As we went down to Land’s End this summer we decided to go to John O’ Groats last week.

Our first stop was at Blackpool to see the lights – fantastic. Millions of pounds have been spent on the promenade and Blackpool has really been updated and is looking well.

As we walked along the front in the evening the sun was sinking on the horizon reflecting on the sea. A beautiful sight to behold.

We went in for the traditional seaside fish and chips and a bus-load of people with learning difficulties came in with their carers. They were all different ages and it was a heartwarming sight to see the smiles on their faces at being treated in the restaurant.

Next stop was Balloch. As I walked along the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond with my good lady, I cast my mind back to 54 years ago when we did the same as a teenage courting couple.

We then drove through the Highlands past the haunting Glen Coe, then the towering Ben Nevis. The scenery is awesome and never ceases to stir my blood, past Loch Ness – sorry folks Nessie must have been having an underwater nap – through Inverness passing a Polish grocery shop, then reaching our next stop, Thurso, 12 miles from John O’ Groats.

Thurso is a spotless little place with some wonderful architecture at the tip of Scotland.

The locals have a lovely polite wilting Scottish accent and couldn’t have been more friendly.

The next morning it was John O’ Groats, the First and Last shop stocking malt whiskies costing many hundreds of pounds, then down past the Cairngorms (apparently they had their first snow that evening), to Glasgow.

We did our nostalgic family visits, where hugs abounded, not to mention, dare I confess, a tear in the eye as we said our goodbyes, then back to Swindon.

Bearing in mind my sons who did the driving have southern accents, never at any time were we treated with anything less than politeness, helpfulness and respect, north of the border. That says more for our Union than a thousand flags.

Bill Williams Merlin Way Swindon