DAY 60
SATURDAY 31ST, MARCH, 2012
BADNABAY TO TARBET – 13 MILES, 7 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH AND ALEX
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 893 MILES
After a very average evening meal in the Scourie Hotel and a comfortable night in our accommodation at the Scourie Guest House we were looking forward to another days coast walk. Breakfast was excellent and we were back at Badnabay ready to set off before 0900. The tide was out and it was a beautiful morning with clear blue skies as we walked across the mudflats of Traigh Bad na Baighe to Laxford Bay. Already the lovely sunshine was providing some lovely views of the surrounding hills and mountains. Making our way along the hillside on the south side of Loch Laxford to Foindle proved quite challenging with many gulleys and several deer fences to be crossed. A short stretch of road at a fish farm provided a welcome respite but the lovely views of the many islands made the effort worthwhile. From Foindle, (as again there was no suitable sea level route) we made our way round the hillside passed the island of Eilean a Mhadaidh to the lovely hamlet of Fanagmore. Again no low level route looked possible so we walked up and round the hillside to the point at Sgeir Ruadh, encountering one or two severe gulleys on route. Heading south from the point several inland detours were taken to avoid steep crags as we walked the last leg to Tarbet passing several interesting lochans on the way. The walk down into Tarbet was picturesque, the great views of Handa Island fantastic in the lovely sunshine. Unfortunately the less than friendly staff at the Tarbet Ferry tea room (who were on the premises) refused to sell us any type of refreshment as they were preparing for opening the next day. As arranged our very helpful guest house proprietor Ken picked us up at 1630 at Tarbet pier and drove us back to collect our minibus. A visit to the nearby Rhiconich Hotel (which displayed boards outside saying it was open) resulted in a rude rebuff from a member of staff on the premises as he stated the hotel was closed.
Summary; A brilliant days walking with fabulous weather and amazing views. Some parts proved difficult and detours were required.
Highs; The weather and the scenery.
Lows; The unfriendly staff at the Tarbet tea room and Rhiconich Hotel. What happened to Scottish hospitality? Do these people not want business?
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- A beautiful morning as we set off from Badnabay
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- Making our way across the mudflats on the tidal Traigh Bad na Baighe
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- Amazing sun reflections on the mudflats at Badnabay
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- Alex, Derek and Keith on the hillside above Laxford Bay
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- A deer fence ahead to be crossed
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- Looking ahead up Loch Laxford
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- Looking along Loch Laxford over Eilean Port a Choit
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- Fish farm station on one of the many inlets on Loch Laxford
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- Looking back at the many islands on Loch Laxford
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- Making our way along the hillside towards Foindle
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- Fish farm near Foindle
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- Morris on hillside near Foindle
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- Alex, Keith and Derek on hillside near Fanagmore
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- Eilean Ard
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- Looking down on Fanagmore
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- Looking out to Eilean Ard from Fanagemor
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- Another view out to Loch Laxford from Fanagmore
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- Derek and Alex at Fanagmore
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- Looking ahead to the point at Sgeir Ruadh
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- Looking back down Loch Laxford from near Cnoc an Fhir Bhreige
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- Another amazing view back down Loch Laxford
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- The rugged quartz rock Coast near Fanagmore
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- Near the point at Sgeir Ruadh
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- Amazing rock formations near Tarbet
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- One of many lochans near Tarbet
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- Alex on high point above Tarbet
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- Looking out to the sound of Handa from above Tarbet
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- Looking across to Handa Island from Tarbet
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- End of another days walk at Tarbet
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 60 ROUTE MAP