When I got back from living in the States in 2005 I borrowed my sister's car and went for a road trip up to Orkney for the first time. It wasn't Orkney that blew me away though, it was the little town of Bettyhill with its incredibly beautiful cliffs and air and sheep and beaches. So it seemed only right to come back on the Unlit tour and show Garfield and Dave one of my favourite places in the world.

Tattie soup and venison casserole were written up on the specials board when we arrived. The pool table only cost 30p a frame. And our new favourite whisky - which Kev has plied us with in Golspie the night before - was there behind the bar.

The locals has been told there might be a gig of some sort and it was nice to meet them. There was Malcolm, who'd studied art in London during the 60s, who befriended me before I'd even sat down. He seemed to be looking forward to me playing a few tunes. Then Tom arrived, up here for the fishing, wearing a rugged white jumper with a wiry frame and a wizened face... he had just been down in Blackpool seeing his grandchildren and had promised himself a few days fishing on his own.

There was a surfer guy who lived locally and then the most curious of the lot: three Polish hotel staff, who had been there for three months for their holiday job and who seemed in need of some kind of entertainment or at least a change of scene... however beautiful Bettyhill, I couldn't help feeling that working there for three months, miles away from anything, would be quite a strange experience.

They were a kind audience and after the bar shut, we moved into the lounge and I played more to the friendly Poles, who would have let me go on all night if I hadn't made an escape around 3am to bed...

Wednesday found Jont and the guys running late and forced to down tools overnight halfway between Bettyhill and Aberdeen. They stopped in the town of Golspie, where the fresh air and bracing wind put a spring in their step.

Later that evening Jont, Dave and Garfield sampled the distilled delights of a selection of whiskies courtesy of Kev at the Sutherland Arms Hotel bar.

It would seem the golden nectar in a glass tasted so good that Jont was quite literally lost for words...

Later on that evening it became apparent that three weeks on the road had made the guys a little 'tired and emotional'.

But there's nothing like a little sugary pick-me-up to give that second wind. Let them eat cake!

Sore heads were quickly dispensed with the next day, and Maya and the boys headed up to Bettyhill. This was Jont's second visit and he wanted to show Dave and Garfield 'the most beautiful place in the world'.

Later that evening Jont kicked up a storm at the Bettyhill Hotel and played on well into the early hours.

A job well done.

Latest from Tour HQ!

Last night's scheduled mini gig at Bettyhill was postponed and is due to take place tonight instead. Jont, Dave and Garfield are on the road right now after a welcoming overnight stopover halfway from Aberdeen at the Sutherland Arms Hotel in Golspie. The lads parked up the van and stopped overnight in the woods in the grounds - proper camping!

Owner Kev plied the guys with a selection of fine whiskies and sent them to bed dreaming of perfectly poached eggs for breakfast this morning. They were not disappointed!

Keep your eyes peeled as Jont, Dave and Garfield will be spending today uploading the latest videos and photos, including from last night's antics at the Sutherland Arms. There's no rest for the wicked, so they'll be setting up for their gig at the Bettyhill Hotel too. Kick off is at about 8pm so if you're nearby, get yourself down there for an unmissable musical treat.

34 days on the road...

Parties... I mean work every night...

How do we manage to keep going?

Two words: Drink Responsibly.