DAY 39
FRIDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2010
OCCUMSTER TO SARCLET – 11.5 MILES 5 HOURS
MORRIS, BILL, ALEX AND KEITH
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 607 MILES
Our plan for this trip was to finish the east coast section which we hoped to complete in two and a half days walking. We set of at 6a.m. for the long drive north and were underway walking from Occumster just before midday. There was no visible path and we made our way along the fields edging the cliff tops, crossing Clyth burn passed the impressive Clyth Stacks, viewing basking seals on Skerry Mor to Clythness Lighthouse at Ousbacky. There are many Geos (pronounced goes which are sea inlets) to be negotiated along this part of the coast which certainly slowed progress down. On approaching Bruan we could see the hillside which runs down to the cliff tops was covered with gorse and we were forced towards the road at the derelict church to make our way round it. We made our way back down towards the cliffs at Wester Whaligoe and round to the amazing Whaligoe steps. Climbing back up the 365 steps from the beach filled us with admiration for the fishwives who undertook this in all weathers carrying creels of herring on their back. We continued on the cliff tops and half a mile north of Ellen’s Geo we turned inland to view the Sinclair Mausoleum near the derelict Ulbster Mains farm. Turning back south we made our way back to the cliffs at the Stack of Ulbster. The gulley that runs from the sea at the stack forced us inland for almost half a mile before we could cross it and make our way back to the cliff tops on the east side of Loch Sarclet. We walked on passed Gearty Head and Sarclet Head to the finish of our days walk at Sarclet harbour. From here we walked to the pub in Ulbster for a much needed and deserved pint.
Summary; Very enjoyable but quite challenging at bits due to undulating ground and many fences.
Highs; After a dull start the weather changed and we walked in lovely sunshine. Very scenic walk with great seascapes. The steps at Whaligeo are amazing. The friendly locals in the pub particularly ‘Nellie’ who kindly gave me a lift back for the car
Lows; The almost 2 mile walk from Sarclet harbour to the pub.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Alex, Bill and Keith ready to set off from Occumster
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- Looking ahead to the Clyth stacks
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- View back to Clyth stacks from cliff top path
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- Another rock stack near Clyth
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- What might be the ruins of a fishing station on the beach at a Geo near Clyth
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- Looking back from the cliff top path near Skerry Mor
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- Basking seals on Skerry Mor
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- Alex at cliff edge above Skerry Mor
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- Looking along the cliffs to Clyth Ness lighthouse
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- Alex and Keith on the cliff tops near Ousbacky
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- Looking north to Bruan
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- The old church at Bruan where we were had to come onto the road
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- The memorial plaque to Etta Juhle at the top of the Whaligoe steps
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- Keith on th Whaligoe steps
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- Looking down part of the Whaligoe steps
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- View back south down the rugged coast from near Whaligoe
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- Looking north from near Ellen’s Geo
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- The deserted Ulbster Mains farm and Sinclair Mausoleum
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- Alex relaxing at the Stack of Ulbster
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- Loch Sarclet
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- The heather covered cliff tops towards Sarclet
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- The Haven at Sarclet
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- The village of Sarclet
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 39 ROUTE MAP