DAY 44
SUNDAY 3RD OCTOBER, 2010
DUNNET TO BRIMS CASTLE – 17 MILES 8 HOURS
MORRIS, GEORGE, BILL, ALEX, COLIN, DEREK, JAMES, JOHN, KEITH
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 681 MILES
Another sharp start was the order of the day and after breakfast we were back at Dunnet walking on the beautiful sands of the bay before 0900. Although a bit cloudy the forecast was good and we looked forward to another enjoyable day. On the walk along the beach one or two heavy flowing streams and a river had to be crossed. On leaving the beach we walked passed Castletown harbour and the ruins of the old flagstone works which during the 18th century exported stone across the world. During WWII an R.A.F. fighter base in Castletown played an important part in the protection of Scapa Flow. From here we followed a good grass path close to the sea passed Murkle Bay, Clardon Haven and the ruins of Thurso Castle into Thurso. We crossed the river Thurso by the footbridge and had a lunch stop at the excellent Tempest Cafe at the harbour. Feeling refreshed and happy to see sunshine and blue skies we made our way along the sands of Thurso Bay, passed the caravan site and on to Scrabster Harbour. From the harbour we took the lighthouse road onto the marked path for Holborn Head. Following a well used path we walked up the hillside to the point at Holborn Head. The cliff top views across to Dunnet Head and north to Orkney were fantastic. Equally amazing and at times exhilarating were the cliff edge views of the Clett and the many rock faces of the geos along the path to Ness of Litter. At Ness of Litter we made our way thru the huge disused quarry which is perched on the cliff tops and its many levels give it an unusual and eerie appearance. From the quarry we made our way downhill following sheep tracks along the cliff tops negotiating many varied geos passed the impressive Fort rock stack and onto the finish of the days walk at Port of Brims.
Summary; A fantastic days walking with great weather .This walk had it all, beaches, villages, town, harbours, castles, lighthouse, rock stacks, geos and amazing cliff top views. Good underfoot conditions and paths most of the way. And a great lunch stop
Highs; Lots but especially the cliff top views. The excellent Tempest cafe in Thurso
Lows; None .A day to remember.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- The team ready to set off on Dunnet bay sands
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- Looking west along Dunnet sands
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- Striding out along Dunnet sands to get warmed up
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- The Castletown end of Dunnet bay sands
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- Castletown harbour
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- The derelict Castletown stone works. Stone debris litters the beach
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- The path from the stone works along the sea edge
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- Crossing one of the many huge stone slabs near Murkle bay
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- Murkle bay
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- On a good grass path round Clardon Head towards Thurso
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- Heading towards Thurso
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- The Victorian lookout tower at the entrance to Thurso harbour with Holborn Head in the background
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- The ruins of Thurso castle
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- The footbridge over the river Thurso
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- John P enjoying a fancy hot chocolate in the excellent Tempest cafe at Thurso harbour
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- Lovely home baking can be found in the Tempest cafe
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- On the sands of Thurso bay
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- Looking back east along the sands of Thurso bay
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- Looking ahead to Scrabster
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- Scrabster harbour
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- The road up to Holborn Head lighthouse
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- Holborn Head lighthouse
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- Holborn Head lighthouse with Dunnet Head across the bay
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- The path up to Holborn Head
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- Holborn Head
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- The Clett rock at Holborn Head
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- Alex and James just visible on the point at Holborn Head with Dunnet Head in the background
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- Another amazing cliffscape at Holborn Head
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- John P on a ledge near Spear Head
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- Looking west towards Brims Ness from Spear Head
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- Colin, John and Morris on the west side of Spear Head
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- Approaching the quarry at Ness of Litter
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- The amazing stone slab formations at Ness of Litter
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- View back from the Quarry at Ness of Litter
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- The quarry at Ness of Litter
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- Looking west from Ness of Litter to the twin silos at Brims farm
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- The Fort rock stack west of Ness of Litter
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- Another amazing cliffscape looking east from near Port of Brims
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- Looking west to Brims
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- Another brilliant day coast walking finishes at Brims Castle
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 44 ROUTE MAP