Am I in Scotland or California?

June 30-Brora to Helmsdale. Big thank you to Andrina and Dave who gave me such good care at the Shepherd’s hut! Thought I was in California for the beginning of my walk as I was walking down the beach, seeing harbor seals. It was sunny and about 75 degrees. I realized I forgot my water so was a dry 11 miles, but was fine until I had to cut inland. The way got hairy as I had to walk along without a path with very tall gorse bushes and a lot of thistles which scratched me as I walked through them. Helmsdale was a welcome relief and the SPAR store where I got some water straight away.