DAY 49
SUNDAY 8TH MAY, 2011
KIRTOMY TO TORRISDALE BAY – 12 MILES 5 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, JOHN AND GARRY.
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 736 MILES
A full weeks walking was planned for this trip with the intention of completing the North coast and the first day of the West coast. We set off at 5a.m. for the long drive north, making our usual fuel and breakfast stop at Tesco in Inverness, arriving at Kirtomy about midday after dropping a car at Torrisdale Bay. We set off walking in lovely sunshine following sheep tracks along the rugged and undulating coastline to Swordly Bay. Continuing along the cliff tops towards Farr Point we took time to view the rock stacks, natural arches and islands. Several gullies had to be negotiated and the sheep tracks proved invaluable in finding crossing points. From Farr Point we had clear views of Coomb (or Neave) Island and Eilean Nan Ron (Island of the seals) which we would pass tomorrow. We continued along the cliff tops passed Glasgeo before dropping down onto the beautiful sands of Farr Bay. Crossing the sands we stopped for a tea break before making our way along the equally rugged and rocky west side to Creag Ruadh where we had our first views of Torrisdale bay. As we walked towards the pier near Bettyhill we could see that to cross the River Naver we would have to walk almost two miles inland to the bridge on the A836 near Invernaver. The last quarter mile to the bridge was walked on the road and after crossing we walked up the west side of the river over the dunes to the amazing sands of Torrisdale bay. The days walk finished near Crossburn and we enjoyed a much needed pint in the Borgie Lodge Hotel before travelling to our accommodation in Tongue.
Summary; A really good walk to start our week. In general good underfoot conditions but not easy with lots of ups and downs and a few challenging gullies. Yet again the sheep tracks were a great help in finding our way over or around difficulties.
Highs; Fantastic coastal scenery and amazing unspoilt immaculate beaches.
Lows; None
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Ready to set off from Kirtomy
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- Amazing rock formations near Bay of Swordly
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- Bay of Swordly
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- Derek leading the way up the hillside west of Bay of Swordly
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- Looking across Bay of Swordly back to Kirtomy
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- Amazing arch rock west of Bay of Swordly
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- Looking back east from east side of Farr Point
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- Looking over to Creag Ruadh from near Glaisgeo
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- Looking west to Coomb Island fron near Glaisgeo
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- Approaching a small hamlet near Farr
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- View west from near Farr
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- Farr Bay
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- Farr Bay
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- Looking along the lovely sands of Farr Bay
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- Stopping for a photograph on the beach at Farr Bay
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- View west from Farr Bay sands
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- View back to Farr Point from Farr sands
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- Looking back to Farr Beach from near Creag Ruadh
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- Looking across Farr Bay from near Creag Ruadh to Farr Point
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- Looking towards Torrisdale Bay from near the point at Creag Ruadh
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- Looking inland passed Bettyhill to the road bridge where we crossed the river Naver
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- Looking over to the amazing sands of Torrisdale Bay
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- Another view of Torrisdale Bay
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- Making our way along the east side of the river Naver to the road bridge
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- On the amazing sands of Torrisdale Bay
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- Almost at the end of the days walk at Torrisdale
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- A happy team at Torrisdale looking forward to a refreshing pint
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 49 ROUTE MAP