DAY 79
THURSDAY 9 MAY, 2013
NORTH ERRADALE TO PORT HENDERSON – 17 MILES 8 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, BILL, GEORGE MAC, ALEX, IAN, ALAN J, ALAN T, JAMES, COLIN, STEWART AND PAUL
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 1125 MILES
It was another lovely morning when we set off from the hotel for the short journey back to North Erradale. Ian dropped us in the village at the end of the road and we headed to the sea edge at Port Erradale where we picked up a path along the cliff tops. This path continued to Big Sand when we dropped down onto the beach and made our way onto the lovely sands at the caravan park. After crossing the river we climbed up onto the B8021 road at Carn Dearg. From here the road runs close to the sea for a stretch of almost six miles into Gairloch. Walking through the town we met up, as planned, with the rest of our group who joined us for the last three days walking. Leaving Gairloch we made our way along the lovely sands then followed a path round An Ard to the pier. After crossing the river on the road (A802) we followed a path through the woods at Charlestown towards Loch Kerry. On reaching the river Kerry we split into two groups, one favoured wading the river while the others followed a path on the north side of the river to the junction of the A832 and B8056. Both groups met up at the Shieldaig Hotel. A two mile road walk followed to the jetty at Badachro where we enjoyed a ‘pint’ at the Badachro Inn. Suitably refreshed we rejoined the B8056 for a short distance before taking the minor road towards Aird then crossed a fence to climb uphill through woodland. Clearing the woods we headed north over heather moor towards Sron Nan Gabhar then turned west to Badantionail. We continued along the hillside towards Sron a Mhuilt then dropped down to a minor road which led us back out to the B8056 at Port Henderson and the end of the days walk.
Summary; Yet another good days walk with a mixture of surfaces and terrains. Some part were challenging with thick woods and water to cross, not to mention a few fences.
Highs; The weather. Some great views and nice sands at Gairloch. Good pint at Badachro.
Lows; The road walks.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- The team ready to set off in lovely sunshine from North Erridale
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- Looking back north from near Port Erridale
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- Making our way along the cliff tops on a sheep track towards Rubha Ban
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- Looking over Longa Island towards the mountains of Skye from near Rubha Ban
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- The path was clear and good at parts
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- Approaching Big Sand the mountains of Wester Ross can be seen in the distance
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- George Mac at Big Sand with Longa Island to the left and Skye in the distance behind
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- Sun rays through the cloud reflect on the sea highlighting the mountains of wester Ross on the horizon
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- A collection of old anchors on the beach at Big Sand
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- Looking south down the beach at Big Sand
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- Looking out to Longa Island from the beach at Big Sand
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- Another great view south from Big Sand
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- View along the seafront at Gairloch
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- The rest of the team arrived and joined us for the last three days
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- Fabulous beach at Gairloch
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- Making our way along the golden sands at Gairloch in lovely sunshine
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- Looking back to Gairloch from near An Ard
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- Looking down on An Ard and Charlestown
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- The pier at An Ard
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- Looking back across from Charlestown to An Ard
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- Making our way through the woods from Charlestown towards Loch Kerry
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- The fast flowing river Kerry flowing into Loch Kerry
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- On the path beside the river Kerry towards Kerrysdale
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- Loch Shieldaig
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- The bay at Badachro
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- Looking across from the hotel at Badachro to Aird where our route went
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- Enjoying a pint at the nice friendly Badachro hotel
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- Looking back from the hillside above Aird to Eilean Horrisdale
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- Looking north from near Badantionail to Longa Island and Big Sand on the mainland
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- Heading down to Port Henderson
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 79 ROUTE MAP