Strathpeffer became the first destination point for an adventuresome walk that Henry and I took from Coul House on the edge of Contin. The reason it was so adventuresome, was simply that we had to find our way through the woods, then over a mountain, down from a lookout point, onto a logging road,  then further downhill through a farm community, and finally into Strathpeffer. A Victorian Spa village, it was made famous with the discovery of sulphur springs in 1700. A railroad line brought spa visitors to the village from all over Europe, the attraction being the spring waters, that by 1819, were considered to be the best in Britain. Entering the town, Henry and I walked along row upon row of hedges that concealed residential houses until we found what was the center of the village. Here stood two churches, a Church of Scotland and St. Annes’ Scottish Episcopal Church, both solid buildings made of sandstone. On a terrace slightly above the main road stood an old victorian hotel with a fantastic roofline and the steeple of yet another church.  Below that, was the Old Sampling Pavilion where the sulphuric waters could be tasted. Standing above the main road were many large, solid stone houses built in a variety of styles and Victorian-styled hotels. It was suggested that we stop for a bowl of soup in the  Old Station, which no longer has the railroad line, but houses a cafe, several crafts shops, and the Museum of Childhood. We were also told that it would be a treat to stop in Maya, a Belgium chocolate shop owned by a couple who brought their culinary skills from Belgium only six years ago.  Therefore, a bowl of Creamy Mushroom Soup and a Cheese Scone at the railroad station was followed shortly by a cup of incredibly thick hot chocolate, so rich that it left demarcation lines inside the cup as we sipped it slowly. That treat fueled us for the return walk to Coul House. Henry and I walked six hours that day, feeling happy and mighty after the big aerobic effort of climbing the Scottish hills.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. The Old Sampling Pavilion in the center of Strathpeffer. 2. A classic building, once a youth hostel, now a house divided into apartments. 3. The solid stone Church of Scotland. 4. Roofline of a typical traditional stone house. Center Top: Detail: the roofline of the Highland Hotel. Center Bottom: One of the many interesting houses in Strathpeffer.  Right Column: 1. Gazebo at the Old Station, a Victorian style railroad station, now filled with craft shops and the Museum of Childhood. 2. Stone house near the center of Strathpeffer.