DAY 28
TUESDAY 21st APRIL, 2009
FORRES TO NAIRN – 20 MILES, 7 HOURS
MORRIS, DOUGLAS AND DENIS
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED TO DATE 440.2 MILES
As we had two long walking days ahead we travelled to Forres the night before and stayed in the lovely Springfield B&B. We met up with Denis Dingwall a retired Forres resident who had contacted us through the website. Denis had kindly ‘reccied’ a route round the west side of Findhorn Bay and joined us on the days walk to Nairn. We set off from Forres in fine weather, crossing the A96 at the roundabout into Greshop Industrial Estate, walking on the minor road between the sawmill and AJS Engineering under the railway line. From here we followed a track into the woods and onto the bridge over the river Findhorn at Broom of Moy. At this point there is a choice of following the quiet minor roads to Earnhill Farm or Denis’s much nicer ‘anglers paths’. (If you would like a detailed description of this route please contact me at the website)From Earnshill Farm we walked by minor road passed Kincorth House, Wellside Farm and then on a well defined path passed Binsness to Findhorn Bay. We walked at the waters edge round the west side of the bay to the sandbank at the mouth where a pod of seals we basking in the sun. From here we walked along the beach at the edge of Culbin Forrest. Approximately a mile along the beach we made a detour into the forest and made our way to the Hill 99 viewpoint, a tower which rises above the trees giving great views of the area. We then made our way on forest paths back to the beach walking westward passed the many wooden posts sticking out of the marshes and sand (remnants of the World War Two anti glider defences). Walking on we passed the Bar, a long finger of land which sticks out into the sea and on to the lovely dunes east of Nairn. From here we had lovely views across to the Black Isle and the mouth of the Cromarty Firth. We walked into Nairn through the caravan park and harbour.
Summary; A very enjoyable days walking with mixed scenery on mostly flat terrain although quite hard going at times on the sand. Denis’s off road route round FindhornBay was lovely and got the day off to a good start.
Highs; The weather was excellent if at times a bit warm, which made our arrival beer even more enjoyable. The beaches and Culbin forest view point were tremendous.
Lows; None really.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- About to leave the excellent Springfield B&B, Forres
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- Heading under the railway line as we walk out of Forres
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- The bridge over the river Findhorn at Broom of Moy.
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- Looking across Findhorn Bay from near Binsness
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- Looking across to Findhorn from the west side of the Bay
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- Looking back at our route along the west side of Findhorn Bay.
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- On the beautiful sands at the edge of Culbin Forest near the mouth of Findhorn Bay
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- Seals on the sand bank at the west side of the mouth of Findhorn Bay
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- Looking back east across the mouth of Findhorn Bay
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- Making our way west at the edge of Culbin Forest
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- The mouth of the Cromarty Firth is visible in the distance.
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- Following Denis through Culbin Forest
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- The beautiful silver moss in Culbin Forest.
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- The veiwing tower on hill 99 in Culbin Forest
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- Denis and Morris enjoying the View from the top of the tower
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- Easy walking at the edge of Culbin Forest near the Bar
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- Remnants of the WW2 anti glider defences in the sands near the Bar
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- On the sands at the Bar looking across to the mouth of the Cromarty Firth
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- Looking west up the amazing sands at the Bar
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- Continuing at the edge of Culbin Forest towards Nairn in the distance
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- Looking across the dunes to what appears to be an oil platform near the mouth of the Cromarty Firth
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- On the dunes near Nairn
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- Another lovely beach near Nairn
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- Denis and Douglas on the beach near Nairn
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- Zoom shot of mouth of Cromarty Firth from near Nairn
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- Nairn harbour.
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- Douglas, Morris and Denis enjoying a well deserved pint at the end of a great days walk
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 28 ROUTE MAP