DAY 21
TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2008
ST COMBS TO PENNAN – 20.6 MILES, 8.5 HOURS
MORRIS AND PHIL
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 340.2 MILES
It was a lovely sunny morning when we set off from our hotel walking through the village of St Combs and on to Inverallochy Golf Course which we edged round into the pretty fishing village of Inverallochy. As we walked through the village we were surprised to see a fishing boat lying on its side on rocks near the Cairnbulg Briggs light beacon. On speaking to Walter Whyte a local joiner we learn that just after midnight on 18th December, 2005 the Sovereign had been returning to Fraserburgh when she had gone onto the rocks. It appears she was badly holed and not worth salvaging and will be left until she breaks up. Walking out the village we could see Fraserburgh ahead and after wading the Philorth Water we walked along the beach into Fraserburgh. After taking some photographs in the harbour and enjoying tea and a cake in the Harbour Tea Room we walked out of the town past the WineTower, Lighthouse and Lighthouse museum. From here our route ran along the sea edge adjacent to the B9031 road through Sandhaven to Rosehearty where we enjoyed soup and a beer in the friendly Bay Hotel. On walking round past the piers we picked up a well defined path along the shore to Quarry Head and on to Aberdour beach. From the sea edge we make our way across the car park and picked our way up the steep banking regaining the clifftops and walking on past Strahangles Point. Between Strahangles Point and Pennan Head a deep and uncrossable double gulley which runs in from the sea forced us inland for half a mile. We made our way round the gulley back to the clifftops at Pennan Head and down the hillside to Pennan village below. After taking some photographs at the famous ‘Local Hero’ telephone box and hotel we gratefully accepted the offer of a lift from Ian and Des from Glasgow to or overnight digs at Palace Farm near Dubford.
Summary; Quite a testing days walking with a mixture of terrain and underfoot condition. The long grass on the clifftops was particularly draining to walk on. Map required.
Highs; Lots. The many friendly people we met, FraserburghHarbour and the fabulous views from the clifftops.
Lows; None, a really enjoyable full days walking
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- The Tufted Duck Hotel at St Combs.
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- Making our way round the edge of Inverallochy golf course.
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- The surprising sight of the Sovereign lying on the rocks at Cairnbulg Beacon
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- Making our way through Inverallochy.
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- Morris having a chat with Walter Whyte a local resident.
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- A closer view of the Sovereign.
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- Morris wading across the water of Philorth
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- On the beach with Fraserburgh ahead.
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- The boat repair yard at Fraserburgh.
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- The friendly tea room in Fraserburgh harbour.
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- Boats in Fraserburgh harbour.
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- Even bigger boats in Fraserburgh harbour.
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- Hungry seal in Fraserburgh harbour
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- The Old Castle lighthouse at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh.
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- The new Lighthouse at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh
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- The Foghorn at Kinnaird Head , Fraserburgh
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- The path alongside the road to Rosehearty.
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- Making our way through Rosehearty.
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- Phil on the rocks near Quarryhead with Pennan in the distance.
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- Looking back south from Quarry Head.
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- Memorial plaque on Aberdour beach.
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- Looking back from near Strahangles Point.
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- Approaching the deep gully before Pennan Head.
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- At Pennan Head about to drop down to the village.
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- Looking down on Pennan
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- Back down at sea level in Pennan
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- Morris at the famous ‘Local Hero’ Pennan phonebox
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- Pennan Hotel (unfortunately closed)
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE.
DAY 21 ROUTE MAP