DAY 76
MONDAY 6 MAY, 2013
OPINAN TO DRUMCHORK – 13 MILES 5.5 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, BILL, GEORGE MAC, ALEX AND IAN
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 1074.5 MILES
After a sociable night in the very friendly bar in our hotel and a good sleep it was disappointing to wake to a very wet morning. A good hearty breakfast soon raised the spirits and we set of back to Opinan where Ian dropped us off. It was still raining when we set off walking to the end of the private road before crossing a fence and making our way to the sea edge where we picked up a path near Leac Mhor. Underfoot conditions were soft and muddy and the path undulating as we made our way to Greenstone Point. The aptly named rock at the point is covered with green vegetation and topped with a cairn of sorts. From here we followed vague paths or sheep tracks along the rugged, sometimes rocky sea edge to Slaggan Bay. Crossing the lovely sands of the bay we made our way uphill to the WW2 naval triangulation point on the high point of Ploc an t-Slagain. Ian had walk out to meet us here and brought much appreciated refreshments. The rain had gone off and we were able to enjoy the amazing panoramic views of Loch Ewe. Our route into Mellon Charles followed a well worn path round the hillside before joining the village road. At the perfume factory we walked back down to the sea edge and round the point at Rubh a Choin and on towards Ormiscaig stopping to view the concrete remnants of a WW2 anti aircraft gun battery. Loch Ewe was the well defended base for the Russian convoys and both naval and merchant ships would assemble in the loch before setting off on the precarious voyage to Russia. We passed many similar reminders of the huge role Loch Ewe played during WW2. A short road walk took us to the end of the days walk at Drumchork.
Summary; A wet start to the day but a very interesting walk round into Loch Ewe. Underfoot conditions were a bit muddy but terrain not difficult.
Highs; Some great views. Viewing some of the WW2 history that surrounds Loch Ewe
Lows; None
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- It was rather dreich when we set off from the bay at Leac Mhor
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- Derek, Keith, Morris and Alex on a red quartz stone slab near Leac Mhor
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- The rough and boggy terrain on the way to Greenstone Point
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- Looking back along the bleak coast to Mellon Udrigle in the distance
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- Alex atop the rock at the aptly named Greenstone Point
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- A muddy track we picked up and followed towards Slaggan Bay
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- George Mac taking a breather near Gob a’ Chuaille
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- Approaching Slaggan Bay
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- Looking across the sands of Slaggan Bay to the high point on Ploc an t-Slagain
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- Looking back down to Slaggan Bay
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- Looking back across Slaggan Bay to the point at Gob a’ Geodha
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- Ian’s cafe at the WW2 naval triangulation point on the top of Ploc an t-Slagain
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- Looking ahead down Loch Ewe towards Mellon Charles
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- Could’nt beleive all the colours and patterns on this sea rock
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- Looking across Loch Ewe from near Leacan Donna to Rubha nan Sasan
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- The path towards Mellon Charles
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- The little beach near Rubh a Choin
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- Derek looking at the concrete remnants of a WW2 anti-aircraft battery at Mellon Charles
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- A strange little bridge at Rubh a’ Choin which led to more WW2 buildings at Mellon Charles
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- Another WW2 remnant, part of the submarine net defences
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- Looking back from near Ormiscaig
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- A rather dreich finish at Ormiscaig
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 76 ROUTE MAP