DAY 70
SATURDAY 22, SEPTEMBER, 2012
ALTANDHU TO ACHDUART – 10 MILES 7 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, BILL, PHIL AND GARRY
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 1008.5 MILES
After a hearty breakfast we set of for the long (30 miles) journey back to the start of the days walk at Altandhu. It was another lovely sunny morning when we set off thru the caravan park, picking up a path which took us round the point onto a road passed the jetties at the bay near Old Dornie. From here we found another obvious path which hugged the coast passed Dornie and continued to near Polbain. Walking near the sea edge we passed Polbain pier onto the grass foreshore leading into Achiltibuie where we stopped for soup and a pint at the local hotel. While sitting in the garden enjoying our lunch we were amused to see obviously less hardy visitors (wimps) chased indoors by the famous Scottish midges. Before becoming too comfortable we moved off crossed the road and walked over the fields towards Rubha Dunan then made our way near the sea edge to the Broch near Achlochan. Continuing at the sea edge we passed the burial ground at Badenscallie and walked onto Acheninver where we crossed the river on stepping stones. Passing Horse Sound we turned inland and climbed the hillside to the minor road which we followed to the end of the days walk at Achduart. Below we could see the Stornoway Ferry heading for Loch Broom and Ullapool. A short refreshment stop was made at the Am Fuaran Bar at Altandhu before the long drive back to our accommodation at Ullapool.
Summary; Fantastic weather made this walk memorable. Many good paths to follow and good underfoot conditions all the way.
Highs; The views across the Summer Isles and the Coigach Mountains were spectacular and made this trip well worthwhile.
Lows; The long journeys to and from the start point.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
- The beach at Altandhu
- Looking ahead Isle of Ristol on the right
- A stop for a photograph with part of yesterdays walk in the background
- Is that rock meant to be there?????
- Looking down on the bay and jetty at Old Dornie
- Boats in the bay at Old Dornie
- Looking back from the jetty at Old Dornie
- Making our way through the thick bracken round the point towards Dornie
- Looking out to the Summer Isles from near Dornie
- Derek almost lost in the bracken
- Back on a good path in the heather near Dornie
- Taking a breather at Rubha a Mhadaidh-Ruaidh
- Looking along the coast to Polbain
- On a good path with the Summer Isles in the background
- Phil, Keith, Derek ang Garry with Badentarbat Bay and Achiltibuie in the background
- Somebody obviously comes here
- Looking over to Tanera More
- A brilliant sky and view south to the Wester Ross mountains
- Looking across to Achiltibuie
- Another amazing view south from near Polbain
- The views and sky just gets better and better
- Approaching the pier at Polbain
- The pier at Polbain
- Approaching Achiltibuie
- The beach at Achiltibuie
- Achiltibuie
- Enjoying a pint at the hotel in Achiltibuie
- Looking out to sea from near Rubha Dunan
- Looking back north towards Polbain
- Looking south where we are heading with the Coigach mountains prominent on the left
- The ruins beside the broch near Achlochan
- The beach and burial ground at Badenscallie
- Crossing the narrow river at Badenscallie
- Garry viewing what we think is a weather buoy washed up on the beach near Acheninver
- The nice beach at Acheninver
- The Calmac ferry heading into Ullapool
- The minor road to the finish at Achduart
- The mountains behind Achduart
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE