I always enjoy going “up north” because the scenery is wonderful, and there was a real sense of journey on this trip because I sailed, rather than flew, to Orkney.

Orkney is one of my favourite places in Scotland, and I keep telling myself I am going to do a holiday there some time so I can see something outside Kirkwall, the main town.

On my drive back to Inverness this morning, I decided to avoid the A9 for a change and went “cross-country” via the likes of Tongue and Lairg, a road I’d never done.

It boasted dramatic scenery, the full spectrum of weather (rain, sun and even a spot of snow), and surprisingly good Five Live reception.

Other highlights of the trip include deciding that Thurso is not as grim as I thought it to be on previous trips (though still pretty grim), and that the Orkney fudge and whisky cheesecake at the Kirkwall Hotel was not as lovely as I remembered (though still pretty lovely).

The long week – and particularly the 4.45am start this morning and choppy crossing from Stromness to Scrabster – was exhausting. A short nap this afternoon when I got home didn’t really help, and in fact left me strangely jet-lagged.

Ah well. Now I’ve uploaded some photos, I can get an early night.