Loch an Iasaich, Attadale

This was a weekend of extreme exercise for us. After yesterday's events at the park run followed by Dunglass Island, we decided to make the most of the beautiful weather and go for another mid-length walk. This time we ventured West to Attadale by Strathcarron.

The 7 mile walk was mainly an out-and-back (never my first choice to be honest) but there was a looped section towards the end of the route which helped to keep things interesting.

Beginning at the walker's car park inside the Attadale Estate, we followed first a road then a track up into the hills. It was mostly forested with some open hill views now and then. The looped part took in the peaceful setting of Loch an Iasaich, where we stopped for tea and a banana.

Continuing on, we soon rejoined our original path and headed back to the car. On the way down Lynne saved a slow worm by tickling it off the road; it was just about to be squashed by the farmer coming down behind us in his truck!

Afterwards we headed over to Kishorn and treated ourselves to lunch in the wonderful fish restaurant. Lynne had "a taste of salmon" while I had a mackerel salad.

Dunglass Island

After both setting new PBs at the Inverness Park Run on the morning of Saturday 19th May, we headed to Conon Bridge and Maryburgh in search of an island!

Our walk for the day was a circuit starting in Maryburgh, via Dunglass Island (a stretch of farmland separated by the mighty River Conan) and the Brahan Estate.

Winding our way through houses we eventually found our path alongside the railway and riverside and before long we had reached the bridge over to Dunglass Island.

As the weather was dry and bright, everything looked very pleasant, especially the well-maintained fishing spots round the "coast" of the island. We stopped and had cheese and pickle sandwiches and tea next to a weir.

Eventually looping back to the bridge, we rejoined our original riverside path and continued West. There was lots of lovely old oak trees along this section of the walk. We eventually climbed up towards the Brahan Estate and into a lovely tree-lined avenue which lead us back to Maryburgh.

Approximately 8 miles.

Strathpeffer Circuit

A local walk for us this weekend: a 9 mile route with almost 1700 feet of climbing.

We started at Catherine's, the Museum cafe, knowing that when we finished, we could stagger in and regain our spent energy with lovely home made soup and scones.

The walk started steeply, heading up the hill directly behind the old railway station, to the Stone Maze. From there we headed East, in an anti-clockwise direction, to the tiny top of Knockfarrel before descending the fields below back to the main road and over to the hamlet of Achterneed.

Picking up the forest path above the Cromartie sawmill we followed a line through the recent deforestation for the full length of the village. This led us to the beautiful Loch Kinellan, where we looped round and back to the main road again.

The last stretch of the walk took us into Blackmuir Woods and back to the Stone Maze, where we returned to our starting point, exhausted.

Hartfell

An earlier than intended rise (6:08am - I read the time on my phone upside down) and we were on our way to climb Hartfell via Blackshope Farm and back via Moffat Well.

We climbed Saddle Yolk and we contoured around Hartfell Rigg to reach the summit of Hartfell (approx 808 metres).  It was a steady climb all the way to the cairn and it consisted of good grassy paths all the way to Swatte Fell.

From here we started the descent which was a hard slog down a boggy, heathery and tussocky Hind Hill. I was so relieved to eventually reach a farm track (negotiating a herd of cattle) and the last stretch of the route back home, via Moffat Well.

This was a walk of mixed feelings: wonderful views of the valley on the climb up to the summit but twisted ankles and frustration in making our way through the tussocky descent.


Later on, we took a walk over the town and had a mediocre meal at Ariette.  Another coffee later we headed home.

To finish off we had a great meal at the Italian and then an early night.

Inver Lodge Weekend - 22nd April

A breakfast of kippers started the day for me and we departed Inver Lodge mid morning on a detoured return home via Achiltibuie.

Before we hit the tiny coastal village we stopped off for another circular walk: Achnahaird Bay circuit.

The start of the walk was along a sandy beach before climbing upwards and across more boggy ground.

We lost the path a bit and ended up taking a more boggy path than was intended but we made our way to Garve Bay and sat for a while admiring the view out to sea.

The route took us back to the single track road for a mile or so walk back to the car and lunch.
We drove on to Achiltibuie and had coffee in the Hotel before turning back on ourselves and heading to Ullapool and the drive home.

Inver Lodge Weekend - 21st April

Our second day in Lochinver and we woke to a bit of mist that scuppered our plans to climb Suilven.  Instead we took a drive to Stoer Lighthouse and took off on a circular route with views out to the Atlantic and the Old Man of Stoer.

The route was a bit boggy but the weather cheered up a bit and we had clear views of the rocky landscape in the distance: Cul Mor, Suilven, Quinag and Ben More Coigach.

The drive out to Stoer was lovely, very remote and isolated along a single track road.

On the drive back we took a detour to the Little Assynt Estate for a 6 mile run along, what appeared to be newly constructed paths.  I was absolutely knackered and had to keep stopping on the more hilly parts of the run. 

I felt as if I truly deserved my meal that night:  white onion soup, fish stew and sorbet.  A hot bath and an early night.

Inver Lodge Weekend - 20th April

My long awaited birthday treat weekend started with us driving North and stopping off at Ardvrek Castle. It was quite cool and breezy here overlooking Loch Assynt.



We continued the drive to Lochinver and arrived at about 11.30am. We started with a coffee at a local bistro/local homemade pie shop. Thankfully, Friday was a warm and dry day and we eventually managed to do a planned walk following the River Inver and out to Glencanisp Lodge - the Lodge being bought by the community in 2005 and now used for luxury accommodation.