DAY 97 - ARIVEGAIG TO OCKLE - Walking Scotlands Coast

DAY 97

MONDAY 25 MAY, 2015

ARIVEGAIG TO OCKLE

12 MILES 6 HOURS

MORRIS, PHIL, BILL, GEORGE, STEWART, JAMES, ALAN, BRIAN, JOHN, STEWART B.

TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 1341 MILES

Our accommodation for the first part of this trip was at the Sonachan Hotel near Kilchoan. The weekend guys were staying in the bunkhouse and the full week team in the hotel. Details and opinions on the accommodation will be given later.

After a good evening meal, a few beers and a good night’s sleep we were suitably rested and ready for a full days walking. After breakfast we set off back to Arivegaig dropping one of the minibuses at Ockle on route. It was dull and overcast when we set off from Arivegaig, crossing the bridge over the river and following the rough road round the edge of Kentra Bay. We continued on this road through the forest (with some amazing tall pines) and walked out onto the lovely beach at Camus an Lighe (also known as the ‘Singing Sands’) where we had a brief stop to admire the lovely views. Walking west from the sands on a forest track we picked up a rough track near Gortenfern which we followed along the hillside. Some of the views from the hillside back to Kentra Bay and north towards Moidart were fantastic. Eventually the track took us back down to the sea edge at Acarsaid where it terminated and we had to forge our own path to the point at Rubha Aird Druimnich. Looking out to sea we had great views of Eigg and Rum some 10 miles away. The terrain here was very undulating, extremely muddy with many sizeable rock formations to climb over or detour round which slowed down our progress considerably. On reaching the small bay near Eilagadale we enjoyed a much needed lunch stop. Setting off again we moved inland on a well walked steep path uphill which joined a rough track along the hillside which we followed to Ockle. The views of the rugged coast east and west from the track were fantastic and gave us an indication of the challenges in the days ahead.

On reaching Ockle the sun was shining and Stuart and James could not resist the opportunity to have a dip in the river before we made the journey back to our accommodation and a welcome beer.

Summary; A very enjoyable walk with a variety of terrains and challenges. Underfoot conditions ranged from hard road to swamp with all the variations in between. The short route, through the hills, ( shown on the O.S. map ) to Ockle would be any easier alternative for the less fit.

Highs; The walk through the high pines, the lovely Singing Sands and some great views from the hillside track.

Lows; None really we have learned to expect the diversity of weather, terrain and underfoot conditions …..its all part of the coast walking challenge.

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