DAY 46
FRIDAY 4TH MARCH, 2011
FRESGOE HARBOUR TO MELVICH – 8 MILES 4 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH AND JOHN.
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 698 MILES
A three day trip was planned this time and we left at 6 a.m. for the long drive north, stopping at Tesco in Inverness to refuel and have breakfast. We arrived at Fresgoe harbour about 1330 and quickly set off walking on the vehicle track behind the harbour houses to Sandside Head where we encountered our first gully of the day. About 400mtrs further along the cliff tops a deep, steep gully pushed us inland for some distance before we found an old stone bridge where we were able to cross. We made our way back to the cliff tops and on to Red Point passing the inland Loch Na Moine. The cliffs and rock stacks at Red Point were spectacular and a short distance further along we passed a huge, grass topped rock stack which is the breeding ground for a colony of Puffins (which apparently arrive late in April). Continuing along the cliff tops we had to negotiate several more gullies, ditches and other hazards before we reached the point at Rubha an Tuir overlooking Melvich Bay. Turning south along the cliff tops we made our way down the hillside passed ‘Bighouse’ and onto the footbridge over the river Halladale. We walked up the vehicle track to the A836 at Melvich and were given directions from a local to the Halladale Inn where we enjoyed a refreshing pint. As had been previously arranged our landlady Patsy at the fantastic Sharvedda B&B collected us and transported us to retrieve our vehicle.
Summary; An excellent challenging half days walk with good underfoot conditions.
Highs; Fantastic Coastal scenery. Some challenging hazards ,amazing rock formations and beaches and of course the much needed pint in the Halladale Inn.
Lows; None
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Morris, Derek and John ready to set off from Fresgoe harbour
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- Looking back at Sandside bay from near Fresgoe harbour
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- Looking back east from Sandside Head
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- Looking west along the rugged coast from Sandside Head
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- John taking a closer look
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- Approaching the gully west of Sandside Head
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- View west from the mouth of the sea gully
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- The old stone bridge where we crossed the gully
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- Back on the cliff tops on the west side of the gully
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- Looking back east from west side of the gully
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- Another gully near Loch Na Moine
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- Quite easy walking near Red Point
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- Fantastic rock stacks near Red Point
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- Another rock stack near Red Point
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- Amazing cliffs at Red Point
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- Keith, John and Derek on cliff tops near Red Point
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- Looking back east from Red Point
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- Puffins nesting site on island near Red Point
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- Another view back east
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- Dounreay still visible in the distance from west of Red Point
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- Looking across Melvich Bay to Portskerra from near Rubha An Tuir
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- Looking down on Melvich bay
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- ‘Big House’ and footbridge over Halladale River from hillside above
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- River Halladale footbridge at Melvich
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- Enjoying a pint in the Halladale Inn in the company of Alan and Jan
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 46 ROUTE MAP