DAY 71
SUNDAY 23, SEPTEMBER, 2012
ACHDUART TO ULLAPOOL – 15 MILES 9 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, BILL, PHIL AND GARRY
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 1023.5 MILES
Our accommodation for this trip was in the excellent Ardvrek House B&B just north of Ullapool. It has a superb location and the rooms, food and everything about it is first class. The proprietor Evelyn was very welcoming and helpful. Our stay at Ardvrek was very enjoyable and we all recommend it. After breakfast it was a long drive (30 miles) back to the days start point at Achduart. Although not as warm as yesterday it was dry and perfect for the tough walk ahead. From Achduart we followed a path known locally as ‘the Postman’s Path’ which passes Culnacraig and follows the coast round to Blughasary. This path is not for the unfit or faint hearted and undulates between 100 and 600 feet. At some parts it is very steep, narrow and there is one or two near vertical rock scrambles. All in all this part was challenging, exciting and well worth the effort. We left this path about a mile from Blughasary making our way across open ground to a footbridge over the river Canaird then along the south bank passed Keanchulish House and out onto the A835. On route we stopped to view a large cluster of the beautiful red and white spotted fungi (commonly known as Fly Agaric). A mile walk on the road took us to Ardmair where we enjoyed a refreshing ice-cream at the caravan park shop before walking on round the point at Rubha Cadail passed the lighthouse and on to the lovely hamlet of Rhue. Conditions were quite difficult at parts on this section with no track obvious and lots of obstructive bushes and other vegetation. We followed the road thru Rhue, stopping briefly to view the amazing Helen Denerley scrap metal ‘Big Cat’ sculpture at the side of the road then made our way down to the sea edge where we crossed the river. From here a path follows the sea edge all the way to Ullapool.
Summary; A very satisfying hard walk which tested our fitness and head for heights.
Highs; The physical challenge. The amazing views. Stumbling on the big cat sculpture. The ice cream.
Lows; None
Another day’s walk had been planned for the next day on the Scoraig Peninsula but was abandoned as it was not considered safe to cross by small boat to Altnaharrie due to weather.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Ready to set off from Achduart
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- The path from Achduart
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- Looking south towards Loch Broom from near Culnacraig
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- The start of the climb south of Culnacraig
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- The path was very narrow at parts
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- Looking down on Comorants near Geodha Mor
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- Looking back from near Geodha Mor
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- Derek on rock ledge near Leum an Fheidh
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- Careful footing is needed at this part
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- Garry enjoying the view towards Ardmair
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- The path was almost vertical at parts but good fun
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- Looking across to Ardmair from the path round the hillside
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- Looking over Rubha Meallain Bhuidhe towards Ardmair
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- Lovely Fungi that was growing in the woods near North Keanchulish
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- Footbridge over the river Canaird
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- Looking back over to Coigach and our route round the mountain side
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- Looking ahead to Ardmair
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- View from the caravan park back to where we came round the mountain side
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- Looking back to Coigach and Ardmair from near Meall Garbh
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- Looking back to Ardmair from near Meall Garbh
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- The lighthouse at Rubha Cadail
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- The amazing metal sculpture at Rhue
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- On the beach at Rhue
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- Calmac’s Isle of Lewis heading into Ullapool
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- Walking at the sea edge from Rhue towards Ullapool
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- Approaching Ullapool
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- Someone has a sense of humour
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- The shell of a fishing boat on the beach near Ullapool
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- The excellent Ardvrek guest house in Ullapool
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- Ready to head home
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 71 ROUTE MAP