Unfortunately, very little information could be found on Tore, where Thomas and Andrena were spending
their 12th night. Day 13 sees them continuing to follow the A9, travelling north along the east coast of the country.
The first settlement they pass is about 20km into their day's trek, called Evanton and Culcairn.
Evanton is roughly 18 miles from Inverness and hosts a pleasant village centre featuring hotel, village shop, caravan and
camp-site, library, tearoom, hairdressers and churches. The remains of an ancient, once busy river crossing can also be seen
here as being a spectacular tourist spectacle.
Again continuing along the same road, they come to the Edwardian town of Dornoch.
"Bha sluagh Alba an latha an-diugh aig cridhe an tachartais a chuir Pàrlamaid na h-Alba air dòigh
gus ana chomharrachadh Disathairne"
Anyone speak Gaelic? No? Well this short extract tells of the time when The Queen visited this small
Scottish town. Residents tell of their pride and memories of that day. Being such a small place, attractions are few and far
between, however Dornoch Cathedral is well worth a visit.
Further into the day, they pass Kirkton and then onto Golspie. Golspie is a small village in East
Sutherland in the Highlands, located picturesquely on the shores of the Moray Firth under the shadow of Ben Bhraggie. It is
the perfect time to be passing this part of the Highlands as until 5th August, it is Golspie gala week. A week that is celebrated
every bit as much as Christmas and New Year. Floats, sports, markets and the gala day itself are all coming to Golspie for
this event!
30km later, they arrive in their destination of Helmsdale, via Lothmore and Portgower. Helmsdale
is the final stop of the day-on-day cycling since the following day will be their last. Yes, the end is in sight and I'm sure
our cyclists will be looking forward to it! And they should, since the final day is one of the shortest of the trek.
