Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140 3.5-5.6G ED

We have now turned south from John O'Groats towards the Caithness fishing town of Wick. It is now only a shadow of the great herring centre that it once was but for us it was still a most interesting place to visit. We see here the fish harbour. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

When shoals of herring moved away from the west coast, authorities turned toward Wick as a good prospect for the herring industry. Construction of Wick Harbour began in 1803 and was completed by 1811. Here we see The old Herring Mart, erected in 1890 on the site of an earlier fish market place. The Herring Mart, is thought to be the earliest purpose built fish market still standing in Scotland. The insert shows the extent of this industry at its peak around 1900 with its seasonal herring fishing, which peaked when some 1120 vessels were based here, and over two particularly busy days, landed fifty million fish! More info: www.wickheritage.org/herring.php The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

The Inner harbour of Wick (One of three harbours) has a lot of marine activity. This timber being prepared for loading on the 'Scot Carrier' a specialist timber carrying vessel that takes timber to and from many other Scottish harbours. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems. Enjoy the weekend.

As we arrive back to the Firth of Cromarty we take a break and in doing so spot these Common Seals. They are always a delight to see and watch and no doubt they are keeping an eye on us too even though I am some distance away. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

A look at the The Cromarty Bridge, a road bridge carrying the A9 over the Cromarty Firth in Scotland. It was opened in 1976 and is 1464 metres (4803 ft) long. We are almost back in Inverness now having travelled almost the whole of the NC500 route clockwise. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Well after journeying probably a little more than 516 miles we arrive back at our departure point of Inverness. As I stand here on the banks of the River Ness I can now look back on the many splendid highlights of this Grand Tour. I would like to thank our Ipernity friend Roger for making this virtual tour possible via his NC500 group. I have enjoyed the memories of our mini trips that we have made over the last approx 30 years and made my contributions here possible. As Roger is meeting me here too today in Inverness there is just time to have a wee dram as we consider our next Scottish holidays. CHEERS to our NC500 viewers and thanks for your company! The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

As out tour continues, we visit the old town of Thurso and we are regaled by the towns Highland band. (Or perhaps a visiting band?) Not only did we have pipes and drums but a very nice display of Highland dancing too. The real flavour of Scotland here as they march and play 'Scotland the brave'. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Welcome to Giles Bay on the Pentland Firth. We see here the Pentland Ferries craft that takes cars and passengers to St Margaret's Hope on the Orkney Island of Ronaldsay. Gills Bay, which is situated about 3 mi west of John o' Groats with the community of Gills close by, has one of the longest stretches of low-lying rock coast on the northern shores of Caithness. Its main features are a small harbour and the pier used as the mainland terminal for Pentland. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

For this special 'World Photograph Day' I share a photo from my home town of Oldham and one of its famous past inhabitants. We are outside our old Town Hall here with its relatively new statue of Annie Kenny. In this age of more and better rights for women and girls across the world it seems a fitting reminder of how much harder it has been for our womenfolk to be recognised as having the same human rights as men. "Ann Kenney (13 September 1879 – 9 July 1953) was an English working-class suffragette and socialist feminist who became a leading figure in the Women's Social and Political Union. She co-founded its first branch in London with Minnie Baldock. Kenney attracted the attention of the press and public in 1905 when she and Christabel Pankhurst were imprisoned for several days for assault and obstruction related to the questioning of Sir Edward Grey at a Liberal rally in Manchester on the issue of votes for women. The incident is credited with inaugurating a new phase in the struggle for women's suffrage in the UK with the adoption of militant tactics." Wiki "Women’s rights are human rights! We are all entitled to human rights. These include the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage. But across the globe many women and girls still face discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare. For many years women’s rights movements have fought hard to address this inequality, campaigning to change laws or taking to the streets to demand their rights are respected. And new movements have flourished in the digital age, such as the 'MeToo' campaign which highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence and sexual harassment. (Amnesty International.) More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Kenney

looking towards the city centre, this also shows the Tugu Megara national monument. The National Monument is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960 PiP

This is the Temple Tamoul de Bois Rouge. Taken on part of our 2014 Asian exploration.

Enjoy with me this retrospective 2014 holiday view on the Island of Lagkawi. Believe it or not, this is a natural frame, a little like the one you can see at the far end of the pier. This Island lies in the Andaman Sea some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The archipeglio of which this is only one island of 99, is a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. Just a whistle-stop here for us on a cruise, but with beach scenes like this, altogether too little time for us to explore further. This is actually near Star Cruises jetty on the southwest corner of the island beside Awana Poroto Malai Resort. Nice full screen.

Enjoy the light and grandeur of this wonderful spot taken on the stern of our Cruise ship the P&O Aurora. ‘2014 - on our ships arrival into the harbour at its capital Port Louis, on the west coast of this Indian Ocean gem, we looked forward to a day’s sightseeing and a coastal catamaran adventure. A great day with many photos taken, all in the past now. - We had sailed a long way to get here from Sri Lanka, almost 4000km on the Indian Ocean in one jump, now we prepare to depart for the next step, a shorter hop of just 1700km to the Island of Reunion and then 4500km more to the South Africa city of Port Elizabeth.' Three PiPs of the wider island. Nice full screen. HFF and enjoy your weekend.

Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation has many appealing aspects which include beautiful golden beaches and wonderful countryside as well as incredible mountains. A nostalgic photo here from a catamaran trip along the coast taken in 2014. The mountain with the high rock is Rempart Mountain (I think).

Anther Island here in the Andaman Sea some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. Just a whistle-stop here for us but with beach scenes like this, altogether too little time sent here for us. This is actually near Star Cruises jetty on the southwest corner of the island beside Awana Poroto Malai Resort. Nice full size!

Taken in the beautiful Royal Palace Park in the city of Kandy during our trip to this part of the World in 2014. Whilst here we witnessed a wedding celebration and saw many giant tree bats and monkeys. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine which we also visited.

Part of my 2014 collection. Taken from on-board the P&O Aurora crossing from Asia to Africa. I waited for some time hoping that the light would still be on the sea horizon for this boat to enter it. The late day sky with this dark sea combined in the end to make this. Enjoy large