DAY 68
SATURDAY 5TH MAY, 2012
INVERKIRKAIG TO GARVIE BAY – 12 MILES 7 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, JAMES, PAUL,
ALAN T, ALAN J, JOHN P, COLIN AND WAYNE
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 988 MILES
This was our last day and after breakfast we packed the minibuses for the journey home. The Rose Guest house our base for the week is not luxurious by any means. The first four days of our stay the place was run by a stand in manageress and the food and organisation was fine. The last three days were not so good when the owner Ed returned from holiday and took over the cooking. Unfortunately Ed can’t cook and is a bit of a Basil Faulty. I would not recommend this place.
The weather this morning was much the same as yesterday, cool, dull and overcast. The river Kirkaig could not be crossed at Inverkirkaig so we started our days walk at the bridge over the river half a mile east of the village. Walking on the road we climbed uphill for half a mile before crossing a fence and walking west back towards Loch Kirkaig. Very quickly the weather deteriorated and after initially some rain and sleet it started to snow. Underfoot conditions were difficult as we scrambled up a steep, wooded hillside and on reaching the high point we turned back south making our way round Loch Rubha na Briege. As quickly as it started the snow stopped and the sun came out creating an eerie scene as clouds of mist rose from the ground. Continuing west to trig point 96 we enjoyed the views before making our way slowly over very difficult marshy ground down to the road at Loch an Eisg-brachaidh. A short walk on the road took us round the bay to the hillock Rubh a Bhrocaire where we left the road and climbed the hillside making our way round passed Poll Loisgann and on down to the small pier at Lochan Sal. Another steep climb followed as we walked on the sea side of Rubha Phollaidh on to Polly Bay. It was uphill again from Polly Bay to the highest point of the day near Loch an Draic (490 feet) before a long difficult decent to the finish of the walk near Garvie Bay
Summary; A very wet miserable day made a tough walk uncomfortable. Underfoot conditions were some of the worst we have experienced so far on our coast walk.
Highs; The finish and a drink at the end.
Lows; Wet, wet, wet
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- The team ready to set off
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- Looking back to Inverkirkaig from the hillside on the south side of the river
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- An earie mist rising after a shower of hail stones
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- Loch an Eisg-Brachaidh
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- Looking north across Loch an Eisg-Brachaidh from the cairn on Rubh a Bhrocaire
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- James and John P at the top of Rubh a Bhrocaire
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- Looking across to Cuil Lochain and our route along the hillside
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- Our route is the hillside across the bay behind the cairn
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- Lots of snow on the Coigach mountains
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- Looking down at the fish farm in the bay near Lochan Sal
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- The terrain down to the fish farm was quite rugged
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- Some deer we spooked
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- Making our way down to the fish farm
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- Mountain lost in the mist is it Suilven or Cul Mor?
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- The Pebbly beach at Lag Na Saille
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- Some amazing rocks on the beach
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- Looking back to where we came down the hillside
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- Looking out to Green Island
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- The end of another great days coast walking
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 68 ROUTE MAP