残りです。
Nice to see you back. My favorite breakfast includes black and white pudding. Merry Christmas.
Christmas is coming!
A really excellent video Ruth ! Very well done. I really like the cooking segments :) and the SheepieBoy™ cameos. You seem to have been having a genuinely great time in this one. I'm grateful you shared it with us. Cheers, BobInOregon
Thanks so much Bob! I genuinely have lots of fun among the calamities 😆
The best breakfast I ever had was in Lairg made by a couple of older ladies who could have been my Gran. I don’t recall though if it included a slice of fried Clootie pudding which my Gran and her sister usually put on the breakfast plate. That and black pudding are my favourite parts of a fried breakfast. But surely in Scotland square sausage should also be included ?
My only visit to John o’Groats was in 1983, I rode there from Corby, Northamptonshire on my Triumph Bonneville. I suspect it was less commercialised then. I had a Scotch pie, chips and beans in the café which had Reo Speedwagon’s “Keep on Loving You” on the jukebox. I also put on the B side “Follow My Heart” which, although I had the LP I’d never really listened to. I was amazed to realise that “Follow My Heart” contained not one, not two but three searing Gary Richrath guitar solos and became one of my favourite pieces of music. And the first time I really heard it was in that café.
One other highlight was a visit to the nearby visitor centre at Dounreay fast breeder nuclear reactor which I’m guessing is mainly demolished now ? 🇬🇧
I forgot about the tattie scone on my breakfast, how could I ?
Always love your videos Ruth! This was a fun one! Loved your cooking for us! And always love to hear what you think of the local libations.😂Thank you so much for creating this lovely video to share this interesting part of Scotland with us!🌺✨️🙋♀️
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m watching this after driving up from Birmingham to Perth, my son has a uni thing happening tomorrow. Arrived at night so interested to see here in the daytime.
Another fab vlog Ruth
Excellent content as always, you sounded a little tipsy when cooking which made me chuckle. Oh and black pudding in a Scottish breakfast is a must.
Hi Ruth thanks for the video, enjoying the history of these Scottish places. Thankyou.👍👍👍
My pleasure 😊
It looks like you caught a lovely sunset! Ruth, I have not had so much fun watching someone else cook since Julia Child was live on TV. I'm not enamored of beans for breakfast, but I'll take everyone's tomatoes and some cheese, and you can have the blood pudding. Haggis and whisky sauce is a true treat, but I've never had it with mustard in it. I look forward to trying your recipe. Fun video, many thanks!
Thanks so much Eric! Glad you enjoyed the cooking part of the video too!
Lybster is at exactly the same latitude as Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Wikipedia gives both the same latitude at 58 degrees, 18 minutes, 0 seconds, North. This part of Scotland is as far north, as southern mainland Norway.