DICK GOES TO THURSO. 



barley bannocks, with plenty of milk. Upon this fare 

 men and women grew up strong and healthy. Many of 

 them only got a baker's loaf for " the Sabbath." 



Eobert Dick took his father's advice. He went 

 almost to the world's end to set up his trade. He 

 arrived at Thurso in the summer of 1830, when he was 

 about twenty years old. A shop was taken in Wilson's 

 Lane, nearly opposite his father's house. An oven had 

 to be added to the premises before the business could 

 be begun; and in the meantime Eobert surveyed the 

 shore along Thurso Bay. 



Thurso is within sight of Orkney, the Ultima Thule of 

 the Eomans. It is the northernmost town in Great 

 Britain. John o' Groat's the Land's End of Scotland 

 is farther to the east. It consists of only a few 

 green mounds, indicating where John o' Groat's House 

 once stood.* 



Thurso is situated at the southern end of Thurso Bay, 

 at the mouth of the Thurso river, the most productive 

 salmon river in Scotland. The fish, after feeding and 

 cleaning themselves in the Pentland Firth, make for the 

 fresh water. The first river they come to is the Thurso, 

 up which they swim in droves. 



Thurso Bay, whether in fair or foul weather, is a 

 grand sight. On the eastern side, the upright cliffs of 

 Dunnet Head run far to the northward, forming the 

 most northerly point of the Scottish mainland. On the 



* A very comfortable hotel has recently been erected close to the 

 site of John o' Groat's. Many pleasure parties come from Wick and 

 Thurso to spend the day there, and pick up the John o' Groat's buckiea. 



