A836 Thurso-Castletown Road

**Rheghead** · 29-Nov-07, 23:28

Does anyone know the history of this stretch of road? It is straight as a die, is it an ancient road or a newish one? I'm just curious like. Was the original road to Castletown the one through Sibmister?

**George Brims** · 30-Nov-07, 00:11

Unfortunately it is only dead straight in 2 of 3 spatial dimensions.

**gollach** · 30-Nov-07, 00:27

Originally Posted by George Brims

Unfortunately it is only dead straight in 2 of 3 spatial dimensions.

It might be just the cyclists who realise just how true that statement is.

**Torvaig** · 30-Nov-07, 00:31

Originally Posted by gollach

It might be just the cyclists who realise just how true that statement is.

Or someone with an A35......

**Fran** · 30-Nov-07, 02:01

I beleive sir archibald sinclair made this road same as the Lyth to Mey road which is straight and the road to Keiss which is also straight.

**brokencross** · 30-Nov-07, 08:15

Having cycled from Thorkel Road, Thurso to Olrig near Castletown as a fit 15 year old I can vouch for it being a demoralising road for cyclists.
Not only do you have the undulating "hills" to contend with, but because it is so straight you can see just how far there is to go. Luckily my bike and I got a lift back from my girlfriends Mam or I think I would still be on the road now. (I did the trip in 1969)